The five-point drill

The five-point drill requires the individual to meet the ball, pass quickly, pass accurately, and move to a different position. I like this drill because it is continuous and develops alertness.

Course of action:

1.       Four players position themselves in a square and ten feet apart and the fifth player gets in the middle.

2.       The middle player, with a basketball, starts the drill by passing to any player, then taking that player’s place.

3.       The receiver of the basketball passes to either the player to the left or to the right, and taking that player’s place

4.       The second receiver passes across the square to the player on the opposite corner and takes that player’s place.

5.       The third receiver passes to the player to his right or left and takes that player’s place.

6.       This drill continues in this manner with the basketball moving across (corner to corner), a side pass, corner to corner, a side pass, etc.

7.       After players become well accustomed to this passing drill, add variations such as having each receiver to fake a pass before passing the basketball

I.U. Passing Drill
This drill requires several players and two balls. Players form a semi-circle, with one player (the in-the-barrel player) standing one step in from an imaginary line drawn between the two end players forming the semi-circle. Drill goes like this:

1. The "in-the-barrel" player makes a correct form two-handed chest pass to one of the players in the semi-circle. At the same time he must call-out that player's name.
2. The instant the ball leaves the man-in-the-barrel's hands, the player holding the second ball in the semi-circle, executes a correct form two handed chest pass to the man-in-the barrel. He, also, must call-out the man-in-the barrel's name.
3. Passing continues at a rapid pace for one minute. Then players rotate clockwise, with a new man-in-the barrel. The drill continues until every player has had his turn in the barrel. There are four rules:

• The passer must call-out the name of the receiver.
• You must concentrate on the proper passing mechanics.
• The "in-the-barrel" player can not make consecutive passes to side by side men in the semi-circle.
• The "in-the-barrel" player must stay one step in from an imaginary line extending from the end semi-circle players.

4. Repeat this drill, using bounce passes.

Front Door, Back Door

This is a passing drill for guards and also a drill for the post position.

What you need – Match up two post players and a guard, and run as many stations as you have baskets. The guards will start off with a ball. See diagram below for more details on positioning.

How the drill works – To start, the guard will dribble the ball just outside the three point line. The two post players (defence in red) will be working the low post area in this drill.

The 4 man will do one of two things: Fake roll backward and come front door, or fake front and go back door. At this point it is the responsibility of the 1 man to make the quick pass into the key so the team can score a quick basket.

The purpose of this drill is to improve the timing and the quick read skills of the guard and also to help the post player learn to identify and execute a quick move underneath the hoop.

Result – Both your guard and your post player will begin to understand the importance of quick passes and quick cuts when you want to execute a back door pass down low.