US Sports Basketball Feat. Duke Blue Devils vs. Kansas Jayhawks Game Highlights and Three Effective Early-Season Defensive Basketball Drills

 

• By Grant Young

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The start of the season is a crucial time for players at all levels to establish good habits through effective basketball drills. As teams begin to come together, it's the perfect opportunity to lay a solid foundation that can influence performance throughout the entire season. 

Starting with structured drills also fosters a sense of discipline and teamwork. During this phase, players can learn how to communicate effectively on the court, understand their roles, and build chemistry with one another. Drills that emphasize teamwork not only improve individual skills but also cultivate a cohesive unit that works well together, which is vital for success in competitive environments. 

The start of the season is when players are most open to feedback and learning. They are often eager for guidance as they want to make an impression. By introducing good habits through drills now, players are more likely to internalize the lessons and apply them consistently during games.

All of these reasons indicate why there’s no better time than right now, as the basketball season is about to begin, to find a few drills that could become staples for your team, especially early in the year. This is why we’ve pulled three perfect early-season defensive drills from three elite head coaches that can provide you with a blueprint for how to get your team to mid-season form before your opponents on defense. 

Mark Downey - No Man’s Land Drill

Mark Downey enters into the fifth season of his second stint as head coach at Arkansas Tech and will be in his ninth season overall at Tech in 2024-25. Downey’s first stint saw him lead the Wonder Boys from 2006-07 to 2009-10.

After guiding the Wonder Boys to their first winning season in five years with a 16-15 record and an appearance in the GAC Tournament Championship game in 2022-23, Downey guided the team to a 25-7 overall record and an 18-4 mark in the Great American Conference in 2024.

Coach Downey’s ‘No Man’s Land’ Drill from his ‘Practice Drills & Guard Individual Development’ course is a fantastic way to instill basic but vital fundamental techniques when establishing your team’s identity on the defensive end of the floor. 

This drill begins with five players on defense in a circle in the paint while a coach is under the hoop with a ball. There will be one offensive player on the block while the other four offensive players are spread out along the wing. The defensive players need to hold hands and spin while the coach with the ball rolls it out to one of the players on the wing. 

Whichever player in the spinning circle that’s closest to the player who receives the rolled ball must immediately go and close out. The next closest player needs to get in the nearest passing lane. Two other players need to close out the help side, and then the fifth defensive player must take care of the opposing post player. 

At this point, the drill becomes a live scrimmage scenario. There can be a ton of different variations to this drill (such as a different offensive alignment, emphasis on pick and roll defense, or defensive switching) but the key part to it is that the defenders must be communicating and making fast decisions about who to guard once the ball gets rolled. 

Dave Adkins - 3 Man Touch to Transition Defense Drill

David Adkins joined the Washington women's basketball program ahead of the 2024-25 season, bringing 15 years of collegiate and NBA experience to the Huskies' bench as an Associate Head Coach. Known for his incredible work ethic and skill in player development, Adkins' career reflects a deep commitment to excellence and mentorship.

Prior to his appointment at Washington, Adkins served as the Director of Player Development for the Denver Nuggets and their NBA G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, during the 2023-24 season. His NBA tenure also included pivotal roles with the Portland Trail Blazers (2022-23) and the Washington Wizards (2014-2021). 

Coach Adkins’ ‘Player Development: Offensive and Defensive Combination Drills’ course details a 3 Man Touch to Transition Defense Drill that should be on every coach’s practice plan in the early parts of a season. 

This drill begins with three players who each make a dunk or layup. Once they do, all three run back to transition defense while three other players push it down the court. The key for defenders at this point is shrinking the floor along the wings, understanding where each transition player is, and making quick closeouts if and when the ball handler spots up or passes to a shooter along the wing. 

This is a simple drill that emphasizes quick repetitions, conditioning, communication, and teamwork on the defensive end, and can be done daily at the start of a season to instill these transition defense principles. 

Joe Pasternack - Wildcat Drill

Joe Pasternack is in his eighth season at the helm of the UC Santa Barbara Men's Basketball team. Over his seven seasons with the program, he has accumulated a 148-68 record for a winning percentage of .685, the best in school history. His 148 wins are the most in the first seven years of any Gaucho head coach.

Coach Pasternack’s ‘Program-Defining Drills’ course’ discloses his ‘Wildcat Drill’, which is primarily focused on defending the ball screen. It begins with one post player on defense at the top of the post. The player he’s guarding makes a pass then cuts down into the paint, where a coach is waiting to set a screen with a protective pad.

The defender must get past that back screen, defend the ball in the post, defend a cross-screen, front the post player, then end with however the coach wants their players to defend the ball screen with their post player. 

Placing these players in all these scenarios in rapid succession will give them vital reps at the beginning of a season they’ll need down the stretch.  

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US Sports Basketball - Three Transition Basketball Drills To Play With More Pace. And WNBA Highlights Indiana Fever Vs Minn. Lynx Presented on US Sports by The Home Depot

 

• By Grant Young

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Transition basketball is a crucial aspect of the game that emphasizes the importance of quick movement and decision-making. Here are some key points showcasing its significance: 

Speed and Tempo: Transition basketball allows teams to take advantage of fast breaks, enabling them to score quickly before the opposing defense can set up.

Creating Mismatches: When a team effectively pushes the ball up the court, it can exploit mismatches. Faster players can outrun slower defenders, increasing the likelihood of easy baskets. 

Defensive Adjustment: Transition plays force the opposing team to react quickly, often leading to defensive lapses.

Utilizing Athleticism: Teams with athletic players often thrive in transition. Players who can run the floor, handle the ball, and finish at the rim make transition basketball a potent weapon. 

Momentum Shift: Quick scoring in transition can shift the momentum of a game. A series of fast-break points can energize a team, boost morale, and put pressure on the opponent. 

Ball Movement: Transition basketball encourages ball movement and teamwork. Players must quickly pass, cut, and create space, improving overall offensive efficiency. 

Defensive Transition: Equally important is the ability to transition effectively to defense after a turnover or missed shot. 

Game Strategy: Incorporating transition basketball into a team’s strategy can lead to a more dynamic and unpredictable style of play. 

Teams that excel in this area often find greater success on the court. If you want your team to improve their efficiency and effectiveness on the fast break, the following three drills we’ve pulled from three top-tier coaches will help your pursuit to do so. 

John Leonzo - Colors Drill 

John Leonzo enters his third season as an assistant coach for the Wright State women's basketball program. He was promoted to associate head coach in 2022. 

Leonzo joined the Raiders in June 2021 after five seasons as an assistant coach at Cedarville University. He was involved in all facets of the Yellow Jacket program, including recruiting, player development, and scouting. 

Coach Leonzo’s ‘The Ultimate Guide To Transition Offense’ course details his Colors Drill, which he believes all fast-paced offenses should employ during practice. 

This drill begins with one team of five players lined up along the baseline with a ball and the other team starting about five feet in front of them on the court, across from the player they’ll be defending. 

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From there, the coach will call the name of a player on the defending team. This kickstarts the offensive team’s fastbreak, while the player whose name is called runs to touch the baseline before recovering and getting back. 

The goal for the offensive team is to diagnose and attack the advantage early, getting the ball up the court to the player the defender would be guarding if their name wasn’t called. 

If there isn’t any play to be made on the transition before the defensive player recovers, the drill then becomes a typical 5-on-5 scrimmage until the possession ends. Then the teams switch sides and restart the drill. 

Coby Karl - 4 on 4 on 4 Drill

In 2023, Coby Karl (the son of NBA coaching legend George Karl) became an Assistant Coach for the Philadelphia 76ers. Before that, he was the head coach of the Delaware Blue Coats NBA G League team and the South Bay Lakers NBA G League team.

Karl had an 8-year professional playing career with stops in Los Angeles (Lakers), Cleveland, Golden State, the NBA G League, as well as overseas in Spain, Italy, and Germany.

Coach Karl’s ‘Playing With Pace, Aggression and Creativity’ course explains his 4 on 4 on 4 Drill, which is a simple yet extremely effective drill in developing the conditioning and offensive decision-making that being an elite fastbreak offense requires. 

This drill begins with a team splitting up into three squads of 4 players. From there, one team will be waiting on one side of the court while the two other teams will be playing a full-court, 4-on-4 scrimmage that begins in transition. 

After each possession ends, the team who was playing on offense will immediately get back on defense as the team who was along the sidelines enters the court (from around half-court) and begins their fastbreak, giving the team who is on defense a quick rest while that possession is underway. 

A coach can divide their teams up evenly or stick with a starting unit against a second team. The key here is to keep the drill extremely fast-paced because each 4-man squad is getting a rest after every two possessions. 

Jeff Rutter - Redhawk Drill

Jeff Rutter joined the Western Michigan men's basketball staff as an assistant coach in May of 2022. 

Rutter arrived in Kalamazoo having spent the previous five seasons at Miami University. During his time in Oxford, he helped guide the RedHawks to 70 wins and an appearance in the 2018 CBI.

Coach Rutter’s ‘Up Tempo Offensive System’ course goes into detail about his Redhawk Drill, which begins with three lines of players along the baseline. 

There will be a cone positioned at arc-extended along each sideline with three cones at half court. The right side line will start with the ball, and pass it to the middle line. When that pass is made, the player will sprint to the opposite side’s arc-extended cone. 

The middle player will then pass it to the left sideline and sprint to the half-court cone in front of the arc-extended cone. 

The third player catches the pass and passes it to the first player, who is now at the arc-extended cone and runs to the middle half-court cone. The drill then reverses and turns back around toward the basket. 

This drill is fantastic in understanding where to look for outlets and passes up the court in transition, while also showing players proper cutting lanes when running the break.

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US Sports Basketball: These Three Pick and Roll Drills Are Crucial For Any Ball Screen Offense and Connecticut Sun vs. Indiana Fever FULL GAME HIGHLIGHTS

 

• By Grant Young
 

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The pick and roll stands out as one of basketball's most effective offensive strategies, and its success hinges on players mastering the fundamentals through high-quality pick and roll basketball drills. 

When executed properly, this play can become an unstoppable force against defenses. But mastering its execution requires a deep understanding of spacing, timing, and communication among teammates. 

To truly harness the power of the pick and roll, focused drills are essential. Players setting the screen must learn the optimal positioning and angles to maximize their effectiveness, while also being aware of defensive positioning. Meanwhile, the ball handler must develop the ability to read defenses in real time, making quick decisions to drive, shoot, or pass based on how the defense reacts to the screen. Incorporating situational drills that mimic game scenarios can be a game-changer. 

By practicing various pick and roll setups against different defensive strategies, players gain invaluable experience and confidence. They learn not just the mechanics of executing the play, but the various options at their disposal when faced with defensive adjustments. 

By prioritizing practice and deeply understanding the fundamental principles behind the pick and roll, teams can transform this play into a cornerstone of their offensive strategy, making it a decisive weapon during games.

But coaches will need the correct drills to start that process. This is why we’ve included three pick and roll drills from some of the basketball community’s most respected thought leaders. 

Greg White - Pin Down Shooting Pick & Roll Drill

Greg White, hailing from Bentonville West High School in Centerton, Arkansas is a coaching luminary with over two decades of experience. In 2023, he was honored as the 6A West Coach of the Year and led his team to seize their first conference championship & past the 100-win plateau. 

His extensive career boasts 250+ wins as a varsity head coach, and he’s renowned for his contributions to the basketball community as a mentor at Snow Valley Basketball School and a frequent speaker for USA Basketball.

Coach White’s ‘The Screening Game: Using Different Angles & Types for Success’ course conveys what he calls the pin down shooting drill that’s based off a pick and roll. The drill begins with three lines of players, one at each wing and one at one of the blocks. 

The weak side wing line has the first two players in line each holding a ball. The other wing then goes down to the block and sets a pin down screen, which prompts the post player to flash to the wing and receive a pass from one of the players with a ball.

As soon as the screen is set, the screener will roll to the post and receive a pass from the other player with a ball. 

Another variation of this can be for the post player to curl around the screen and roll back toward the basket, while the initial screener can pop back out to the wing and shoot the jump shot, essentially switching positions from the initial variation.

Liam Flynn - Drilling 2v2 PNR Offense vs Flat coverage

With 24 years of professional coaching experience, Liam Flynn has spent time as an NBA Consultant and coached in the German Bundesliga, Chinese CBA, and the New Zealand NZNBL.

In addition to that, Coach Flynn has amassed six years of coaching experience in the Australian First Division (NBL), 15 years of coaching experience in the Australian Second Division, and 20 years of coaching experience at the Junior Elite Level in Australia. He received his Master's in Sports Coaching at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia. 

Coach Flynn’s ‘The Art of the `Mid Pick and Roll` course conveys a pick and roll drill that he loves against flat coverage (where the defender who is guarding the screener positions themselves almost at the same level as the on-ball screen when it arrives). 

This drill is a 2 on 2, and is focused on seeing the different opportunities that arise when the pick comes at different places on the court. So the ball handler should start by dribbling around the perimeter to a specific place on the court. Once there’s a signal, the post player will come up and set the screen, and then roll toward the basket once the screen is set. 

Once that roll occurs, the ball handler will ideally make the pass while both defenders are engaged in the screen, which will hopefully open up the lane. But this will depend on the timing of the screen and where on the court it takes place. 

Dave Severns - High/Mid Pick & Roll Drill

Dave Severns is currently a basketball scout for the Indiana Pacers. Before that, he spent 14 years in the NBA as Director of Player Development for the LA Clippers from 2010-2016, Director of Player Development for the Chicago Bulls from 2008-2010, and Pro Personnel Scout for the LA Clippers from 2016-2021. 

In his ‘Pick & Roll Offense 101’ course, Coach Severns details a high/mid pick and roll drill, which starts with a post player getting a screen at the three point line. The ball handler will dribble to the elbow before pulling up for a jump shot, while the screener will roll and receive a pass from a coach who’s along the baseline and shoot a shot at the other elbow. 

The key here is that the guard is influencing their defender one way, which will open the roll opportunity for the screener against a man-to-man defense. 

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US Sports Basketball: Four Advanced Ball Handling Drills For Basketball Guards and 🍿 The Ricky Rubio Show never gets old

 

• By Grant Young
 

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A basketball guard’s ability to handle the ball directly correlates with how far they can take their basketball career.  

First and foremost, basketball ball handling is essential for creating plays. Guards need to control the ball while navigating through defenses, setting up teammates for scoring opportunities, or finding their own shots. If a guard struggles to maintain control of the ball, they become less effective in running the offense, which can lead to turnovers and missed opportunities. 

Effective ball handling allows guards to create space. Whether through dribbling, crossovers, or hesitation moves, a guard's ability to maneuver can create openings not just for themselves but also for teammates. Without these skills, defenders can easily anticipate their movements, making it harder to execute plays. 

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Coaches look for and elect to play players who can contribute in multiple ways, especially when it comes to players who are responsible for holding the ball. Guards who lack solid ball handling skills may find themselves at a disadvantage when competing for minutes or spots on the roster. Teams value players who can not only pass but also drive and shoot effectively, and poor ball handling can limit a player’s versatility. 

Not to mention that as guards progress in their careers, the level of competition increases. Defenses become more sophisticated, and having elite ball handling skills becomes even more critical to succeed. Players who can’t adapt risk being left behind, as those with better skills will take prime positions. 

All of this is to say that developing as a ball handler is a must for any prospective guard. While there are endless drills a ball handler can use to try and improve their dribbling abilities, the four included below stem from coaches with decades of combined experience, during which they’ve singled these drills out as the most conducive for success as a ball handler. 

Dave Severns - Pound Dribble Drill

Dave Severns is currently a basketball scout for the Indiana Pacers. Before that, he spent 14 years in the NBA as Director of Player Development for the LA Clippers from 2010-2016, Director of Player Development for the Chicago Bulls from 2008-2010, and Pro Personnel Scout for the LA Clippers from 2016-2021. 

Coach Severns’ ‘Elite Ballhandling & Passing’ course includes two ball handling drills well worth your time. The first is called the Pound Dribble Drill, which requires getting in partners with one ball between them. 

One player will be dribbling the ball with their fingers spread, eyes up, and not going past knee height with the ball while their teammate slaps and pulls their dribbling arm around, trying to make them lose control of their dribble. 

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The benefit of this drill is that players will have to deal with their dribbling arms getting fouled throughout a game. But the theory is that they won’t ever have to deal with someone consistently doing so with as much force as this drill requires (at least not without a foul getting called), so this drill will prepare them for the worst-case scenario and help develop a player’s ability to dribble under duress. 

Dave Severns - Scissor Drill

Another one of Coach Severns’ drills is called the Scissor Drill, which starts with a player dribbling the ball with their right hand, going between their legs, and then back between their legs again from their left hand to their right hand. After doing so, they’re going to make a push pass with their right hand to their partner, who is across from them about 10 feet away and doing the same thing at the exact same time. 

This drill is difficult because both partners have to be in complete sync with each other if they aren’t going to throw the ball while the other is still dribbling. This requires the player to have the eyes up and focused on their partner, which will teach dribbling between the legs efficiently without looking down. 

Zach Urbanus - Handle & Footwork Drill

Zach Urbanus was a 4-year starter as a guard at The Citadel, which is a Division 1 university. He finished his career Top 10 in both scoring & assists at The Citadel, and played point guard professionally in Denmark after his coaching career ended. Once his playing days concluded, Coach Urbanus became the Co-Founder and Chief Training Officer at Ballogy.

Coach Urbanus’ ‘Ball Handling the Right Way’ course details a Footwork and Ball Handling drill, which is fantastic because it helps hone two different skill sets at the same time. 

This drill will start with the guard making a jab step and then dribbling into the paint before stopping on a dime. They’ll then transition into various different dribbling attacks from the top of the key at different points of the court. 

It’s an effective drill because it practices jump stops, which can be difficult for guards who aren’t advanced at ball handling. 

Jay Hernandez - Guard Crawls

In 2023, Jay Hernandez became an Assistant Coach for the Brooklyn Nets. He also has more than a decade of professional coaching experience with the Charlotte Hornets and the Orlando Magic. 

Coach Hernandez’s ‘Advanced Point Guard’ course had a series of drills called Guard Crawls, which start with a player facing sideways, stepping with their right leg (if they’re dribbling with their right), and imagining sticking their left foot in between a pressing defender’s leg. This simulates dribbling up the court when a defender is pressing up on you, which is vital for any ball handler to be able to do.

From there, the series goes into how to develop this drill into a simulating cutting between two defenders, dribbling through a pick and roll, and how to dribble past a defender who’s trying to come over the top of a screen.

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