Coach ,

As we have entered our season, we strive to make sure we keep innovating our practices and add new drills that will help to keep our players sharp throughout the season. 

So we have looked for some drills that keep things fresh and our players developing yet are great in-season drills that are very easy to implement. 

These drills can help to add the extra edge in practice you were looking for. 

#1) 5 Minute Drill with Coach Steven Harden

Coach Steve Harden got this drill from legendary University of Kentucky Head Coach John Calipari. 

This drill forces players to dribble as hard as they can and attack the rim aggressively, while also making sure they need to be precise on the passes and space the floor. It teaches players to play fast, while it also forces them to make smart decisions and not rush in fast pace offense.

Once your players learn how to knock down shots under time pressure, it helps them to adjust to more aggressive defense and closeouts. 

Coach Harden’s team is very well known for its very fast-paced offense and offensive efficiency. Check this drill out, it can be added in pretty much every phase of practice. 

(Click on the image below to watch Coach Harden’s 5-minute drill)

#2) 1 on 1 Close-Out Drill with Coach Dial

Closing out is an art that needs to be drilled and the fundamentals need to be continually emphasized. 

Coach Chris Dial from NAIA school Our Lady of the Lake University completely breaks down a great drill that helps to emphasize players’ footwork on closeouts. It also engages the offensive side and helps players to improve the way they attack the basket. 

By only allowing 1 to 2 dribbles on the drive, it will emphasize the purpose of this drill to attack the rim as fast as the player can, forcing the defender to react and stop the attack. This drill is great at using 3 on 3 or 5 on 5 action, as it helps to prepare players for live competition. 

(Click on the image below to watch Coach Dial’s 1 on 1 Close Out Drill)

#3) 2 on 2 Close Out Drill with Kevin Sutton

Another Close Out drill by long-time Division 1 Coach Kevin Sutton that engages 4 players and forces players to go to dead stop from sprint. 

It emphasizes urgency, positioning, but mainly communication, as the closing out defender needs to communicate with the other defender and make sure they know where and how to help. 

This drill is great to use after the 1 on 1 Close Out Drill mentioned above, as it takes the urgency and footwork emphasized in the previous drill and puts it into a situation that forces players to play together on defense and communicate. 

(Click on the image below to watch Coach Sutton's Close out drill) 

#4 How to Attack Closeouts Drill with Coach Pannone

Coach Ryan Pannone knows how to develop players. He is known in the business as an offensive genius. 

Coach Pannone believes that drills should be based on the offense that you’re running and dealing with the situations that your teams see most. 

One of the main concepts that Coach Pannone believes in is building up each part of a drill by the numbers of players -- build up by using 2 players - 3 players - all the way up to 5 players. 

The drill that Coach Pannone uses is putting a defender at the elbow. There is then a player that is on the wing and a ball handler at the top of the key.

The ball handler then drives at the defender and makes the pass to the wing. The defender then has to close out and defend. 

(Click on the image below to watch Coach Pannone’s Close out drill) 

#5 How to drill Offensive Spacing & Moving without the Ball with Coach Luka Bassin

Spacing has become a very important component to teaching offense. Today's game has turned into who can space the most. 

But, how do you teach spacing?

Coach Luka Bassin uses several drills to show how his team spaces. He believes in build up drills that teach multiple components.

In Bassin’s 3 on 2 spacing drill, the defense is working on closing out and scrambling. 

The 3 on 2 spacing drill consists of 2 defensive players stacked on the split line. The 3 offensive players are located on both wings and a guard on the top of the key.

The drill starts on first pass putting the defense in a closeout. The offense has to learn to find open areas and move into space. The players also have to learn where and why to cut.

(Click on the image below to watch Coach Bassin’s Spacing Drill) 

As you can see, these drills are very easy to implement and will help to keep you players engaged on both sides of the floor, plus you won’t spend too much time having to teach the whole concept of the drills.  

As you know, keeping drill and practice fresh will keep players from losing focus which stagnates their progress. 

Never get out-coached,

-- The Coaches Clinic Community of Helping Coaches