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Coaches always say: “The tougher teams win.”

What do coaches mean by that?

Toughness can fall in many categories: 50/50 balls, offensive rebounding, diving on the floor, charges, and screening.

Toughness is a mindset that all coaches are looking for ways to teach.

In the NBA, the Miami Heat is known as one of the toughest teams.

They led the 2022-2023 season in charges taken. 

There are drills that can be implemented that will create toughness in a team’s culture.

Here are 3 drills designed to build toughness:

#1 - Half Court Hustle

The Half Court Hustle drill is a terrific drill that teaches players to hustle to rebound out of their playing area.

The drill consists of having a player shoot the basketball from either wing. There is a line that starts at half-court with all the other players.

The player on the wing will take a shot. On the rise of the shot, the player at half-court sprints in to try to gather the rebound and finish.

The goal is to get to the basketball before it hits the ground and lay it in.

Rebounding is a vital part of toughness.

A team that is a good rebounding team has to do a good job of blocking out and being physical to control the glass.

Link to Video: Championship Rebounding

#2 - Dan Hurley’s Charge & Loose Ball Drill

Dan Hurley’s Charge & Loose ball drill is used to create juice in practice. 

His defense is built on a mindset. UConn begins each practice with this drill to get practice hyped.

This is a great drill that builds multiple defensive plays within itself.

The drill starts with a charge then getting up and sprinting and diving for a loose ball.

This creates an environment of toughness.

Link to Video: Dan Hurley's Defensive Philosophy 

#3 - Jerry Krause - Taking the Charge Progression Drill

A critical skill in a defense is taking the charge. 

To be able to take a charge, you have to practice it.

Coach Krause’s classic drill coaches the proper way to take a charge.

The drill ends with a helpside drill where a defender has to come from helpside to get into position to take the charge.

Charges are momentum plays that can change the outcome of the game.

Taking a charge requires being tough. 

Link to Video: Basketball Skills & Drills

This time of the season most coaches are trying to find a way for their team to get tougher.

Tougher Teams = Winning Teams

These 3 drills add creative ways to become a tougher team.

Thank you to the coaches for the great clinics.

Never get out-coached,

– The Coaches Clinic Community of Coaches Helping Coaches