Court Commander

Closeout Drill
The closeout drill is crucial for teaching players how to effectively close out on a shooter, highlighting the need for proper technique.
Video Demo (3 minutes)
closing out defense beginner intermediate

Closeouts
Players work on closing out effectively to an offensive player by positioning their bodies properly, maintaining balance, and using footwork to prepare for defensive situations like shooting or driving.
Video Demo (1 minute)
defense beginner

Closing Time
Players practice closing out on the offense by rapidly accelerating towards designated cones, chopping their feet to maintain balance and control while contesting shots, simulating the dynamics of game scenarios.
Video Demo (1 minute)
defense beginner

Construction Site
Players are divided into two teams—builders and bulldozers—where builders must upright scattered cones while bulldozers aim to knock them down, all while dribbling, which promotes spatial awareness and quick decision-making on the court.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribbling beginner

Creighton Rebounding
Players simulate three-on-three rebounding scenarios where they focus on proper closeouts, securing rebounds through contact, and effective communication, with an emphasis on becoming the second jumper to contest shots and box out effectively to limit opponents' second chances.
Video Demo (8 minutes)
rebounding beginner intermediate

Criss Cross
Involves teams of three players who practice passing while swiftly switching between offensive and defensive roles, emphasizing the technique of closing out on the ball handler.
Video Demo (1 minute)
defense beginner

Cross the River
The ball handler attempts to cross from one end to the other while evading defenders, earning points for successful crossings or interceptions.
Video Demo (1 minute)
passing beginner

Dean Smith
The "Dean Smith" small-sided game requires players to score solely off assists, promoting teamwork and recognition of teammates' contributions.
Video Demo (1 minute)
passing scrimmage beginner

Defense, Box Out, & Rebound (5 on 5)
This drill is designed to simulate real-game situations, encouraging players to be active and responsive. It also involves the point guard coming down to help with rebounding, highlighting the importance of communication and teamwork in securing rebounds.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
rebounding shooting beginner intermediate

Defense, Box Out, & Rebound (Individual)
This drill focuses on teaching players how to secure rebounds effectively while also avoiding being blocked out.
Video Demo (3 minutes)
rebounding shooting beginner intermediate

Defensive Slides
This drill emphasizes the importance of closing out correctly on shooters by balancing speed and control, ensuring players step hard in their final move while allowing the shooter to land, thus avoiding fouls and maintaining effective defense.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
closing out defense beginner intermediate

DeMatha Finishing
The drill is designed to enhance players' ability to react quickly to passes and finish at the rim, simulating game-like situations.
Video Demo (3 minutes)
layup beginner intermediate

Diamond Passing
Players line up behind four cones arranged in a diamond shape, take turns dribbling to the center cone, executing a jump stop and pivot to pass the ball to the next player, focusing on proper form while completing as many rotations as possible within a set time.
Video Demo (1 minute)
passing beginner

Dribble At
Players practice driving the basketball directly at a defender to create offensive opportunities, focusing on effective decision-making and utilizing angles to either pass or penetrate.
Video Demo (less than a minute)
dribble pass beginner

Dribble Knockout
Players dribble within a defined area, aiming to knock their teammates' balls away while safeguarding their own, fostering strategic movement and spatial awareness on the court.
Video Demo (1 minute)
defense beginner

Dribble Sprints
Players perform sprints from baseline to half court and back, focusing on keeping the ball low—no higher than mid-chest—while pushing the ball out in front to improve speed and ball control during fast breaks.
Video Demo (less than a minute)
dribbling beginner

Drive and Drift
Players practice driving towards the basket while teammates space out and drift to the perimeter, allowing for effective passing options and teaching players how to read defensive reactions.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribble pass beginner

Drop Steps
Players learn to execute quick drop steps to reposition their bodies effectively in front of an offensive player, which enables them to better control defensive positioning and force the offense into favorable spots on the floor.
Video Demo (1 minute)
defense beginner

Endzone
The offensive team must advance the ball into a marked end zone with only three dribbles and complete a pass to score, while the defense tries to intercept and switch roles.
Video Demo (1 minute)
passing beginner

Figure 8 Pounds
Players perform figure-eight movements with the basketball around their legs, incorporating one-pound dribbles between each figure-eight to develop ball control and improve hand dexterity.
Video Demo (less than a minute)
dribbling beginner

Figure 8 Shooting
Players practice shooting by dribbling from five cones spaced along the three-point line, where each cone represents a different city, aiming to score against defenders while improving their timing and technique during dynamic movements.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
shooting beginner intermediate

Flare & Shoot Drill
Players perform sharp and precise flare cuts to receive passes before stepping into their shots, emphasizing the importance of moving towards the rim and maintaining rhythm for effective shooting.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
shooting beginner intermediate

Flying Numbers
Players are divided into two teams, and the coach calls out numbers to indicate how many players from each team should compete in a scrimmage, allowing for mismatched scenarios to enhance players' adaptability and teamwork during game-like situations.
Video Demo (1 minute)
shooting beginner

Follow Your Pass
Players are taught to pass the ball and immediately cut to the basket to receive a return pass, emphasizing the importance of movement after passing to create scoring opportunities.
Video Demo (1 minute)
pass beginner

Form Shooting
Players focus on perfecting their shooting technique from various positions around the basket, emphasizing proper hand placement, body alignment, and consistent form to enhance accuracy and build muscle memory.
Video Demo (1 minute)
shooting beginner

Four on Two Tag
A fun and competitive drill where four offensive players work within the three-point line against two defenders, focusing on quick passing and decision-making to avoid being tagged and to score by completing passes.
Video Demo (3 minutes)
passing defense beginner intermediate

Free Throw Box Out
A defensive player positions themselves to box out an offensive player during a free throw. The focus is on maintaining a low stance and using body positioning to secure the rebound effectively.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
rebounding beginner

Frequent Flyers
Players are divided into offensive and defensive groups, using five cones spaced along the three-point line; offensive players must dribble from each cone to the basket, attempting to score while acknowledging the corresponding city named for each cone, and the first to score from all five wins.
Video Demo (1 minute)
shooting beginner

Full Body Wraps
Players integrate ball handling by wrapping the basketball around their head, waist, and legs to enhance finger pad control and hand-to-hand exchange, crucial for protecting the ball during gameplay.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribbling beginner

Full Court Layups
This drill involves players dividing themselves between the right and left halves of the court. Players on the left side act as rebounders, while those on the right have basketballs. The drill starts with ball handlers making layups, while rebounders grab the rebounds and then dribble to the opposite side to make their own layups. This drill emphasizes continuous movement and practicing layups from both sides of the court.
Video Demo (1 minute)
layups beginner intermediate