Court Commander

Red Light, Green Light
Players practice agility and coordination by dribbling their basketballs while responding to traffic light commands: "green light" for fast dribbling, "yellow light" for slowing down, and "red light" for a jump stop and triple threat position.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribbling beginner

Reverse Pivot Jab
Coach Taylor teaches players to perform a jump stop, execute a reverse pivot with the right foot behind the left while protecting the ball by jabbing forward and maintaining balance to prepare for an instinctive shot.
Video Demo (3 minutes)
shooting beginner

Rip and Sweep Shooting
Players practice making a quick rip-through move to create space before taking a shot, emphasizing the importance of footwork and using angles effectively to get a clean look at the basket.
Video Demo (1 minute)
shooting dribbling beginner

Roadrunner
Players alternate roles as a roadrunner, who must evade being tagged by a coyote while running around a circle, focusing on maintaining awareness and control of the basketball during both movement and dribbling.
Video Demo (1 minute)
defense beginner

Scoring Duos
Players work in pairs to practice two-player offensive sets, starting with dribble handoffs into layups, and progressing to jump shots and backdoor cuts while minimizing dribbles to enhance efficiency and teamwork.
Video Demo (1 minute)
shooting beginner

Shadow Rebounding
Players practice proper rebounding techniques by shadowing an offensive player, maintaining contact with their forearm, and using their body to push the opponent out of position while reacting to their movement, before jumping to secure the rebound.
Video Demo (4 minutes)
rebounding beginner

Shadow Shooting
Players practice their shooting form without a basket by focusing on hand placement and proper alignment, aiming to improve accuracy and build muscle memory for their shooting mechanics.
Video Demo (less than a minute)
shooting beginner

Sharks & Minnows
Players, referred to as minnows, aim to dribble from one goal line to another while avoiding being tagged by a coach acting as the shark; if tagged, they join the shark team to help tag remaining minnows until none are left.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribbling beginner

Shell Drill
A defensive drill that focuses on positional awareness, communication, and help defense as players practice rotations and closing out on shooters in a structured manner to enhance their overall defensive effectiveness.
Video Demo (4 minutes)
defense beginner intermediate

Shell Drill with Down Screens
An interactive defensive exercise where players learn to navigate down screens while maintaining communication and proper positioning to effectively guard against various offensive plays.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
defense beginner intermediate

Shell Rebounding
This drill involves players moving and communicating on defense, focusing on blocking out and securing rebounds after shots are taken.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
rebounding beginner intermediate

Shell Skeleton Rotation Drill
Players learn to maintain proper defensive positioning and communication as they practice rotations in response to offensive movements, emphasizing quick footwork, closing out effectively, and understanding help-side principles.
Video Demo (3 minutes)
defense beginner intermediate

Shooting Footwork
Players work on performing proper footwork by practicing their shooting technique while moving along the lane line, focusing on maintaining good balance and alignment to enhance shooting efficiency and accuracy.
Video Demo (1 minute)
shooting beginner

Shooting Pocket Drill (Dribble & Shoot)
Coach Taylor instructs players to start with the ball in the shooting pocket, execute a smooth motion from the pocket to the forehead while incorporating a dribble, and maintain consistent repetitions to develop proper shooting form and accuracy.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
shooting beginner

Shooting Pocket Drill (Feet & Forehead)
Coach Taylor emphasizes the importance of starting with the ball in the shooting pocket, bringing it up to the forehead for a high release to avoid flat shots, and maintaining low hips to ensure proper balance and technique during the shot.
Video Demo (3 minutes)
shooting beginner

Shooting Pocket Drill (Hips, Forehead, & Dip)
Coach Taylor instructs players to start with the ball in the shooting pocket at the hip, elevate it to the forehead for release, and dip their hips to generate energy and ensure a high-arcing shot.
Video Demo (3 minutes)
shooting beginner

Single Leg Wraps
Players perform ball wraps around one leg, alternating directions to enhance their balance, coordination, and ball handling skills while maintaining an athletic stance and keeping their eyes up.
Video Demo (less than a minute)
dribbling beginner

Snake
Players dribble around a designated area while trying to avoid being tagged by a designated player, known as the snake; when tagged, they join the snake, emphasizing teamwork and communication as the snake grows longer.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribbling beginner

Spartan Rebounding
Focuses on players making contact while competing for rebounds, enhancing their skills and physicality around the basket.
Video Demo (5 minutes)
rebounding beginner intermediate

Spin Out Shooting
Players practice their shooting technique by spinning the ball out, taking shots from various spots while focusing on footwork, sticking the landing, and maintaining rhythm to ensure effective shot preparation and execution.
Video Demo (5 minutes)
shooting beginner intermediate

Stationary Ball Handling
Players focus on developing their dribbling skills while stationary by using a variety of hand movements and body positioning to enhance ball control and hand-eye coordination.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribble beginner

Superman Drill
A player stands outside the paint, throws the ball off the backboard, and jumps to catch it while landing outside the paint. This drill helps players practice chasing after the basketball and landing in an athletic stance.
Video Demo (1 minute)
rebounding beginner

Switch Up
Players rotate roles by passing the ball and quickly transitioning between offense and defense within designated rectangles on the court.
Video Demo (1 minute)
passing beginner

Team Dribble Knockout
A game where two teams dribble and attempt to tap away the opposing team's balls while protecting their own, focusing on teamwork and court awareness.
Video Demo (1 minute)
defense beginner

Team Shield Steal
This drill has offensive players dribbling while defenders work together to steal the balls, switching roles when a steal is successful.
Video Demo (1 minute)
defense beginner

Team Tag
Players are divided into two teams where one team tries to tag as many members of the opposing team as possible within a minute, with tagged players required to do five jumping jacks before rejoining the game.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribbling beginner

The Floor is Lava
Players pair up and pass the basketball to each other while standing on designated "islands" (cones) to avoid the lava, which teaches precise passing and encourages movement to open islands after each pass, while not allowing any dribbling.
Video Demo (1 minute)
dribbling beginner

The Weave
Players are arranged in three lines at the baseline where the first player in the middle line passes to the player on their right, then runs behind them to continue the pattern, forming a braid as they advance to the opposite end, culminating in a layup and reinforcing teamwork and communication without allowing the ball to hit the floor.
Video Demo (1 minute)
passing beginner

Transition 3s
Coach Taylor emphasizes the importance of quickly sprinting to the three-point line after receiving a pass, encouraging players to practice shooting in transition to become more effective scorers. He advises maintaining game speed and intensity during practices, which helps players develop quick decision-making skills essential for real game situations.
Video Demo (2 minutes)
shooting beginner

Triple Threat Cut Through
Players execute a cut to receive the ball while maintaining a triple-threat position, which prepares them to shoot, pass, or drive, emphasizing effective movement and decision-making.
Video Demo (less than a minute)
passing beginner