Basketball Drill - Footwork Drill

From the Coach’s Clipboard Basketball Playbook, @ http://www.coachesclipboard.net

Every player must learn proper footwork to become a good player. He/she must learn how to execute the jump-stop, forward and reverse pivot, and make certain cuts without the ball, such as the V-cut. He/she must learn the "triple-threat" position. Here is a drill that has the players execute all of these moves plus take a shot, follow the shot for the rebound, and make a good pass.

Refer to the diagram. The players form two lines, one for the passers and one for the movers- shooters.

Start the drill with the player in the line on the right wing cutting sharply toward the corner, where he makes a jump-stop (JS), and then does a reverse pivot (RP), and then cuts to the block. There he makes a V-cut (VC) back out to the elbow or free- throw line extended area. There he does a forward pivot (FP) and receives the pass in triple threat position (TT). Finally, he takes the shot, follows his rebound, gets the rebound and passes to the next person in the passing line who does not have a ball. He follows his pass to the rear of the passing line. The passer goes to the rear of the shooting line.

footwork drill

Pointers:
Make sure the jump-stop and pivots are executed correctly. Stress the footwork in this drill.

Jump-stop

Hop and land on both feet simultaneously.

Reverse pivot

After the jump-stop, pivot on the inside (left) foot toward the open floor.

V-cut

Plant the inside (right) foot and push off it hard extending your left leg the opposite direction to make the sharp cut to the free-throw line extended area.

Forward pivot

At the end of the V-cut, make a sharp forward pivot by pivoting on the baseline (right) foot, and face the passer and receive the pass in triple threat position.

At first, go through the drill slowly with the players, instructing and executing each move for them. Have the players go slow-motion at first, then speed it up once they start becoming proficient. Running this drill for 5-10 minutes each practice will rapidly improve these basic footwork skills.

Helpful DVDs-Videos

	Self-Improvement Basketball Drills: Post and Guard Play with Greg McDermott, Iowa State University Head Coach. Coach McDermott shares the sound philosophies and drills that have put McDermott-coached teams ‘on the radar' in the world of college basketball. A believer in balance, McDermott feels that the game is played from the waist down. The jump stop is completely broken down and is a building block of good players. Good balance comes from proper pivoting and athletic stance. Teaching players to get open on the block requires technique footwork and fundamental movements... This DVD will provide you with philosophy, teaching points and drills to develop your own winning tradition... (more info) Price: $39.99
	The Offensive and Defensive Transition Game with Manny Bloom, Five-Star Basketball Coach/Instructor, Boca Raton HS (FL) Head Coach. Transition is a major part of the game of basketball today. The team that can master the transition game has a decided advantage. The five benefits of transition offense are looking ahead, pushing the ball, attacking the basket, reading the defense and knowing your options. The outlet and bust out dribble are keys to starting the quick transition game. Bloom teaches his players to get from 3-point line to 3-point line in two dribbles. The three-man drill gets big men to run the floor as the guard throws the ball ahead. Other drills include drive and kick, jump stop drill, pick and roll, pick and pop and the circle drill. Defensive transition is the cornerstone to solid defense. Keys include seeing the ball, getting below the ball, stop point of attack and avoid the reach or jump. Bloom demonstrates several drills to set up defensively. Excellent teaching throughout... (more info) Price: $39.99
	Tough2Guard: 15 Jab Step Options with Luther Riley, Nike Basketball Training Specialist, Provine HS (MS) Head Boys Basketball Coach. Coach Riley breaks down one of the game's most dangerous moves - the jab step. During the course of this presentation, Riley presents 15 moves with the jab step to create scoring opportunities. Attention to the feet of the defender determines the kind of move the offense makes. The offensive player is taught to attack the ankle of the defender to gain foot advantage. The jab and go includes the "soft" job move. An extension of this move is the jab, square and go. The jab crouch, jab parallel, crossover jab and reverse jab all create space and help the driver get to the basket. Other moves are the perpendicular jab, post jab and weak hand jab. Aggressive and sharp actions must be made when jabbing to get open. To conclude his presentation, Riley combines two jab moves into one explosive move. This is a very unique and through look at one of the games most effective moves... (more info) Price: $39.99