Block & Bank — Drill library for basketball coaches

1 Passing Lines Warm-Up

5 min Difficulty: Beginner Age: u8 Court: Half

Pairs, 5 metres apart. 20 chest passes, 20 bounce passes, 20 overhead passes, 20 one-handed push passes (10 each hand).

Fundamentals warm-up every coach should run every practice. Countless turnovers prevented.

Coaching points

Step into every pass.
Fingertips on follow-through.
Receive with both hands, fingers spread.
Bounce passes: 2/3 of the way to your partner.
Overhead passes: snap wrists, from the forehead.

2 Stationary Ball-Handling Series

5 min Difficulty: Beginner Age: u10 Court: Half

Six progressions done in place: pound dribbles, low-high crossovers, between-the-legs, behind-the-back, figure-8 around legs, spider drill.

Daily warm-up every guard should do. Five minutes builds the hand-eye foundation everything else needs.

Coaching points

Eyes up, never look at the ball.
Low stance, chest over knees.
Fingertips on the ball, not palms.
Game speed, actually push the pace.
Equal reps both hands.

3 Cone Slalom

8 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u12 Court: Half

Six cones in a zig-zag pattern. Player weaves between them at game speed, performing a chosen move at each: crossover, between-the-legs, behind-the-back, in-and-out, spin, hesitation.

Moves library at game speed. Builds the ability to change direction AND change pace.

Coaching points

Hit every cone hard.
Low stance, don't stand up between moves.
Protect with off-arm.
Finish at the rim with a layup.
Good form first, speed second.

4 Catch & Shoot — 5 Spots

10 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u14 Court: Half

Coach or partner rebounder passes from under the basket to the shooter on the perimeter. Shooter catches in shooting position, sets feet, rises and shoots — no dribble, no hesitation.

The most common shot in modern basketball: the catch-and-shoot three off a kick-out.

Coaching points

• Hands ready BEFORE the catch — fingertips up
• Catch with feet ready to shoot — 'shooting pocket'
• Square shoulders to the rim on the way up
• Same release every time — no thinking
• Hold follow-through until the ball hits

5 Help & Recover

8 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u14 Court: Half

Two offensive players: ball-handler at the wing, shooter in the opposite corner. Two defenders. Ball-handler drives baseline; help defender steps over to stop the ball, then recovers to their man as the kick-out pass comes.

The most important rotation in modern defence. Practise the recovery as much as the help.

Coaching points

Help defender: split-stance, foot in the lane, eyes on the ball.
Step over when the drive starts — don't wait until they're at the rim.
Loud verbal: 'HELP!' on the way over, 'RECOVER!' going back.
Recover with hand high — they're shooting as you arrive.
Don't recover too early or you give up the layup.

6 Pick & Roll Reads

10 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u16 Court: Half

Foundation of modern offence. Ball-handler comes off a screen and reads the defence: drive if the big drops, pull-up if they switch, pocket pass if they trap, kick to the wing if help comes.

Walk through each read at half-speed before live reps.

Coaching points

• Set up the screen with a hard step opposite first
• Use the screen — shoulder to hip with the screener
• Read the big's hips: drop = drive, hedge = pull-up, switch = mismatch
• Pocket pass to the roller is always available
• Eyes scan the weak side — corner shooter is the easiest help-kick

7 3v3 Half Court

15 min Difficulty: Intermediate Age: u14 Court: Half

Three on three live action. Make-it-take-it. Defence must clear the ball past the three-point line before going back to offence. First team to 7 wins.

The single best teaching format in basketball. Every skill applies, every decision matters.

Coaching points

Spacing — never have two players in the same area.
Move the ball — 3-second rule on the ball-handler.
Talk on defence — call screens, switches, helps.
Box out every shot — no offensive rebounds for free.
No isolation — every possession must have a pass.

8 Cool Down Routine

4 min Difficulty: Beginner Age: u8 Court: Half

End-of-practice: 30 seconds each, toe touches, quad stretch, hamstring stretch, calf stretch, lunge stretch, cobra back stretch, shoulder rolls. Total 4 minutes.

Most coaches skip it. Don't. Recovery starts here. Players who stretch consistently miss less practice from soreness.

Coaching points

Slow movements, no bouncing.
Breathe, exhale on stretch.
Don't push through pain, just to the edge.
Hold each stretch.
Debrief while stretching: what worked today?

Skill-Builders Mix (U14)