I always emphasize practicing full court drills because of a memorable basketball game from my high school days. Our team executed a successful full court press that caused four consecutive turnovers and led to a 12-point comeback late in the second half. The victory was huge and I will always remember it. Full court drills are beneficial for improving various aspects of the game, including offense, defense, ball handling, quick decision making, and conditioning up and down the court.
What is a full court basketball drill?
A full court basketball drill is a practice exercise that involves players moving the ball up and down the court, typically with the goal of simulating game-like situations. These drills can focus on various aspects of the game, such as ball handling, passing, shooting, defense, and transition play.
Full court drills involve running up and down the court, which can help players improve their cardiovascular endurance and ball handling skills. They also provide an opportunity for players to develop their decision-making and communication skills by simulating game-like situations. Full court drills can be run with a variety of different numbers of players, ranging from 3-on-3 to 5-on-5, and can involve a variety of different activities, such as layups, dribble relays, and suicides.
What are some common full court drills for basketball players?
Here are some common full court drills for basketball players:
3-on-3 Full Court :
3-on-3 Full Court is a drill that involves three players on each team playing full court, working on their transition offense and defense. The objective of the drill is to score points by getting the ball across the opposition’s end line. The team with the most points at the end of the drill wins.
To set up the drill, divide the players into two teams of three. Set up a basket at each end of the court, and designate one end as the “offense” end and the other as the “defense” end. The team on offense tries to score by getting the ball across the opposition’s end line, while the team on defense tries to stop them.
The drill can be run in a number of different ways, depending on the goals of the coach and the level of the players. For example, the coach may allow the offense to pass the ball back and forth until they find an open shot, or they may require the offense to advance the ball up the court within a certain number of dribbles.
3-on-3 Full Court is a great drill for improving transition offense and defense, as well as ball handling, passing, and teamwork. It can be modified to suit players of different ages and skill levels, making it a versatile and effective drill for any team.
4-on-4 Full Court :
4-on-4 Full Court is a drill that involves four players on each team playing full court, working on their transition offense and defense. The objective of the drill is to score points by getting the ball across the opposition’s end line. The team with the most points at the end of the drill wins.
To set up the drill, divide the players into two teams of four. Set up a basket at each end of the court, and designate one end as the “offense” end and the other as the “defense” end. The team on offense tries to score by getting the ball across the opposition’s end line, while the team on defense tries to stop them.
4-on-4 Full Court is similar to 3-on-3 Full Court, but with an additional player on each team. This can make the drill more challenging and more game-like, as there are more players on the court to pass to and defend against.
The drill can be run in a number of different ways, depending on the goals of the coach and the level of the players. For example, the coach may allow the offense to pass the ball back and forth until they find an open shot, or they may require the offense to advance the ball up the court within a certain number of dribbles.
4-on-4 Full Court is a great drill for improving transition offense and defense, as well as ball handling, passing, and teamwork. It can be modified to suit players of different ages and skill levels, making it a versatile and effective drill for any team.
Full Court Dribble Relays :
Full Court Dribble Relays is a drill that involves players working on their ball handling and agility by dribbling the ball up and down the court as quickly as possible. This drill can be run with any number of players, but is typically best suited for smaller groups.
To set up the drill, divide the players into teams of two or three. Each team will have a designated “starter” at one end of the court, and a “finisher” at the other end. The starter begins the drill by dribbling the ball up the court as quickly as possible, while the finisher runs behind them. When the starter reaches the opposite end of the court, they pass the ball to the finisher, who then dribbles back down the court.
The drill can be run in a number of different ways, depending on the goals of the coach and the level of the players. For example, the coach may require the players to keep their dribble below a certain height, or they may require the players to make a certain number of moves or changes of direction before finishing the drill.
Full Court Dribble Relays is a great drill for improving ball handling skills and agility, as well as coordination and endurance. It can be modified to suit players of different ages and skill levels, making it a versatile and effective drill for any team.
Full Court Passing Drill :
Full Court Passing Drill is a drill that involves players working on their full court passing and catching skills. This drill can be run with any number of players, but is typically best suited for smaller groups.
To set up the drill, divide the players into teams of two or three. Each team will have a designated “passer” at one end of the court, and a “catcher” at the other end. The passer begins the drill by tossing the ball to the catcher, who then passes it back to the passer. The passer then passes the ball to another player on their team, who passes it back to the catcher. This pattern continues until the ball has been passed back and forth a certain number of times, or until a certain time limit has been reached.
The drill can be run in a number of different ways, depending on the goals of the coach and the level of the players. For example, the coach may require the players to make a certain number of passes before finishing the drill, or they may require the players to use a specific type of pass (such as a chest pass or bounce pass).
Full Court Passing Drill is a great drill for improving passing and catching skills, as well as teamwork and communication. It can be modified to suit players of different ages and skill levels, making it a versatile and effective drill for any team.
Full Court Scrimmages :
Full Court Scrimmages are drills that involve players playing a full court game with modified rules and time limits, allowing them to practice in a game-like setting. These drills can be run with any number of players, but are typically best suited for larger groups.
To set up the drill, divide the players into teams and set up a basket at each end of the court. The teams will play a full court game, with the objective of scoring points by getting the ball through the opposition’s basket. The coach can set time limits for the game, and may also modify the rules in various ways to suit the goals of the drill. For example, the coach may require the players to use a certain type of pass, or may allow a limited number of dribbles before a shot must be taken.
Full Court Scrimmages are a great way for players to practice their skills in a game-like setting, and can be particularly useful for working on things like offensive and defensive strategies, transition play, and teamwork. They can be modified to suit players of different ages and skill levels, making them a versatile and effective drill for any team.
