PRACTICE PLANS SKILLS CHECKLIST

All-Star Practice Plans

At the All-Star Level, players will begin to gain strength, quickness and the ability to better react to game situations. Practices will shift towards team concepts and competition, while still heavily emphasizing skill development.

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All-Star Practice Plan 2

Cultivating Values & Developing Wellness

5%
5%

Advanced Rules

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Explain the rules of the game to the players which should include the basic rules but also more advanced rules such as:

  • What is the bonus and how does it work.
  • What is 3 seconds.
  • How does the possession arrow work.
  • How many timeouts the team gets.
  • What are intentional/flagrant/technical fouls and how do they work.
  • Continue teaching other appropriate rules as well.

Warm Up

5%
5%

Dynamic Warm-Up Part 5

(1 x each)
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  • The Bear Hold
  • Ankling
  • Carioca
  • Pogo Jumps
  • Leg Swings
  • Calf Raises

Building Skills

40%
40%

Ball Handling

Full Court Cone Dribbling

(5 minutes)
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  • Line 10 cones up down the court just inside one sideline and spread out 5 cones just inside the other sideline.
  • Have all the players start on the baseline on the side with 10 cones with a ball.
  • Dictate the dribble move that you want the players to work on through the 10 cones.
  • The first player will dribble through the cones and when they are through the first 3-4 cones the next player will start.
  • When the players get through the 10th cone, have the attack the basket and finish how you have asked them to finish.
  • Then they will return up the other side of the court dribbling through the 5 cones.
  • As they dribble through the 5 cones, let them be creative and dribble as they wish and finish a shot at the other basket as they wish.
  • To ensure the players are dribbling through the 10 cones with their eyes up, have them keep their eyes on the basket in front of them and as any player in front of them shoots, they should call out “make” or “miss” according to the shot going in or not.

jrnba_allstar_pp2_fullcourtconedribbling_diagram1of2 jrnba_allstar_pp2_fullcourtconedribbling_diagram2of2

Behind the Back Wrap Breakdown Drill

(8 reps each way)
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  • Have the players start with a ball in an open space on the court.
  • The players will start with the ball in one hand.
  • The player will simultaneously wrap the ball around their back so that it bounces up to their opposite hand while at the same time stepping forward.
  • As the player wraps the ball, they will try to put their hand into their opposite “pocket” area on the wrap.
  • The players will also take that one step forward as they dribble by pushing off the same foot of the hand the ball starts in.
  • The players will repeat this process for the allotted number of reps each way.

Key Points

Make sure the player wraps their hand all the way around into their opposite hip “pocket” and simultaneously step forward by pushing off the foot of the hand that the ball started in.

Behind the Back Wrap Drill

(3 x down and back)
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  • Have all the players start on the baseline with a ball.
  • Now have them take 2 running dribbles forward and then wrap the ball around their back to the other hand.
  • The players will then again dribble 2 times with the other hand and wrap the ball behind their back to the other hand.
  • Continue this process all the way down the court and back.

2-Ball Low High Drill

(2 x 20 seconds each way)
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  • The players should have 2 balls (or partner up and share).
  • The players will get in a stance and begin by dribbling with their left hand nice and low with 1 ball.
  • After a few dribbles, the players will add dribbling the ball in their right hand up high.
  • The players will also switch and dribble the right hand low and left hand high.

Key Points

They players should make sure that balls don’t slowly become the same level dribble.

Footwork and Conditioning

Full Court Sprint

(2 x)
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  • Have the players sprint all the way down the court as fast as they can.
  • If you prefer to have them do this with the ball, that is great.

Dictated Pivot

(1 minute)
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  • Have the players partner up and line up on the baseline with 1 ball per group.
  • On the coaches whistle the players will dribble to the free throw line extended and jump stop.
  • As they are dribbling, the coach will make 2 commands.
  • The first command will be either “right” or “left” which will indicate to the player that either their right or left foot will be their pivot foot and stay on the floor after the jump stop.
  • The second command will be either “front” or “reverse” which will indicate to the player that they will either make a front or a reverse pivot until they are facing their partner on the baseline.
  • The partner will then pass to the partner on the baseline who will wait for the whistle and repeat the process.
  • The coach will sound something like this: (whistle) “Left-Reverse!”

Passing

Partner Running Pass Drill Part 2

(8 to 1)
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  • Have the players partner up and stand on the baseline across from each other.
  • The players will pass back and forth to each other as they run down the court and shoot a lay-up at the other end.
  • After they lay-up, they will wait at the other end for all the groups to finish before coming back the other way.
  • The group behind them can start once the group in front is almost to half court.
  • The players will be required to make the allotted number of passes to each other before shooting the lay-up.
  • So on the first trip down, the players will make 8 passes before shooting so they must count loud and execute a layup after 8 passes.
  • On their way back, they will make 7 passes before the lay-up.
  • This process will continue all the way down to 1 pass for a lay-up.

Key Points

Make sure the players count their passes loud and shoot the lay-up at the right time. Try not to drop any passes or miss any lay-ups. As the drill progresses, the players must run faster.

Shooting

Progression Shooting Competition

(1 x 8 makes each)
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  • Divide the players into teams and spread them out at a basket.
  • Each team should have 1 ball.
  • The first player in line will take the designated shot, get the rebound, pass it to the next person in line and go to the back of the line.
  • Every made shot will go towards the team’s total makes at a spot.
  • The first team to make all the shots from all spots will win.
  • For the first 8 makes, have the players make lay-ups.
  • For the next 8 makes, have the players make floaters.
  • For the next 8 makes, have the players catch and shoot at midrange.
  • For the next 8 makes, have the players start at the 3 point line and take 1 dribble pull-ups.
  • For the last 8 makes, have the players catch and shoot and make 3’s.

Shooting Line Game

(games to 8 makes)
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  • Divide the players into two or more group lines and have each group at a designated shooting spot on the court.
  • The group lines will operate as a team and keep their score together.
  • The players will shoot one time, get their rebound, give it to the next player and return to the back of the same line.
  • Continue this drill until one team makes the designated number of shots. Then switch spots and repeat.

jrnba_rookie_pp1_shootinglinegame_diagram1jrnba_rookie_pp1_shootinglinegame_diagram2

COMPETITIVE LOAD

  • Instead of counting made shots, now the teams will try to spell a word and the first team to spell the word wins. Teams are awarded a letter for every made shot helping them spell a fun word. Sample words include: Jr. NBA, Champs, Shooters, Team etc.”

Key Points

Have the players count the makes out loud for all teams to hear. Encourage the players to cheer for their teammates and utilize the shooting form they have worked on.

diagram

Team Concepts

25%
25%

3-Second Deny Drill

(3 reps each, both sides)
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  • Have a line of players on each wing.
  • There should be an offensive and defensive player on the court.
  • The defensive player will deny the offensive player the ball for 3-5 seconds.
  • After that, the defender will go to the back of the line.
  • Next, the offensive player will become the defender.
  • A new player will step in on offense and the process will repeat.

Key Points

Make sure the players see the ball and the man. If the offensive player receives a pass, the defensive player must repeat. If the offensive player cuts back door, the defender must snap their head and hand in the other direction quickly.

Jump to the Ball Drill

(4 x each side)
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  • Have the players start in one line on the baseline.
  • There will be 1 player on each wing and the coach at the top with the ball.
  • The first player in line on the baseline will sprint to close out on coach.
  • Coach will pass the ball to either wing.
  • On the pass, the defensive player will “jump to the ball” in a good defensive stance.
  • The player who receives the pass will take 1-2 dribbles to the middle of the floor and upon seeing the player who jumped to the ball, they will retreat dribble and then drive to the baseline side for a lay-up.
  • The defensive player who jumped to the ball will now fill the open space on the wing.
  • The wing player will go to the back of the line on the baseline after their lay-up and a new player from under the basket will pass the ball to coach and close out to repeat the process.

3-Person Pass, Cut & Replace

(1 x 1-3 minutes)
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  • Start with a line on each wing and 1 player at the top of the key with the ball.
  • The player at the top will pass to either wing and cut to the basket looking for the ball.
  • The player on the wing without the ball will “replace” the cutter and fill to the top of the key.
  • The cutter is now out of the drill and will go to the back of the line on the wing that replaced them.
  • The wing with the ball will pass the ball to the top where the player has replaced.
  • That player will reverse the ball to the other wing and cut to the basket and the series repeats.
  • Cutters only cut from the top.

jrnba_allstar_pp1_3personpasscutandreplace_diagram1of4 jrnba_allstar_pp1_3personpasscutandreplace_diagram2of4 jrnba_allstar_pp1_3personpasscutandreplace_diagram3of4 jrnba_allstar_pp1_3personpasscutandreplace_diagram4of4

Key Points

Make sure the players show their hands to catch the ball and stand in the triple threat position before making strong passes. Also emphasize that the cutter cuts hard to the basket looking for the ball with a hand up.

Fundamentals of Defending the Ball Screen

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  • There are a variety of ways to defend the ball screen. There are different options for the guard defenders, different options for the post defenders, and different philosophies about where to push the ball. In any of these scenarios, it is important for the players to understand their responsibilities. Teach the players your philosophy and their responsibilities.

Competing

25%
25%

3 on 3 Dictated – Pass & Cut or Pass & Ball Screen

(games to 3 makes)
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  • Divide the players into teams of 3.
  • Utilize both baskets if there are four or more teams.
  • The players must start with a pass and cut, or pass and ball screen.
  • After that, the ball is live and the players can move and play
    as they choose.
  • Every change of possession, the ball must get back to the top of the key in order to start the next possession.
  • If the offense scores, they get the ball back.
  • Keep the game moving quickly but not requiring a “check,” and allowing players to get to the top of the key and start their possession.

5 on 5 Dictated – Minimum 4 Passes

(games to 4 makes)
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  • Divide the players into teams and play full court games to 4 made baskets.
  • No shot can be taken until the team with the ball makes 4 passes.

Compliment Session

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Gather the players together. Players group with 1-2 players next to them and share answers to the prompted questions.

  • Ask players to share something they did well, what enjoyed about today’s practice or something positive about another player’s actions.
  • Have players switch groups and ask some players to share their groups answers. Coach can build onto the player responses.

Key Points

All compliments should be natural. Not every player has to give or receive a compliment.

Skills Checklist

PDF Skills Checklist: Preview/Download
PDF Full Skills Checklist

At the conclusion of the All-Star Level, Jr. NBA players should be proficient at each of the following skills. Judging proficiency at this level is the responsibility of the coach.

Ball Handling

    Passing

      Shooting

        Footwork & Conditioning

          Rebounding

            Offense

              Defense

                Other