PRACTICE PLANS SKILLS CHECKLIST

MVP Practice Plans

At the MVP Level, players will begin competing more frequently in order to apply and refine the skills they have developed. Players will also begin to specialize and fit into more specific roles and positions. Team tactics and game strategy will also be further implemented in the MVP Level.

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MVP Practice Plan 11

Cultivating Values & Developing Wellness

5%
5%

Humility

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  • Positive Coaching Alliance sees players who exhibit humility as improving the overall quality of the game we all love. If players are humble enough to not consider themselves more important than their teammates, they are ready to play a beautiful style of basketball, sharing the ball on offense and the effort on defense. And, players who are humble enough to respect their opponents as equals will not disrupt the game with trash-talk or overly physical, dangerous play. Therefore, humility is a key to preserving the game so that it can continue giving so much joy to all of us and elevating our spirits.

Warm Up

5%
5%

Partner Resistance Warm-Up

(20 seconds each)
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  • Have the players partner up and give each other resistance for the allotted amount of time with the following exercises:
    • Stance
    • Knees
    • Running Long Stride
    • Plank
    • Arms
    • Running Small Steps

Building Skills

30%
30%

Ball Handling

2-Ball Jab Drill

(2 x 30 seconds)
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  • All the players will have 2 balls or share with a partner and spread out on the baseline.
  • The players will get in a good stance and work on pounding two balls at the same time.
  • The coach should stand out at the free throw line and encourage the players to work hard.
  • If the coach holds up the left or the right hand, the players will quickly jab the corresponding foot out to the side and bring it back underneath them quickly.
  • The coach will continue to hold up different hands and encourage the players to react quickly and jab to each one.
  • Do this for the allotted amount.

2 Ball Alternate & React

(2 x 30 seconds)
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  • All the players will have 2 balls or share with a partner and spread out on the baseline.
  • The players will get in a good stance and work on pounding two balls at the same time.
  • The coach should stay out in front of the players by starting at the free throw line and encourage the players to work hard.
  • The players will alternate dribbling both balls in a good stance.
  • If the coach holds up the left or the right hand, the players will take one big explosive step forward with that foot as the first step.
  • The players will continue to dribble 2 balls while reacting to coach and exploding forward.
  • After the players get to half court, have them turn and come back as well until the allotted time has elapsed.

Offense

Backdoor Pass Lay-Up Drill

(20 makes)
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  • Have the players get into 2 lines, 1 at the top and one on the wing or corner.
  • Have the balls start in the line at the top and have the player with the ball dribble towards the wing.
  • The player on the wing must time the cut and step up and then back cut.
  • The player with the ball will snap a bounce pass to the cutting player who will take a lay-up.
  • After the pass and the lay-up, the players will get the rebound and switch lines and continue.
  • Based on numbers, you can utilize 2 groups or 4 lines at each basket.

Shooting

Loop Shooting Drill

(10 makes at 5 spots)
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  • The players will start in two lines facing the court where the lane line meets the sideline.
  • Each line will have two balls.
  • There will be one player who starts on the court on the block.
  • The player with the ball in front of the player on the court will pass them the ball, the player will shoot and get their rebound.
  • After rebounding, the player will give the ball to the same line they got it from and then go to the back of that line.
  • After the player passes, they will loop around the outside of the shooter to the other side of the lane and catch the ball from that line.
  • The player will shoot, get the rebound, give the ball to the line they got it from and go to the back of that line.
  • The player who made that pass will continue the process of looping behind, shooting, and going to the other line.
  • Have the players shoot from different distances from the basket when you dictate.

jrnba_starter_pp4_loopshootingdrill_diagram1of4 jrnba_starter_pp4_loopshootingdrill_diagram2of4 jrnba_starter_pp4_loopshootingdrill_diagram3of4 jrnba_starter_pp4_loopshootingdrill_diagram4of4

Key Points

Make sure the players go around the outside of the shooter. Also make sure the players get their rebounds quickly and give it to the line they received the pass from.

diagram

Team Concepts

30%
30%

Dive-Contest-Charge

(2 x each player)
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  • The players will start on the block in a stance chopping their feet with a line of players behind them on the baseline.
  • Coach will roll the first ball out so the player must run and dive on it as a lose ball.
  • The player will quickly get up and close out on the coach at the 3 point line.
  • The coach will then pass to a player on the opposite wing and the defender will jump into help.
  • The player will drive to the basket and the defensive player must step over and take a charge completing the dive, contest and charge.
  • The player who to the charge will move to the wing where they will be the driver.
  • The driver will go to the back of the line on the baseline and the next player in line will step on the court and get in a stance to start the process of dive, contest, and charge.

jrnba_allstar_pp10_divecontestcharge_diagram1of4 jrnba_allstar_pp10_divecontestcharge_diagram2of4 jrnba_allstar_pp10_divecontestcharge_diagram3of4 jrnba_allstar_pp10_divecontestcharge_diagram4of4

Key Points

Bring a lot of energy to this drill!

Load to the Paint

(3 x each)
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  • Have the players get in groups of 4 or 5 and get on the baseline.
  • Bring the first group out to the lane and have them run in a small circle until the coach tosses the ball in the air.
  • When the ball is tossed in the air have all the players yell shot.
  • At the same time have the players that are allowed to crash the offensive boards, run and touch the backboard and sprint back.
  • The guards or those not allowed to crash the offensive boards will run back as soon as the ball is tossed.
  • All players will load to the paint by sprinting to the paint then turning and closing out to the nearest spot on perimeter yelling “Ball! Ball! Ball!”.
  • Quickly the coach will point in a couple of directions to have them slide from side to side and then have them clap and hustle off to the baseline of that end of the court while the next group begins the same process.
  • Repeat this process until each group has completed the allotted number of reps.

jrnba_mvp_pp11_loadtothepaint_diagram1of6 jrnba_mvp_pp11_loadtothepaint_diagram2of6 jrnba_mvp_pp11_loadtothepaint_diagram3of6 jrnba_mvp_pp11_loadtothepaint_diagram4of6 jrnba_mvp_pp11_loadtothepaint_diagram5of6 jrnba_mvp_pp11_loadtothepaint_diagram6of6

Shell Drill 5 On 5 – with Post

(8 minutes)
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  • Divide the players into groups of 5 and start with 1 team on defense and one team on offense.
  • The offense should only have players on the perimeter and 1 post player.
  • The offense is only allowed to pass and cut (no screens).
  • After 5 passes, the ball will become live and the offensive team can try to score but are still not allowed to screen.
  • Switch teams every possession.
  • Emphasize post defense and how to help with a post player.

5 on 0 Fast Break

(5 x)
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  • Have the players start in 5 lines on the baseline, 1 in the middle, 2 to the sides of the middle line and 2 out wide on each side.
  • The first two players in the middle line will need a ball.
  • All the players will run forward towards the other basket.
  • The player in the middle will pass the ball to the player closest to them on the right, that player will pass the ball to the player to the left of the middle line, and that player will pass the ball to the player running out wide to the right.
  • That player will lay the ball in and swing through to switch sides with player that was running the left wing.
  • The player in the middle is responsible for getting the rebound without it bouncing while the players that were closest to the middle line will switch sides inside the paint.
  • The players will immediately do the same thing on the way back to the original side.
  • After they finish on the side they started on, they will step off the court and the next grow will start.
  • Each player should rotate through each of the starting points.

jrnba_mvp_pp3_5on0fastbreak_diagram1of8 jrnba_mvp_pp3_5on0fastbreak_diagram2of8 jrnba_mvp_pp3_5on0fastbreak_diagram3of8 jrnba_mvp_pp3_5on0fastbreak_diagram4of8 jrnba_mvp_pp3_5on0fastbreak_diagram5of8 jrnba_mvp_pp3_5on0fastbreak_diagram6of8 jrnba_mvp_pp3_5on0fastbreak_diagram7of8 jrnba_mvp_pp3_5on0fastbreak_diagram8of8

diagram

Key Points

Encourage the players to run hard and call names as the players off the court encourage the group.

Competing

30%
30%

3 on 3 Dictated – Down 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 down 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.

3 on 3 Dictated – Pick & Roll

(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 pick and roll.
  • 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.

3 on 3 Dictated – Screen the Screener

(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 screen the screener which means the coach will start with the ball on the wing while a guard on the ball side block screens across the lane for a post player to come to the ball side, then a player around the free throw line area will set a screen for the guard coming off to the top.
  • 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.

3 on 3 Dictated – Elbow Pass

(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 to the elbow from a guard at the top, there should also be a guard on the same side wing which will allow the guards multiple cuts and screens to work together on that side of the court.
  • 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.

Compliment Session

► + −

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 MVP 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

        Rebounding

          Offense

            Defense