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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One way to show sportsmanship instead of just saying “good game” is to give each opposing player and coach a firm handshake, eye contact and a sincere “thanks for the game” or “I enjoyed competing with you.” If you are serious about your sportsmanship, you may even pay a specific compliment, for example, if they shot well or played clean, hard defense. Good sportsmanship does not mean you don’t mind losing; it means you are willing to win – or lose – with honor.
Warm Up
5%
5%
Dynamic Warm-Up Part 4
(1 x each from baseline to half court or vice versa)
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Leg Swings
Knee Hugs
Imaginary Dunks
Backwards Run
Trunk Twists
Explosion Leap
Building Skills
40%
40%
Ball Handling
1 on 1 Create Space
(3-4 minutes)
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Groups should divide evenly amongst all the baskets available. The offense will begin with the ball anywhere outside the arc or inside the midrange.
The defender pressures the offensive player within an arm’s distance.
The offense has a maximum of two dribbles to create space and shoot a pullup jump shot, but they cannot enter the paint.
The defender cannot steal the ball, but can distract the shooter however they want!
Change roles after three repetitions. As many as three groups can play at the same time on each basket.
TECHNICAL LOADS
The defense can only use one hand to steal the ball or block the offense’s shot.
The defense cannot move until the offense dribbles. If the offense tricks the defense with a false start, they gain a bonus point.
The defense is allowed to steal the ball.
TACTICAL LOADS
Stay for two repetitions: the offense must attempt one rim finish and one pull-up jump shot in any sequence across both repetitions.
Defense can start at different angles (e.g. straight up, shading to a side, etc.).
Shooting
Shoot And Follow
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Divide the players into groups of 3 with 2 balls per group. Determine the depth and type of shot and allocate each group to a basket.
When coach says start, one player shoots quickly followed by the second player. Players follow their shot to get the rebound and pass to the open player. Once the player passes, they relocate to a new spot to receive the next pass.
After two minutes, groups change baskets, type of shot, or side of the basket to shoot from.
COMPETITIVE LOAD
Teams count their makes and the team with the most makes after a designated time wins.
Key Points
Emphasize speed of shot release and quality of passes. Shooters should be ready to shoot.
Screening Reaction Bursts
(4-5 bursts)
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Use a half-court setup with at least three offensive players: a passer, a screener, and a cutter.
Match with defenders (e.g., 3v3) or create an advantage (e.g., 3v2 or 4v3) to emphasize offensive decision-making.
The drill begins with a pass from either the screener or cutter to the passer. The screener then sets a screen on the cutters defender.
The cutter must use the screen to get open for a shot.
Set a timer (e.g., 2 minutes) or a target number of successful screen-and-read actions (e.g., 3–5) per burst.
After each shot or defensive stop, the offense quickly resets and continues the sequence, maintaining a high tempo.
Rotate offensive and defensive players after each burst of 3-5 possessions.
TECHNICAL LOADS
Screen Type: Have the screener set different types of screens such as down screens or back screens.
Screen Count: Mandate a minimum number of screens (e.g., 2) before a shot can be taken.
COMPETITIVE LOADS
Scoring Incentive: Award points for successful screen-and score actions or for creating wide-open shots.
Defensive Challenge: Add a trailing defender or have the defense switch to simulate game-like decisions.
Key Points
This drill builds players’ ability to execute and read screens in high-tempo, game-like conditions. It reinforces timing,
spacing, and communication while maximizing repetitions in a short period. Players develop better off-ball movement, decision making, and coordination in screening situations.
Passing
2 on 1 Bunch Spacing – No Dribble
(3-4 games)
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Start in groups of three, with two offensive players and one defender. Eventually, this can scale to 3 on 2 or more.
All players begin bunched together in a tight group, emphasizing poor spacing.
All players start with one hand on the basketball. Play becomes live when an offensive player grabs the ball from the group.
Once the ball is live, offensive players must immediately create space to avoid being aligned “3 in a row” (i.e., poor spacing). The offense CANNOT dribble, and must use passing and cutting to get
an open shot.
Offensive players work together to pass, move, and find scoring opportunities while maintaining proper spacing.
Have the offense play for 3 or 4 straight possessions or “bursts” and then change roles.
TECHNICAL LOADS
Restricted Spacing: Confine play to one side of the court to simulate tight offensive situations.
Vary Defensive Pressure: Add a second defender to simulate 3-on-2 or rotate defenders to increase challenge.
Spacing Challenges: Require offensive players to relocate to specific zones before receiving a pass.
Key Points
This drill teaches players how to recognize and correct poor spacing, move effectively without the ball, and make quick, smart decisions under pressure.
Rebounding
Chaos Rebounding
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Play 2 on 2 or 3 on 3 in the half-court. Additional players from each team wait on the sideline to rotate in.
The drill begins with a coach taking a shot or passing to a player who must shoot immediately (defense does not contest the initial shot).
Once the shot is taken, play becomes live and either team can rebound and attempt to score.
Play can continue until a team scores, or remain live on every rebound (make or miss) until a set goal is reached (e.g., first team to score two baskets).
After each possession or rebound, players reset quickly or rotate to maintain intensity.
TECHNICAL LOADS
Shot Clock: Implement a 5-second shot clock to encourage quick decisions and increase rebounding opportunities.
Dribble Limit: Limit dribbles after rebounds to promote fast decisions—either shoot or pass.
Pass Requirement: Require at least one pass before scoring to encourage movement and teamwork.
Shot Location Constraint: Initial shot must come from outside the lane or beyond the three-point line to create long-rebound and box-out scenarios.
Player Positioning: Restrict certain players to inside or outside the key to create targeted rebounding matchups.
COMPETITIVE LOADS
Score Multipliers: Award bonus points for offensive rebounds that lead directly to a basket.
Physicality Challenge: Allow controlled contact to simulate real-game rebounding battles.
Randomized Shots: Coach varies shot location (e.g., wing, corner, top of key) to teach players to track rebounds from different angles.
Team Concepts
25%
25%
3 on 2, 2 on 1
(4 minutes)
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Start with 3 lines on the baseline (2 on the wing and 1 in the middle).
The line in the middle will have basketballs.
Place two players on the opposite end as defenders.
The first player in each of the 3 lines will go with the ball up the court and try to score in the 3 on 2 fast break.
The offense is only allowed 1 shot.
Whichever player takes the shot or turns the ball over will get back on defense.
The other 2 offensive players will stay there and become the 2 new defenders.
The two current defenders will bring the ball back down the court and try to score in the 2 on 1 fast break.
This process will repeat with a new group coming on from the baseline and those who just finished going to the back of the lines.
Key Points
Work on spacing and making good decisions in transition.
Shell Drill 5 On 5 – with Post
(8-10 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.
Competing
25%
25%
11-Person Transition Drill
(3-5 minutes)
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Start the game with two defenders at each basket and three offensive players near half court attacking one of the baskets.
Align two other players on each sideline at various locations:
In the corner
At the free throw line extended
Between the free throw line and half-court
The offensive players attack one side in a 3 on 2 advantage situation.
After a shot or a turnover, whichever player gets the ball (offense or defense) will then immediately transition to offense, along with the two players waiting on the sideline on that half of the court. The player can either dribble or pass to transition towards the other side.
Those three players attack the other basket in a 3 on 2 advantage, and the game continues.
Players that are not actively playing offense or defense should fill in the open spots with the coach’s guidance.
TECHNICAL LOADS
After a rebound or a steal/turnover, the next possession must start with an outlet pass to one of the other two players joining from the sideline.
The offense may only pass twice before a shot.
COMPETITIVE LOAD
Players should count their scores to make this an individually competitive game:
1 point for a rebound or live ball steal
1 point for your team scoring
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.
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.
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.
