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 6

Cultivating Values & Developing Wellness

5%
5%

Playing Positions

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Teach the players what the typical roles and responsibilities are of each playing position and then list some of their favorite players at that position:
• Point Guard: primary ball handler and distributor that sets the offensive plays for the team and is usually a good defender.
• Shooting Guard: This player is usually a scorer and a secondary ball handler.
• Small Forward: A small forward is typically a versatile player that can do a little bit of everything on the court.
• Power Forward: This is usually a taller player that can rebound and defend and may be able to stretch the floor and shoot, or score from the post.
• Center: A center is typically the tallest player on the team who protects the basket and scores close to the basket.

Warm Up

5%
5%

Dynamic Warm-Up Part 8

(1 x each)
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  • Hip Hinge
  • Backward March
  • High Knees

Building Skills

40%
40%

Ball Handling

Line Battles

(4 minutes)
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  • Divide your group into partners or groups of three. Use the inside of the free-throw lane as the playing space. The offensive player starts on the baseline defended by their partner.
  • The offensive player’s objective is to get from the baseline to the free-throw line as many times as possible within a set time or number of attempts.
  • The offensive player must stay within the lane lines. If they are forced out of bounds or lose possession, they must return to the baseline and restart. If they get to the free-throw line, they get one point and return to the baseline to start again.
  • The defensive player works to stay in front of the defender, cutting off angles, and limiting space.
  • The offensive player should use a variety of dribble moves (e.g., crossover, spin, behind-the-back) to keep the defender off balance.

TECHNICAL LOADS

  • Limit the offensive player to using their non-dominant hand only or have them switch hands after each successful trip.
  • Start the defender at different spots (e.g., a step ahead, shoulder-to-shoulder, or trailing).

COMPETITIVE LOADS

  • Award points only if the offensive player can transition into a scoring move (e.g., floater, pull-up jumper, or layup) after making it to the free throw line.
  • Add a time limit for the offensive player to reach the free-throw line. If they don’t make it in the allotted time, it’s a turnover and they start again.

2 on 1 Post Passing Game

(5 minutes)
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  • Create groups of 3 players with at least 2 groups at each available hoop. One player starts on the post on offense and one player starts on the wing or top of the key on offense.
  • The third player is on defense and guards the post first. The post defender can either:
    • Play defense behind the post
    • Front the post
    • Defend the post on the side, denying the pass with an arm.
  • The passer must make a pass to the post three times, with the post player making a move to score depending on the defense.
  • After three sets, rotate the roles.
  • After all players have played each role, move the defender to guard the passer and start again.

Passing

2 on 1 Shooting Game

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  • Using all available baskets, have two players at each elbow facing the basket, with one defender under the basket with a basketball.
  • The drill starts with the defender under the basket passing the ball out to one of the offensive players on either elbow. After passing the ball, the defender runs to defend the offensive player.
  • The player who catches must make a quick decision to either shoot (if they are open) or make an “extra pass” to the other offensive player. The two offensive players must stay stationary.
  • The offensive players shoot the ball if they are open or pass to their teammate if the defender recovers.
  • After a shot is taken or a pass is stolen, rotate one of the offensive players to defense and bring in two new offensive players on each elbow and continue the drill.

TECHNICAL LOAD 

  • The defender can roll the ball or make low passes to the offense, giving the defender more time to contest a shot or a pass and forcing the offensive player to make a tough catch and recover.
  • Move the offensive players to different areas of the court, such as the wing and baseline, to work on shooting from different angles.

Key Points

Players must make quick decisions and read the defender. Players should also focus on making good passes quickly to their teammate to set them up for a shot.

Transition Decision Shooting

(5 minutes)
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  • Divide your team into groups of 3 and use as many hoops as possible, with as many as 3 groups at each hoop.
  • One player will be the shooter, one will be the passer positioned above the three-point line, and the third player will be in the key rebounding and providing decision cues. The rebounder can also act as a passer.
  • The shooter starts by running to half-court and back to the three-point line, where he or she will receive a pass. The shooter then must read the rebounder/passer’s cues:
  • Passer’s hands up: the shooter must pass back to the rebounder and relocate along the arc for a jump shot.
  • Passer closes out towards shooter: the shooter pump fakes and dribbles into a pull-up jump shot
  • Passer slides to the block: the shooter drives towards the opposite block and delivers a pocket pass to the passer for a
    layup.
  • Have each player in the group go for 30-45 seconds, switching roles between each round.

Shooting

Free Throw Golf

(1 game)
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  • Utilize as many baskets as possible and have 1 player shooting at a time.
  • The player will shoot 2 free throws at a time and rotate until each player has shot 10 total free throws.
  • After every player has taken 10 free throws, the player with the lowest score wins.
  • The scoring is as follows: If a player makes a shot nothing but net, they receive minus 2 points (-2).
  • If a player makes a shot in any way other than nothing but net, they receive minus 1 points (-1).
  • If a player misses a shot, they receive plus 1 point (+1).

COMPETITIVE LOAD

  • Create partners and have each partner group compete against each other. Partners can attempt to distract their opponent while they are shooting free throws. They just can’t block or touch them!

Team Concepts

25%
25%

Shell Drill 5 On 5 – with Post

(8-10 minutes)
 + −
  • 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.

3 on 2, 2 on 1 Modified

(4 minutes)
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  • Start with three offensive players on offense, spread out anywhere in the half-court outside of the three-point line. One offensive player has a ball. Two defenders start near the basket.
  • The ball is live when the offensive player with the ball attacks the hoop. Play live 3 on 2 in the half-court until a score or a turnover.
  • Whichever player takes the shot or turns the ball over will get back on defense on the opposite side of the court. 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.
  • The next possession starts with three new offensive players spread out in brand new spots in the half-court.

TACTICAL LOAD

  • Restrict the offensive space on the 2 on 1 to only one side of the court – if offensive players cross to the other side, it’s a turnover.

Competing

25%
25%

Chase Layup Drill-Full Court

(1 x 3 minutes)
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  • Have players partner up and get one ball for the two.
  • The first player will start with the ball on the elbow and the other player will start on where the lane line meets the baseline.
  • When the coach indicates, the player with the ball will dribble full court for a lay-up while the other player will try to run from behind to contest the lay-up.
  • The next pair will start immediately behind them and each group will switch positions each time.
  • Change spots on the court as the players get more comfortable.

jrnba_allstar_pp6_chaselayupdrillfullcourt_diagram1of4 jrnba_allstar_pp6_chaselayupdrillfullcourt_diagram2of4 jrnba_allstar_pp6_chaselayupdrillfullcourt_diagram3of4 jrnba_allstar_pp6_chaselayupdrillfullcourt_diagram4of4

diagram

Key Points

This drill emphasizes having the players finish layups at game speed with a real defender behind them which forces them to have further concentration.

1 on 1 – Cones

(games to 3)
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  • Have two lines at the top of the key with one line closer to the wing.
  • Both lines will have a cone on the baseline directly in front of them.
  • The coach will also be at the top with a basketball.
  • The first player in each line will have to sprint to the baseline and touch the cone in front of them and then sprint to the wing for 1 on 1.
  • The player that was closest to the wing will be the offensive player and the other player will be defense.
  • Play 1 on 1 with a maximum of 3 dribbles for each possession.
  • After the possession, the next 2 players in line will begin the same process.

1 on 1 – Dribble Out

(games to 3)
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  • Have two lines on the baseline near the sideline with one slightly closer to the top of the key.
  • Both lines will have a cone between above the three point line but before half court directly in front of them.
  • The line closer to the sideline will have a ball.
  • On the coaches command, the first two players in line will go to the cone and around them towards the middle of the court.
  • The player will the ball will dribble the entire way and upon going around the cone, the players will play 1 on 1.
  • After the possession, the next 2 players in line will begin the same process.
  • This should be a fast pace game.
  • Be sure to utilize the other side of the court or other baskets to maximize reps.

3 on 2 Trailer Game

(games to 5 makes)
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  • Divide the players into 2 teams.
  • 1 team will always defend the same basket with 2 players.
  • Each team will also have a player or line of players that start on the sideline at half court.
  • As the first team brings the ball up with three players, as they cross half court, the defending team will have their player at the sideline and half court run to the middle of half court, touch the floor and then help their teammates on defense.
  • After the defensive score or stop, those 3 defenders will go the other direction to score.
  • As they cross half court, the other teams player at the sideline and half court will run to touch the floor at the middle of half court and help their teammates on defense.
  • This process will continue until the allotted score.

Key Points

Encourage the players to score in the 3 on 2 setting before the 3rd defender arrives.

5 on 5 Situational Play

(3 x)
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  • Divide the players into teams and provide a specific game situation.
  • Game situations may be, giving a team the ball and telling them they are winning by 1 point with the ball with 45 seconds remaining.
  • Another game situation may be, losing by 2 with the ball and 2:30 left in the game.
  • Help the players understand game and clock management and reinforce key points that come up in the situational play.

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

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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