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 3

Cultivating Values & Developing Wellness

5%
5%

Receptiveness

+ −
  • As you might expect from an organization called Positive Coaching Alliance: coachability is critical. Nobody is infallible, but coaches usually get to be coaches by demonstrating knowledge of the sport and an ability to communicate in ways that get the most out of players’ ability. Players can learn a great deal about basketball and life from most coaches. The idea that you give respect to get respect is a two-way street between coaches and players. Once all are on that same street, coachability becomes natural. Even if players do not always understand a coach’s direction, one of the great values of basketball is the chance to try new things, learn what works and what doesn’t and apply lessons from that experience to future dealings with authority figures from parents to teachers to bosses.

Warm Up

5%
5%

Dynamic Warm-Up Part 11

(1 x each)
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  • Bear Hold
  • Stationary A Skip
  • Pogo Jumps
  • Forward Walking Lunge
  • Lateral Chop
  • Carioca

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.

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

Offense

Filling the Corner Drill

(2 games to 8)
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  • Have one line on the wing with a ball and another line on the other wing.
  • Have the line with the ball drive towards the basket on the baseline side.
  • As the player drives, the player on the other wing will be dropping to fill the corner.
  • As the player gets close to the basket, they will pass the ball to their teammate in the corner to catch and shoot.
  • The players will get the rebound and switch lines.
  • The next players in line will continue until the team has made the allotted number of shots and will then do the same thing the other way.

jrnba_allstar_pp3_fillingthecornerdrill_diagram1of3 jrnba_allstar_pp3_fillingthecornerdrill_diagram2of3 jrnba_allstar_pp3_fillingthecornerdrill_diagram3of3

Key Points

Make sure the players dribbling into paint with the thought of scoring. Players should make a good pass to the player who is ready to catch the pass with their hands up and knees bent ready to shoot.

diagram

Spin 5 Series

(2 x each way)
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  • All the players need a ball and can start on the baseline along the lane line.
  • Utilize the other side of the lane or other lines to maximize reps.
  • The player will pass the ball to the coach at the top and flash to the same side elbow.
  • The player will complete the move at which time the next player will pass to the coach and the process will continue until each player has gone 5 times.
  • Each of the 5 times, the players will use a different move.
  • Then the players will also work from the other elbow.
  • The five moves will be the following:
  1. Turn and rip to the baseline with 1 dribble and a quick spin back to the middle and finish with no more dribbles.
  2. Next turn and rip to the baseline and take 2 hard dribbles and a big spin back to the middle and finish with no more dribbles.
  3. Next the players will turn and rip to the baseline and take 2 hard dribbles then make a half spin towards the middle before turning back to the baseline for a shot.
  4. On the next catch at the elbow the players will simulate a defender playing them as they face away from the basket and the offensive player will give a quick spin off the defender for the shot of their choice.
  5. For the last catch, the players will take a dribble with their back to the basket and after the dribble, give a quick spin off to the shot of their choice.

Key Points

Have the players work on a variety of spin moves to finishes. The first three will spins will be off of turning and facing the basket and the last two will be from starting with the back to the basket.

Passing

Pocket Pass & Shoot

(20 each way)
 + −
  • Have all the players get a ball and have the post players start on the block and the guards start above the opposite wing.
  • The first post player will pass the coach the ball and then go set a ball screen for the guard.
  • The guard will come off the screen and make a pocket pass to the big.
  • The post player will catch and finish in the paint and get their rebound and go to the back of the post line.
  • The guard will then relocate to a spot dictated by coach, catch a pass from coach, and take a shot dictated by coach.
  • The guard will get their rebound and go to the back of the guard line.

Team Concepts

30%
30%

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.

Balance the Floor Drill

(5 minutes)
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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 coach will label the lines 1 through 5 on the baseline so that everybody knows which line is each number.
  • The first group up will give the coach a ball and prepare for the drill.
  • The coach will pass the ball to 1 of the players and call out 2 or 3 numbers.
  • The 2 or 3 players numbers that were called will run down the court identifying where the ball is and where their teammates are so they can balance the floor.
  • The player that catches the ball will dribble down the court and will help the players balance the floor. This player can also pass the ball.
  • The players will balance the floor quickly and either take a quick shot or work on driving and kicking for a shot based on coaches decision.

Key Points

Help the players see and understand how and why balance the floor. Remember the player who receives the ball can also pass the ball to help the team get balanced.

Follow the Leader Slides

(1 x each)
 ► + −
  • Have the players spread out on the court all facing the same direction.
  • Have 1 player become the leader at the front by turning and facing the rest of the team.
  • For roughly 10 seconds the leader will energetically complete defensive movements by saying and doing the action while the team tries to mirror the leader. The leader can do foot fire, slides,
    jumps, loose ball, charges etc.
  • After around 10 seconds have the full group clap and bring energy as the leader goes into the group and gives a high-five to another player. That player will now become the leader for a new round.

Dive-Contest-Charge

(2 x each player)
 + −
  • 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!

Competing

30%
30%

3 on 3 Dictated – Down Screen

(games to 3 makes)
 + −
  • 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)
 + −
  • 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