Post provided by Joe Abunassar from IMPACT Basketball, an online training and coaching resource. Check out his other post on ideal pre-game nutrition. Learn more about IMPACT at the bottom of this post.

young men in gym playing basketball

Over the past 27 years, I have had the opportunity to work with some of the best players in the world. NBA All-Stars, College All-Americans, and International stars at IMPACT Basketball. I have also worked with kids of all ages and abilities. What I have found to be so interesting is that the drills we use for the pros are no different than what young players should be doing at home.

As players of all ages come in and out of our Impact facility to train in Las Vegas, we always stress that one week or one month with us will certainly help players improve, but our mission is to send players away with things to work on each day at home. Whether it is an NBA All-Star or a 10-year-old trying to improve his or her game, extra work on the basic fundamentals of the game are essential.

Here are some drills for ball-handling, shooting, and developing footwork that kids can do on their own, at home throughout the year. Remember, training plays a major role in reducing the risk of injury.

Ball Handling Drills

Bounce, Cross-Over Dribbling Set

Player can do this anywhere there is a flat surface, inside or outside, no hoop required.

  • Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, using 1 basketball, knees bent in an athletic position
  • Dribble hard with the right hand, then another dribble with the right crossing the ball over to the left, then back to the right
  • Repeat 3x with each hand.

Click here for more details on this drill and video instruction!

Straight Line Cone Series

  • Line up a series of cones in a straight line. As the player moves through the cones, make a strong move at each cone, stay low to the ground and keep the forward momentum.
  • The cone should be looked at as a defender. Rotate through the different moves at each cone: inside-out, cross-over, inside-out-crossover, behind the back, etc.
  • Move at game speed and work to handle the ball at game intensity. This drill can be done anywhere!

Click here for more details on this drill and video instruction.

Shooting Drills

Squat Shooting

teenage boy training in basketball court

One of the biggest keys to successful shooting for any player is the ability to get low and use the legs in the shot. At Impact, we do a lot of work on footwork and making sure players are low when they shoot the ball.

Many young players rely too much on their upper body to shoot the ball and this drill is excellent for making sure players are getting low and using their lower body in every shot.

  • Player will shoot short-range shots from 5 spots around the court:
    • Corner
    • Wing
    • Top
    • Wing
    • Opposite corner
  • On every shot, take time and exaggerate the squat before the shot, then go through the shooting motion from that position.

This drill will emphasize getting low on every shot.

Please click here for more details on this drill and video instruction.

Around The World

2 men in basketball court

The goal of the Around the World drill is to shoot game-speed spot shots from different spots and different distances to build a players game and improve overall shooting.

  • Player will shoot short-range shots from 5 spots around the court:
    • Corner
    • Wing
    • Top
    • Wing
    • Opposite corner
  • Player can “make” or “shoot” a certain number of shots
  • Catch the ball low, on balance, and ready to shoot
  • Work on proper footwork, release, and follow through on every repetition.

Please click here for more details on this drill and video instruction.

Footwork & Agility Drill

Quick Feet with Slide

basketball player crouching

Quick feet and agility are important keys in basketball and something young players can work on at home. Basketball is a game of footwork, balance, and change of speed, and by training the feet to move quickly, players can improve in every way, at every age. This drill combines many aspects of the agility needed to improve.

  • Start in a good athletic stance with feet shoulder-width apart.
  • Start chopping the feet quickly for 5 seconds
  • Do a hard defensive lateral slide in one direction for 4 or 5 steps,
  • Back to the original position and repeat

Lateral movement is very important in basketball, on both offense and defense and this drill will emphasize both quick feet and lateral movement. Please click here for more details on this drill and video instruction.

No matter what the drills may be, the key to success and improvement is consistency and effort. Young players have to be willing to work on their games often and with great focus. It’s no different for the best players in the NBA.

Hard work and consistency are the key!

If you are looking for more great drills to do at home, visit impactbball.com and check out our complete video library for young players to work on at home.

Visit Us at Impact Basketball for More Tips & Advice for Sports Families

About the Author, Joe Abunassar.

For 25 years, Joe Abunassar and Impact have enabled players and coaches at every level to reach their potential. We pride ourselves on building skills, bodies, confidence, and knowledge in every player or coach we touch.

See more at the IMPACT Basketball blog.