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Decision-Making drills

Drills you can run at practice.

Team drill
Live Dribble Keep-Away
Run at practice

Decision-Making

12 minutes
Live Dribble Keep-Away
Decision-Making
Legend
Player
Defender
Ball
Player movement
Defender movement
How It Works

Maintain live dribble control against an active defender for 30 seconds without picking up the ball.

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What You Need
basketballhalf-court
Your Focus

The ability to keep a dribble alive against pressure is an elite skill that separates point guards.

1
Set Up

Ball handler starts at half-court with one live dribble against a defender.

2
Run The Rep
A.
Ball handler must dribble continuously for 30 seconds without picking up the ball or going out of bounds.
B.
Defender plays 90% intensity, active feet and hands but no reaching fouls.
3
Check It

Protect the ball with your body, hip and shoulder shield

Goal

It's clicking when you protect the ball for the full 30 seconds without picking it up, body shielding, change of pace, change of direction.

Helpful Cues
Protect the ball with your body, hip and shoulder shieldKeep moving, a stationary dribble is easy to trapChange levels to throw off the defender's timing
UPLVL IT

Add a second defender after 15 seconds.

Source: USA Basketball Player Development Curriculum
Team drill
In-Game Timeout Adjustment
Run at practice

Decision-Making

12 minutes
In-Game Timeout Adjustment
Decision-Making
Legend
Player
Opponent
Coach
Ball
Player movement
How It Works

Execute a tactical adjustment communicated during a simulated timeout in the very next live possession.

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What You Need
basketballhoopfull team
Your Focus

Timeouts mean nothing if players don't implement what's drawn up.

1
Set Up

Run a 5v5 scrimmage for 3 minutes. Call a timeout for the offensive team.

2
Run The Rep
A.
Coach draws up a specific play or calls an adjustment (e.g., ball-screen action on the right side, shooter relocates to corner).
B.
Play resumes, first possession MUST execute the called adjustment.
3
Check It

Listen in the huddle, your phone will be there later

Goal

You've got it when the very next possession after the timeout looks different in the specific way the adjustment called for, not a vague improvement, the exact change.

Helpful Cues
Listen in the huddle, your phone will be there laterRepeat the assignment to a teammate to lock it inExecute before you evaluate, one possession, one job
UPLVL IT

Give different adjustments to each player simultaneously.

Source: USA Basketball Player Development Curriculum
Team drill
Pass and Follow Triangle
Run at practice

Decision-Making

12 minutes
Pass and Follow Triangle
Decision-Making
Legend
Player
Ball
Cone
Player movement
Ball path
How It Works

Build team connection by passing, following the pass, and filling the empty spot in a rotating triangle.

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What You Need
basketball
Your Focus

Triangle passing drills teach the foundational concept that movement follows the ball.

1
Set Up

Three players form a triangle 8 feet apart. One ball starts with the top player.

2
Run The Rep
A.
You passes to a teammate, then follows their pass to fill that spot.
B.
Receiver passes to the next player and follows their pass. Continue the pattern.
3
Check It

Pass and move, never stand still after you pass

Goal

You've got it when you pass, follow your pass to the open spot, and are already there before the next player needs it, the triangle keeps moving without stopping.

Helpful Cues
Pass and move, never stand still after you passCall the name, make the pass, fill the spotStay connected, watch the ball and your teammates
UPLVL IT

Add a second ball in the triangle for simultaneous movement.

Source: USA Basketball Player Development Curriculum
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