Introduction:
# Guy runs the same fundmental drills for his senior NBL players and junior teams.
# Challenges that junior teams face are lack of time and lack of training space.
# A lot of coaches need to be aware that often it is a lack of fundamental skills that keeps you team from performing well, not a particular offence or defence.

Every player (U12's & up) should master RH & LH regular & reverse layups.

1 pass to 2, 2 pass to 3.
2 makes a hard cut to rim and receives pass back from 3 for a layup.
2 will join the corner line, 3 will rebound, make two hard dribbles to the sideline and execute a dribble move before passing to 4.

Key points:

Vertical lift
Correct take off foot
Finger roll
Head position
Ensure passing is sharp, and that passer calls out player's name he is passing to (start practice with energy).

Drill 2 - Skill Stations

Each shooter has a rebounding partner under the hoop.

Each station can be run for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Elbow shooting drill

1 curl cuts elbow to elbow for a inside foot catch and shoot shot
Emphasis placed on cutting with hands ready to shoot and being in a low stance before the catch.

Corner-block-wing drill (CBW Shooting)

2 & 3 are in the CBW drill. Drill starts with a spot up shot, player must ensure they are low, with hands ready to catch and shoot. Right Handed shooters have their left foot forward and step in with right foot to shoot.
After shooting they will then cut to the block for a shot using 1-2 footwork.
Next the shooter flare back towards the 3pt line, then step back in for a 1-2 shot.
The last shot is a slide around the 3pt line for a catch and shoot of a dribble penetration situation.

Handles (cones)

Players 4 & 5 are working on crossover, through the legs, behind the back and combination crossovers. Emphasis placed on pushing off with the outside foot for a sharp change of direction.

A simple & very effective offence for juniors at all levels vs man-man & zone.

Guard (1) passes to wing and makes a UCLA cut, then clears to weakside.

3 and 5 play pick & roll.

2 and 4 set a double screen for 1.

The play continues to a natural Triangle finish.

Adjustments Vs. Zone

The 2 man must split the top seam of a 2-3 zone.

1 cuts off a single screen by 4, and 3 overloads to the corner.

1 may also cut to ballside corner.

- 1st thing you must do is condition your players legs.
- When sliding you must point the toe of the lead foot in the direction you are sliding. This opens the hip and makes the movement less awkward.
- Condition players to have hands and arms extended with arms parallel to the ground. This encourages players to take contact in the middle of the chest and shows the officials that they are not reaching.
- Defender aligns himself with the middle of his body on the ball.
- On change of direction by ball carrier, defence must turn and take two-three sprint steps to get back in front of the ball. Sliding will not work.
- There are only three stances in defence, on the ball, deny a pass or help. The hardest thing is to transfer from doing one to doing another. It must be drilled.

Zig Zag slide down the court, walk the baseline, slide back down other side.

Emphasis on pointing the down, keeping butt down and arms up.

Slide same as before but now on change of direction take at least on sprint step before sliding again.

Emphasis on staying low and getting back quickly into slides.

Drill used to work on being in one stance and changing efficiently to another. Both side can go at the same time.

Players stutter step to start in help position. Close out to wing and then slide to baseline to simulate defending a drive. Progress to sliding up the court to simulate cutting off a middle drive.

Emphasis on pointing toe from help stance and taking one "cheat step" toward the wing before sprinting.

Junior coaches are the life blood of basketball.
It is so important for coaches to continue to develop themselves. Talk to other coaches, attend clinics etc.
Find a philosophy as early in your career as you can and stick with it. Too many coaches change their philosophies from year to year and follow the hottest fads.