Lesson 1: Elite Ball Handling & Decision-Making
Focus: Tight handle under pressure, change of pace
Warm-up
• Dynamic mobility (hips, hamstrings, shoulders)
• 2-ball dribbling: 2 sets of 30 seconds (same time & alternating)
Main Drills
1. Cone Alley Dribble Series (10 min)
• 6 cones, 2 feet apart: combo moves at each cone (inside-out + cross, behind-the-back + spin)
• Emphasize change of speed
2. Live Defender Pressure Drills (15 min)
• Partner plays full-court 1-on-1 defense
• Offense focuses on protecting the ball and finishing
3. Read & React Drill
• Partner shows hand late: you choose split, retreat, or blow-by
• Use decision-based reactions to screens (hedge, switch, drop)
4. Attack & Kick Drill
• Drive hard, draw help, kick to shooter
• Use skip, pocket, and hook passes off dribble
Finisher
• 1-on-1 from different zones (wing, top, corner, high post)
• Max 3 dribbles, emphasize counter-move use
Lesson 4: Perimeter Defense & Lateral Speed
Focus: Elite-level on-ball defense, reaction time, lateral agility
Warm-up
• Defensive stance holds, lateral shuffle + closeout
• Resistance band slides (2 sets of 20 sec)
Main Drills
1. Mirror Drill
• Mirror partner for 30 sec sets
• Emphasize reaction and lateral movement
2. Closeout + Contain
• Partner catches ball, defender must closeout then contain 1-2 moves
• Add contest at end
3. Pick & Roll Defense Reads
• Practice ICE, hedge, and switch coverages
• Rotate defenders through all reads
4. Defensive Transition
• Sprint back, locate ball, closeout shooter
• Simulate scramble situations
Finisher
• 1-on-1 full court to 3 dribbles
• Defenders rotate each rep
• Goal: force pickup or tough shot
⸻
Lesson 5: Game IQ + Conditioning
Focus: In-game reads, decision-making under fatigue, competitive edge
Warm-up
• Mental warm-up: call out situations (e.g., “10 seconds left, down 2”)
• Jog + sprint variations with ball
Main Drills
1. Advantage Drills
• 3-on-2, 4-on-3, decision-based
• Score or create within 5 seconds
2. Time & Score Situations
• Simulate 3-point lead, 1 minute left
• Work end-game execution (both sides of ball)
3. Sprint + Score
• Full-court sprint into shooting or finish
• Immediately reset into defense
4. Conditioning with Ball
• 30-second sprint-dribble combos
• Finish each sprint with shot or pass under pressure
Finisher
• Controlled 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 full court
• Use rules: no ball screens, only 2-dribble limit, or 10-sec shot clock
• Reflect on decisions after each possession
Lesson 2: Advanced Shooting & Footwork
Focus: Off-the-dribble, off-the-catch, footwork precision
Warm-up
• Form shooting: 3 spots, 10 makes each
• “Hop or 1-2” footwork reps: 10 each footwork
Main Drills
1. Transition 3s
• Sprint into spot, catch-shoot
• Mix pull-ups and spot-ups
2. Drift & Relocate
• Corner relocation, drift baseline reads
• Emphasize footwork off movement
3. 1-Dribble Pull-up Progression
• Left/right pulls from 5 spots
• Add jab series, hesitation first
4. Off-Screen Shooting
• Down screen to curl/fade/pop
• Partner feeds at game pace
5. Step-Back & Side-Step Series
• High repetitions, tight footwork
• 5 makes per move each direction
Finisher
• 50 makes from 5 spots (10 per spot: mix of off-the-catch & pull-ups)
• Track time and make percentage
Lesson 3: Finishing Masterclass
Focus: Finishing through contact, off both feet, ambidextrous touch
Warm-up
• Mikan variations (regular, reverse, 1-foot)
• Floaters from dotted line (5 each hand)
Main Drills
1. Contact Finishing Drill
• Use pad or body contact
• Finish high off glass, through contact
2. Euro/Pro Hop Series
• Euro, pro hop, jump stop into finish
• Add live defenders for challenge
3. Wrong Foot, Wrong Hand Finishing
• Work on deceptive footwork and off-hand finishes
4. Reverse & Inside Hand Finishes
• Layups on opposite side to avoid shot blockers
• Work under-the-rim craft
5. Floaters & Runners
• 3 zones: short, mid, long floater range
• One-dribble floaters & off-glide stops
Finisher
• 1-on-1 from the elbow down
• Finishing over rotating shot blocker (use big dummy/partner)