BATTLE DRILL: A DRILL FOR POST PLAYERS

The BATTLE DRILL is a three person post player drill that focuses on scoring in the post.  The drill also includes a game-like situation and promotes physical/aggressive play with the ball.

The drill starts with the coach starting on the right wing with a basketball.  The offensive player starts on the left block, which is the opposite side as the ball.  A defender guards the offensive post player.  The third player starts on the baseline underneath the basket.

The offensive player must score twice before they are out.

The offensive player must cut across the lane and gain post position.  The coach can dribble to get a better passing angle.  The defensive player must play "live" defense.  When the offensive player is open the coach will pass them the ball and they will attempt to score.

After the offensive player scores or the defensive player gets a rebound, the ball is passed back out to the coach.  The defensive player steps off and the next player steps in to play defense on the same offensive player and the drill is repeated.  The defensive players keep rotating after each possession until offensive player scores twice.

The offensive player is finished with their rep when they score twice.   Having a fresh defensive player defend each possession forces the offensive player to keep a focus while they are getting tired.

2-ON-2 POST ENTRY DRILL

The 2-on-2 Post Entry combines many different skills into one drill.  Ultimately it gives your players a chance to work on their 2-man game on one side of the floor. This drill is ideally ran in groups of four to ensure your players get as many reps as they can.

2-on-2 POST ENTRY DRILL
-post up technique
-post entry passing
-defensive closeouts
-post defense
-2-man game

ALIGNMENT

Two defenders start out on the baseline.  1 is an offensive player in the post and 2 is an offensive player on the wing.  One defender starts with the basketball.

EXECUTING THE DRILL 
The drill starts with the defender passing the ball out to 2.  As soon as the pass is made to 2 both defenders will hustle out to the players they are defending.  X2 will perform a closeout, while X1 will defend the post per your defensive philosophy (1/2 front, 3/4 front, full front, or play behind).

Once 2 catches the ball the drill is "live".  If 1 is open in the block 2 will pass the ball inside.  2 could also dribble once or twice to get a better passing angle.  If 1 receives a pass they need to have the mentality of attacking the basket by using a post move.

If 2 decides to attack the basket 1 must move to an opening.  A drive to the baseline will allow 1 to find an opening by sliding up the lane.  A drive towards the middle of the lane will give 1 a chance to slide a step or two towards the short corner to get open.

Offense and defense switch after each rep.  If you have three groups of two players (6 total players) then rotate defense-offense-out.

Make sure to move the drill to the other side of the floor halfway through the allotted drill time.

PASSING: POST ENTRY PASSING DRILL

Passing the ball into the post area is an overlooked skill that needs to be practiced just like you practice all other areas of the game.

SKILLS COVERED
*Passing to an offensive player in the post
*Ball fakes
*Creating space (pivot or dribble) to make a successful pass into the post player.
*Post moves


ALIGNMENT
*To maximize space there can be two groups working on each wing and post. For the description of this drill from here on out we will refer to the right side of the court. The left side will be doing the same thing.
*1 has the ball at the three point line area on the wing.
*Defender 1 guards 1 "live" out on the wing.
*2 starts just above the block.

EXECUTING THE DRILL
*1 will attempt to make a post entry pass to 2 as Defender 1 is guarding 1 closely. Defender 1 is attempting to tip any pass that 1 makes.
*1 will have to use ball fakes or step through pivots to clear space for them to enter the ball to 2. 1 can also use one or two dribbles to improve their passing angle.
*2 must remain in good post up position, and calling for the ball.
*When the catch the pass 2 will execute a post move and score the ball. The coach can designate a particular post move to be worked on. This can vary from player to player.
*Rotate passer (1), to defense (Defender 1), to post up player (2). The post up player now becomes the new passer.

DRILL VARIATIONS
*The passers can be moved to the lane-line extended area to give a high-low pass to practice.
*Have a defender play "live" defense behind the player posting up to make it a 2-on-2 drill.