SKILL PROGRESSION

It is essential that we create a platform for skill development. Below we have outlined the skill sets and teaching
points we need to focus on at that particular ages. This allows us a uniform and sequential means for developing
our athletes. There may be some players who are above or below the skill requirements in a given age, but that
may be due to a difference in maturity, experience, repetition, etc. Over time, we hope to have every athlete in
our program master the varsity skills sets. Granted there will be some disparity based on position; however, our
goal is to create versatile players who can play multiple positions and adapt to situations easily. Each coach must
adhere to this model and focus on developing fundamental skills. Systems of play are important; however,
without the basic fundamentals our system will be flawed. For it does not matter what we run if we cannot pass,
catch, shoot, handle the ball, etc. effectively.

Grades K-2 (Introductory Phase of Basketball Skills)

Ball-Handling: 10 min. Scrimmage: 15 min.
Footwork: 5 min. Team Defense: 15 min.
Practice-Skill
Passing: 10 min. Team Offense/Transition: 15 min.
Breakdown
Shooting: 20 min.

Teaching Points
It starts here…footwork is everything!
Get them to play low and use their feet correctly
Be patient, teach, and make it fun!
Footwork Skill Sets Drills
Defensive slide Defensive slides
Jump stop Line pivots
Pivot - front and reverse Sweeps
Sweeps/rip
Triple threat stance
Teaching Points
Stationary dribbling including the dominant, non-dominant and alternating hands
Use the goggles or numbers to get their heads up
Change of speed, direction, and complexity as they progress
Allow them to make mistakes…they will learn through them!
Skill Sets Drills
Ball-Handling Back-up 1-ball commando
Front crossover 1-ball stationary series
Push dribble Back-up series
Stutter Ball slaps
Glide series
Knock-away
Red light-green light
Teaching Points
Use stationary and non-stationary target
Increase complexity of passing/catching drills w/ more dynamic movement and speed
Use different balls to increase hand-eye coordination
Passing/Catching
Watch their feet and work on passing off pivots
Skill Sets Drills
Bounce pass 1-ball pass
Chest pass 3-lane pass
 Overhead Pass Baseline pass
LC tag
Monkey-in-the-middle
Shuffle pass
Teaching Points
ALWAYS start w/ form shooting and shooting pocket
Stationary lay-ups with the dominant and non-dominant hands
Moving lay-ups with the dominant and non-dominant hands
Set shots from no more than 10 feet
Free throws from 6-8 feet
Using the backboard

Skill Sets Drills

Shooting
Mid-range jump shot Around-the-world
Free throws (6-8 ft. away) 3-line shooting
Lay-up 5-spot shooting
Power drop step Chair shooting
Shot fake Form shooting
Lightning
Princeton lay-ups
Progressive shooting
Shooting pocket
Teaching Points
Spacing is offense and offense is spacing
Emphasize patience and teamwork…share the ball!
Let them play through their mistakes!
Skill Sets Drills
Team Offense Basket cut 1:0/1:1
Cycle off the drive 2:0/2:2
Spacing 3:0/3:3
V-cut or L-cut 4:0/4:4
5:0/5:5
Scrimmage
Teaching Points
Emphasize playing defense w/ their feet…take away their hands!
Reward players who play good defense
Defense creates offense….sell that aspect!
Skill Sets Drills
Ball pressure 1:1/2:2/3:3
Defense Closeout Ball shuffles
Contest the shot Digs
Defensive slide Full-court closeouts
Flat triangle — ball-you-man concept Shell
Stance Steer
Smother dead balls Zig-zag
Steer the driver
Teaching Points
Get them to think the game and show an interest
Situations Skill Sets Drills
Rules of the game Question & answer
Scrimmage
Grades 3-4 (Beginner Phase of Basketball Skills)
Ball-Handling: 10 min. Scrimmage: 10 min.
Exercise: 15 min (pre-practice) Situations : 10 min.
Practice-Skill
Passing: 5 min. Team Defense: 15 min.
Breakdown
Rebounding: 5 min. Team Offense/Transition: 15 min.
Shooting: 20 min.
Teaching Points
Get them to play low and use their feet correctly
Drive the ball…do not just dribble
Develop dominant, non-dominant and alternating hands
Use the goggles or numbers to get their heads up
Emphasize acceleration immediately upon making a move
Allow them to make mistakes…they will learn through them!
Skill Sets Drills
Back-up 1-ball commando
Ball-Handling Between-the-legs crossover 1-ball stationary series
Behind-the-back crossover 2-ball commando
Front crossover 2-ball stationary series
Jump stop Back-up series
Pivot - front and reverse Ball slaps
Push dribble Glide series
Stutter Kill the grass
Sweep or rip Knock-away
Triple threat stance NC State series
Tennis ball series
Teaching Points
Use stationary and non-stationary target
Increase complexity of passing/catching drills w/ more dynamic movement and speed
Use different balls to increase hand-eye coordination
Make post passing an emphasis in each practice
Play low off the catch…catch w/ two-feet in the air and rip
Skill Sets Drills
Passing/Catching Bounce pass 2-ball pass
Chest pass 3-lane pass
Overhead Pass 3-man weave
Push pass 4-corner pass
China pass
LC tag
Monkey-in-the-middle
Star pass
Teaching Points
Technique…make contact, seal, then pursue the ball
Focus on catching and keeping the ball tight (ball high w/ wide base)
Emphasize the importance of rebounding
Rebounding
Skill Sets Drills
Seal and chin 1:1/3:3/4:4 block out
Keep ball high Tipping
War
Shooting Teaching Points
 ALWAYS start w/ form shooting and shooting pocket
On the perimeter be ready to shoot off the catch…catch w/ two-feet in the air and rip
In the post focus on their feet…wide base, sit low, and athletic
Jump shots from inside the arc…base their range on their ability
Free throws from 8-10 feet
Make pressure and competition elements of shooting drills
Skill Sets Drills
Mid-range jump shot 3-line shooting
Free throws 5-spot shooting
Jab step 21
Power drop step Chair shooting
Shot fake Form shooting
Sikma Kentucky shooting
Sweep/rip Lightning
Veer Mikans
Motion shooting
Princeton lay-ups
Progressive shooting
Shooting pocket
Stanford shooting
Superman
Watermelon
Teaching Points
Spacing is offense and offense is spacing
Emphasize patience and teamwork…share the ball!
Let them play through their mistakes!
Patience + movement = baskets
Teach the players how to read the defense and move accordingly
Remember it is not what you run, but how well you run it…It all starts w/ fundamentals
Offense
Skill Sets Drills
Back cut 1:0/1:1
Basket cut 2:0/2:2
Cycle off the drive 3:0/3:3
Spacing 4:0/4:4
V-cut or L-cut 5:0/5:5
Scrimmage
Teaching Points
Emphasize playing defense w/ their feet…take away their hands!
Make communication on defense an absolute
Defense creates offense….sell that aspect!
Eliminate second shots...reward your best rebounder
Let them play and be physical
Skill Sets Drills
Defense Ball pressure 1:1/2:2/3:3
Closeout Ball shuffles
Contest the shot Digs
Defensive slide Full-court closeouts
Flat triangle — ball-you-man concept Shell
Gap responsibility Steer
Help-side with ball above free throw extended Zig-zag
Help-side with ball below free throw extended
 Mirror the ball
Post defense…top-side, front, low-side
Stance
Smother dead balls
Steer the driver
Teaching Points
Get them to think the game
Keep it simple and prepare them mentally
Skill Sets Drills
Situations
Blob 11-down
Free throw Clock work
Press break Scrimmage
Slob Question & answer

Grades 5-6 (Intermediate Phase of Basketball Skills)

Ball-Handling: 5 min. Rebounding: 5 min.
Exercise: 15 min (pre-practice) Scrimmage: 10 min.
Practice-Skill Individual Defense: 5 min. Situations: 10 min.
Breakdown Passing: 5 min. Team Defense: 10 min.
Perimeter Shooting: 15 min. Team Offense/Transition: 15 min.
Post Shooting: 10 min
Teaching Points
Get them to play low and use their feet correctly
Drive the ball…do not just dribble
Develop dominant, non-dominant and alternating hands
Add more ball-handling drills against defensive pressure
Use the goggles or numbers to get their heads up
Make it game-like through increased pressure, fatigue, and physicality
Emphasize acceleration immediately upon making a move
Skill Sets Drills
Ball-Handling Back-up 1-ball commando
Between-the-legs crossover 1-ball stationary series
Behind-the-back crossover 2-ball commando
Front crossover 2-ball stationary series
Jump stop Back-up series
Pivot - front and reverse Ball slaps
Push dribble Glide series
Stutter Kill the grass
Sweep or rip Knock-away
Triple threat stance NC State series
Tennis ball series
Teaching Points
Increase complexity of passing/catching drills w/ more dynamic movement and speed
Use different balls to increase hand-eye coordination
Make post passing an emphasis in each practice
Passing/Catching Play low off the catch…catch w/ two-feet in the air and rip
Work on outleting ball off a rebound
Skill Sets Drills
Bounce pass 2-ball pass
Chest pass 3-lane pass
 Hook pass 3-man weave
Overhead Pass 4-corner pass
Push pass 5-man weave
Baseline pass
China pass
LC tag
Monkey-in-the-middle
Star pass
Shuffle pass
X-post pass
Teaching Points
Technique…make contact, seal, then pursue the ball
Focus on catching and keeping the ball tight (ball high w/ wide base)
Increase the physicality of rebounding
Rebounding
Skill Sets Drills
Seal and chin 1:1/3:3/4:4 block out
Keep ball high Tipping
War
Teaching Points
Be ready to shoot off the catch…catch w/ two-feet in the air and rip
ALWAYS start w/ form shooting and shooting pocket
Make pressure and competition elements of shooting drills
Create shots through proper footwork...attack the opponent’s feet
Increase the pressure associated w/ our free throw drills
Make pressure and competition elements of shooting drills
Skill Sets Drills
Mid-range jump shot 3-line shooting
Free throws 5-spot shooting
Perimeter Jab step 21
Shooting Reverse Chair shooting
Rip pivot Cincinnati shooting
Shot fake Form shooting
Stockton Kentucky shooting
Sweep/rip Lightning
Veer Motion shooting
Progressive shooting
Shooting pocket
Princeton lay-ups
Stanford shooting
Watermelon
Teaching Points
Focus on their feet…wide base, sit low, and athletic
ALWAYS start w/ Mikans
Make pressure and competition elements of shooting drills
Attack the opponent’s legs
Teach the high-low passing game
Post Shooting
Skill Sets Drills
Power drop step 3-line shooting
Sikma 5-spot shooting
Up and Under Chair shooting
Mikans
Motion shooting
 Superman
Tandem shooting
Teaching Points
Spacing is offense and offense is spacing
Patience + movement = baskets
Emphasize playing w/in themselves…teamwork!
Teach the players how to read the defense and move accordingly
Introduce transition offense…run lanes wide and push the ball ahead
Remember it is not what you run, but how well you run it…It all starts w/ fundamentals
Skill Sets Drills
Cuts off screens 1:0/1:1
o Pop cut 2:0/2:2
Offense
Cuts without screens 2:1 montrose break
o V-cut or L-cut 3:0/3:3
o Basket cut 4:0/4:4
o Back cut 5:0/5:5
o Loop 11-man
Cycle off the drive Gator break
Screens Scrimmage
o Down screen
o Staggered screen
Spacing
Teaching Points
Emphasize playing defense w/ their feet…take away their hands!
Get them to understand the concept of 5 defenders verse 3 offensive players
Be physical…cutters, screens, and drivers
Make communication on defense an absolute
Reward hustle and good defense!
Skill Sets Drills
Ball pressure 1:1 full-court
Bumping/chucking Ball shuffles
Closeout Digs
Contest the shot Change (1/2 or full-court)
Defensive slide Full-court closeouts
Defense
Deny passing lanes Minnesota pick-n-roll
Flat triangle — ball-you-man concept Shell
Gap responsibility Steer
Help-side with ball above free throw extended Zig-zag
Help-side with ball below free throw extended
Mirror the ball
Post defense…top-side, front, low-side
RJ press footwork
Screens w/out switching
Stance
Smother dead balls
Steer the driver
Teaching Points
Get them to think the game
Keep it simple and prepare them mentally
Situations
Skill Sets Drills
Blob 2:1 herd
Free throw 11-down
 Press break Clock work
Slob Gladiator
Stall Free throw ladder
Scrimmage

Grades 7-8 (Transition Phase of Basketball Skills)

Ball-Handling: 10 min. Rebounding: 5 min.
Exercise: 30 min (pre-practice) Scrimmage: 10 min.
Practice-Skill Individual Defense: 5 min. Situations: 15 min.
Breakdown Passing: 5 min. Team Defense: 15 min.
Perimeter Shooting: 20 min. Team Offense/Transition: 20 min.
Post Shooting: 15 min
Teaching Points
Drive the ball…do not just dribble
Make it game-like through increased pressure, fatigue, and physicality
Emphasize acceleration immediately upon making a move
Have an attack mentality…be aggressive!
Skill Sets Drills
Back-up 1-ball commando
Between-the-legs crossover 1-ball stationary series
Behind-the-back crossover 2-ball commando
Ball-Handling Combo 2-ball stationary series
Front crossover Back-up series
Inside-Out crossover Ball slaps
Jump stop Glide series
Pivot - front and reverse Kill the grass
Push dribble Knock-away
Stutter Larson series
Spin dribble NC State series
Sweep or rip Tennis ball series
Triple threat stance
Teaching Points
Increase complexity of passing/catching drills w/ more dynamic movement and speed
Use different balls to increase hand-eye coordination
Make post passing an emphasis in each practice
Play low off the catch…catch w/ two-feet in the air and rip
Skill Sets Drills
Bounce pass 2-ball pass
Chest pass 3-lane pass
Hook pass 3-man weave
Passing/Catching Lob pass 4-corner pass
Overhead Pass 5-man weave
Push pass Bad pass
Baseline pass
China pass
LC tag
Monkey-in-the-middle
Star pass
Shuffle pass
X-post pass
 Teaching Points
Technique…make contact, seal, then pursue the ball
Focus on footwork and keeping the ball tight (ball high w/ wide base)
Mix toughening drills that teach physicality and intensity on the glass
Reward your best rebounders!
Skill Sets Drills
Rebounding Pin 1:1 block out
Swim 3:3/4:4 block out
Spin Mchale
Taps
Tipping
War
Windex
Teaching Points
Be ready to shoot off the catch…catch w/ two-feet in the air and rip
ALWAYS start w/ form shooting
Make pressure and competition elements of shooting drills
Create shots through proper footwork..attack the opponent’s feet
Increase the pressure associated w/ our free throw drills
Develop three point shot
Skill Sets Drills
3-point shot jump shot 3-line shooting
Mid-range jump shot 5-spot shooting
Perimeter Free throws 21
Shooting Hips across Chair shooting
Jab step Cincinnati shooting
Power-flip Form shooting
Reverse Kentucky shooting
Rip pivot Lightning
Rocker step Motion shooting
Shot fake Olympic shooting
Step-back Princeton lay-ups
Stockton Stanford shooting
Sweep/rip Watermelon
Veer
Teaching Points
Focus on their feet…wide base, sit low, and athletic
ALWAYS start w/ Mikans
Make pressure and competition elements of shooting drills
Attack the opponent’s legs
Increase the pressure associated w/ our free throw drills
Skill Sets Drills
Crab 3-line shooting
Post Shooting Jump hooks 5-spot shooting
Power drop step 21
Sikma Chair shooting
Up and Under Mikans
Motion shooting
Olympic shooting
Superman
Tandem shooting
 Teaching Points
Emphasize patience, movement, screening angles, and spacing
Teach the players how to read the defense and move accordingly
Make transition a factor…get them pushing the ball and running the floor
Run motion, but utilize the screens and cuts that fit your personnel
Skill Sets Drills
Cuts off screens 1:0/1:1
o Curl cut 2:0/2:2
o Flare cut 2:1 montrose break
o Pop cut 3:0/3:3
Cuts without screens 4:0/4:4
o Back cut 4;4 Nebraska break
Offense
o Basket cut 4:4 UCLA
o Flash cut 5:0/5:5
o Inside cut 11-man
o Post cut Gator break
o V-cut or L-cut Illini break
Cycle off the drive Scrimmage
Screens
o Back screen
o Ball screen
o Down screen
o Staggered screen
Spacing
Teaching Points
Emphasize playing defense w/ their feet…take away their hands!
Create an attitude that the defense dictates
Make communication on defense an absolute
Eliminate second shots...reward your best rebounder
Let them play and be physica
Skill Sets Drills
Ball pressure 1:1 full-court
Bumping/chucking 3:3 ball-side
Closeout 3:3 flex
Contest the shot 4:4 no paint
Defensive slide footwork 4:4 with drivers
Deny passing lanes 5:4 with open post
Flat triangle — ball-you-man concept Ball shuffles
Defense
Gap responsibility Digs
Help-side with ball above free throw extended Change (1/2 or full-court)
Help-side with ball below free throw extended Full-court closeouts
Mirror the ball Minnesota pick-n-roll
Post defense…top-side, front, low-side Shell
RJ press footwork Steer
Screens w/out switching Zig-zag
Stance
Smother dead balls
Steer the driver
Trapping
 Teaching Points
Get them to think the game
Make practice situations tougher than game
Skill Sets Drills
3-point play 2:1 herd
Blob 11-down
Situations
Free throw Clock work
Last second shot Gladiator
Press break Free throw ladder
Slob Scrimmage
Stall
Traps

Grades 9-12 (Varsity Phase of Basketball Skills)

Ball-Handling: 5 min. Rebounding: 5 min.
Exercise: 30 min (pre-practice) Scrimmage: 15 min.
Practice-Skill Individual Defense: 5 min. Situations: 15 min.
Breakdown Passing: 5 min. Team Defense: 15 min.
Perimeter Shooting: 15 min. Team Offense/Transition: 20 min.
Post Shooting: 15 min Toughening/Competition: 5 min.
Teaching Points
Drive the ball…do not just dribble
Make it game-like through increased pressure, fatigue, and physicality
Emphasize acceleration immediately upon making a move
Have an attack mentality…be aggressive!
Skill Sets Drills
Back-up 1-ball commando
Between-the-legs crossover 1-ball stationary series
Behind-the-back crossover 2-ball commando
Ball-Handling Combo 2-ball stationary series
Front crossover Back-up series
Inside-Out crossover Ball slaps
Jump stop Glide series
Pivot - front and reverse Kill the grass
Push dribble Knock-away
Stutter Larson series
Spin dribble NC State series
Sweep or rip Tennis ball series
Triple threat stance
Teaching Points
Increase complexity of passing/catching drills w/ more dynamic movement and speed
Use different balls to increase hand-eye coordination
Make post passing an emphasis in each practice
Play low off the catch…catch w/ two-feet in the air and rip
Passing/Catching Skill Sets Drills
Bounce pass 2-ball pass
Chest pass 3-lane pass
Hook pass 3-man weave
Lob pass 4-corner pass
Overhead Pass 5-man weave
 Princeton pass Bad pass
Push pass Baseline pass
China pass
LC tag
Monkey-in-the-middle
Star pass
Shuffle pass
X-post pass
Teaching Points
Technique…make contact, seal, then pursue the ball
Focus on footwork and keeping the ball tight (ball high w/ wide base)
Mix toughening drills that teach physicality and intensity on the glass
Reward your best rebounders!
Skill Sets Drills
Rebounding Pin 1:1 block out
Swim 3:3/4:4 block out
Spin Mchale
Taps
Tipping
War
Windex
Teaching Points
Be ready to shoot off the catch…catch w/ two-feet in the air and rip
ALWAYS start w/ form shooting
Make pressure and competition elements of shooting drills
Create shots through proper footwork..attack the opponent’s feet
Increase the pressure associated w/ our free throw drills
Develop three point shot
Skill Sets Drills
3-point shot jump shot 3-line shooting
Mid-range jump shot 5-spot shooting
Perimeter Free throws 21
Shooting Hips across Chair shooting
Jab step Cincinnati shooting
Power-flip Form shooting
Reverse Kentucky shooting
Rip pivot Lightning
Rocker step Motion shooting
Shot fake Olympic shooting
Step-back Princeton lay-ups
Stockton Stanford shooting
Sweep/rip Watermelon
Veer
Teaching Points
Focus on their feet…wide base, sit low, and athletic
ALWAYS start w/ Mikans
Make pressure and competition elements of shooting drills
Post Shooting Attack the opponent’s legs
Increase the pressure associated w/ our free throw drills
Skill Sets Drills
Crab 3-line shooting
Front crab 5-spot shooting
 Jump hooks 21
Kiki Chair shooting
Power drop step Mikans
Sikma Motion shooting
Up and Under Olympic shooting
Superman
Tandem shooting
Teaching Points
Emphasize patience, movement, screening angles, and spacing
Teach the players how to read the defense and move accordingly
Remember it is not what you run, but how well you run it…It all starts w/ fundamentals
Skill Sets Drills
Cuts off screens 1:0/1:1
o Back cut 2:0/2:2
o Curl cut 2:1 montrose break
o Flare cut 3:0/3:3
o Pop cut 4:0/4:4
Cuts without screens 4:4 Nebraska break
o Back cut 4:4 UCLA
o Basket cut 5:0/5:5
o Flash cut 11-man
Offense o Inside cut Gator break
o Loop Illini break
o Post cut Scrimmage
o V-cut or L-cut
Cycle off the drive
Screens
o Back screen
o Ball screen
o Cross screen
o Down screen
o Flare screen
o Slip screen
o Staggered screen
o UCLA Screen
Spacing
Teaching Points
Emphasize playing defense w/ their feet…take away their hands!
Create an attitude that the defense dictates
Make communication on defense an absolute
Defense creates offense….sell that aspect!
Eliminate second shots...reward your best rebounder
Let them play and be physical
Skill Sets Drills
Defense
Ball pressure 1:1 full-court
Bumping/chucking 3:3 ball-side
Closeout 3:3 flex
Contest the shot 4:4 no paint
Defensive slide footwork 4:4 with drivers
Deny passing lanes 5:4 with open post
Flat triangle — ball-you-man concept Ball shuffles
Gap responsibility Digs
 Help-side with ball above free throw extended Change (1/2 or full-court)
Help-side with ball below free throw extended Full-court closeouts
Mirror the ball Minnesota pick-n-roll
Post defense…top-side, front, low-side Press disadvantage
RJ press footwork Shell
Screens w/out switching Steer
Stance Zig-zag
Smother dead balls
Steer the driver
Switching
Trapping
Teaching Points
Get them to think the game
Make practice situations tougher than game!
Skill Sets Drills
3-point play 2:1 herd
Blob 11-down
Situations
Free throw Clock work
Last second shot Gator
Press break Gladiator
Slob Free throw ladder
Stall Scrimmage
Traps