Men's Basketball Tips: 10 Essential Drills to Improve Your Game Today

2025-11-20 09:00

I still remember watching that Season 87 game where the Tiger Cubs dismantled NU-Nazareth's undefeated record with that stunning 76-56 victory. What struck me most wasn't just the final score, but how fundamentally sound those Tiger Cubs players looked throughout the game. Their footwork was crisp, their shooting form consistent, and their defensive positioning nearly perfect. It reminded me why I've always believed that mastering basic drills separates good players from great ones. Over my twenty years coaching college basketball, I've seen countless players transform their game not through flashy moves, but through dedicated practice of essential fundamentals.

Let me share something I tell every young player who comes through my gym: the difference between scoring 10 points and 20 points often comes down to how seriously you take your drill work. I've designed these ten drills specifically to address the most common weaknesses I see in developing players, and they're the same exercises I noticed the Tiger Cubs executing with such precision during that remarkable game. Their victory wasn't an accident - it was the result of countless hours perfecting these fundamental movements until they became second nature.

The first drill I always start with is form shooting, and I'm pretty strict about this one. I want players taking 100 shots daily from five spots around the key, no further than eight feet from the basket. The Tiger Cubs demonstrated why this matters - their shooting percentage in that game was an impressive 48% from the field, and I'd bet my whistle that came from thousands of repetitions of proper shooting form. What most players don't realize is that muscle memory develops whether you're practicing good form or bad, which is why I'm such a stickler for perfect technique during these close-range shots.

Now let's talk about something I consider non-negotiable: defensive slides. I watched the Tiger Cubs hold a previously undefeated team to 56 points, and their defensive positioning was textbook. For this drill, I have players slide from sideline to sideline ten times, maintaining a low stance the entire time. The key here isn't speed - it's maintaining proper defensive posture throughout. I've timed countless players on this drill, and the difference between a casual effort and focused execution can be as much as three seconds per repetition. That might not sound like much, but over four quarters, those saved seconds add up to better defensive positioning on multiple possessions.

Ball handling drills come next, and here's where I differ from some coaches. Rather than fancy crossovers, I emphasize protection and control. The Tiger Cubs committed only 8 turnovers in their big win, and that ball security didn't happen by accident. My favorite drill involves dribbling two balls simultaneously while moving through cones - it forces players to develop feel and control with both hands. I typically have players complete five sets of this drill daily, and I've seen it improve handle confidence dramatically within just two weeks.

When we talk about shooting, I'm particularly passionate about game-speed repetitions. The Tiger Cubs weren't taking set shots during their victory - they were shooting off the dribble, coming off screens, and spotting up in transition. That's why my shooting drills always incorporate movement and game-like scenarios. I have players take 200 shots daily from game spots at game speed, and I track their percentages religiously. The data doesn't lie - players who consistently complete this drill improve their game shooting percentage by an average of 7-8% over a season.

Rebounding might be the most underrated skill in basketball, and the Tiger Cubs dominated the boards with 42 rebounds in that game. My rebounding drill focuses on positioning and explosiveness. Players start under the basket, sprint to the free throw line, then explode back to grab an imaginary rebound. We do this twenty times per practice, focusing on maximum vertical leap each time. I've measured vertical improvements of up to 4 inches in a single season with dedicated players who take this drill seriously.

Footwork separates adequate players from exceptional ones, and I spend more time on this than most coaches. The Tiger Cubs displayed phenomenal footwork in their victory, particularly in their post moves and defensive rotations. My signature footwork drill involves using agility ladders combined with shot fakes and pivots. It's grueling - players typically complete ten repetitions across three different patterns - but the improvement in balance and quickness is immediately noticeable. I've had players tell me this single drill improved their confidence more than any other exercise we do.

Conditioning drills often get overlooked until players are gasping for air in the fourth quarter. The Tiger Cubs outscored NU-Nazareth 24-14 in the final period, and that wasn't accidental. My favorite conditioning drill involves full-court sprints with dribbling - players must make ten trips in under 45 seconds each. When I first implement this drill, maybe one in twenty players can complete it successfully. After six weeks of consistent training, typically 70% of my roster can manage it. The improvement in late-game performance is dramatic.

Passing accuracy wins games, and the Tiger Cubs demonstrated this with 18 assists in their victory. My passing drill involves hitting moving targets from various distances and angles. Players must complete 50 successful passes to each of five different target positions daily. What I love about this drill is how quickly it translates to game situations - I typically see a 15% improvement in assist-to-turnover ratio within a month of implementing this routine.

Free throws win close games, and while the Tiger Cubs didn't need them in their blowout victory, they shot 75% from the line that game. My free throw drill is simple but effective - players must make 20 consecutive free throws before leaving practice. The psychological pressure of the consecutive makes requirement perfectly simulates late-game situations. I've tracked this for years, and players who consistently complete this drill improve their game free throw percentage by approximately 12%.

The final drill focuses on game situation decision-making, and this is where I get really specific. Using video from actual games - much like we could with the Tiger Cubs' victory - I create read-and-react scenarios that force players to make quick decisions. We'll run through twenty different situations daily, focusing on recognizing patterns and making the right play. The improvement in basketball IQ from this single drill is, in my professional opinion, the most valuable development a player can make.

Watching teams like the Tiger Cubs execute so flawlessly reminds me why these fundamental drills matter. Their 20-point victory over an undefeated opponent wasn't magic - it was the culmination of thousands of hours practicing these essential movements until they became automatic. The beautiful thing about basketball is that these improvements are available to any player willing to put in the work. I've seen average high school players transform into college scholarship recipients by dedicating themselves to these ten drills, and the transformation always follows the same pattern - consistent effort leading to fundamental mastery. That Tiger Cubs victory will be remembered as an upset, but to my eyes, it was simply the logical outcome of superior preparation and fundamental execution.