Basketball Video Tip

Presented by Brendan Smith, Camp Director

11 Basketball Drills You Can Do At Home

Just because you don't have a hoop at home doesn't mean you can't still improve your basketball skills. So many players use the excuse of not having access to a gym or a court as a reason not to practice. The truth is that all you need is a basketball and a plan. Here is a work out from New England Nike Basketball Camp Coach, Brendan Smith, that is commonly taught at his summer camps. Follow along as he takes you through these 11 at home drills.

1. Ball Wraps: Try to keep the ball off one’s body as it moves around the body. Ideally, the ball is only moving from hand to hand.

2. Figure 8: This can be challenging. Make sure to stay low, stay focused, and move the ball from hand to hand trying not to hit one's leg.

3. Dribble Tap Court: While dribbling, keep your head up and look straight ahead. Stay as low as possible and pound the ball into the ground, not letting the ball make you rise in your low stance

4. Jump Stop - A jump stop is defined as landing on two feet. As you’re doing this drill, make sure your landing on two feet in a low Triple Threat (pass, dribble shoot) stance.

5. X Dribble - Regardless of if you have a hoop or not make sure - you’re going as fast as you can while being under control. Stay tight to the cones trying not to take wide turns. Your head should be up the entire drill, not looking down at court. If you do have a hoop - make sure to jump off the right foot for left hand layups and the left foot when attempting a right handed lay-up. This is a 30-second drill that should be done twice.

6. Cone Drop - Stay low in your defensive stance with your shoulders back and head up while sliding. Try not and lean over while sliding. Good posture is key. This is a 30-second drill that should be done twice.

7. Baseline Dribble - Regardless of if you have a hoop, make sure you’re going as fast as you can while being under control. Stay tight to the cones trying not to take wide turns. Head is up entire drill not looking down at court. If you do have a hoop, use a jump stop layup (jump off two feet) to perform lay-up, using the backboard. This is a 30-second drill that should be done twice.

8. Spin out series (right side) - As you backspin the ball out to the elbow area on the right side of the hoop, land on two feet in a triple threat position. Pivot on your left foot and turn to face the basket. If you have a hoop, shoot the ball, we're looking for 5 made shots.

9. Spin out series (left side) - As you backspin the ball out to the elbow area on the left side of the hoop, land on two feet in a triple threat position. Pivot on your right foot and turn to face the basket. If you have a hoop, shoot the ball, we're looking for 5 made shots.

10. Spin out series (right side lay-up) - As you backspin the ball out to the elbow area on the right side of the hoop, land on two feet in a triple threat position. Pivot on your left foot and turn to face the basket. Shot fake the ball above your head, bringing the ball back down to your waist area transferring the ball to your right hip. Put the ball down on the floor before you move and proceed into the basket area, dribbling to make lay-up. Looking for 5 makes.

11. Spin out series (left side lay-up) - As you backspin the ball out to the elbow area on the right side of the hoop, land on two feet in a triple threat position. Pivot on your right foot and turn to face the basket. Shot fake the ball above your head, bringing the ball back down to your waist area transferring the ball to your left hip. Put the ball down on the floor before you move and proceed into the basket area, dribbling to make lay-up. Looking for 5 makes

Use your time at home as a chance to hone in on your skills and to come back stronger. Incorporate these drills into your weekly workouts, and chart your progress to see how you grow as a player. For more drills like these and basketball tips, join Coach Smith this summer at a Nike Basketball Camp.