Mario Blasone - Triple Threat --1

The triple threat

By Mario Blasone

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The triple threat

By Mario Blasone

DRIBBLING - PASSING - SHOOTING by Mario Blasone

Drills Compilation for Teaching the Fundamentals of Basketball

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The triple threat

By Mario Blasone

All rights reserved. The reproduction or utilisation of this work in any form or by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, and in any information storage and retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of FIBA Europe. Published by the FIBA Europe Written by Mario Blasone © 2006, FIBA Europe

Photos courtesy of FIBA Europe / Camillo Castoria Design by FIBA Europe

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About the Author Mario Blasone was born in Udine, Italy on March 3rd, 1940. A former player himself, Blasone began his coaching career back in 1972. Blasone began making a name for himself in Italy’s youth ranks. He coached all levels of Udine and Verona’s youth programmes and has won more youth games than anyone else in the Italian Basketball Federation at youth level. At national team level, Blasone guided Italy to gold medals at the following competitions: -

Italian High School Championship in Rome (1981) Albert Schweitzer World Tournament in Germany (1983) European Junior Championship in Holland (1990) Mediterranean Games Under 22 in Greece (1991) World Military Games in Korea (1994)

Blasone’s career moved in a different direction in 1998 when he became a head coach of the Egyptian national team. With Blasone at the helm, Egypt won gold medals at the 1999 Pan-Arab Games and the African Games. He also coached the National teams of the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Currently he is coaching Gezira Club in Cairo. He has won the Cup of Egypt and the Egyptian Championship in 2005/06. Along with his vast coaching experience, Blasone has also led coaching clinics in 39 different countries.

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Introduction In this book I will talk about fundamentals with the ball: dribbling, passing, and shooting. I will show you the development of each fundamental drill by drill, step by step, in order to build the ability of our players. My experience as a former player and nowadays as a coach suggests that it is boring to teach a single fundamental skill; we should do this only at the very beginning. I like to have every drill end with a scored basket. We want this for two reasons: firstly, because this is the natural end of a basketball action, secondly to score a basket is the best gift for a basketball player at any age. We go through each fundamental step by step. We start standing, and then we walk, we continue by running until we reach a game like situation. In addition, we use a kind of psychological pressure by using the weapons of time (you must score a certain number of baskets within 20 or 30 seconds) or we use the fear of elimination (a player is out when he misses a couple of shots in a row). BE CAREFUL! Before we teach each fundamental skill, we have a crucial moment in which to give the right information to our players. Since the very first practice, we must give the correct information to our pupils.

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DRIBBLING - PASSING - SHOOTING BASIC STANCE AND Catching THE BALL We think that our players must obtain these skills in a natural way. We start the first exercise by instructing every player to take a ball and find a line on the floor; then put the ball on the floor in front of their feet. Now we tell them to pick it up and jump over the line and back. Let them repeat this three or four times in a row. Jumping back and forth enables them to maintain their balance and choose their own stance naturally. They are forced to do it. We can run the same drill with a lateral stance, jumping “inside” and “outside” off the floor. Later on we can have a contest jumping “in” and “out” and whoever makes a mistake is out of the competition. If you want to develop players´ attention further and add competitive element, you can add new orders like “flat”, or “high”, with basic “in” and “out”. We cut the players who are making mistakes. It is amazing and they will enjoy the drill, however you as a teacher will notice the best and most attentive players from the very beginning. We do believe that after five minutes we will reach our goal. We have achieved a natural control of the basketball and all our drills will start from this basic stance.

START AND WARM UP At this stage of the practice, we do not allow a “free warm-up” or uncontrolled actions. We want to control this period because we think that this is the best time to give the initial information about the fundamentals to be learned in the future. We call this preparatory study to fundamentals. Our first drill, standing, will always be NAPA PIIRI. NAPA PIIRI This drill is designed to improve players´ ball handling skills and give proper information for the future fundamentals with the ball. Each player with own ball, standing around “The Leader” in the middle of the court in a circle. (Diagram 1). The coach is moving behind the circle, he will suggest to the Leader each ball handling action. Players around the circle will repeat the same move as the Leader inside. BEWARE: this mute communication will be the first step to develop peripheral vision. Some examples of ball handling:

(Diagram 1)

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PREPARATORY STUDY FOR DRIBBLING 1. 2. 3.

Dribbling around the body (clockwise & anticlockwise) Dribbling between the legs (clockwise & anticlockwise). Dribbling between the legs, walking back and forth.

BEWARE: All players must constantly watch the Leader in the middle in order to develop their peripheral vision. PREPARATORY STUDY FOR SHOOTING 1. 2. 3.

All players with their arms extended, they deliver the ball from left to right using their wrists only. Players do not move their arms, just their wrists. Players shoot the ball over their head 3-4 feet high, using their left and right hand. Suggest “fully extended arm” and catch the ball gently with the opposite hand. Same drill but catch the ball with the opposite hand jumping in the air. This is very good drill for timing and tap-ins.

PREPARATORY STUDY FOR PASSING 1. 2. 3.

Throw the ball to the ceiling and catch it. Throw the ball to the ceiling and catch it jumping. Bounce the ball on the floor and catch it jumping.

These examples enable our players to develop their ability in ball handling and peripheral vision too.

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DRIBBLING Our players must use technique in order to move freely on the court. Therefore, we must consider the ball like an extension of the arm. First drill for dribbling is as follows:

MIRROR The entire team stands in front of the coach, everybody has a ball. (Diagram 2) All players stand with a comfortable stance (feet shoulder width apart); they must repeat the coaches´ moves as if they were a mirror image. The coach dribbles with his right and left hand with frequent changes of the dribbling hand. In order to practice players´ peripheral vision, the coach chooses one of the players by pointing at him with his index finger; the selected player must dribble towards the basket and score.

(Diagram 2)

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Option: Coach raises his open hand showing one, two, three, four or five fingers and players must shout all together the number of fingers shown by the coach.

CHANGE OF DIRECTION Players are divided into two groups; every player with a ball (Diagram 3). In a quick sequence players must execute changes of direction at the free throw line extended, half court line and opposite free throw line extended. The ball must bounce on the sideline and feet move inside the court in order to oblige players to use both hands. BEWARE: We suggest maintaining hand contact with the ball as long as we can. Do not hit the ball, caress it.

BE ATTENTIVE: As a rule players must watch the basket while dribbling and keep their eyes off the ball. We want to develop their peripheral vision.

(Diagram 3)

CHANGE OF PACE We use the same imaginary line of the free throw line extended and half court line for an easy drill. Two teams stand behind the baseline. (Diagram 4) Players must perform two changes of pace to the half court line, and then switch lines under the basket. This drill is continuous.

(Diagram 4)

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WHISTLE Players are divided into three lines: the ball is at the middle line. They start passing the ball left and right while running forward. When the coach blows the whistle, the player with the ball comes back dribbling to score a basket. The two other players must chase him (Diagram 5). They play until a basket is made. Whoever wins the ball is in offence.

(Diagram 5)

KOLO All players line up with a ball each on the baseline, and then in quick sequence they dribble around the circles and score a basket (Diagram 6). Use both baskets.

The circles are like two big opponents. Players dribble with their external (outside) hand. That way they will use a couple of changes of hand during the drill. The traffic when they cross each other, forces them to use their peripheral vision and have a correct reaction to the traffic jam. BEWARE: The coach will signal to players to use three changes of hand: CROSSOVER IN FRONT, BETWEEN THE LEGS, BEHIND THE BACK.

(Diagram 6) Page 10 of 88

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FULL COURT EIGHT We use the same techniques as before but we split the team and we use the three circles of the court (Diagram 7). To focus on the use of the weak hand in most parts of the drill, we start on the left hand side of the court. Do not worry about shooting; beware about rhythm and peripheral vision. I repeat, the traffic created by crossing over forces players to use their own ability for a correct reaction to the traffic jam. Every two minutes the type of shot will change: Reverse lay up, hook shot, power move, etc.

(Diagram 7)

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SPACING O1 is chasing O4 around the circle (Diagram 8). O4 must react on the change of direction of O1, trying to maintain his distance from O1. O1 suddenly will make a bounce pass to O4 (Diagram 8a). O4 has to react quickly by making a bounce pass back with his ball. After they exchange balls, players have to score on the same basket. Make a competition out of it by counting the scores. Player who scores first will get 3 points, runner up gets 1 point for a score. You have to score on the first attempt.

(Diagram 8)

(Diagram 8a)

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If you have more than 12 players, you can use both circles close to the baskets (Diagram 9); players will cross each other “reading the traffic” when they go full court. With this drill we develop dribbling but we do not forget peripheral vision, passing, catching and…scoring a basket.

(Diagram 9)

SPECIAL DRIBBLING 1.

2.

Spin Dribble: We do not recommend it because, the spin dribble is not contributing to the development of correct action - we consider it an emergency dribble. Inside Out Dribble: We love it – the dribbler becomes smaller, flat, on the fake, and showing the ball over his shoulder with a change of pace he explodes to the basket. 3. Fake Crossover Dribble: Not easy to handle – the ball is brought in front and “in the air” (hand goes on the side) and comes back to the floor, on the same side with the same hand. We use 3 stations (for the above 3 dribbles). Players move clockwise practicing the 3 different techniques.

Crossfire One First two players dribble around the three point line (we designate the leaders´ line) (Diagram 10). Leader will pass (bounce pass) in an exchange of balls and then go to the basket. After the shot the players rebound their own ball and join the opposite line.

(Diagram 10) Page 14 of 88

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DEVELOP THE DRILL: CROSSFIRE TWO Same rules, same organisation but as soon as players score a basket with their weak hand, they dribble full court to score on the opposite basket, then the new players will start the drill from the base line(Diagram 11). We have a lot of traffic on court– players must read the traffic and have a correct reaction. They come back or stay on the opposite end ; depending how hard you would like to make your drill.

(Diagram 11)

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CROSSFIRE FULL COURT Four people are involved in the drill at the same time. All players are dribbling with their weak hand. Along the sideline the player can dribble: in front, between the legs, behind the back, reverse spin. When he decides to pass (bounce) to the corner man (he is dribbling too), he has to react immediately and pass back. They exchange balls, one goes to score the basket and the corner man dribbles full court and so on (Diagram 12).

(Diagram 12)

DOUBLE WHEEL MARIO Using as a base the old normal wheel for a warm-up before games, we double the number of balls to make it harder. Every player has a ball! Every player is dribbling even if they are waiting at the half court line. In a quick sequence they drive to the basket, shoot, rebound their own ball and go to the opposite line (Diagram 13). By doing this, we double the workload, also double the number of shots and dribbles because all players are using their own ball all the time. Plus, we create a lot of traffic on court and players must read it and react to it.

(Diagram 13)

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SLALOM Three lines of players at the half court line and two balls per team (Diagram 14). Players must avoid the three obstacles in front of them (cones or chairs) using a change of hand, and score a basket. They rebound their ball, and dribble towards their own line passing to the first team mate without a ball. Develop the drill as a competitive game; the first team scoring 15 baskets is the winner. After each game rotate the positions of the teams. Protected dribbling We teach players to use the opposite arm (not dribbling) for balance and as a protection from an opponent when close. We develop this technique with a very simple drill:

(Diagram 14)

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THE DUEL Six players are battling in the circles by dribbling continuously and trying to knock the ball off their opponent. (Diagram 15). To score a point a player must knock the ball of his opponent outside the circle. Players use their talent, quickness, balance and ability to get the three points necessary to win the contest. Develop the drill: Players are forced to use their weak hand only.

(Diagram 15)

MAX SPEED Players try to run full court using as few dribbles as they can (attacking dribble). Start behind the baseline (Diagram 16). Players go one way using their right hand; and come back using their left hand. The natural competition among players will develop their ability to cut the number of dribbles used. Develop the drill: repeat the number of cycles (consecutive repetitions) to three, four, five times to have also a conditioning drill. Usually we have four players on the court at one time.

(Diagram 16) Page 18 of 88

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By Mario Blasone

The triple threat

By Mario Blasone

ZIG-ZAG We want to develop the technique of the dribbler by using a passive defender (Diagram 17). The dribbler must be able to see the opposite basket all the time. The defender should be in front of the ball at all times. From the mid court line the players will play live one against one on the opposite basket.

(Diagram 17) The last two dribbling drills are coming up – now, a couple of very difficult jobs.

FESTINA We have a game like situation: It is a 1v1 situation with two coaches moving at the half court line (Diagram 18). If they show “10 fingers” the dribbler must pass the ball and run full court. The defender must put as much pressure on the dribbler as he can. Usually the offensive player is beating the defender all the time, so we want to put the dribbler in a difficult and challenging situation.

(Diagram 18) Page 20 of 88

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LENTE Another defender is added. X2 starts at the free throw line (Diagram 19). We must teach the dribbler to use the 8 seconds and “read” the back court situation in order to see when the coaches show 10 fingers – same rule as before.

(Diagram 19)

The dribbler, using a change of pace, hands and direction must see the opposite basket all the time. X1 has only one rule: STAY IN FRONT OF O1. Do not steal the ball, do not foul the dribbler just maintain a distance and their nose in front of the ball.

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By Mario Blasone