Basketball Competition Drills

While individual drills are helpful when it comes to improving at the game of basketball, nothing is quite like the thrill of competition to help keep your players' interest piqued. Competition drills allow for improvement while teaching lessons that cannot be learned during individual instruction. The more fun and challenging drills are for your players, the more likely the game is to hold their interest and to keep them engaged.

  1. Butt Lock Drill

    • Have your team gather around the half-court circle and match up according to position. One pair enters the circle with their backs to one another in defensive rebounding position. Blow the whistle and the players will attempt to push each other out of the half-court circle using only their behinds and proper positioning. The winner stays in the circle until another player can push him out. The last player remaining is the winner.

    Z Drill

    • Have your players pair off according to position. Form two lines on either end of the floor. One player will be on offense and the other on defense. The offensive player will attempt to take the basketball down the court while the defensive player leads him from sideline to sideline in a formation that resembles a "Z" until they get to half court. Once the pair reaches half court, it becomes a game of one-on-one until the offensive player scores or is stopped by the defensive player.

    Pop Up Shooting Relay

    • Have your players form two lines underneath the basket. Each line will run up the foul lane to the free-throw line, where they will receive a pass from the coach or team manager from the opposite wing. The players will catch the ball, pivot and shoot jump shots. If a player misses, he follows his rebound and puts the ball in. If he makes it, he retrieves the ball, gives it back to the passer and sits down at the back of his line. The line that finishes first wins, while the line that finishes second runs sprints.

    The Train

    • This is a competitive conditioning drill that will test how much heart your team has. Split your team into two groups and have them pair off. On the first whistle, they will begin jogging in two lines around the perimeter of the basketball court. When you blow the whistle again, the last pair in line will split off and sprint to the front of the line. Blow the whistle again to send the next pair. The second pair attempts to pass the first pair before they reach the front of the line. If the second pair passes the first pair, the second pair gets to quit running.