10 Essential Basketball Drills to Practice Every Day

These drills are incredibly useful, especially for beginners learning to play basketball. I understand that you may be busy with school or work, but these exercises won’t take up much of your time. By doing these drills every day, you can make significant progress. Just make sure to allocate a small amount of time each day to perform these exercises. Let’s get started!

1. Two-Step Layup The first drill I’ll explain is the two-step layup. This exercise helps you develop leg strength. Start by standing here and taking a wide step with your left foot, then jump and shoot the ball into the hoop. Repeat with your right foot. Make sure not to let the ball touch the ground. Perform this exercise continuously for 10 repetitions. Watch me demonstrate.
2. Reverse Layup The second drill is the reverse layup. This is a skill that smaller athletes must know, especially if they’re shorter than their opponents. When the hoop is higher than you, you need to switch the ball to your other hand and lay it up for points. Use your left foot to generate power and jump. Perform the reverse layup on this side. Then, on the right side, use your left hand to execute the move. It’s crucial to practice both left-handed and right-handed layups, especially for young basketball players who might struggle with their non-dominant hands. Repeat this drill 10 times.
3. Crossover Dribble Technique Now, let’s practice the crossover dribble. Repeat this move 10 times, using your maximum speed to challenge yourself and push your limits. Don’t worry if you drop the ball; it’s just a way to continuously improve. Avoid dribbling slowly and focus on increasing your speed. After completing 10 repetitions, move to the next part of the drill, where you run in a zigzag pattern. Then simulate a defensive move, change hands, and finish with a layup. Perform this sequence three times.
4. Escape the Defender with Dribble and Low Move This drill involves a slight variation. Add a low dribble move to the previous exercise. Challenge yourself to do it as quickly as possible. Start by counting from 1 to 10, and on the count of 10, begin. Dribble low, low, low, then dribble behind your back, spin, and finish with a layup. Pay attention to the weaker side of your body. If your weaker side is your right hand, you can practice with your right hand instead. Make sure to practice this drill 10 times.
5. Behind-the-Back Dribble The next drill is the behind-the-back dribble. Bounce the ball on the ground and guide it around your back. Count from 2 to 10 and start the exercise. Repeat this move 10 times. After the final dribble, finish with a layup. Perform this sequence three times.
6. Shooting Without Dribbling This drill will help you develop good shooting habits. Stand in this position and focus on shooting the ball into the hoop without dribbling. Stand here and maintain eye contact with the hoop. Shoot the ball as you normally would. Perform this shooting motion 10 times. Follow the same technique you see me using. Notice how I shoot the ball gently. Keep doing this until you complete 10 successful shots.
7. Breakaway Layup The next drill is the breakaway layup. Move to the left-corner and right-corner positions, as well as below the free-throw line on the left and right sides. I’ll demonstrate it to you. Toss the ball to yourself, catch it, and lay it up. Collect the ball and pay attention. This time, when you throw the ball, aim below the free-throw line on the left side. The first step is to catch the ball with your right foot forward. Then, step with your left foot and lay it up. Let me do it once again. Toss the ball up, catch it, and lay it up. Now, switch to the right side. Toss the ball up for yourself, catch it, and lay it up. After that, collect the ball and return to your starting position. Since you’re on the right side now, start with your left foot. Step with your left foot and lay it up. Repeat this process 10 times on each side. Keep practicing!
8. Two-Foot Landing Next, we’ll work on a two-foot landing after catching the ball. This exercise helps you gain better control when going for a layup. Place the ball on the ground and lower your hips. Make sure your hands can touch the ball. If your hands can’t reach the ball, you haven’t lowered yourself enough. You must lower yourself until your hands can touch the ball. Once you touch the ball, begin moving while keeping the ball with you. After reaching this position, switch hands and continue moving. Move to this position and switch hands. Keep moving. Continue switching hands and moving. Finally, when you reach this position, turn around and move backward, switching hands again. Don’t worry if the ball bounces; just keep practicing. Start with your right foot when catching the ball. Step with your right foot and lay it up. Let me demonstrate it once more. Step with your right foot and lay it up. Perform this drill 10 times on each side. Keep going!
9. One-Dribble Layup The next drill is the one-dribble layup. Stand at the three-point line. When I say “one dribble,” that means you take one dribble and then go for the layup. You can take a few dribbles before that, but once you start taking steps to go for the layup, you should only dribble once. This helps improve your layup technique. Stand here, prepare yourself, and take one dribble. Perform one dribble, and then go for the layup. Ensure that you’re low enough before dribbling. After taking one dribble, take two steps and complete the layup. Start on this side, do 10 sets, and then switch to the other side. Continue this pattern until you’ve completed two sets. Each set consists of four layups. After the second set, practice one more time. Catch the ball and go for the layup. Then switch to the other side and complete the final layup. Perform this drill for three sets.
10. Defensive Footwork Lastly, we’ll practice defensive footwork. This is a common struggle for beginners. Many people don’t crouch low enough while playing defense. I’ll use a ball to help you achieve the correct crouching position. Place the ball on the ground and lower your hips. Your hands should be able to touch the ball. If your hands can’t reach the ball, you’re not low enough. Lower yourself until you can touch the ball. Once you can touch the ball, start moving while keeping the ball with you. After reaching this position, switch hands and continue moving. Move to this position and switch hands. Keep moving. Keep switching hands and moving. Finally, when you reach this position, turn around and move backward, switching hands again. Make sure you crouch low enough throughout the drill. Remember to touch the ball and then move.