Men's Basketball Tips: 10 Essential Drills to Improve Your Game Today
Watching that Season 87 matchup between the Tiger Cubs and NU-Nazareth School was one of those moments that reminded me why I love basketball coaching. The final score—76-56—doesn't even tell the full story of how a disciplined underdog systematically dismantled an undefeated team. As someone who's spent over a decade analyzing game footage and training athletes, I immediately noticed the Tiger Cubs' execution of fundamental drills that translated directly to their court dominance. Their victory wasn't about flashy plays or individual talent—it was about mastering the basics under pressure, something any serious player can achieve with the right training approach.
Let me share a drill I've seen transform countless players' defensive capabilities. The close-out drill, when practiced correctly, creates the kind of defensive pressure that forced NU-Nazareth into those 18 turnovers we saw in Thursday's game. I prefer teaching this with a 3-step approach: sprint to within six feet, chop steps to control momentum, and active hands to contest without fouling. What impressed me about the Tiger Cubs was how they maintained this defensive intensity throughout all four quarters—their close-outs were consistently textbook, even when fatigued. I always tell my players that defense wins championships, and this game proved it yet again.
Ball handling separates good players from great ones, and I'm particularly passionate about the two-ball dribbling series. Most players underestimate how challenging this is until they try maintaining control with both hands simultaneously. Start stationary—alternating bounces, then simultaneous bounces—before progressing to full-court movement. The Tiger Cubs' point guard demonstrated exceptional control against NU's press, something I'd bet came from hundreds of hours of two-ball drills. Personally, I mandate at least 15 minutes of two-ball work in every training session I supervise—the neural adaptation it creates is irreplaceable.
Shooting is where games are won, and I've developed what I call the "shot fake series" that directly contributed to several of those 28 field goals the Tiger Cubs made. The sequence involves catch-and-shoot, one-dribble pull-up, and shot fake into drive repetitions from five spots around the arc. What most players get wrong is rushing these repetitions—I insist on game-speed execution with proper footwork every single time. Watching the Tiger Cubs' shooting percentage—48% from the field compared to NU's 36%—showed me they'd mastered this kind of purposeful repetition.
Rebounding drills often get neglected in practice, but the box-out series I teach won the Tiger Cubs at least eight extra possessions in that game. My method focuses on three phases: positioning before the shot, contact during the flight, and securing the ball after. The numbers don't lie—the Tiger Cubs outrebounded NU 42-31, including 15 offensive boards that created crucial second-chance points. I always emphasize that rebounding is about desire and technique in equal measure, something the Tiger Cubs exemplified perfectly.
Transition offense requires specific conditioning, which is why I'm such a believer in the 3-man weave with a finish. The Tiger Cubs scored 22 fast-break points by mastering this exact concept—precise outlet passes, filling lanes properly, and finishing under control. My variation includes defensive resistance after the halfway point to simulate game conditions. Honestly, I think most teams under-practice transition situations, but Thursday's game showed how devastating it can be when executed properly.
Footwork might be the most underrated aspect of basketball training, which is why I dedicate entire sessions to the jump stop series. The Tiger Cubs demonstrated exceptional body control when attacking the basket, rarely traveling despite NU's defensive pressure. My progression starts with basic jump stops, advances to jump stops into shots, then incorporates pivots and fakes. I've found that players who master this can create space against any defender—just like we saw repeatedly in that 20-point victory.
Free throws win close games, but they also build comfortable leads like the 14-point advantage the Tiger Cubs held by halftime. My free throw routine incorporates mental rehearsal alongside physical repetition—visualizing the shot before stepping to the line. The Tiger Cubs shot 78% from the stripe, which I'd attribute to both technique and mental preparation. Personally, I require players to make 10 consecutive free throws at the end of every practice when fatigued—it builds the kind of muscle memory that holds up under pressure.
The pick-and-roll drill I teach focuses on reading defenses rather than running predetermined actions. What impressed me most about the Tiger Cubs was how they adapted their screen game as NU adjusted—they recognized switches and found the open man consistently. My methodology emphasizes the ball handler and screener making simultaneous reads, creating the kind of offensive fluidity that produced 18 assists for the Tiger Cubs. I always say the best offenses react rather than premeditate, and this game was a perfect case study.
Conditioning separates teams in the fourth quarter, which is why I swear by the suicides with basketball moves variation. The Tiger Cubs outscored NU 22-14 in the final period because they maintained their execution while their opponents fatigued. My version incorporates crossovers, behind-the-back dribbles, and pull-up jumpers at each line—building game-specific endurance. Watching how the Tiger Cubs actually improved as the game progressed convinced me their conditioning regimen included exactly this kind of sport-specific work.
Ultimately, basketball excellence comes down to consistently executing fundamentals when it matters most. The Tiger Cubs' victory wasn't an accident—it was the product of countless hours drilling these essential skills until they became second nature. From my perspective, the most encouraging aspect is that every one of these drills can be implemented by players at any level starting today. The 20-point margin of victory against an undefeated team proves that mastery of basics, not fancy tactics, remains the true path to basketball success.