Summer Improvement by position.

Hi Girls,

Here are some things to think about working on over the summer.

Important thought: The simpliest way to improve the team is to improve your individual game. John Wooden, 11 National Championship's, UCLA Bruins.

Things every player needs to be able to do.

1- Make lay ups from both sides of the goal.
2- Make foul shots. 6 out of 10 is good more than 6 is great.
3- Make shots from the spots on the court the position requires.
4- Pass the ball accurately and fundamentally sound. Chest pass, bounce pass, two handed overhead pass, hook pass, baseball pass (used for long half court passes)
5- Dribble effectively with both hands.
6- Box out, rebound, pivot to get free and make accurate outlet passes.
7- Know the plays required of their position.
8- Run the fastbreak lanes properly and make the pass or catch and shot.


Point Guard Position: (1) The hardest position to play on the court. Needs to know what each player does on each play that is called. An on court extension of your coach. Should be your best dribbler and one of your best passers. Has to be able to defend the other teams perimeter players and it is really helpful if they have the ability and lateral quickness to pressure the other teams primary ball handler and force them to pick up their dribble allowing steal opportunities by the defense.

Point Guard Practice:

1- Dribble with each hand without looking at the ball. Develop a crossover dribble in each direction. Learn to see the entire court by looking down court quickly once the ball is received to see if a player is breaking open. Basketball is a very quick game, if you have to dribble the ball twice before looking down the court the player that was wide open for a lay up is now probably covered.

2- Learn to make Lay ups with either hand, make foul shots, make shots from the top of the circle and either side of the foul line (elbow). Learn to make a shot on the move right and left of the lane, this shot is called a runner or a floater. Many times you will have to drive to get past your defender but will not be able to drive all the way to the basket, this is where the runner comes into use.

3- Perfect making the 3 from around the top of the circle and slightly to either side. Learn to step up to around the foul line and make that shot both off the dribble and on the catch and shoot. Have your feet set so when you make the catch you can shoot without taking the time to reset your feet.

4- Work on driving to the lane and drawing the defense and dishing the ball off to open teammates.


2 Guard position (Swing Guard) (2):


1- Wing shots: Learn to make outside shots and score on basket cuts, corner shots, slot shots and runners going to the goal. Work on shooting from the 3 point line. Part of the shots should be off the dribble and part after catching a pass with no dribble, learn to set your feet on the catch and shoot . Use jab steps and pump fakes to get past a defender before stepping in for closer shots.

2- Needs to be a good dribbler, usually the second best dribbler on the court.

3- Passing the ball, especially post entry passes and skip passes across the court. The best way to enter the ball into the post area (on the low block) is from the sides. The 2G and 3F need to be able to make these passes in order for the team to get easier shots at the basket.

4- Deny the ball defender: In an overplaying man to man (22/24) playing the passing lanes tight while still seeing the ball allows a team to disrupt the other teams offense and it also creates offense for the defense by creating steals and fastbreak opportunities.


Small Foward (3): The 2 and the 3 positions are interchangeable: the 2 is usually the better dribbler and the 3 usually is a better rebounder.

Power Foward (4): and the Center position (5) are basically interchangeable:

Both low post position (4 and 5) are interchangeable. Normally the 5 will be the least mobile of the two and have more responsibility defensively in the low post area.

1- Learn to score in the paint and from the short corner (10 ft out towards the corner) do not much time working on 3 pointer and long shots. Your chance to score will be often if you can catch the ball well and shoot the ball effectively in the low post area.

2- Learn to have at least two low post scoring moves: One of a turn around face up jumper, a drop step, jump hook, dribble drive to the goal. Each low post player needs 2 go to moves. A primary move and a counter move . Being able to go left or right makes it easier to get off a shot. Work on making your offensive more quickly. try to focus on shooting the ball from as high over your head as you can reach and still shoot effectively. If you bring the ball down below you head it allows shoter player the opportunity to block the shot or tie you and up.

3- Work hard on getting rebounding position and putting the ball back in without having to dribble or bring the ball back down. remember more points are scored on weakside rebounds in girls basketball than any other spot on the court.

4- Learn to make foul shots, low post girls get fouled more often than any other players, learn to cash in.

5- Learn to make shots around the foul line off the catch and without the dribble. If you need to dribble to get open, dribble with a purpose and learn to make a quick move and make a shot.

6- Learn to pass back out from the post with quick accurate passes that hit your target in the chest, allowing your teammates to cahtch and shoot in one motion before the defense has reacted and recovered.

7- Learn to pass to cutters cutting through the lane.

8- Work on getting position, boxing out and rebounding with two hands. Perfect your pivot step to get yourself free after getting a rebound and making an accurate and precise outlet pass.

9- Study how to flash to the open spot to get open. Ever notice how Ashton could always find an open spot to step into to receive the ball. That is a talent(instinct) and it makes passing the ball into the paint a lot easier for all the perimeter players and puts the low post player in position to score or make a play.

10- Learn to think one pass or shot ahead. Know what you are going to do with the ball before you catch it. Have 2 choices if possible.


You are all a special group of young ladies. Have a great, healthy, fun and safe summer. Work on your game as much as you can find time. Remember the thought that talent alone is not enough, persistence makes the difference. It will be basketball season again before you know it.

Always have something to work for, something to dream of and be thankful for the good things in life the Good Lord has given us.

God, Family, Education and Sports (hopefully some basketball) Keep your priorities in the right order.

Stay Safe,

Coach May