May/June 2019 - 28

PRACTICE DRILLS
GRINNELL'S BALL
TOUGHNESS DRILL
By Dana Harrold & Kirsten Koester, Grinnell College, Iowa
Never dribble a loose ball. Right? When our team
struggled with that concept, we developed this drill to
improve our grittiness and decision-making. It requires
simple execution of basic cuts and reads.
By adding high-pressure defense, we can get the most
out of our cuts and choices off the dribble in the paint.
Because we're always looking for game-like reps to
help our posts finish at the rim, we added a lower level
component as well.
Begin with four players on offense, and three players
on defense. Set up one line at the baseline (4s and 5s), and
three lines at half court (guards and stretch 4s).
DIAGRAM 1: To start the drill, the coach serves a
" loose ball " down the sideline. The offense is encouraged
to grab the ball with two hands, chin the ball in a
balanced athletic stance, read the floor, and make a
strong move off of their pivot foot. The defender should
be scrappy, physical, and not afraid to get on the floor if
necessary.
DIAGRAM 2: The other guard works to time their
cut against hard-denial defense. They attack the paint on
the catch, and the defense steps off after the ball handler
breaks the 3-point line.
DIAGRAM 3: Once in the paint, the guard has access
to their options in a 3-on-1 situation - pull-up jumper,
drive-and-dish, attack the rim. The two post players work
on catching low, working off a strong pivot foot, and
finishing at the rim at game speed.
In order for the drill to function properly, the defender
in the paint must sell out to their choice. They can pick up
DIAGRAM 1
DIAGRAM 3
the shooter, take away a player on the block, or show some
help to the drive.
Coaches can rotate as they see fit. This has become
a staple in our practice plans, and we've noticed an
improvement in our ball-toughness and decision-making
off the dribble. We pride ourselves in leaving some skin
on the floor on game day.
This drill helps us promote intensity and grittiness in
our practice environment. A no-dribble drill or 2-on1
read-and-react drill could be good lead-up drills for
beginning players.
DIAGRAM 2
Coach
Coach
Coach
28 MAY/JUNE 2019
May/June 2019

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