Tt’s Fundamental Time!

most-played sport in this country.

I= fundamental time again for the

the two-hand shot.

It is hoped that the graphic picture
on the opposite page will assist the new
and inexperienced coaches in starting off
their season with a plan. The chart sets
up a series of fundamental drills covering
four divisions of fundamentals, namely,
basket shooting, passing, footwork, and
drills for co-ordinating fundamentals and
parts of the offense. At the end of each
lateral column the reader will find a gen-
eral recommendation as to the proper time
for practice on those fundamentals (col-
umns should be read from left to right).

Shooting Drills

Diagram 1 shows a simple formation for
One ball to three
players makes a satisfactory arrangement
for good basket-shooting practice. This
formation lends itself to three phases of
basket shooting, the first of which is a
stationary shot about twenty-two feet
from the basket. In learning shooting
form, it is best for the player to be fairly
close to the basket and to make the shot
unopposed.

The second or third week of practice
calls for the second phase of basket shoot-

ing from this formation. The squad should ~

move backward ten feet toward the mid-
dle of the floor, thus giving the players
room to dribble forward to their original
positions. There, they come to a running-
stride stop, maintaining good body balance
and from that position taking the two-
hand shot. ‘This type of practice more
nearly approximates game conditions.
The third phase of shooting from this
formation comes from the original position
where one of the three players on one
ball takes a shot and follows it. Upon
recovery of the rebound, he passes to his
team mate, and immediately assumes
defensive position against him. This gives
the shooter practice against opposition and

~ gives both men good practice in rebound-

     

ing. The defensive man keeps that posi-
tion until he recovers the ball. This is an
actual game situation and can be worked
into the daily basket practice after the
players have had sufficient practice with-
out opposition.

Diagram 2 illustrates the old-fashioned
and most commonly used short-shot drill
and pre-game warm-up exercise. It em-
bodies much passing, running, and shoot-
ing and is simple in execution.

Diagram 3 is a drill designed to teach
eorrect maneuvering to shoot behind a

It takes good co-operation between

Director of Basketball, Stanford University

By Everett S. Dean

    
   

the shooter and th blocker/to obtain effi-
ciency in this pla work is impor-
tant in this play, and practice on it should

be delayed until after the third week. This _

play might be used as a play possibility
in the bottom column of the chart.

Diagram 4 shows the follow-up triangle.
Players 1 and 2 are the shooters while
the 3 men in the triangle follow up the
shots and practice the skill in follow shots,
but maintaining the triangle position.
Players will necessarily have to change
positions, a fact which calls for alertness
im keeping the formation balanced. Later,
one and two guards should be added to the
drill to present game conditions.

Passing and Ball-Handling

Diagram 5 shows a formation which is
an “Old Reliable” for early season work
because it is full of fun and action. Fun-
damentals of passing, eye deception, and
individual defense can be taught in 4
short time. The defensive man in the
circle takes the place of the player whose
pass he deflected.

Diagram 6 is a peripheral vision and
passing drill. Six men form a straight
line facing one man who stands about ten
feet in front. The drill calls for two
balls, one in the line-and one in the hands
of the player in front of the line. The
balls should be kept separated as much as
possible in order to give the player in front
more peripheral vision practice. This drill
is a fine push-pass developer and, at the
same time, develops strong finger and arm
muscles.

According to Diagram 7, two columns
of single file line up on either side of the
floor. Player 1 passes the ball to player
2, goes to the right, and joins the reat
of the opposite line. Players on either
side change in this manner and keep on
a continuous run. Various passes may be
practiced.

Diagram 8 illustrates the five-man
weave or criss-cross, which is a good ball-
handling and passing drill. Timing is 4
major fundamental, and no drill offers
more practice in timing. This drill might
be delayed until the second or third week.
It, however, possesses a “kick” or moti-
vation that helps the boys enjoy prac-
tice. :

Footwork

Practice in footwork should be started

‘gradually until the players’ feet become

toughened. After the second or third
week, the players should be able to take

 

their footwork in stride.
Diagram 9 illustrates a mass drill which
we often use to teach the fundamental

offensive positions and defensive footwork.

The encircled X is the leader of the squad.
All members of the squad “follow: the
leader” and go through every movement
made by him. Correct body balance and
vood form may be taught in this mass
formation. This drill provides an excel-
lent opportunity for the coach to observe
fast and slow reactions of the players.
Diagrams 10, 11, and 12 illustrate the
stop and turn, the pivot and change of
direction. Note the combination of two
forms of footwork in Diagrams 11 and 12.

Co-ordinating Fundamentals and Parts
of the Offense

After practice has been under way two
or three weeks, it is well for a coach to
start putting his offense together by using
some fundamental drills which are segre-
gated parts of his offense. Thus, while
practicing certain fundamentals, the
players are learning play possibilities at
the same time. The coach may place the
emphasis upon whichever department,
fundamentals or play options, that needs
the more attention at that oe

Diagram 13 shows the side screen and
the resultant one-hand shot. in. the free-
throw ring. This fundamental drill is
extremely practical and simplified for ef-
fective teaching.

Diagram 14 illustrates the next progres-
sive step by the addition of a pivot man
to the play, thus making a three-man
play possibility. This drill should be
used considerably because of its real game
conditions.

The four-man weave, shown in Dia-
gram 15, is a maneuver which requires
good timing. After two- and three-man
play options have been practiced, it is
wise to give some practice to this four-
man weave because it is the framework
around which this type of offense will be
built. The continuity of movement, if
well timed, makes more, defensive prob-
lems for the opponents.

Diagram 16 is an example of 5 against 5.
The pivot man has been added to the
four-man combination. Team fundamen-
tals as timing, floor balance, shooting bal-
ance, offensive and defensive balance, fol-
low-up formations, and other fundamen-
tals, can be practiced in the drill of 5
acainst& ‘
against 5.
path of the pall is indicated by the letters

a, b, ¢, d, e, f.

Y/Y Typ ATHLETIC JOURNAL

(In diagrams 15 and 16, the