Basketball Big Man Development: Advanced Skills Training

Master inner foot jump with an outer hand backboard shot in the Mikan drill, keeping the ball between chest and chin above chest level, and progress via consecutive backboard baskets.

This drill challenges players to make baskets without the backboard, sharpening finger feel, ball release accuracy, and control through handwork and finger touch.

Execute the reverse drill: face away from the basket below the backboard, rotate the ball with fingertips at release to bank shots, refining shooting precision and trajectory control.

Develop precision and finger-controlled shooting in the reverse mikan (no glass) drill, emphasizing no-backboard scoring with consistent footwork and handwork.

Advance your layup technique by transitioning to the second part of the Mikan drill, emphasizing coordinated two-foot setup and an outer hand backboard finish for improved close-range scoring.

Refine power layups with no backboard by maintaining altered footwork and sharpening shooting precision and control under off-board conditions.

Learn the reverse power layup technique from the Mikan drill, using precise footwork and fingertip rotation to bank off the backboard and finish through the ring.

Refine your reverse power layups by shooting without the backboard, increasing the challenge of direct rim scoring. Maintain the familiar reverse position beneath the backboard with steady footwork.

Advance the third part of Mikan drill with an auto pass off backboard, a fake shot, a pivot with the outer foot, and a reverse layup with the outer hand.

Master power dribble finishes in the mikan drill by combining an outer pass from the backboard, a catch, an inner-foot slide, a two-handed dribble, and dunk finishes, with backboard variations.

Improve repetitive jumping and shooting under time pressure by completing the Mikan Drill's third part: jump and touch the backboard three times as fast as possible, then shoot before landing.

Master the Mikan drill's one-step jump to touch the rim and dunk before landing, alternating right and left leg approaches to build explosive jumping and refine dunking from various angles.

Develop one-handed ball control through the fourth part of the Mikan drill. Jump, perform backboard throws, catch in midair, and take a shot to sharpen shooting accuracy and dynamic movement.

Refine one-handed ball control in the Mikan drill with alternating outer and inner hand throws off the backboard, finishing with the outer hand for putbacks, boosting coordination.

Execute a two-ball double mikan drill to heighten footwork, ball control, and shooting off the backboard with the outer hand, then switch sides to use the other hand and ball.

Master the double Mikan drill with two balls at chest level, transferring from inner to outer hand and shooting on the opposite rim, boosting dynamic ball handling and two-handed shooting.

Perform reverse below the backboard Mikan drill's fourth set with two chest-level balls, maintaining footwork while transferring from inner to outer hand to shoot with outer hand on opposite rim.

Master the drop step baseline for big men: keep the ball on the chest toward the outer shoulder, gaze at the free throw line, feint, then pivot for a layup.

Develop drop step to the middle and a middle-paint jump stop, using an upper body fake, ball protection, and pivots to counter defenders and protect the ball.

Push the defender into the paint with shoulder, hip, inner leg; two dribbles while watching inner shoulder, spin baseline if middle closes, forearm lock, step in parallel for scoring position.

Master the dribble drop step and up and under baseline, then use a shot fake and pivot into a reverse layup to counter strong defense and add unpredictability.

Combine the drop step to the baseline with a middle spin, faking with the inner shoulder, to beat defense and create an uncontested shot from the heart of the paint.

Refine drop step, spin, and up & under by using a baseline step, fake shot, and front pivot to finish at the backboard.

Use a fake shot to draw the defender, then switch from a front pivot to a back pivot to pass the defender for an easy backboard score.

Master the baseline spin, a low-cost move for basketball big men, quickly fakes with the inner shoulder, turns toward the baseline, dribbles, and finishes with an off backboard shot.

Develop the middle spin drill from an outer shoulder fake, initiating a spin with the outer foot to finish with a layup.

Expand the middle spin drill by adding a reverse layup, eye contact with the rim, catching with both hands, and pivoting toward the middle to set up an easy shot.

Develop low post mid moves and short roll baseline drives by executing a middle drive from the left low post after a 45-side pass, then roll and attack from baseline.

This drill for basketball big men develops a baseline attack from the low post, a jab step after the pick and short roll, and a drive finish, with position swaps.

Practice the short roll and pull-up two-point shot from the short corner after a side pick screen, repeating five times per side as the final phase to cool down.

Execute a big-man combo drill with side pick-and-roll, short roll, pop, and low post moves from top, finishing with dunks, a three, and free throws across three sets per side.

Execute a big-man combo drill with central pick and roll, short roll, flat pick and pop, and low post finishes. Repeat on both sides with three consecutive free throws.

This drill trains a big man (3–5) as ball handler and attacker. It uses switch-driven pick-and-roll, top-key passes, flat picks, short rolls, and free throws between sets.

Develop sharp elbow-shot accuracy from short roll by repeatedly setting screens and using back pivots, shooting without pauses on the elbow to simulate game-like situations and build confidence.

Master pick and pop three-point shooting by using a front or back pivot to open to the three-point line, receive the ball, and take the shot, with varied openings taught.

Four-minute shooting drill starts at the nail, alternates to the left and right sideline with mid-range, three-pointers, and a drive, then 23 shots from five positions and two free throws.

Five balls arranged around the basket—two short corners, two 45-degree sides, one in the paint—drive a dunk drill; players start deep, dunk, then repeat five times left, then right.

Master the short roll and pull-up two-point shot from the short corner using a side pick screen, receive a pass, and shoot; repeat on the opposite side for final cooldown.

Execute the pick and pop to the corner for a three-point shot, using front or back pivots from a pin-down screen, then switch corners for reps and a cooldown.

Vary spot up 3pt shooting drills to keep players engaged. Set tasks, target scores, max shots per position, or friendly competition to leave players happy and satisfied.