Explore the challenge of disseminating skill acquisition ideas in basketball coaching. Learn about transforming traditional drills into more alive activities. Emphasize variability, principles of play, and effective constraint manipulation. Discover drill makeovers for 3 Man Weave, Zig Zag, Layup Lines, 5v0, and more. Maximize space, engagement, and time on the court during drills.
Transform traditional drills by adding variability and game-like scenarios for more effective skill development.
Modify drills by incorporating defenders, constraints, and engagement to enhance skill transfer and reflect real game situations.
Deep dives
Alternative to the Three-Man Weave Drill
Instead of running the traditional Three-Man Weave drill, the podcast suggests creating more variability with the start of the Weave. Offensive players can be positioned randomly within the half court, while one defender starts in the paint and another defender starts elsewhere. This creates a three-on-two situation with a more realistic game-like scenario. The CLA (constraint-led approach) can be applied by setting constraints such as an eight-second shot clock or adding one more defender to make it a three-on-three drill. Manipulating these constraints adds variability and promotes the development of game-specific skills.
Transforming the Zigzag Drill
To improve the traditional zigzag drill, the podcast suggests constraining the space and adding defenders in specific segments. This helps to manage fatigue and makes the drill more intense and challenging. Another approach is to create different shapes on the court using pylons or formats, enabling players to advance within those shapes. For improving defensive footwork, the podcast recommends one-on-one drills where defenders start from different positions each time, forcing them to explore different footwork solutions. These modifications make the drill more representative of game situations and enhance skill development.
Enhancing Layup Lines and Five-on-Zero Drills
In place of traditional layup lines, the podcast suggests making players play defense while waiting for their turn to shoot. This adds more engagement and repetition to the drill. Furthermore, instead of using traditional five-on-zero drills, incorporating defenders and creative constraints can make the drill more game-like and challenging. For example, defenders could have limitations on using their hands or could be assigned specific areas to defend. By adding variability and promoting decision-making, these modified drills enhance skill transfer and better reflect real game situations.
In this episode, Alex Sarama explores the challenge of disseminating skill acquisition ideas to other coaches and the coaching community. He proposes that a good way to do so is taking traditional drills and transforming them into more alive activities informed by principles from the CLA. He emphasize the importance of variability, principles of play, and effective constraint manipulation within small-sided games. By incorporating these ideas, coaches can create more engaging and effective training sessions that align with the demands of the game.