Finishing Drills

by Vic Sfera - Virginia Basketball

One of our program's "non-negotiables", or program staples, is valuing the ball. While this certainly means that we are to be strong and sure with the ball, not turning it over, it also means getting quality shots that we should not miss. Valuing the ball essentially puts turnovers and poor shot selection in the same category. I think most coaches would agree with that philosophy. If you really think about it the goal of any offense is to get high percentage shots. But how often do we actually practice making those "high percentage shots"? One of the best ways to increase your field goal percentage is to work on finishing at the rim and in the lane. If an offense is good enough to get you a shot at the rim you need to make sure your players are good enough to finish the play with a basket.

Finishing at the basket is a skill that can be developed in your players over time. It's important for your players to realize that being able to finish in the lane is not just about beating your man one on one. Against quality defenses once you beat your man you have to be able to take care of the ball and make the right decision against the help defense. Furthermore, at the highest level of basketball there will generally be a 6'7 or above player greeting you at the rim. Through our finishing drills we try to simulate all of these scenarios to our players so that they are comfortable when they face these in a game. We use training tools like pads and blocking sticks to create initial contact on the drive and then make our players finish through contact and over something tall.

The following drills are ones that we work on individually with our guys throughout the year whether it is during our individual workouts or official practices:

1. 1. Turn the Corner: We have three coaches or managers who simulate defensive players in this drill. One is the on-ball defender, the other is the help-man, and the third one is in front of the rim simulating a big man challenging the shot. The help-man may not seem important but we have found that most players are able to shield the ball from their man but the help defender who reaches in or slaps the ball often creates just as many turnovers. The emphasis is on taking care of the ball while turning the corner and then of course, finishing over the third defender. This drill is done from both sides of the lane.
       
   2. Dribble Weave Finishing: In this drill we have three or four cones (or if you have the bodies, three or four "human cones"–managers or coaches simulating defenders) that the player dribbles through. After going through the cones, the ball-handler attacks the rim and finishes over the final defender (coach or manager in front of the rim simulating a big man challenging the shot). We do this drill from both sides of the floor and from the top as well.
       
   3. 2 on 1 Finishing: This 2 on 1 Finishing Drill is done from full court, half court, and the two elbows. We do it from the elbows the majority of the time because there is less space to work with making it more challenging for our guys to make quick, smart decisions and then finish. We usually have our best shot challengers (big guys) acting as the defender when we do this drill from full court or half court but when we run this drill from inside the three point line we allow all of our guys to be the defender.

About the Author...

Vic arrived in Charlottesville after graduating from the University of Memphis with a degree in Interdisciplinary Studies (Behavioral Sciences and Sport Studies). He spent the 2009-10 campaign as the head manager for the University of Memphis men's basketball team under the direction of then first-year head coach Josh Pastner. Prior to Memphis, the Southern California native served for two seasons as a student-assistant coach and video coordinator with the men's basketball team at Biola University.