10 essential drills for Under-16 players focusing on game speed

• Game-speed execution — Drills emphasise real-game intensity and decision-making
• Defensive accountability — Focus on on-ball pressure, rotations, and transition defense
• Advanced offensive skills — Work on pick-and-roll, shooting off movement, and finishing through contact

These 10 drills focus on game-speed development, defensive awareness, and offensive efficiency.

1. Full-Court Dribble Attack with Secondary Break (Ball-Handling & Transition Offense)

📍 Objective: Develop ball-handling under pressure while recognising transition scoring opportunities.
⏳ Duration: 12 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Players line up at the baseline with a basketball.
• One defender starts at half-court.

🏀 How to Play:

1. The offensive player dribbles up the court while a chasing defender pressures them.
2. Once past half-court, a secondary defender steps up to force a decision.
3. The offensive player must read the defense and either attack the rim, pull up for a jumper, or pass to an outlet teammate.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Keep dribbles low and explosive under pressure.
✔ Make quick decisions based on defensive reaction.
✔ Attack gaps with speed and control.

🔄 Variations:

• Add a third defender to force kick-out passes.
• Limit dribbles to increase passing awareness.

2. Three-Level Finishing Drill (Scoring at the Rim)

📍 Objective: Teach players how to finish in different situations.
⏳ Duration: 10 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Players line up on the wing, each with a basketball.

🏀 How to Play:

1. First rep – Player drives hard for a layup with no contact.
2. Second rep – Defender applies light contact, and the offensive player must finish strong.
3. Third rep – Defender fully contests the shot, forcing a floater or spin move.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Proper footwork and balance on contact finishes.
✔ Encourage using both hands when finishing.
✔ Emphasize reading the defender before deciding on a move.

🔄 Variations:

• Add a help defender rotating late for game-like scenarios.

3. Pick-and-Roll Reads Drill (Offensive Decision-Making)

📍 Objective: Train players to recognise different defensive coverages in pick-and-roll situations.
⏳ Duration: 12-15 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• One ball-handler, one screener, and one defender.

🏀 How to Play:

1. The screener sets a ball screen, and the defender plays one of three coverages:
   • Hedge → Ball-handler must quickly pass or retreat.
   • Drop → Attack with a floater or pull-up jumper.
   • Switch → Attack the mismatch.
2. The offense must react in real-time to the defender's decision.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Teach reading defensive cues instead of pre-determined moves.
✔ Ensure proper screen setting and angles.
✔ Reinforce decisive attacking after the screen.

🔄 Variations:

• Add a help-side defender to practice skip passes.
• Restrict dribbles for quicker decision-making.

4. Defensive Shell Drill (Team Defense & Rotations)

📍 Objective: Improve team defensive communication, help-side positioning, and rotations.
⏳ Duration: 12 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Four defenders guard four offensive players.

🏀 How to Play:

1. The offense moves the ball around the perimeter.
2. Defenders must close out, shift, and communicate rotations.
3. If the offense attacks the paint, help defenders must collapse and recover.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Emphasise constant defensive communication.
✔ Teach correct defensive stance and positioning.
✔ Reinforce help-and-recover fundamentals.

🔄 Variations:

• Add live play after three passes.

5. 3-on-2, 2-on-1 Transition Drill (Decision-Making & Fast Breaks)

📍 Objective: Improve offensive decision-making in transition.
⏳ Duration: 12 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Three offensive players attack two defenders.

🏀 How to Play:

1. The offense must make a quick decision to pass or score before the defense sets up.
2. After the play, the two defenders go on offense against one defender in the opposite direction.
3. The cycle continues with new players.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Teach spacing and ball movement in transition.
✔ Encourage quick decisions under pressure.
✔ Reinforce high-percentage shot selection.

🔄 Variations:

• Limit the offense to two passes before shooting.

6. Ball Denial & Off-Ball Defense Drill (Defensive Toughness)

📍 Objective: Teach players how to deny passes and disrupt offensive flow.
⏳ Duration: 10 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• One defender guards an offensive player trying to get open for a pass.

🏀 How to Play:

1. The defender uses active hands and body positioning to deny the pass.
2. The offensive player tries different cuts (V-cut, L-cut, backdoor) to get open.
3. Rotate roles after 30 seconds.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Teach staying low and using hands legally.
✔ Encourage anticipation of passing lanes.
✔ Reinforce footwork over reaching.

🔄 Variations:

• Allow live 1-on-1 play if the offense gets the ball.

7. Quick-Release Shooting Drill (Game-Speed Shooting)

📍 Objective: Develop rapid shooting ability under defensive pressure.
⏳ Duration: 10 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Players partner up with a rebounder.

🏀 How to Play:

1. Shooter receives a pass and must shoot immediately.
2. If the defender closes out quickly, the shooter must pump fake and attack.
3. Rotate every 10 shots.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Keep quick feet into shooting motion.
✔ Teach decision-making under pressure.
✔ Reinforce high, consistent follow-through.

8. Box-Out & Rebounding Battle (Rebounding & Toughness)

📍 Objective: Improve rebounding skills and physicality.
⏳ Duration: 8 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Four players battle for a rebound inside the paint.

🏀 How to Play:

1. Coach shoots a random miss, and players must box out and grab the rebound.
2. Whoever secures the ball must go up strong for a finish.
3. Reset after each possession.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Teach boxing out fundamentals.
✔ Reinforce aggressiveness in securing rebounds.
✔ Encourage second-chance effort.

9. 4-on-4 Competitive Scrimmage (Game Awareness & Execution)

📍 Objective: Apply all skills in a controlled scrimmage environment.
⏳ Duration: 12-15 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Teams play half-court 4v4 with specific rules.

🏀 How to Play:

1. Each team must pass at least twice before shooting.
2. Defense earns points for forcing turnovers and stopping drives.
3. Game resets after 5 minutes.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Teach spacing and movement.
✔ Reinforce on-ball and help defense.
✔ Encourage fast decision-making.

10. Beat the Closeout Drill (Shooting & Decision-Making Under Pressure)

📍 Objective: Train players to make quick decisions based on defensive closeouts.
⏳ Duration: 10-12 minutes

🔹 Setup:

• Offensive players start on the wing or corner.
• Defenders begin near the free-throw line.
• A coach or passer stands at the top of the key with a basketball.

🏀 How to Play:

1. The coach passes the ball to the offensive player on the wing.
2. At the same time, the defender sprints out to contest the shot.
3. The offensive player must quickly decide to:
   • Shoot immediately if the defender is late.
   • Pump fake and drive if the defender is closing too aggressively.
   • Pass to a teammate if a help defender rotates.
4. Rotate roles after every 5 possessions.

🎯 Coaching Focus:
✔ Teach players to read defensive closeouts quickly.
✔ Reinforce footwork for catch-and-shoot situations.
✔ Develop composure under defensive pressure.

🔄 Variations:

• Limit offensive players to one dribble before shooting or passing.
• Add a help defender rotating late to challenge passing decisions.
• Extend to a full 3-on-3 live scenario to simulate real-game spacing.