Basketball Skill Development: Individual Basketball Layup Drills

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

From my experiences, very few high school varsity players have mastered the following drills. They are organized from the youngest age and most basic skill level to more advanced. The early drills once mastered, no longer need to be completed, however the later drills are still used by professional basketball on a regular basis.

Click on the link for a more detailed explanation of the drill.

  1. Block Shot Basketball Layup Drills: This is the most basic layup drill that should be used by players grades 4 and lower. Coaches should not worry about a player using proper footwork. Stress that the player always aims for the top corner of the square.
  2. Mini-Mikan Basketball Layup Drill: This is a great drill for all ages. Players as old as 8th grade can benefit from completing this drill, especially taller players. Once again a player does not need to worry about footwork, just focusing on aiming for the top corner of the square.
  3. No step, imaginary lay-ups: The 1st drill to introduce proper footwork for layups. A fun drill that can be introduced at an early age.
  4. No step lay-ups: This is the foundational drill of correct footwork. It may be a drill that needs to be reviewed at the start of the basketball season. It is an ideal drill for teaching weak hand layups.
  5. No Dribble Lay-up: This is a simple drill that teaches the correct footwork.
  6. One Dribble Lay-up: The final drill before introducing the full layup.

Basketball Book: Stuff Good Players Should Know: Intelligent Basketball From A to Z 

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills, books, teaching tools, guest blogs and so much more for basketball coaches, players, and parents.

Stuff good players should know:  intelligent basketball from A to Z

by Dick DiVenzio 

Forward by Dena Evans

 ContentsForward (1 – 4) Written by Dena Evans in 2006. Dena was a Division I player and ACC Basketball champion at the University of Virginia who played professionally. She explains how at the age of 12, she was given this book and how the information in the book had such a positive impact on her career and life.  The book was helpful to her in so many different ways.

Contents

Forward (1 – 4) Written by Dena Evans in 2006. Dena was a Division I player and ACC Basketball champion at the University of Virginia who played professionally. She explains how at the age of 12, she was given this book and how the information in the book had such a positive impact on her career and life.  The book was helpful to her in so many different ways.

PRE-GAME STUFF (5) These 2 sections go hand in hand.

Basketball progress (6) “Can you play?” An honest evaluation of where you fall on basketball progress is the 1st step to measuring where you are and how far you can improve in the next day, week, month. Do not look too far ahead. Take care of your short-term goals. Where do you fall on the progress chart? You will be surprised. 

A few words to players (7-8) There are a thousand ”little things” that actually decide whether or not you can play. , Even on nights you shoot one for nine  you can still play well if you do the little things… But coaches and winning teams know what a good player is, and if you want to be a good player, you’d better know,  too.”  (7) “Undoubtedly,  there are many things that you should do that you don’t.” (8) Introduces the player to the mental part of being a good player. “Habit of play is a crucial phrase… Do they do it in games? Do they do it consistently?”(8) “ Consistency is key to “NEXT LEVEL” play. If you apply the ideas in the book to your game, people will say “you can play. There is no higher compliment in the game.  

A few words to female players (9) Good to read, regardless of gender. 

Don’t be stupid (10) #1 rule for a player: A friendly reminder that your coach is ALWAYS right. Most of the principles will be welcomed by coaches. But if he has a different philosophy, do it his way. “Who is right?  Your coach is right.  Do it his way. He is the one who puts you into and out of games.  He is the one you have to please… No team has ever lost by playing the wrong defense. They lost by playing that defense 

poorly.” (10) 

A few words to coaches (12 – 14 ) This section explains how this is a book for players who have an understanding of the game and if players in a program can learn to do some of these little things on their own they will  make the coach’s team better and his job easier.

“So that’s the reason for this book.  page after page of Common Sense ideas about basketball.  Not plays to run,  not drills to you,  But Concepts players need to perform well. (13) 

Key to Diagrams (15) This is an explanation of the diagrams in the book. The diagrams are consistent with what many coaches use. just what the title says.

SOFO and other terms (16) SOFO = “Spin off the 1st obstacle”. Is one of the unique ways Devenzio tries to keep the game of basketball simple and easy to remember. “Did you SOFO or didn’t you? Go through the game films and don’t count the offensive rebounds. Count the SOFOs. If you are constantly spinning of the 1st obstacle, over the course of a season you are going to get a lot of offensive rebounds.” (16) 

GAME STUFF (17)  The Fine Points of Basketball A to Z

A chapters(19)

#1 Help ACROSS, not up (20-21) team defense “remember to pick up or help across from your man, not up from him.  A very simple but important concept. 
#2 How Ahead Near The End of a game… On Defense (22) team defense basketball IQ. Don’t foul! “Nothing would please them more than getting you to foul them. A foul will give them a chance to score – maybe even three points in one possession, and it will stop the clock. It will also give them a chance to set up a pressing defense and make it tough for you to get the ball inbounds… You want them to feel moving on, and you want them to have to earn every basket they score.” (22) 

How to Create the Ultimate Basketball Workout

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Ball Handling Drills

Individual Layup Drills

1-Hand Form Shooting: It is important to master the shooting fundamentals of BEEF! So few players use 1-hand form shooting, but this is the absolute best drill to improve shooting accuracy and range.

Game Shots

Basketball Camp Options

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

With the popularity and expense of AAU basketball, summer basketball camps can sometimes be ignored. This is frustrating because some of the best teaching of fundamentals occurs at camps. Parents and players should ask around to learn about the options.

Not all camps are created equal so be sure to do your research (Guest Blog: TOP 6 QUESTIONS TO ASK WHEN CHOOSING A BASKETBALL CAMP)

  1. Town Recreation Camp (K – 9): This is were the 1st steps of basketball journey often happen. These camps are often run by a local high school coach either privately or through a recreation department. The players often come from the same town and players are grouped according to age and skill level. This is small pond environment with an emphasis on teaching and having fun. It is a great introduction to basketball for many players. Attending these camps will help evaluate a player’s interest in basketball
  2. High School Coach’s Camp (K – 9):
  3. Overnight Teaching Camp (4 – 12)
  4. Overnight Exposure Camp (4 – 12)
  5. College Exposure Camps: Top 10 Reasons to Attend All-Academic Basketball Camp These camps are a “showcase” camp where players play games in front of college coaches. The coaches evaluate the high school players to see if they possess the skills or the potential to continue playing basketball in college.
  6. Position Camps:

Individual Basketball Workouts are Critical!

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

To be a good basketball, it is important to master the fundamentals first. The only way to master fundamentals is to:

  1. learn every detail
  2. practice the fundamental correctly
  3. practice regularly (2 – 7 times a week)

Well that sounds simple. The reality is it is not that hard. The most difficult part might be learning the fundamental. Some resources for a player to learn basketball fundamentals are parents, siblings, camp instructors, coaches, and private basketball trainers.

So many players and parents believe that by participating in an AAU program, a player will improve dramatically and be a better player. A player needs to select a program that is established, has quality coaching, and focuses on age-appropriate player development. But the reality is, a player must work on his own or with a private coach to develop the skills that are necessary to succeed at a particular level – youth, travel, sub-varsity, varsity, college, and for a very few professionally.

How to Design a Killer Basketball Workout

AAU Basketball Year

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much more.

For many years, I have observed AAU basketball from a distance. It seems to be a little like the never ending treadmill… like George Jetson said “Jane! Stop this crazy thing!” Once a player and his family jump on the AAU treadmill, it is very difficult to get off. It can feel chaotic, overwhelming, and impossible to stop.

That being said, this post is an attempt to prepare a player and family for each month of the AAU season.

Summer AAU

  1. Play in AAU “Live Period” Showcase Tournaments:

Fall AAU Season

August

Cost: $25 tryouts

2 tryouts (1.5 hours) 3 hours

Travel (18 miles round trip) 36 miles 

Commuting time 2 hours

Practices

Games

August 1st – September 6th (August  9th & 16th 8:00 – 9:30): This is the fall AAU tryout season. Each club will have different dates for tryouts and different fees. The typical fee for a tryout is between $25 and $50. Tryouts typically are two 1 – 2 hour sessions. The sessions are usually one week apart to allow a chance for players to attend one if they have other summer commitments, such as work or family vacations.  

It is important to research the teams to understand the quality of coaching, success with developing high school varsity players, and for the RARE few, helping develop college players, primarily Division III.

We looked at 5 high school programs in Massachusetts. Here were the fall 2022 tryout dates:

Program #1: Tuesdays: August 9th & August 16th 8:00 PM – 9:30 PM

Program #2: Sunday August 28th & Tuesday September 6th 6:30 – 7:30

Program #3: Wednesday, August 10th 8:45-10PM & Sunday August 14th 3-4PM

Program #4: Thursday, August 4th 7:45-8:45pm Tuesday, August 9th from 8:00-9:00pm

Program #5: Tuesday August 23rd & Thursday 25th 7:30-9pm

How many players attend a fall tryout? This also will depend on the AAU program. Some programs have multiple teams, while others will only have one. Some players who have been in the program may not have to attend a tryout. 

How many spots are open? Each fall is the start of a new AAU season. Depending on the program, the entire team may be open, or teams that value loyalty there may be only a few spots.

Should a player tryout for more than one team? If a player has never played AAU before, the answer is probably yes. If a player has a relationship with a program, at the end of a season, a discussion can be had with the coach to see if the coach feels the player would be a good fit in the future.

August 16th – 22nd (7 Days) AAU Basketball Team Selection: The Waiting Is The Hardest Part: The moment between the last tryout and the final player accepting a team spot can seem like and eternity. Be patient, don’t worry, and no matter what happens, be ready to work on your game.

Tryouts are also a great chance to play against good competition, so even if a player does not plan on accepting an invitation to join a team, it can be a good opportunity to grow as a player.

  • Individual Workouts
  • Strength and Conditioning
  • Summer School Work / Read 
  • Enjoy the end of summer. There are fewer camps offered in August. Depending on my schedule, I might try to get the boys together 1-2 times for pick-up. 
  • Skills & Separation

August 1st – August 7th: Tryout #1

August 8th – August 14th: Tryout #1

August 15th – August 21st Tryout #1 AAU Individual Preseason Players should put in the time to improve the skills before the official start of the AAU season.

August 17th – September 13th (28 days) AAU Individual Preseason This is the period between the final tryout and the 1st practice.

Season Costs: Team Fees: Spectator Fee: Gas: Meals

2 tryouts (1.5 hours) 3 hours

Travel (18 miles round trip) 36 miles 

Commuting time 2 hours

Practices

Games

September

Cost:

Practices

Games

Travel (18 miles round trip) 36 miles 

Commuting time 2 hours

August 17th – September 13th (28 days) AAU Individual Preseason This is the period between the final tryout and the 1st practice.

Week #1 September 12th – 18th: Tuesday & Wednesday: two 90 minute practices (either 6:00 – 7:30 or 7:30 – 9:00) No Games.

Week #2 September 19th – 25th: Tuesday & Wednesday: two 90 minute practices (either 6:00 – 7:30 or 7:30 – 9:00) This is the 1st tournament weekend. It is time to see how the coach and team performs for the 1st time together. Players get comfortable playing with referees and good competition.

Week #3 September 26th – October 2nd: This is the 2nd tournament weekend. Players have had a weekend to learn the new system, get the rust off, and hopefully develop a little team chemistry. Player need to continue to put in time alone improving.

October

Cost $267.80 September 1st, $267.80 September 15th

Travel (18 miles round trip) 36 miles 

Commuting time

Practices 0

Games 0

Week #4 October 1st – October 2nd: Zero Gravity New England Recruiting Report Approaching the midpoint of the AAU season. Players need to “just keep working” as they prepare for the 1st day of the high school season.

Week #6 October 8th – October 9th Zero Gravity Mass Madness

Week #7 October 15th – October 16th Zero Gravity Fall Brawl

Week #8 October 22nd – October 23rd Zero Gravity Battle for the Belt South

Week #8 October 29th – October 30th Zero Gravity Halloween Hoopfest

November

Travel (18 miles round trip) 36 miles 

Commuting time

Practices 0

Games 0

Week #8 November 5th – November 6th Zero Gravity Wheel of Champions

Week #9 November 12th – 13th Zero Gravity Fall Finale & Pre-Season Tune-up Clinic

Week #10 November 19th – 20th Pre-Season Tune-up Clinic

Week #11 November 26st – 27th Pre-Season Tune-up Clinic

High School Basketball Year

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

December (31 days)

  1. Be Ready for the 1st Day of Tryouts
  2. High School Basketball Tryouts
  3. Week #1 High School Basketball: Tryout Week
  4. Week #2 High School Basketball: Preseason and Scrimmages
  5. Week #3 Let the Games Begin (Week #3)
  6. High School Basketball: What Time is Practice?
  7. Week #5: High School Basketball: Christmas Vacation Week

January (31 days)

  1. Week #6: High School Basketball: Back to School Week
  2. High School Basketball: Tips for Coming Off the Bench
  3. Week #7: High School Basketball: The New Normal
  4. Week #8 High School Basketball: Martin Luther King Week
  5. The Final Four Weeks

February (28 days / 29 days in leap years)

  1. High School Basketball: The Midway Point of The Season
  2. February 13th – 19th High School Basketball: Championship Week
  3. High School Basketball: What’s the Magic Number?
  4. High School Basketball: Senior Night is a GREAT Celebration
  5. High School Basketball: Cutting Down the Nets
  6. February 20th – 26th: The Final Week of the Regular Season
  7. February 20th – 26th:
  8. February 267th – March 5th:

March (31 days)

April (30 days)

May (31 days)

June (30 days)

  1. Read (Basketball Books)
  2. Take the SAT Exam / Register to Take the SAT Exam
  3. Play Summer League: Be sure to all you can to get on your high school team’s summer league team.
  4. Work on Strength and Conditioning (Individual Pushup Chart)
  5. Basketball Camp Ideas: Basketball camps are a great opportunity to improve individual and team fundamentals. It also can be a measuring stick to see where your skills are compared to other players.
  6. Attend a College Exposure Basketball Camp: Top 10 Reasons to Attend All-Academic Basketball Camp

July (31 days)

  1. Individual Workouts are CRITICAL!
  2. Attend a Basketball Camp: Top 10 Reasons to Attend All-Academic Basketball Camp
  3. Attend a College Exposure Basketball Camp: Advice for Selecting College Basketball Prospect Camps
  4. Play AAU
  5. Play Summer League
  6. Individual Workouts
  7. Work on Strength and Conditioning
  8. Read (Basketball Books)
  9. Attend a Basketball Camp: Top 10 Reasons to Attend All-Academic Basketball Camp
  10. Play Summer League
  11. Work on Strength and Conditioning
  12. Read (Basketball Books)

August Action Plan (31 days)

  1. Play Summer League
  2. Tryout for a Fall AAU Team
  3. Attend a Basketball Camp: Top 10 Reasons to Attend All-Academic Basketball Camp
  4. Attend a College “Prospect” Camp
  5. Individual Workouts
  6. Work on Strength and Conditioning (Individual Pushup Chart)
  7. Read (Basketball Books)
  8. Play a Fall High School Sport

September (30 days)

  1. High School Student-Athletes: Start the School Year StrongThe season is just weeks away, just keep working.

October Basketball Jokes (31 days)

  1. Play Fall League.
  2. Focus on individual workouts! Work hard in fall sports and be sure to find time to shoot!
  3. Play AAU
  4. Play a Fall Sport (Eight Great Benefits of Playing a Fall Sport)
  5. Columbus Day Check in High School Basketball: Top Reasons To Take the PSAT
  6. October 31st Halloween: Top 5 Halloween Horrors for High School Basketball Players

High School Basketball November (30 days)

  1. High School Basketball Tryout Tips: Elite Eight Tips
  2. November 11th: Veterans Day Check-In
  3. High School Basketball: Final Week of the Off-Season
  4. High School Basketball: Final Week of the Off-Season
  5. Thanksgiving: THANK YOU BASKETBALL: Create a Basketball Gratitude List
  6. Be Ready for the 1st Day of Tryouts
  7. High School Basketball Tryouts
  8. Work on Strength and Conditioning (Individual Pushup Chart)

How to Be a Good High School Basketball Player

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Here are a few ideas on how to be a good high school basketball players. Click on the links to read a complete blog on the topic.

  1. High School Basketball: Just Show Up
  2. Compete
  3. Be In Great Shape (Play a Fall or Spring Sport)
  4. Jump Rope (Because “Jumping Rope is NOT ONLY for Girls!)
  5. Be Stronger Use An Individual Pushup Chart
  6. Play AAU Basketball
  7. Just Keep Working
  8. Know Your Game:
  9. Play Summer League
  10. Make Basketball a Priority:
  11. Have an Individual Workout:
  12. Focus on the Fundamentals:
  13. Show Up Early and Often:
  14. Attend A Basketball Camp:
  15. Get Stronger
  16. Be a Better Shooter
  17. Be a Member of “The Big Three”

Basketball Nicknames

Youthbasketball123 is a website designed to provide ideas, drills by grade, books, teaching tools, basketball jokes, guest blogs, basketball quotes, and so much.

Google Search “Basketball Nicknames”

  1. Larry Bird: Larry Legend, The Hick from French Lick
  2. Charles Barkley: The Round Mound of Rebound
  3. Tyrone Bogues: Muggsy
  4. Kobe Bryant: The Black Mamba
  5. Tim Duncan: The Big Fundamental
  6. Julius Erving: Dr. J
  7. Allen Iverson: The Answer
  8. Earvin Johnson: Magic
  9. Michael Jordan: Air Jordan
  10. Karl Malone: The Mailman
  11. Hakeem Olajuwon: The Dream
  12. Gary Payton: The Glove
  13. Anthony Webb: Spud Webb

  1. The Big Three: Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, Robert Parish
  2. Phi Slamma Jamma: University of Houston Cougars