Step 1/21 drops a tennis ball to either side; 2 reacts to the release

Orange = offense · blue = defense · solid line = cut · dashed = pass · zig-zag = dribble · T = screen · dotted arc = shot

Warm-up drill

Tennis Ball Drop and React

Read a partner's unpredictable tennis-ball drop, move to the bounce and catch before the ball bounces a second time.

Equipment: 1 tennis ball per pair; 1 basketball per pair for the progression

How to run the drill

1Setup: work in pairs with a clear space of about 3 metres. The dropper faces the catcher from 1-2 metres away, holding a tennis ball at waist height. The catcher starts balanced with hands ready.
2Start: without a countdown, the dropper releases the ball from either side of their body. The catcher moves as soon as the ball leaves the hand, lets it bounce once and catches it before the second bounce.
3Rules: drop rather than throw the ball in the base version. The catcher must gather it under control and stop on balance. Adjust the distance so both sides offer a realistic challenge.
4Scoring and reset: the catcher earns 1 point for a controlled catch before the second bounce. Return the ball and regain the starting distance after every attempt.
5Rotation: take five drops, then swap roles. Repeat for three sets with different partners or starting positions.
6Progressions: catch before the first bounce from a shorter distance, or dribble a basketball with the other hand while reacting. Introduce only one change at a time.

Ball on the floor, defender boxes out: the attacker has five seconds to get round and touch it.

Everyone dribbles from one side of the court to the other while the bulldogs in the middle try to knock their ball away. Last dribbler left wins.

A 12-second chase around a circle. The runner changes pace and direction while the tagger tries to close the gap.

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