Build it up: progressions

A ladder for any skill

Most skills can climb the same ladder. You don't need every rung every time, and you can go back down a rung whenever you need to.

• On your own, no defender (1v0): learn the movement.
• With a guided defender: they shadow, or start a step behind.
• Live 1v1: now it's a real contest.
• With an advantage: 2v1 or 3v2, so there's a pass to find.
• Small-sided game: 2v2 or 3v3 with a rule that rewards the skill.
• The full game.

An example: finishing at the basket

• Layups from both sides, no defender.
• Layups with a chaser who starts two steps behind.
• 1v1 from the wing, three dribbles at most.
• 2v1: finish, or pass if the defender commits to you.
• 3v3 where a layup is worth two and anything else is worth one.

Too hard? Too easy? Change one thing

You rarely need a new drill. You need a small change to the one you're running.

• Space: bigger is easier for the attack, smaller is easier for the defence.
• Numbers: give one side an extra player.
• Time: add or remove a shot clock.
• Touches: limit the dribbles, or take dribbling away altogether.
• Start position: move the defender closer or further away.
• Scoring: reward the thing you want to see more of.

How to tell when to move on

If players succeed nearly every time, it's too easy: add a rung. If they almost never succeed, it's too hard: take one away. You're looking for the stretch in between, where it works more often than not but they have to concentrate.

Different players can be on different rungs in the same activity. A stronger pair can play with a dribble limit while another pair plays without one.