19 Basketball Drills for High School Athletes

To play better basketball, you need more than just talent, you need the right skills. Basketball drills for high school players help improve speed, shooting, and teamwork. Whether you’re working on ball-handling drills for high school basketball or practicing rebounding drills for high school basketball, these drills will help you get better at the game.

Before starting drills, you need to master the basics. Basketball is about speed, accuracy, and strategy. You must practice basketball dribbling drills, passing drills, and drills for shooting drills while staying fit. These skills form the foundation for advanced play.

Basketball Drills for High School

These basketball drills for high school players help build stamina, improve skills, and prepare for games.

1. Warm-Up and Conditioning Drills for High School Basketball Players

Warming up basketball drills for high school players prevents injuries and gets your body ready for action.

• Stretching: Warming up helps prevent injuries and prepares your body to move. You should do leg swings, arm circles, and lunges to loosen your muscles and improve flexibility.
• Cardio: Strong endurance helps you keep going without getting tired. Run sprints, jump rope, and do ladder drills to boost your energy and speed.
• Core Strength: A strong core helps with balance and power. You can try planks and medicine ball exercises to strengthen your stomach and back muscles.

2. Ball Handling Drills for High School Basketball

These ball-handling drills for high school basketball help you improve control and dribbling skills.

• Basic Dribbles: Dribbling is a key skill in basketball. You should practice dribbling with both hands to have better control of the ball. Use your fingertips, not your palms, to keep the ball low and steady. Try dribbling while standing still and while moving to get comfortable handling the ball in any situation.
• Advanced Moves: Once you’re good at basic dribbling, work on advanced moves like crossovers, behind-the-back, and spin moves. These help you get past defenders and create space for shots or passes. Practice them at different speeds to make your moves quick and unpredictable.
• Passing Drills: Good passing makes the game faster and smoother. Work on chest passes for quick, straight passes, bounce passes to get around defenders, and no-look passes to keep opponents guessing. Practicing these will help you improve accuracy, react faster, and move the ball better with your team.

3. Shooting Drills for High School Basketball

Good shooting is key to winning games. The following basketball shooting drills for high school will boost accuracy.

• Form Shooting: Good shooting starts with proper form. You should begin with close-range shots to focus on your hand placement, follow-through, and balance. Once you’re comfortable, step back gradually while keeping the same shooting technique. This helps build consistency and confidence in your shot.
• Spot Shooting: To become a better shooter, you must practice from different spots on the court. Shooting from various positions helps build muscle memory, so your shot feels natural in any game situation. Repeating these shots over and over will improve your accuracy and range.
• Shooting off the Dribble: Scoring while moving is an important skill. You should work on pull-up jump shots after dribbling to learn how to stop quickly and shoot in rhythm. Practicing this will help you score even when defenders are pressuring you.
• Game-Speed Shooting: In a real game, shots happen fast. Practice catch-and-shoot and step-back shots at full speed to simulate game situations. The more you practice at game speed, the more prepared you’ll be to take quick, accurate shots when it counts.

4. Defensive Basketball Drills for High School

Remember, a great defense is what makes you win games. These defensive basketball drills for high school build quickness and positioning.

• Footwork Drills: Good footwork is key to staying quick and balanced on the court. You must work on lateral slides to move side to side without crossing your feet, which helps you stay in front of your opponent on defense. Defensive shuffles improve your ability to react fast and stay low in a strong defensive position. Practicing these drills will make you a better defender and help you move efficiently in any direction.
• Rebounding Drills: Securing rebounds is all about positioning and effort. You should practice box out drills for high school basketball to learn how to use your body to keep opponents away from the ball. Focus on getting low, making contact with your opponent, and jumping with both hands up to grab the rebound. Strong rebounding gives your team extra scoring chances and helps prevent second-chance points for the other team.
• One-on-One Defense: Playing great defense means knowing how to read your opponent’s moves. Work on reacting quickly to fakes, staying in front of your man, and using your hands to contest shots without fouling. The better you can predict your opponent’s next move, the easier it is to shut them down and force mistakes. Practicing one-on-one defense will improve your ability to guard players in real-game situations.

5. Team Shooting Drills for High School Basketball

Basketball is a team sport. The team shooting drills for high school basketball help improve teamwork and coordination.

• Fast Break Drills: A strong fast break can create easy scoring chances. Practice sprinting down the court, making quick passes, and finishing at the rim. Work on decision-making under pressure so you can react fast and choose the best option—whether to pass, drive, or pull up for a shot. The more you train at full speed, the better you’ll be at executing fast breaks in a game.
• Pick-and-Roll Drills: The pick-and-roll is one of the most effective plays in basketball. Practice setting solid screens to block defenders, then quickly roll to the basket for a scoring opportunity. Ball handlers should work on reading the defense and making the right decision—passing, driving, or pulling up for a shot. Perfecting this move will make you a bigger threat on offense.
• Zone Offense Drills: Breaking a zone defense requires smart ball movement. Work on quick, sharp passes to create open shots and drive gaps in the defense. Spacing is key—stay spread out and look for open teammates. Practicing against different zone defenses will help you stay calm and find the best scoring opportunities during games.

6. Post Drills for High School Basketball

If you play a certain position, focus on skills that make you better. These post drills for high school basketball can definitely help up your game:

• Point Guards: As a point guard, you run the game. You must work on your passing, dribbling, and court vision to control the ball and set up plays. Practice dribbling under pressure, making sharp passes, and spotting open teammates. The better you handle the ball and make decisions, the more you help your team.
• Shooting Guards: A shooting guard needs to score quickly and move well without the ball. Practice fast, accurate shots so you can score before defenders reach you. Also, work on running off screens and finding open spaces to get the ball. These skills will help you become a reliable scorer.
• Forwards and Centers: If you play forward or center, your job is to grab rebounds, play strong defense, and score near the basket. Work on boxing out opponents, jumping for rebounds, and staying in the right position to block or contest shots. Strong footwork and physical play will make you a big presence on the court.

How Training Helps You Improve?

Regular practice builds muscle memory, stamina, and game awareness. At Valley Athletics, players receive expert coaching and access to the best training programs. With consistent practice and basketball drills for high school players, you’ll see real improvement on the court.

The best way to improve is by practicing every day. From layup drills for high school basketball to defense and shooting, each drill plays a role in making you a better player. Work hard, stay consistent, and enjoy the game.

FAQs

1. How often should I practice these drills?

To see real improvement, you should practice these drills at least 3-5 times a week. Consistency is key in basketball, so set a schedule and stick to it. If you’re just starting, focus on mastering the basics before adding advanced drills.

2. How can I track my progress?

Tracking your progress helps you stay motivated and see how much you’re improving. You can:

• Keep a log of your shooting accuracy, counting how many shots you make out of 10 or 20 attempts.
• Time yourself on dribbling and footwork drills to see if you’re getting faster.
• Ask for feedback from coaches and teammates, or even record your practice sessions to analyze your movements.

By tracking small improvements over time, you’ll stay motivated and know exactly what to work on.

3. Is strength training important for basketball?

Strength training is crucial for building power, speed, and endurance. Stronger legs help with jumps, while a strong core improves balance and stability. Upper body strength is also important for shooting, passing, and absorbing contact during games. By adding these drills to your routine and staying consistent, you’ll build confidence, sharpen your skills, and take your basketball game to the next level. Keep pushing yourself, and the results will follow.