NBA Basketball Practice Coaching Notes From Four NBA Training Camps Basketball Immersion 2

NBA Basketball Practice: Coaching Notes from Four NBA Training Camps
October 25, 2017 No Comments 3,483 Views Blog Chris Oliver
When NBA training camps started in September I was fortunate to be able to attend eight
practices in person with four different teams. I attended two practices with the Milwaukee
Bucks, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers, and one practice and one pre-training cam
workout with the Detroit Pistons. Below are my observations that came from all the NBA
basketball practices. There were similarities, differences and stuff I like, and stuff I didn’t
The number of notes I share is less a reflection of what I learned at each practice, and mor
reflection the day I attended practice. For example the Indiana Pacers practices were
engaging and interesting, but they did less teaching and more repetitions within the drills
and skills they taught. It also reflected sometimes how far away I was from the coaches
communicating. At some of the practices I was court level and close, and at others I was n
I did catalog all the NBA basketball practice drills and plays they ran through, but I am on
sharing the ones that seemed different, or reflected an overall philosophy.
All the coaches coached their players in a respectful way. The practice environments were
positive and professional. I would describe the coaches as demanding without being
demeaning. At no point did I see any behavior from a player, or coach, that seemed
detrimental to the team trying to improve.
Not every NBA practice was the same. Sometimes the perception is that each NBA team d
things identically While there were some similarities there were more differences There
different names. One of the interesting differences I saw was the difference in how the
Cleveland Cavaliers and Milwaukee Bucks handled the player rolling on a ball screen. The
Cleveland Cavaliers tag (cover the ball screen roll when the ball screen defender is involve
in stopping the dribbler) from a low weak side player. The Milwaukee Bucks tag the ball
screen roll with a player high on the weak side of the floor. Their goal is to tag the ball scre
roll above the free throw line. I demonstrated both ball screen coverages with some thoug
on the advantages and disadvantages of each philosophy here:
Common NBA Basketball Practice Plan
Milwaukee Bucks Practice

Anyone outside the three-point line automatically gets back in transition on defense on
shot.
They had an international flag hanging from their practice court representing the hom
country of each player on the roster.
“Kick Out” is the term they use for the first big back in transition bumping the guard
covering the basket to the weak side.
They play no denial. They always want to “show their help” on defense.
Force all deep corner catches to the baseline and front the post.
The goal is to have a high tag (weak side defender tags the ball screen roller) above the
free throw line.
Attacking “Ice” Ball Screen defensive coverage with a full fill around to prevent the tag
from the weak side.
One assistant taught defense (for example, high ball screen defense), followed by anoth
assistant teaching the offence out of the same situation (for example high ball screen
offence).
When teaching the butt front on post defense, they want players to “lock in” to a player
holding the offensive player with both arms reaching back.
The post player defending the player going to set the ball screen is in charge of the
defensive call.
When the player defending the ball on a ball screen clears the screen, they must get the
both hands up in the air. They want the possibility of deflections and disruptions as
usually when a pass is made, it is made after clearing the screen.
Each person (coaches, staff, visiting coaches, and players not involved in the drill) hold
their two arms up in the air for a full 24 seconds of a shot clock when the team works o
its 5-on-5 defensive shell drill. “Cup” is another term (load/slant) for doubling or
controlling the ball from the trail players defender in defensive transition.
During their 5 Trips 5-on-0 Transition drill, four coaches stood on the court in a diamo
formation. The stationary coaches forced the offense to throw more game like passes a
the players off the ball had to position themselves in open spaces.
Detroit Pistons Practice

One-on-one post defense teaching points: Use the weak side arm as an arm bar, and th
ball side arm and hand to take away the pass.
Use a butt front with high hands and early contact to disrupt a post flash from the wea
side block to the strong side block. Hold the front until the cutter is outside the lane th
adjust to a behind position.
Communication should be aggressive.
“Boomerang” is the term they use for a pass and pass back action on offence.
To work ball screen offence and defense run a guided to live three ball screen drill.

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NBA Basketball Practice: Coaching Notes from Four NBA Training Camps

October 25, 2017 No Comments 3,483 Views Blog Chris Oliver

Common NBA Basketball Practice Plan

Milwaukee Bucks Practice

Detroit Pistons Practice

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