Warmup Drill: 4 Corners

Purpose: This fast moving passing and shooting drill emphasizes a number of basketball’s fundamental skills.The passing portion of the drill reinforces the basic mechanics of delivering and receiving a chest pass while the shooting portion incorporates cutting, setting the defense up for screens, receiving and shooting the ball while on the move, and rebounding.

Organization: Players organize into 4 lines, each facing the hoop. Line 1 is in the right short corner, Line 2 is in the opposite corner, Line 3 is on the right wing, and Line 4 is on the left wing.

Procedure: Passing:

1. Player 1 passes to line 2 and moves to the end of that line.

2. Line 2 passes to line 3 and follows the pass to the end of that line.
3. Line 3 passes to line 4.
4. Line 4 passes back to line 1, and so on.
5. To reduce confusion the coach can remind the players that theywill always be following the same person through out the drill.

Coaching Points:

1. Show the passer a target when receiving the pass.
2. Make crisp chest passes. Hands should be positioned on either side of the ball with the thumbs up when passing. Snap the wrists when passing so that the palms are out and thumbs are down after the pass. This insures a sharp pass with proper backspin.
3. When it is appropriate the coach can set a goal of a certain number of passes in a given time. For inexperienced teams a goal of 60-80 passes in a minute might be tough but attainable. The goal should be a challenging one that forces players to be sharp.

Procedure: Shooting :

1. This can transition into a shooting drill. In the shooting portion, line 3 (on the right wing) becomes the “shooting line” and line 4 (left wing) becomes the rebounding line.
2. Rotations remain the same.
3. After line 3 shoots, he goes to line 4.
4. When line 4 rebounds he passes to line 1 and goes to the end of that line.

Coaching Points

1. The shooter must make a change-of-direction cut, catching the ball while moving for a lay-up or jumper. Timing is critical. The shooter takes a couple of steps one direction, then makes a quick change of direction cut as the passer catches the ball. He should catch the ball while moving. This simulates coming off of a screen for a shot.
2. Rebounders should get into rebounding position in the key with bent knees and hands above the shoulders. They should explode after the rebound and get it before it hits the ground. Ideally, the ball will never hit the floor at anytime during the drill.

4 corners passing