Give players a heads up of what you'll cover this practice. Emphasize focus areas and set expectations.

Players jog to a certain point and then backpedal to the start. This helps with forward-backward movement transitions and gets the legs warm for the practice.

Players slide laterally in a defensive stance from one side of the court to the other. This helps improve foot speed and gets the legs warm for defensive movements.

Players perform walking lunges across the court, stretching the quadriceps and improving lower body strength.

Three on three with the shot as the trigger: two go to the offensive glass, one sprints back as the safety, and the defenders learn not to press the rebounder but to be across half court in three seconds.

The safety meets the ball handler alone and denies the middle, forcing him to the sideline; if beaten, he does not reach from behind but takes a new position and sprints again, chest to chest.

Players simulate losing possession and must sprint back on defense to prevent an easy score. This drill focuses on hustle and positioning in transition defense.

Two on two where whoever shot or lost the ball has to run and touch the wall under the basket before he can defend, leaving his partner alone against two until he gets there. Scales to three and four a side.

Allow players to hydrate and rest at predetermined times during practice to prevent fatigue and dehydration.

Players practice shooting free throws under game-like conditions, often adding pressure situations like needing to hit a certain number in a row.

Five on five from a ball screen and a shot: the defense concedes the outlet and attacks the second pass, with help on the ball side and every early ball screen defended over, except far from the arc where under buys a second.

After the initial fast break is stopped, players flow into secondary offensive options. This drill focuses on seamless transition from fast break to half-court offense.

The drag screen, the ball screen set in transition by the trailing big before the defense is matched up. Fred Hoiberg's version at Iowa State is the one I teach from: 1 pushes up one side, the wings run to the corners, the first big runs to the block on the ball side, and the second big sprints into a screen at the arc on the middle side of the ball handler. Run it on every trip where the primary break is stopped but the defense is still retreating, because that is the moment a ball screen is hardest to guard. Why it works: the screener's defender is behind the play, so nobody is in position to tag the roll, and the on-ball defender is backpedaling, so he cannot get over the screen or into an ice. The big on the block clears across the lane as the ball comes off the screen, moving with it, so the paint is open for the roll and the help under the rim has two bigs to guard. Personnel: 5 a big who sprints into screens and rolls hard, 4 a big who reads the ball and clears, 3 a corner shooter who lifts to the wing on time. The read for 1 is the two defenders back: score if nobody steps up, pocket pass to the roll if X5 shows, kick to 3 lifting if the help comes from the wing. Dribble at least twice past the screen before deciding, otherwise the help can cover both the ball and the pass back. The counter when a defense starts jumping the drag early is the slip: 5 shows the screen and slips to the rim before it is set, and the same pocket pass is a layup. Common mistakes: the drag set outside the arc, the roller leaving before contact, and the block big standing still so the roll runs into his man. Coach's Clipboard's write-up of Hoiberg's drag is where I got the reads and the mirror cut, and Nick Nurse's clinic clip shows the same screen in his spread offense. Watch the clip, then read the page.

After a shot attempt, players must transition from offense to defense quickly, matching up with opponents. This drill reinforces the importance of immediate defensive mindset after a turnover or missed shot.

Allow players to hydrate and rest at predetermined times during practice to prevent fatigue and dehydration.

Full team rebounding drill. After a shot, players must find a man, box out, and secure the rebound. Points are awarded for securing a rebound and transitioning quickly.

Players practice shooting free throws under game-like conditions, often adding pressure situations like needing to hit a certain number in a row.

Coach reviews key points from the practice, highlighting areas of improvement and success.