EP 103: How to Structure a Better Basketball Practice

Hey Coach,

How many times have you walked off the court wondering if your team actually got any better that day?

Even for those of us who have been coaching for decades, it’s so easy to fall into the trap of running "good" drills just because they look neat or we saw them at a clinic.  

But the truth is, a great practice plan isn't about how much you can pack in, it’s about what you’re willing to cut out. 

In this episode, we’re talking about how to ruthlessly eliminate the noise so you can focus on exactly what your players need right now.

Key Takeaways

• Prioritize via Elimination: If you couldn't work on your offense, rebounding, or layups today, what would be left? Force yourself to identify your team's most vital "non-negotiables," such as shooting, pressure, or toughness.

• Establish a Through Line: Use a "Four Quarter" structure to hit your main objectives in multiple ways, moving from teaching to competitive, game-like scenarios.

• Prime Before You Play: Use "Prime" sessions early in practice to introduce new skills or coverages when players are fresh, utilizing recency bias so they can apply those tools immediately in the following games.

• Shorten the Scores: Divide your practice into quarters or periods to reset energy and keep scores short. This creates multiple "fourth quarter" moments where players must refocus and compete under pressure.

Listen to the full episode here:

One Teaching Cue or Question

"Show the ref your hands." Use this during trapping drills to emphasize aggressive pressure without fouling or "splitting" the trap.

One Action Item

Track Shot Volume: During your next practice, note how many shot attempts a player gets in each of your standard drills. Use that data to build a practice plan that guarantees a specific number of attempts (e.g., 200) without guessing.

Why This Matters

If you leave practice wondering if the team actually got better, you likely tried to fix too many things at once.

By narrowing your focus and using a game-like structure, you ensure that practice intensity transfers to the game and that players develop the mental toughness to win individual quarters.

-Tyler

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