A Summary of Developing Young Guards by Arik Shivek

 Here is my summary of Coach Shivek’s video with the best drills highlighted for you to check out if they interest you.

• He plays with four perimeter players and spacing.
• Every player needs great ball handling and versatility in how they finish around the rim. He spends a lot of time repeating floaters, reverse lay-ups, etc., to develop this ability.
• Dribbling, passing and spacing are a must for basketball.

He teaches and emphasizes three kinds of penetration:

1. Lane Penetration
2. Middle Penetration
3. Corner Penetration

• Every player must know, and be capable of, these penetrations.
• He strongly believes you should teach your players how to move without the ball.

He believes there are two basic movements without the ball:

1. V-Cut to a Basket Cut
2. Backdoor

• Contact changes the path of either cut. If a cutter feels contact from a defender on a cut they should use a spin move to counter the contact.
• The difference between a veteran coach and a less experienced coach is in the details.
• He tries to add challenge to everything they do in practice. Everything in practice is done under pressure because that’s how the game is played (Time, Number of Makes, Competition).
• If you teach something and the whole team is not doing it well, then stop the practice to re-teach. If you teach something and only one or two players aren’t doing it well, then let the practice move and correct those mistakes individually. (Take them out of practice.)

Coach Oliver Note: This last point is key for coaches to understand as we must, where possible, reduce our talking time. Players learn by doing. The more time we spend talking the less time they spend doing. Coach Shivek is outlining his plan for focusing his coaching where it is needed and not wasting time stopping the whole group for the attention of one or two players.

Drill: Dribbling Along the Three-Point Line (14:50)

• This drill uses various dribble sequences around the three-point line. He wants them to get used to the three-point line for spacing.

Three Reasons to Break the Three-Point Line (Otherwise he feels players should stay in spacing spots outside the three-point line)

1. Cut to the basket
2. Cut to the ball (Dribble Handoff)
3. Cut to relocate

Drill: Continuous Two Lay-Up Lines (19:05)

• Two lay-ups down the lane, two lay-ups down the middle, two lay-ups from the corner. (He likes to change the number of dribbles used to reach the basket.)
• He teaches fakes without moving legs to avoid travelling calls. An official’s instinct on a travel call relates to leg movement.

Drill: Relocate Pass Sequence (24:33)

• A player cuts around the three-point line and receives a pass from the top; the passer then cuts opposite and the pattern continues.
• Different sequences are used on the catch and different finishing suggestions.

Coach Oliver Note: This is an excellent sequence to develop our footwork and zero seconds philosophy. On the movement and catch the player must fight for their feet and be ready to shoot or attack on the catch. We can also add BDT to this drill by having a passer under the rim.

Drill: Two Player Relocate Pass Sequence (26:45)

• He states that it is impossible to pass the ball and stand, so he likes to work on fast decisions after a pass.
• The Extra Pass, Penetrate and Kick, V-Cut Give and Go, and Backdoor sequences are used to connect the sequences to the game he coaches.

Drill: Three Player Cut and Move Sequence (35:50)

• This drill works on cuts, drives and finishes. There are two balls in play so every player shoots the ball.

Drill: Three Penetration and Pass Sequences 3-on-0 (52:00)

• A random and variable drill to get players to appreciate spacing, movement, and breaking the three-point line area in 3-on-0 sequences.

Coach Oliver Note: I was interested to see this drill developed further to see the sequences he emphasized. As a coach you should use the sequences you emphasize in your offense.

Drill: One-on-One Corner Attacks (55:10)

• 45 to corner pass keys the defender in the ballisde post to closeout and it becomes live.

Coach Oliver Note: The concept is good. The drill itself had too many players standing in line. I am assuming that was for demonstration purposes but I want you to start to recognize things that reduce the effectiveness of a drill. The time-on-task of a player is reduced significantly the more time they spend not doing physical repetitions or being engaged in decision-making. This action might be a good way to start 2-on-2, 3-on-3 or some small-sided game scenario as it would work on penetration reaction and re-spacing.

Drill: Play D (56:28)

• In this competitive drill the passer moves to next spot, shooter must play defense (quick transition after one shot).
• It creates variable closeout situations for the offense to read and make decisions.

Drill: Ballside Kickout One-on-One (100:10)

• The top penetrate and kickout to a ballside wing keys the one-on-one.

My Main Takeaway

He emphasizes lay-ups from different angles. Consistently, and without logical reasons, coaches and players run too many lay-ups from 45 degrees to the basket. The reality is that few lay-ups in a game actually happen from a 45 degree angle to the basket.

I also liked the Two Player Relocate Pass Sequence (26:45). I feel that this drill has lots of practical functionality. The drill can be improved by mixing the sequences to make it more random and variable.