Drive and Kick Shooting Drill: Game-Like Reps

Quick Coach Tips

• Drill Setup:

  • One driver at the top, one shooter in the corner or wing

  • Place other groups at multiple baskets if possible

  • Use 2–3 balls per group for pace

• Execution (Corner Drive Version):

  • Driver attacks middle with purpose

  • Use a controlled jump stop before passing

  • Shooter moves slightly off spot—no standing still

  • Shooter stays in stance: feet ready, hands ready, talk on catch

• Execution (Baseline Drive Variation):

  • Driver attacks baseline without leaving feet to pass

  • Corner shooter lifts to the wing as a relocation

  • Encourage sharp cuts and wide passing angles

• Scoring/Competition:

  • Teams race to 8–10 made shots per spot

  • Losers may rotate, do a light consequence (e.g., push-ups), or reset

  • Make sure all players rotate roles: driver, shooter, passer

Why the Drive and Kick Shooting Drill Should Be a Staple in Your Practice Plan

The drive and kick concept is one of the most fundamental actions in modern basketball. From high school to the pros, successful offenses rely on a player penetrating into the defense, drawing help, and kicking the ball out to a ready shooter. This drill teaches players how to execute that concept with detail, energy, and repetition that mimics game scenarios.

Drill Setup: Simple Structure, Game-Like Flow

To run this drill effectively, keep the structure simple and efficient:

• Use both sides of the floor. One group can work from the right side driving middle; another can work the left baseline.

• Station 3 players per group. One as the driver, one as the shooter, and one rebounding or passing back in.

• Keep a tight rotation. After each rep, rotate roles quickly to get volume and rhythm.

• Set a competitive goal. Make it a race to 8 or 10 made shots per group. This builds urgency and simulates pressure.

This drill can be scaled up easily depending on your numbers. If you have multiple baskets, run several groups at once and rotate after each round.

Execution Keys: Details That Make It Game-Like

The drive and kick drill is easy to run but easy to run wrong if you miss the details:

1. Driving with Purpose

The entire drill breaks down if the initial drive is lazy or passive. Teach players to:

• Attack hard downhill

• Change speed or use a setup move

• Force a help defender to rotate

Without engaging help defense, the kick-out shot is not realistic. Emphasize urgency and directionality.

2. Controlled Jump Stop

Before delivering the pass, the driver should:

• Get to two feet (jump stop)

• Maintain balance and vision

• Make an accurate pass—on time, on target

This footwork allows for better decision-making and prevents turnovers that come from off-balance passes or jump-in-the-air indecision.

3. Shooter Movement

Make it a rule: no standing still.

• In the base version, shooters should move slightly into space—1-2 steps max

• In the advanced variation, have the corner shooter lift to the wing

• Movement simulates what happens in a real game, especially after baseline drives or ball rotations

Teach your players to stay low, hands ready, and talk on the catch ("shot!" or "here!").

Variations to Keep It Fresh and Challenging

Once players are comfortable, add layers to the drill:

Baseline Drive Variation

In this version, the driver attacks from the wing or corner down the baseline. The shooter lifts from the corner to the wing. The passer must deliver a skip or hook pass—challenging but realistic.

Coaching Tips:

• Make sure drivers do not leave their feet

• Emphasize staying wide and reading space

• Vary the angle of the baseline attack

Add a Defender

Place a live defender on the shooter. The defender starts with a hand down, then closes out once the pass is initiated. This builds pressure and forces quicker releases.

Decision-Making

Have multiple shooters on the perimeter. The driver has to read the help and kick to the correct option. This mirrors how teams like Villanova or Miami create drive-kick-skip sequences in live play.

Common Mistakes

Watch for these issues:

• Drivers not creating an advantage. Without help defense, there's no true kick.

• Passers jumping to make decisions. This leads to turnovers and poor footwork.

• Shooter passivity. Standing flat-footed or quiet on the catch ruins timing and shot quality.

• No accountability. If it’s not competitive, players will coast through reps. Keep score and set a consequence.

Coaching Cues That Stick

• “Drive to draw, not to score.”

• “Jump stop before you dime.”

• “Catch loud, feet down, eyes up.”

• “Relocate with urgency.”

• “Shooters move to get open—not stay open.”

These cues are short, repeatable, and easy for youth players to internalize over time.

Relevance for Youth and High School Coaches

Why should youth and high school coaches prioritize this drill?

• It emphasizes spacing and kick-outs—vital to breaking zones and sagging man defenses.

• It teaches players to move with purpose rather than camping out at the 3-point line.

• It builds shooting under pressure and fatigue—replicating real game stress.

• It reinforces unselfishness and rewards the extra pass.

You can modify the spacing to match your offense—5-out, 4-out-1-in, or even triangle-style movements. Adjust the locations of drivers and shooters to reflect where your team gets shots within your actual sets.

Final Thoughts

Drive and kick offense is the foundation of most modern systems. This drill trains both sides of the action—creating the drive and finishing the shot. When run with intention, this becomes more than a shooting drill—it becomes a decision-making, spacing, and toughness builder all in one.

Add this drill to your rotation 2–3 times per week, and you’ll see better pace, better passing, and more confident catch-and-shoot players by mid-season.