Warm-Up Drill #2A: Line Shuttles (Straight & Traffic)
- Have players lined up in two lines facing each other (approximately 15 metres apart), near the shooter positions, in one or both ends of the floor (can also be done lengthwise from further apart for more of a cardio effect).
- The first player in each line begins with a short run forward (one being in possession of the ball), being sure not too leave too early (which can disrupt the timing of the drill).
- *Variation #1 (10 min): "Loose Ball Shuttle." Start with a "stationary loose ball," having players scoop (or "trap & scoop") the ball and then place it back down in roughly the same spot (middle of the shuttle) before running to the back of the opposite line (Variation #1A). In Variation #1B, players roll a loose ball to the line across from them, then run to the back of the line that they rolled it to. There's also the "one up, one down" variation, alternating between a pass and a loose ball (Variation #1C). Staggered loose balls (Variation #1D) is another option as well. Lastly, "loose balls away" (Variation #1E), where the player with the ball runs towards the opposite line until they are parallel with the first player in that line and then slowly rolls the ball away from them (aiming for halfway towards where they just came from). That player picks up the loose ball then repeats the same protocol, keeping the shuttle going.
- *Variation #2 (10 min): "Passing Shuttle." Players pass the ball to the line across from them, then run to the back of the line that they passed it to. As an alternative for beginners, a coach can be a replacement for the line across from the players, with players shuttling through the drill as either passers only (Variation #2A), or catchers only (Variation #2B). Depending on the skill level of the players, coaches can also request that players: pass and catch using their strong hand only (Variation #2C), catch with their strong hand, pass with their "weak hand" (Variation #2D), catch with their weak hand, pass with their strong-hand (Variation #2E). Variation #2F is to have players practice their flip passes.
- Assistant coaches keep track of consecutive catches made without a dropped pass. Losing teams must sprint from side-boards to side-boards.
- *Variation #3 (5 min): "Traffic Shuttle." Another variation would be to start in a "t" formation (4 lines all facing the middle), with players still passing to the line across from them, but now having to navigate their pass (and footwork) through the traffic in the middle. They also have to navigate through the middle themselves after they pass, having to run through the traffic to the opposite line. Consider making a rule that if one player hits another player with a ball that they have to run a lap before jumping back into the shuttle.
*Most common error = the timing of the drill can be thrown off if players leave their line too early/late
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