Introducing: Coach Tony Miller's Small-Sided Game Newsletter
Sunday SSGs for Basketball Player Development
I made a change…
For over a year, I’ve been sending you a Sunday newsletter with a variety of basketball coaching resources. Truth is, you’re probably getting more than one newsletter like that. Staring today, Sunday’s newsletter will exclusively be a small-sided game resource. Small groups, full team practices, games for offense, games for defense, SSG resources around the web - each week I’ll share games to help build both physical and decision-making skills in your players. I hope this can be a resource to help your program!
In this week’s newsletter…
⭕ Offense SSG: L-Cut Catch-and-Shoot
🔒 Defense SSG: 1v1 Heat Up Line
🎞️ Improve Decision-Making with Alex Sarama
⭕Offensive SSG: 1v1 L-Cut Catch-and-Shoot
Here’s a 1-on-1 game to work on footwork and shot mechanics in a catch-and-shoot situation.
Instructions:
Players start under the rim with the offense in front and the defense behind.
The shooter moves to the nail then L-cuts towards either side. The defender must touch the opposite elbow before contesting the shot.
🔒Defensive SSG: 1v1 Heat Up Line
Furman’s Coach Bob Richey frequently uses small-sided games in the Paladins’ practice. This particular 1-on-1 game was designed to work on on-ball defense; however, it’s also great for repping offensive skills for getting downhill and finishing.
Defense’s goals: 1) keep the ballhandler out of the paint, 2) get a deflection or end the possession with a contested 2, and 3) grab the defensive rebound. (Every deflection or defensive rebound is worth a point.)
Put 1:30 on the clock. When time expires, switch and have other team go.
The team with the most points at the end of time wins.
🎞️ Improve Decision-Making with Alex Sarama
Alex Sarama, Director of Player Development for the Cleveland Cavaliers, shares some of his favorite small-sided basketball games for player development during training.