Basketball Drills You Can Do at Home

White basketball hoop with a tree in the background

You can refine your basketball skills no matter where you are, with or without a proper hoop or court. Whether you are in your basement, garage, driveway, or backyard, there are plenty of basketball drills you can do at home. In this article, we will discuss several options for basketball drills you can do anywhere. All you will need is a good basketball. 

Passing off the Wall

Passing is a vital skill in basketball. Knowing when to pass the ball and having the skills to make a pass in critical situations will set you up for success. One of the basketball drills you can do at home is passing off the wall or with a roommate. 

Using a concrete wall in your basement or garage is a great way to improve your passing skills. You can start with a chest pass. Hold the ball with both hands by your chest, then step forward and extend your arms and wrists, so the ball makes a straight line to the wall. This is the most common and accurate pass in basketball, so it is worth practicing. Catch the rebound and pass it against the wall again. 

Once you have mastered the chest pass, you can begin making tricker passes like a push bass or bounce pass. Practicing your passes is a great way to make yourself a competitive offensive player. 

Increase Your Vertical Jump

Having a good vertical is beneficial not only for dunking but also for stealing, blocking, and rebounding. Another basketball drill you can do at home is increasing your vertical jump. You can measure your vertical jump at home using tape, sticky notes, or chalk, as well as a sturdy wall or pole. 

To measure your vertical jump, first put chalk or tape on your fingertips, then reach up and place a mark on the wall without jumping. This is your standing vertical. Then, put more chalk or tape on your fingertips and jump as high as possible while marking the wall at your highest position. Your vertical jump is the distance between the two marks. 

You can measure your vertical jump progress at home using this method. Exercises that target your calves and glutes are great ways to increase your vertical. Try doing toe raises, box jumps, and lunges at home, and you will soon start seeing progress in your vertical. 

Train Your Non-Dominant Hand

Your non-dominant hand may never be as good as your dominant hand. However, having competency over both of your hands will put you at a significant advantage on the court. At home, it is easy to practice simple skills like dribbling, passing and shooting with your non-dominant hand. 

Practicing these basic skills will allow you to build up confidence using your weaker hand so that you can eventually switch seamlessly between them. Remember that you are only as strong as your weakest link. 

Shooting

Practicing your shooting skills is an excellent way to make yourself a better offensive player. If you already have a basketball hoop in your driveway, you’re all set to practice making baskets. If you play basketball often and don’t have a hoop, getting one is a worthwhile investment that can keep you motivated to practice at home or have fun with friends and roommates. 

If you don’t have a basketball hoop yet, don’t fret. There are other basketball drills you can do at home to practice proper shooting form. All you need is a sturdy wall and some masking tape. Mark out a box on your wall, then practice aiming from many different points and angles around the square. This will allow you to practice your precision and proper form even without a net. 

Alternatively, if you don’t have a suitable wall or masking tape, you can also practice your shooting form by simply lying down. Lay on the floor and shoot the basketball straight up in the air. If the ball stays straight and has good rotation, then you used good form. This is a great way to practice with both your dominant and non-dominant hands. 

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