''When I first came into the league I always asked myself, 'Do I want to be good or do I want to be great?' Paul Pierce said. ''Every time I stepped out and worked on my game, that's what I asked myself. I always got here early and worked on my craft as hard as I could because I wanted to be one of the great players.''

1 on 1 Drills

Manager 1 on 1:
2 Managers/coaches (or chairs) stand 35 feet out from the baseline with one about 7 feet away from the sideline and the other 8 feet inside of that.
On coaches “Go”. the defensive player sprints to run around the chair/manager closest to the middle of the court while the offensive player runs dribbling the ball around the outside chair (closest to the sideline).
Once around the chair, the offensive player attacks the rim and the two play 1 on 1.

Inside the Three 1 on 1:
Two players begin underneath the hoop. The defensive player begins with the ball and he dribbles to any spot inside the three point arc to place the ball down. Once the ball is placed down, the offense runs to pick it up and the two play 1 on 1 live.
You can control where you want this drill to happen if you make the defense put the ball only in the paint.

Turn and Run 1 on 1:
Drill starts like a zigzag ball handling defensive slide drill but the defense allows the offensive player to beat him off the dribble up the sideline. The defensive player works on his speed and recovery to get back in front and square up the offense. Once the defensive player gets in front of the offense, the ball handler throws the ball to a manager/coach at the top of the key. The defensive player jumps to the ball in Help side and  when the offensive player catches it again, the two play 1 on 1 live.

Baseball:
This is a 1 on 1 drill that uses two teams playing 1 on 1 vs members of the opposing team counting the score like a baseball game. Start from the top of the key with a member of team 1 guarding a member of team 2 – if the defense gets a stop. then that’s 1 Out. If the offense scores than they get 1 run and there are no outs. On the first foul, you re-check the ball.  On the second, the offense gets a point. When three outs are up. You switch offense defense. When each team has gone for 3 outs, then you have just played one inning. You can do this drill from any spot on the court and can facilitate post players by allowing coaches to feed them w the post instead of playing 1 on 1 from the perimeter.

"I know you've heard it a thousand times before. But it's true - hard work pays off. If you want to be good, you have to practice, practice, practice. If you don't love something, then don't  do it." - Ray Bradbury

Ten Simple Habits Players Can Develop to Become Better Teammates

 by Coach Peterman

Coach Sen contributes an excellent article on how to develop teamwork:

Coaches develop teams based on two primary concepts, hard work and teamwork. And the results follow either individual improvement or the ability to help teammates. Our job is to help players individually and collectively change. It’s a never-ending challenge.

Personal habits:

1.     Pressure the ball. The principal responsibilities of defense are to prevent scoring opportunities and regain possession. Attack the offense. Accept nothing less at all times.
2.     When you force the dribbler to pick up the dribble, make a call (e.g. “pinch”) and attack the pivot foot to prevent the dribbler from improving their passing angle.
3.     Never allow free ‘front cuts’ to the ball.
4.     If a defender presents a ‘lead foot’, attack the basket to that side.
5.     Never criticize a teammate. If a player has concerns about another player, have her bring it to the coach who can assess the problem and address it  quickly and privately.

Team habits:

1.     When you enter a new gym, have the players evaluate boundaries, lighting, boundary symmetry, clock position, et cetera. Invariably, we see players violate boundaries or lose possessions needlessly.
2.     Communicate. Except for when the coaches are talking, the players on the floor should communicate both verbally and non-verbally.
3.     Regularly remind players at practice and pre-game about the importance of dictating tempo and establishing toughness.
4.     Maximize “compete level” as an expectation. Make as many drills as possible competitive and confirm scrimmage wins “Celtics style” with made free throws.
5.     Cultivate team spirit through community activity. Clean up a park, hold clinics for younger players, serve at a food distribution facility. Help players see their collective mission.

Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @rsen01 on Twitter
Ron Sen is an assistant coach in a middle school girls basketball program and a primary and specialty care physician.