This is not always the case; there are players out there who understand how to workout properly for basketball on their own.  For example, about two weeks ago I was putting one of my trainees through a rigorous speed, agility, and skill workout at a local park and while we were there two high school age girls (I believe they were sisters) came and began to work out on the opposite end of the court.  I could not help but notice how they practiced because I was astounded by their hard work and determination.  They put themselves through a basketball specific warmup then proceeded to run many drills that allowed them to get all different types of shots at different spots while continuously keeping themselves moving throughout the entire workout.  They finished their workout with a few one on one drills that allowed them to incorporate the skills they had been working on into a game-like situation.  The one on one drills also gave these players the opportunity to work on their on the ball defense.  Finally, these drills created competition between the two players which challenged each one of them to be better and to work harder.  Just watching them, you could tell that they were successful basketball players.

Below are two examples of  one on one drills that you can use while working out with a partner.  The first two diagrams allow the players to work on their offensive and defensive skills from the top of the key while the second two diagrams show the players working from the wing. 

1 on 1 Closeout Drills

Categories: Ballhandling / Dribbling  Defense  Games/Fun  Offensive Moves  
Ages: Middle School  High School+  

Purpose of the Drill:

The purpose of this drill is to incorporate your basketball skills into a game like situation against a defender.

Instructions

• The two players set up on either block while the offensive player (blue circle) has the basketball.
• The offensive player will roll the ball out diagonally toward the opposite elbow and chase after it.
• The defensive player (red triangle) will sprint across the lane and touch the opposite block and then close out on the offensive player.

 

• It is now a live one on one situation

• In this variation of the drill, the defensive player starts at the elbow and the offensive player starts on the same side block.
• The offensive player rolls the ball out and chases after it.
• The defensive player sprints to touch the block and then closes out on the offensive player.

• At this point, it is a live one on one game.

Points of Emphasis:

• Offensive players should attack the basket using three dribbles or less.
• Offensive players should get their hips and shoulders low and initiate contact with the defender as they attack.
• Go after the offensive rebound.
• Defensive players should sprint to closeout.
• As they approach the offensive player they should start to break down with choppy steps while balanced and under control.
• Defensive players should focus on keeping the offensive player from getting into the lane. Make them take a contested pull up jump shot.

Motivation/Teaching Tips:

• Alternate posessions and keep score. Play to a designated number.
• Must validate your win by making a one and one free throw situation. If you do not, the win does not count.
• Have consequences for the losing player.

In the video you will see the drill that I refer to as one-on-one around the chairs.  The players playing against each other will line up on either end of the baseline.  One player will have the basketball and the other will not.  There will be chairs set up out near half court.  When the coach says go, the players will sprint or sprint dribble around the chairs and then play a live game to one.  The player without the basketball should beat the offensive player around the chair and give himself a legitimate chance to defend the player with the ball.  These games are usually ability grouped but it may be beneficial to have your bigger players compete against your guards in order to creat a mismatch that you may see in a game.  By creating this mismatch smaller players can work on beating and finishing over bigger players and bigger players can learn to use moves against quicker guards.  The benefis of this drill and other one-on-one basketball drills are endless and their use should be encouraged in practices more often.