If you polled basketball coaches on a key skill that is underdeveloped, I’d bet footwork would be at or near the top of the list.

I commonly hear coaches talk about the importance of footwork. However, few coaches devote real time to teaching it.

The thing is, footwork doesn’t occur in a silo. It impacts every area of the game. . .

• Bad angles turn great drives into charges

• Late pivots turn open shots into turnovers

• Open shots become contested

Crisp, confident footwork is the bridge between “I see it” and “I did it.” Below are 7, court-tested drills from some of the top coaches in the country that layer footwork into finishing, dribbling, passing, and shooting—so your players can use their feet in every offensive situation.

• Basketball Footwork Drill #1 - 2 Feet Finishing

• Basketball Footwork Drill #2 - Line Drills

• Basketball Footwork Drill #3 - Dribbling Footwork Drill

• Basketball Footwork Drill #4 - 1v1 Face Up

• Basketball Footwork Drill #5 - Pivot Shooting

• Basketball Footwork Drill #6 - Box Drills

• Basketball Footwork Drill #7 - 1-2 & Hop Shooting

Basketball Footwork Drill #1 - 2 Feet Finishing Footwork to Teach Balance in the Paint

Goal: Many players can get to the paint but are out of control once they get there. This drill solves that problem by teaching deceleration, balance, and a reliable finish using a stride stop or a quick stop.

Setup

• Start in an athletic stance on the sideline. Multiple players can go at once.

Instructions

• Sequence A (stride stopsimulating right side): Right foot → Left foot → Right foot gather (two-foot stop, right foot hitting first), rip to the right ear.

  

• Repeat, simulating the left side: Left → Right → Left gather, rip to the left ear.

• Sequence B (hop stop): From stance, take the first foot, hop to two feet (quicks stop), rip to the ear, finish (right and left sides).

Coaching Cues

• “Cadence, stance, snap.”

• Land on balance; eyes up, chin up.

• Rip tight to the ear to protect the ball and keep shoulders square.

• Players should listen to their feet. On the stride stop, they should hear 2 sounds, since their feet hit at different times. On the quick stop, it should be 1 sound.

• As Coach Huber shows, you can start this drill without a ball. That allows players to focus on their feet. Once they are able to do the footwork correctly without a ball, you can add the dribble & finish.

Drill #2 - Line Drills to Master Pivoting

Goal: Pivoting isn’t flashy. However, the ability to pivot effectively on both feet leads to fewer turnovers and better offense.

Many players can’t pivot both ways (forward & reverse) on both feet. This drill helps rectify that problem.

Setup

• Have players partner up.

• Players should line up across the court without a basketball.

Instructions

• The first player will take a few steps, jump stop & pivot.

• They then run to the end of the line & the next player goes.

• Players should get reps using all 4 types of pivots (front pivot on both feet, reverse pivot on both feet)

  

Variation 2 - Dribbling

• Players now dribble across the court. You can have players do whatever type of dribble routine you like - speed dribbles, pound dribbles, etc.

• When players jump stop & pivot, they add a rip thru to work on protecting the ball.

• Players then make a pass fake before throwing a pass to their partner.

  

• You can also have a player or coach defend the dribble after they pivot. This forces them to determine which is the best pivot to use. They also must then make a pass against pressure.

• Coach LoGalbo also uses a Kill The Grass variation where players dribble in place creatively for :10 before dribbling forward and working on their pivots. This helps players sync their feet with their dribbling, an underrated part of footwork.

Coaching Cues

• When players jump stop, their feet should be outside their hips. Their feet should land simultaneously.

• Players should be in triple threat.

• Players must stay low to the ground for better balance

• When players land and pivot, they should be:

  • Shot ready

  • Ready to rip & go

  • Able to get their eyes on the rim

  • Have their chin and chest up

Drill #3 - Dribbling Footwork Series to Create Separation with the Dribble

Goal: Dribbling is footwork. Too many players do only stationary dribbling drills. However, to create space in a game, you have to connect your feet with what you’re doing with the ball. This drill does just that!

Tie ball handling to footwork so the feet win the angle and the ball creates separation.

Setup

• Have 1 line at half court. Put a chair at the free throw line.

Instructions

• Players attack the chair and make different dribble moves. They then attack and score.

  

• Inside-out to straight line: Inside-out move → swing foot straight line to front of rim (long step) → finish.

• Inside-out + crossover: Note pivot foot changes on the cross; swing foot still drives straight.

• Inside-out through the legs

• Inside-out behind the back

Coaching Cues

• “You beat with your feet; you separate with the ball.”

• Every change of direction = change of speed (approach under control → accelerate out).

• Place cones/chairs to reinforce straight-line drives—get even with the defender’s lead foot, then extend.

• Vary the types of finishes/shots you ask players to perform after making their move.

• Stress keeping the eyes up to see the “defender.”

Drill #4 - 1v1 Face Up to Teach Ball Security and Creating Space with Your Feet

Goal: What happens when you pick up the dribble? Many players panic, leading to turnovers. This drill helps you create immediate balance and a strong posture versus a tight defender.

Setup

• Players partner up. The offense has a ball and is facing away from the hoop.

• The defender stands right behind the offensive player.

  

Instructions

• Offense self-toss a pass near the arc; quick stop on two.

• The defense applies intense ball pressure.

• The ball-handler stays low, rips violently, and uses pivots to create space.

• Go for :06-:08 & switch.

Coaching Cues

• “Stop on two, find stillness.” Don’t panic.

• No travels: once you drop step/back pivot, that foot is nailed unless you pass, dribble, or shoot.

• Pivot into the defense to create space. Many players pivot away, which gives up space.

• Keep the ball in a power position (3 points of contact) with head up.

Drill #5 - Pivot Shooting to Master Shooting Off The Move

Goal: Being able to catch and shoot is a good starting point. However, if you want to be an elite shooter, you must be able to shoot off the move. This drills helps build a fast, repeatable release with clean feet using an inside foot pivot.

Setup

• Place a chair on each block. Each chair should have a ball.

  

• Have a shooter and 1 or more rebounders on each hoop. (If you don’t have chairs, the rebounder can pass to the shooter when they are ready to shoot.)

Instruction

• Shooter curls around the chair for a shot. Their partner rebounds and places the ball on a chair or delivers passes (if not using chair).

  

• After shooting from one side, the shooter sprints through and curls around the opposite cone, then continues repeating the pattern for 10 shots.

  

• Shooters should use an inside pivot footwork.

• Emphasize quick stop, stab your feet, on-time/on-target passes.

• If doing this drill solo, the shooter should rebound their own shot and toss it out to themselves for the next shot.

Coaching Cues

• “Prepare early: hips down, hands up.”

• “Quick feet, quick hands, quick shot.”

• Hop height ≤ 2 inches; land quiet and balanced.

Drill #6 - Box Drills to Attack Off the Catch

Goal: If your players catch flat footed, this is the drill for you. Box drills teach players to go immediately from the catch to attacking. They learn to use various types of footwork to attack, while simultaneously reading the defense.

Setup

• Have players start on the lane line under the rim. Each player should have a ball.

Instructions

• Toss the ball out towards the elbow area.

  

• Chase your ball and catch it. Then execute the footwork prescribed.

  

• After using your footwork to square to the rim, either shoot or attack the basket and finish.

• If you’re doing this with others, as soon as one player catches the ball, the next player can go.

• Work on various moves. Here are some that Coach LoGalbo incorporates into his Box Drills series:

  • Drop step and attack

  • Front pivot, foot fake and shot

  • Front pivot, foot fake and rip opposite

  • Reverse pivot, sweep and go

  • Reverse pivot, jump shot

  • Reverse pivot, rip and go back same side

• Perform each move 2-3x on each side. For the driving reps, vary the types of finishes you perform.

Coaching Cues

• Think “inside foot pivots, swing foot clears.”

• Straight up, straight down; shoulders over hips.

• On the catch at the elbow, get your elbows out to protect the ball.

• If your defender is close, sell the face-up shot before the attack. Get your eyes to the rim to make your defender believe you are shooting.

• If your defender is further away, pivot into your shot.

• Progress the drill into 1v1, with the defender starting behind the offensive player on the baseline.

Drill #7 - 1-2 & Hop Shooting for Elite Shooting Footwork

Goal: Some players shoot well using a 1-2 step. Others shoot well using the hop. Few shoot well with both footworks.

This drill teaches players to be comfortable using either, as some game situations favor different footwork. Being able to use both effectively gives your players more options in games.

Setup

• 1 shooter & 1 rebounder. The shooter can shoot from the free throw line or any other spot in their range.

Instructions

• The shooter starts with the ball and self-tosses it out.

  

• The shooter uses 1-2 or hop footwork and goes up into their shot.

• Repeat, getting reps with both types of footwork.

Coaching Cues

• Emphasize catching shot ready (hands up, knees bent).

• Players should spring right up into their shot (no delay).

• Vary spots and distances to make the drill more challenging.

• All the rebounder to call out 1-2 or hop on the self-toss so the shooter has to react in the moment & use the proper footwork.

The Foundation Of The Game Starts At The Feet

If you’ll commit 10–15 minutes a day to these, your players will start winning the first step, staying on balance at the rim, and turning “almost” into points. Footwork isn’t flashy—but it wins possessions.

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