CLA Youth Basketball Drills
With State Champion Coach Dave Lepisto
Modern Basketball Coaching For Smarter, More Skilled Players
The CLA Youth Basketball Drills Program introduces you to the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) with State Champion coach Dave Lepisto.
The Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) is a modern, game-based coaching method that helps players improve faster by:
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Tweaking the rules
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Changing the playing space
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Changing the structure of a drill
Instead of stopping to explain every little thing to players, CLA creates learning environments where players solve problems — just like they would in a real game.
By adjusting a few key variables (like dribble limits, spacing, or scoring rules), players are forced to make quicker decisions, move with purpose, and develop real basketball instincts.
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More reps.
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More learning.
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Smarter, more adaptable players — without overhauling your entire system.
And as Dave Lepisto shows and teaches you in the video…
When you combine the CLA with excellent communication and timely coaching instructions, you get rapid improvement.
10 Reasons CLA Develops Championship Teams
Here’s how CLA transforms your practices and your players:
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Build Smarter Players
Players learn to problem-solve, make decisions under pressure, and develop true basketball IQ.
Instead of saying move to space, you create a constraint where players must find open space to succeed.
CLA trains players to read the floor, anticipate, and adapt — without being spoon-fed.
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Reduce Turnovers
Smarter footwork, sharper passing, and better decision-making directly cut down wasted possessions.
CLA fixes one of the biggest causes of lost possessions — poor choices under pressure.
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Develops Better Passers
Players learn to make quicker, smarter passes by reading defenders and moving the ball to open space.
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Improves Footwork
Good footwork affects everything — finishing, passing, pivoting, and staying in control. CLA helps players build it naturally, through movement-based games.
“If you can pivot, you can play!”
State Champion Coach Dave Lepisto -
Better Scoring
Players learn footwork and highly effective scoring moves to score better in the lane.
And the CLA does stop there. It goes beyond creating better skills and decision making!
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Free Flowing Offense
Players naturally learn spacing, movement, and how to attack gaps.
This CLA video teaches your players how to create space without the ball.
It also teaches your players how to take space by attacking gaps and finishing at the hoop.
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Save Practice Time
Use the same drill, tweak the constraint, and instantly create new learning challenges.
Less time creating new drills. More time coaching real improvement.
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Make Practice More Enjoyable and Increase Player Engagement
CLA practices are fast-paced, competitive, fun practices keep players locked in and learning.
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Increases Touches and Encourages Competition
CLA promotes small-sided, competitive games — which means more ball touches and more game-like decisions being made.
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Scales to Any Level
Works for youth beginners, varsity athletes, and even college-level players.
Even though this video was created for youth players, you’ll quickly see that you can use the same drills and principles with high school, college, and even professional athletes.
In short: CLA builds adaptable, confident, game-ready players who can thrive in any system.
Using CLA From Feeder Program to State Title -
Meet Coach Lepisto
What do you get when you have a coach who ...
Has 30+ years of elementary teaching experience in physical education
Has 30+ years experience as a basketball coach
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Is an expert in the field of Constraints-Led Approach (CLA) to coaching
Well you get a one in a million coach, with incredible stats, and a State Title!
Stats from his 2024-25 team that he used CLA with include:
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29-1 record
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70% of baskets were assisted
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1.09 point per possession...that's the same as the #1 team in the WNBA.
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53% eFG%
You see, Coach Lepisto is special.
Anyone who listens to him teach youth players or high school players will tell you, it’s no fluke that his HS girls won a state title in the third year he took over the program.
And what is the foundation of his teaching?
In a nutshell it is CLA!
He uses it in almost every drill…from his youth feeder programs to Varsity State Champions.
Why This Isn’t Just Another Drill Program
What Makes This Program So Different?
There are tons of basketball drill programs out there — but none like this.
While other courses might mention the Constraints-Led Approach (CLA), this is the only system built entirely around it — created by a coach who’s lived it from youth clinics to state championships.
Here’s what sets it apart:
1. Built for Coaches Who Want to Use CLA — Not Just Hear About It
This isn’t just theory. It’s a step-by-step system designed to help youth and high school coaches actually apply CLA — even if you’ve never tried it before.
2. Real Coaching, Real Players, Real Results
This isn’t a staged clinic. You’ll see real players being coached in real time — with Coach Dave Lepisto walking you through each drill, adjustment, and constraint.
No fluff. No theory-only talk. Just real-world applications you can take straight to the gym...
3. One Drill = Unlimited Variations
With CLA, you don’t need more drills — just smarter ones.
Coach Lepisto shows you how to change a constraint (like space, dribble limits, or rules) to instantly target new skills — without extra planning or long explanations.
For example, in the video Coach Lepisto takes one 3v3v3 drill and changes the constraint to change the focus. He shows you how to use the drill to let players discover:
Better spacing
Importance of ball reversal
Better passing angles
How to get the ball in the paint
He teaches you how to take one drill and create multiple teaching tools. Not by talking more, but by changing a constraint and letting the kids PLAY MORE!
4. Works With Any Offense or System
CLA isn’t tied to a specific playbook or style.
You don’t have to change what you run — just help your players run it better.
Players learn to create scoring opportunities for themselves and teammates on their own, not with set plays. So when things break down, the offense doesn't!
You Don’t Have To Go All In To See A Big Impact
Rome wasn’t built overnight. Not sure if CLA is right for your team? Take it slowly.
Here’s the beauty of it: You don’t have to use CLA in every drill to see real results.
Start with just one drill. One constraint. One small tweak in practice.
Watch your players respond.
Then try another. And another.
Before you know it, you’ll be building a smarter, more skilled team — without overhauling your entire system overnight.
Or, if you're ready to go all in? Great!
CLA works whether you take it slow or jump in full throttle. Either way, it’s designed to develop adaptable players who can thrive in any system, any offense, any level.
Here’s What You Get In This Package
Ready to transform your team?
This isn't just drills — it’s a step-by-step blueprint to modern, game-like coaching that gets real results. Here’s what’s inside the CLA Youth Basketball Drills Program:
Video #1: CLA Masterclass with Coach Lepisto (21 Minutes)
This is your blueprint — a deep dive into the why and how of CLA.
You’ll discover:
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Why traditional drills fall short — and how CLA bridges the gap between practice and performance
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How to use constraints to create smarter, faster decision-makers
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The power of building Gravity Players — athletes who attract defenders and open up the floor
You’ll also get a Q & A session with Coach Lepisto to answer questions like:
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What ages should I start using CLA with?
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What will be the first benefits I see when using CLA?
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What does CLA do for a player's future?
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What does your offense look like?
Video #2: CLA Drills With On-Court Demonstration (2 Hours 40 Minutes)
Coach Lepisto is giving you 45+ drills for your Coaching arsenal with all of the constraints and progressions he teaches you.
You’ll see CLA in action as Coach Lepisto coaches real players through live, game-like drills learn things like how to…
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Train movement, footwork, and pivoting through constraint-based activities
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Use Chaos 1v1-4v4 to teach transition and full court offense
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Use multiple spacing games to improve off-ball IQ
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Run 1v1 and small-sided games that sharpen decision-making and finishing
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Apply the “High 5 Drill 1v1” — a creative, constraint-rich drill with massive skill payoff (and build it to High 5 2v1 and High 5 2v2 - same drill new layers!)
Teach “wiggle” — how players change speeds and become tough to guard
How to get player to move the ball and play as a team
Use drills like Blind 1v1 to teach how to finish efficiently
Use 3v1 and 2v1 drills to teach players to “take space”
And remember,he teaches you how to change the constraint to focus on an area of improvement that you want to see with your team!
*** BONUSES INCLUDED***
CLA Quick Start Guide
Not sure where to start? This guide walks you through exactly how to begin using CLA in your next practice — even if you’ve never done it before.
2 Free eBooks!
Deepen your understanding of game-based learning and explore even more constraints, drills, and coaching strategies to grow smarter players.
Learn How To Coach Better with CLA Youth Basketball Drills!
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