INTRODUCTION
Great coaches don’t just plan drills — they plan weeks.
Too many coaches treat each practice like a one-off. No structure. No rhythm. No connection between Monday and Friday. And that’s exactly how their teams play: inconsistent, unfocused, and underdeveloped.
The best teams improve daily because their coaches plan weekly. In this post, we’ll walk through a proven system to build an effective weekly basketball practice plan — one that matches your system, builds real habits, and prepares your players for game night.
1. START WITH WHAT MATTERS MOST
Your weekly plan should start with one question: What does this team need right now?
Are you struggling to guard ball screens? Lacking in transition offense? Losing games because of missed box-outs?
Define 2–3 program-wide focus areas. These should guide your week.
Then break it down:
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- Individual Goals: What do your guards, wings, and bigs need to develop this week?
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- Team Identity: What part of your system needs sharper execution?
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- Game Preparation: What’s coming up — and what must improve before then?
2. BUILD A SIMPLE WEEKLY STRUCTURE
Every team runs better with a routine. Design a weekly skeleton that gives your players rhythm and your staff direction.
Example:
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- Monday: Heavy individual skill + defensive breakdowns
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- Tuesday: Full team offense + decision-making reps
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- Wednesday: Competitive shooting + live segment focus
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- Thursday: Special situations + game prep
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- Friday: Light + sharp session (tempo, confidence, readiness)
Stick to a framework — but adapt to your team’s needs.
3. STOP PLANNING DRILLS — START PLANNING OUTCOMES
The worst planning mistake coaches make? Building practice around a list of drills instead of a set of outcomes.
Instead, define the outcomes you want first — then choose drills that build them.
Ask: What habit, system concept, or game situation will this drill sharpen?
Each drill should fall into one (or more) of these categories:
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- System Reps: Offense, defense, special situations
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- Habit Reinforcement: Communication, spacing, urgency, rebounding
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- Game Application: Late-game execution, transition reads, pressure responses
If a drill doesn’t fit any of those — cut it. Every minute must serve your system.
4. KEEP DRILLS TIGHT, TIMED & SCORED
Don’t just plan what — plan how long and how you’ll measure it.
Use this formula: Short + Intense + Competitive = Game Transfer
That means:
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- 4–8 minutes per drill
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- Every drill is timed or scored
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- Every drill serves a clear teaching goal
You don’t need 15 drills. You need 5–8 good ones run with urgency.
5. BUILD UP TO GAME DAY, DON’T BURN OUT
Your weekly plan should peak in performance, not fatigue. Backload intensity and focus.
Early week = teach, break down, install.
Mid-week = rep, compete, reinforce.
End of week = sharpen, clarify, build confidence.
Avoid heavy conditioning or overload right before game day. Instead, simulate the game environment: pressure situations, confidence reps, special plays, and rhythm.
WANT MORE?
Get the Full eBook – The Practice & Season Planning Toolkit
Includes 20+ pages of plug-and-play templates, coaching frameworks, and sample plans to help you build a system — not just survive the week.
👉 Download the eBook here – and start building smarter.
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Everything we publish is designed to help you teach better, plan smarter, and win more.
