NISD BASKETBALL TRYOUTS

DRILL DESCRIPTIONS

DAY 1
1. CONDITIONING: (Not Scored)

We will use the “Syracuse” conditioning program. On this first day of tryouts, the
conditioning portion will not be scored. We will complete the “1 st quarter” of the
“Syracuse” program in preparation for day 3 tryouts which is the only day conditioning
will be scored.

2. DRIBBLING:

5 cones will be set up on each of the sidelines in a “zig-zag”. First cone on the baseline,
2nd on elbow, 3rd at half court line, 4th at elbow, and last one on far baseline. The athlete
will dribble in and out of the cones until they reach the last cone on the far baseline.
They will continue this process down and back throughout the duration of the drill. The
clock will be set for 30 seconds. The athlete will be scored by how many cones they
pass.

3. LAY-UPS

Each athlete will shoot 5 right handed layups and 5 left handed lay-ups starting at half
court. Students will be awarded 1 point for correct form and 1 point for a made lay up
with correct form for a total of 10 points on each side. 0 points will be given for incorrect
form, even if the basket is made.

4. PASSING

5 players will be staggered on both sides of the volleyball side lines. The athlete runs
down the middle of the court passing to each person. The athlete being scored is
expected to make correct passes to all 10 stationary targets that have the following
criteria:
1. The pass must be on a straight line and should not have an arc on it.
2. The pass must be accurately made to the chest.
 3. The athlete is expected to receive a pass and then pass it back within the 2 steps
allowed as to not incur a traveling violation.

DAY 2
1. CONDITIONING: (Not Scored)

We will use the “Syracuse” conditioning program. On this 2 nd day of tryouts, the
conditioning portion will not be scored. We will complete the “2 nd quarter” of the
“Syracuse” program in preparation for day 3 tryouts which is the only day conditioning
will be scored.

2. FORM SHOOTING

There will be two parts scored for form shooting. The first part will be free throws and
the second part will be shooting on the move.

The free throw portion will consist of each athlete shooting 5 free throws. Each athlete
will get a point for each correctly made free throw.

The shooting on the move portion will be determined by the coach and number trying
out. Some examples include: 5-ball, full court shooting, spot shooting (dribbling in
between), around the world.

3. DEFENSIVE SLIDES:

Cones will be set up on each of the sidelines in a “zig-zag”. First cone on the baseline,
2nd on Elbow, 3rd at half court line, 4th at elbow, and last one on far baseline. Each
athlete will shuffle (as if they were playing defense) from cone to cone. Athletes will be
evaluated on the following three criteria:
1. Low hips – athlete stays low while shuffling
2. Flat back – athlete keeps a flat back with arms out while shuffling and does not
hunch over
3. Footwork – athletes’ feet move quick, change direction well, and do not cross over

Athletes will be scored on 0-5 scale where 5 is the best and 0 is the worst.
DAY 3

1. CONDITIONING: (SCORED)

We will use the “Syracuse” conditioning program. On this 3 rd day of tryouts, the
conditioning portion WILL be scored. We will complete the “3rd quarter” of the
“Syracuse” program as part of the evaluation process. There are 6 sets to the “3 rd
quarter” and each set is worth 2 points. If the athlete completes a set in the allotted
time, the athlete will receive 2 points. If the athlete does not complete the set in the
allotted time, the athlete will receive 0 points. So for the 6 sets of the conditioning
portion, each athlete can earn up to 12 points if they complete all sets in the allotted
time.

2. SCRIMMAGE: (SCORED)

Coaches will put athletes into scrimmage/game situation groups based on scores from
the previous two days. The Scrimmage/game situation drill on this day will be scored. It
will be a 5 on 5 format and will be scored using a (+/-) point system. All coaches will be
watching the scrimmage and athletes will have an opportunity to earn or possibly lose
points based on game situation performance. For instance, if an athlete makes a great
pass, a coach may put a (+1) in the scrimmage column. If an athlete turns the ball over,
a coach may put a (-1) in the scrimmage column. Coaches will use a (+1) for positive
plays and a (-1) for negative plays.