Tilt the Floor Basketball Drill

Basketball camp director and college basketball coach Donnie Arey knows a thing or two about team chemistry. As a coach, he has implemented a number of team drills that enforce the importance of ball movement and learning to properly move with and without the basketball, but one in particular sticks out: The “Tilt the Floor” drill.

This drill uses the entire offensive zone and requires at least five players. The main goal is to pass the ball from the first side to the second, third and fourth as quickly as possible while the wings chase to the corner or lift to the slot in between each pass.

BEGINNER

To start, a player on the wing will pass the ball to their coach at the top of the key who will then pass it to the player on the other wing. That player will drive to the midline in the paint and plant both feet before passing the ball back to the starting player, who should lift to the slot area or out to the corner for a shot.

INTERMEDIATE

Follow the same steps you made in the beginner progression for the intermediate level, except this time the player from the opposite wing of the starter will move the ball back through the progression one more time. The starter will race toward their shooting position and make the shot when the ball finds them.

ADVANCED

At the advanced-level, the player on the opposite wing of the start will catch the ball and drive toward the “impossible zone,” which is down low underneath the basket. This will take more time than driving to the midline. While that player is driving, the starter will kick out to the corner and wait for a quick, hard pass from beneath the basket for a finishing jump shot.

This drill is a great way to build team chemistry and cohesion between the ball handler and a teammate attempting to get open at the 3-point line. It can also help players work on their ability to create good shots for their teammates in game-like situations.