Hal Wissel

30 Second Workout Finishing Drills
By Hal Wissel

     The Speed Dribble Layup drill combines the use of strong- and weak-hand layups, speed and reverse dribbles. The drill consists of alternately driving from each elbow (the intersection of the foul line and lane line) and shooting layups with your right hand when dribbling right and with your left hand when dribbling left.
     Start at the right elbow in a balanced stance with your left foot forward and your right foot back. Drive to the basket using a speed dribble with your outside (right) hand and shoot a right-handed layup. Catch the ball with two hands and speed dribble out to the left elbow, using your outside (right) hand. Place your inside (left) foot on the elbow and reverse dribble, pulling the ball back toward the basket with your outside (right) hand.
     Drive to the basket using a speed dribble with your outside (left) hand and shoot a left-handed layup. Catch the ball with two hands and speed dribble to the right elbow, using your outside (left) hand. Place your inside (right) foot on the elbow and reverse dribble, pulling the ball back toward the basket with your left hand. Continue the drill for 30 seconds, alternately driving and shooting layups on each side of the basket. Record the number of layups you make in 30 seconds. A good score is eight layups in 30 seconds. This is a good conditioning drill. After completing the drill, make two free throws.

There are nine other Speed Dribble Layup Drills as follows:

Speed Dribble Inside Hand Layup

Speed Dribble Reverse Layup
Speed Dribble Hook
Speed Dribble Runner
Speed Dribble Power Move,
Speed Dribble Jump Hook
Speed Dribble Step-Through Hook
Speed Dribble Drop-Step Hook
Speed Dribble Drop-Step, Fake Hook, Spin-Back Hook 

30 Second Shooting Workout Drill: Catch and Shoot Jump Shot

Most shots in a game are open shots. When open, the jump stop enables you to catch and shoot in one motion, thereby fostering a quicker release than the step and shoot, which is a two motion shot. It is also easier to adjust to bad passes. When using the jump stop, make certain your body is facing the basket with your hands and feet ready. Your hands are above your shoulders and your knees slightly flexed before you receive the pass. Jump behind the ball and catch the ball with your body and shooting hand facing the front of the rim. Your knees should lower just before the catch and extend upward on the catch in a quick rhythmical down-and-up motion. On bad passes, jump behind the ball, rather than reaching for the ball. Rhythm and range come from the down and up motion of your legs, rather than lowering the ball or stepping into the shot.

Catch and Shoot Jump Shot Left Elbow 

One objective of this drill is to develop your ability to catch and shoot a jump shot in one motion with a quick release. Another objective is to develop your ability to start your  jump shot in a balanced stance while facing the basket and land in balance after the shot. Start with the ball at the left box outside the lane, your back to the basket. Pass to your self by tossing the ball high so it bounces high on the left elbow. Run out on the outside of the lane with your hands high and quickly jump behind the ball, turning middle. Catch the ball with your shooting hand high and facing your target.  Shoot a  jump shot. Your knees should lower just before the catch and extend upward on the catch in a quick rhythmical down-and-up motion. Trigger words are “Catch-Up!” Hold your follow-through up until the ball reaches the net. Rebound and repeat. Your goal is  to make five jump shots in 30 seconds. This is also a great conditioning drill. At the end of the drill make two free throws. 

Catch and Shoot Jump Shot Right Elbow

One objective of this drill is to develop your ability to catch and shoot a jump shot in one motion with a quick release. Another objective is to develop your ability to start your  jump shot in a balanced stance while facing the basket and land in balance after the shot. Start with the ball at the right box outside the lane, your back to the basket. Pass to your self by tossing the ball high so it bounces high on the right elbow. Run out on the outside of the lane with your hands high and quickly jump behind the ball, turning middle. For a right handed shooter you have further to turn to catch the ball with your shooting hand high and facing your target.  Shoot a  jump shot. Your knees should lower just before the catch and extend upward on the catch in a quick rhythmical down-and-up motion. Trigger words are “Catch-Up!” Hold your follow-through up until the ball reaches the net. Rebound and repeat. Your goal is  to make five jump shots in 30 seconds. This is also a great conditioning drill. At the end of the drill make two free throws. 

Catch and Shoot Bank Jump Shot Left Side 

The main objective of this drill is to develop your ability to catch and shoot in one motion with a quick release. Another objective is to develop your ability to start a jump shot in a balanced stance while facing the basket and to land in balance after the shot. Start with the ball near the basket. Pass to yourself by tossing the ball high so it bounces high on the left side at a 45 degree angle 16 feet from the basket. Run out on the baseline side and quickly jump behind the ball, turning to the middle to face the basket. Use a jump stop and land in balance. Have your hands and feet ready with your hands above your shoulders and your knees slightly flexed. Catch the ball with your shooting hand high, facing the front of the rim. Catch and shoot in one motion. Your knees should lower just before the catch and should extend upward on the catch in a quick rhythmical down-and-up motion. Your goal is  to make five jump shots in 30 seconds. This is also a great conditioning drill. At the end of the drill make two free throws.

Catch and Shoot Bank Jump Shot Right Side 

The main objective of this drill is to develop your ability to catch and shoot in one motion with a quick release. Another objective is to develop your ability to start a jump shot in a balanced stance while facing the basket and to land in balance after the shot. Start with the ball near the basket. Pass to yourself by tossing the ball high so it bounces high on the right side at a 45 degree angle 16 feet from the basket. Run out on the baseline side and quickly jump behind the ball, turning to the middle to face the basket. Use a jump stop and land in balance. Have your hands and feet ready with your hands above your shoulders and your knees slightly flexed. Catch the ball with your shooting hand high, facing the front of the rim. Catch and shoot in one motion. Your knees should lower just before the catch and should extend upward on the catch in a quick rhythmical down-and-up motion. Your goal is  to make five jump shots in 30 seconds. This is also a great conditioning drill. At the end of the drill make two free throws. 

One Minute Shoot Out Drill

This drill helps you to develop the ability to catch and shoot in one motion with a quick release. In addition, it helps you to develop the ability to shoot under pressure. The difference between good shooters and great shooters is the ability to shoot under pressure (in this drill, the pressure is the clock). Not only is this a good shooting drill, but it is also a good pass and catch drill (passing to the shooter’s target) as well as a good rebounding drill (rebounding the ball with two hands without allowing the ball to hit the floor). Select two players to work with you. One player keeps time. The timer blows a whistle to begin the drill, whistles again after 20 seconds at the first spot, whistles after 20 seconds at the second spot, and whistles at the 1-minute mark. The other player keeps score, rebounds the ball, and passes it back to you as you shoot. You will shoot from three spots—9 feet in front of the basket, with each made shot worth 1 point; 15 feet in front of the basket (behind the free-throw line), with each made shot worth 2 points; and 21feet in front of the basket (or behind the three-point line), with each made shot worth 3 points.
     Start in a balanced stance 9 feet in front of the basket with the ball in good shooting position in front of the shooting side shoulder. On the first whistle, begin shooting and continue to shoot from the same spot until the second whistle. At the second whistle, move back until you are 15 feet in front of the basket, and continue to shoot from that spot until the third whistle. On the third whistle, move back until you are behind the three-point line in front of the basket. Continue to shoot from that spot until the final whistle. All shots count after the whistle except at the third spot, where the ball must be released before the final whistle. After shooting for 1 minute, rotate positions with the other players. The shooter becomes the rebounder and passer, the rebounder and passer becomes the timer, and the timer becomes the shooter. 

30 Second Workout Passing Drills
By Hal Wissel

Right Hand Sidearm Pass and Catch

For this drill, you will pass to a toss-back from a distance of only 5 feet. This drill is excellent for developing good hands and the ability to catch the ball. The drill also helps you develop quickness, accuracy, and confidence in passing and catching with one hand using the sidearm pass. Start in a balanced stance, 5 feet in front of a toss-back. Turn your body so your chest is at a right angle to the toss-back. Start with the ball in your right hand; your left hand is down at your side (you will use only one hand throughout this entire drill). Using a sidearm pass with your right hand, pass the ball with as much force and accuracy as you can. Catch the return off the toss back with only your right hand only. Pass the ball to a toss-back (or wall if a toss-back is not available). Follow through by pointing your fingers toward the target. Catch the ball with the same hand. Your goal is complete fifty passes in 30 seconds.

Left Hand Sidearm Pass and Catch

For this drill, you will pass to a toss-back from a distance of only 5 feet. This drill is excellent for developing good hands and the ability to catch the ball. The drill also helps you develop quickness, accuracy, and confidence in passing and catching with one hand using the sidearm pass. Start in a balanced stance, 5 feet in front of a toss-back. Turn your body so your chest is at a right angle to the toss-back. Start with the ball in your left hand; your right hand is down at your side (you will use only one hand throughout this entire drill). Using a sidearm pass with your left hand, pass the ball with as much force and accuracy as you can. Catch the return off the toss-back with only your left hand only. Pass the ball to a toss-back (or wall if a toss-back is not available). Follow through by pointing your fingers toward the target. Catch the ball with the same hand. Your goal is complete fifty passes in 30 seconds.

Right Hand Behind the Back Pass and Catch

This drill is excellent for developing good hands and the ability to catch the ball. The drill also helps you develop quickness, accuracy, and confidence in passing and catching with one hand using the behind-the-back pass. Start in a balanced stance, 5 feet in front of a toss-back. Turn your body so your chest is at a right angle to the toss-back. Start with the ball in your right hand; your left hand is down at your side (you will use only one hand throughout this entire drill). Using a behind-the-back pass with your right hand, pass the ball with as much force and accuracy as you can. Pass the ball to a toss-back (or wall if a toss-back is not available). Follow through by pointing your fingers toward the target. Shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot as you pass the ball behind your back and toward the target. Extend your passing arm and flex your wrist and fingers, releasing the ball off your finger pads. Follow through by pointing your fingers toward the target and with your passing arm contacting your back. Catch the ball with the same hand. Your goal is complete 30 passes in 30 seconds.

Left Hand Behind the Back Pass and Catch

This drill is excellent for developing good hands and the ability to catch the ball. The drill also helps you develop quickness, accuracy, and confidence in passing and catching with one hand using the behind-the-back pass. Start in a balanced stance, 5 feet in front of a toss-back. Turn your body so your chest is at a right angle to the toss-back. Start with the ball in your left hand; your right hand is down at your side (you will use only one hand throughout this entire drill). Using a behind-the-back pass with your left hand, pass the ball with as much force and accuracy as you can. Pass the ball to a toss-back (or wall if a toss-back is not available). Follow through by pointing your fingers toward the target. Shift your weight from your back foot to your front foot as you pass the ball behind your back and toward the target. Extend your passing arm and flex your wrist and fingers, releasing the ball off your finger pads. Follow through by pointing your fingers toward the target and with your passing arm contacting your back. Catch the ball with the same hand. Your goal is complete 30 passes in 30 seconds.

Overhead Pass and Catch

For this drill, you will pass to a toss-back from a distance of only 5 feet. A wall can be used if a toss back is not available. This drill is excellent for developing good hands and the ability to catch the ball. The drill also helps you develop quickness, accuracy, and confidence in passing and catching using the overhead pass. Start in a balanced stance, 5 feet in front of a toss back. Hold the ball above your forehead with your elbows in and flexed about 90 degrees. Do not bring the ball behind your head; executing the pass will take longer when the ball begins behind your head, and in a game the ball can be stolen from behind. Quickly pass the ball, extending your arms and flexing your wrists and fingers. Release the ball off the first and second fingers (index and middle fingers) of both hands. Follow through by pointing your fingers at the target, palms down. Catch the ball with two hands. The goal is to complete fifty passes in 30 seconds.

Drop Pass, Pivot, and Catch

For this drill, you will pass to a wall from a distance of only 5 feet. This drill is excellent for developing good hands and the ability to react to and catch quick passes. The drill also helps you develop quickness, accuracy, and confidence in your passing using the one-hand drop pass (with your strong or weak hand). Start in a balanced stance 5 feet from a wall with your back to the wall (use a toss-back if a wall is not available). Start with the ball in both hands at your right side at hip level. Your right hand should face the wall, and your non-passing hand should be used to balance the ball. Make a drop pass to the wall with your right hand. Pass the ball with as much force and accuracy as you can. Perform a front pivot on your right foot to your right side and react quickly to catch the ball with two hands as it quickly returns off the wall. Now perform a reverse pivot on the same foot so your back is again toward the wall. Next, make a drop pass to the wall with your left hand, passing the ball with as much force and accuracy as you can. Perform a front pivot on your left foot to your left side and react quickly to catch the ball with two hands as it quickly returns off the wall. Perform a reverse pivot on the same foot so your back is again toward the wall. Continue performing the drill, alternating right and left-handed drop passes. Your goal is to complete 30 passes in 30 seconds.

Dr. Hal Wissel's Basketball Shooting: Creating Your Shot Off the Dribble is a great course for players and coaches. Players will learn to create their shot of the dribble and coaches will learn to teach players moves and drills for shooting off the dribble.

Coach Wissel teaches players how to pick the ball up off the dribble using key words that trigger correct shooting mechanics. Key words of "Front and Top" are emphasized to promote picking the ball up in front of the shooting knee (preventing floating) with the shooting hand on top of the ball (fostering back spin). Coach Wissel also teaches players how to create space away from the defender when driving to the strong-hand side and weak-hand side.

Drills in Basketball Shooting: Creating Your Shot Off the Dribble include: shot fake jump shot, step-back jump shot, step-through leaner, drive middle jump shot, drive middle step-back jump shot, step back and drive, drive middle runner, drive middle reverse down lane hook, drive baseline jump shot, drive baseline step-back jump shot and drive baseline reverse middle hook. Drills to improve finishing with either hand include: reverse lay-up, hook and runner.

Players are also taught to chart their improvement using daily progress charts.

Great shooters are made, not born! Dr. Hal Wissel's Basketball Shooting: Make Your Shot Automatic is a must-see course for any player who wants to become a pure shooter and for any coach who wants to improve his or her ability to coach shooters.

Filmed at one of Coach Wissel's SHOOT IT BETTER Mini Camps for NBA players and prospects, this course features a series of innovative lead-up and challenge drills along with demonstrations of shooting errors and corrections. Dr. Wissel emphasizes confidence as the most important factor in being a great shooter. Players are not simply told to be confident, but shown how to foster their confidence through the use of positive self-talk and the use of key words that trigger correct mechanics, rhythm and range. Coach Wissel teaches players how to integrate the mental and mechanical aspects of shooting.

Correcting shooting errors are also demonstrated. Learn how to correct a missed shot and to always act like a shooter. Learn how to correct: a slow rhythm, not using legs, incomplete follow through, low arc, side rotation of shooting hand, ball shot off wrong finger, hand moving on ball, thumbing, lowering, swiveling, ball on palm and/ or watching the flight of ball. By watching the demonstrations in this course, players can recognize an error they may be making and learn how to correct it. Players will gain a better understanding of their own shot and learn how to become their own best coach.

Most basketball players want to improve their shooting. However, improving shooting skill takes daily, specific, measurable goal setting and correct practice. This course teaches shooters how to make their shot automatic by using lead-up drills and charting their improvement. Players learn how to shoot 1000 shots in one hour and make the most out of their allotted practice time.

Innovative lead-up drills include: one-hand warm-up, weak-hand warm-up, three finger warm-up, shooting drills without a basket, shooting from a chair, shooting off the catch with a quick release when open, and using a shot fake to create a shot when closely guarded. Learn to improve free throw shooting routine, relaxation, rhythm, concentration and confidence. Shooters are also taught how to Improve their sense of feel by using the eyes open - eyes closed free throw drill. Most importantly, these drills help shooters build their confidence to shoot under pressure, which is what separates a great shooter from a good shooter.

This course builds on Dr. Wissel's first basketball shooting course Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm, and Mechanics with more detailed demonstrations of errors and corrections. Five additional innovative lead-up drills are added to the original ten lead-up drills.

Dr. Hal Wissel's Basketball Shooting: Post Moves and Drills is a great course for players and coaches. Players will learn post-up scoring moves and coaches will learn to teach players post-up moves and drills. Coach Hal Wissel starts by teaching players how to make their strong hand and weak hand hook shot automatic with a series of hook shooting lead-up drills including the hook shot warm-up, hook shot warm-up with crossover step and the alternate hand hook drill.

With detailed instruction and demonstration, Coach Wissel teaches techniques that will improve a player's ability to score in the low post using post-up moves without a dribble and post-up counter moves with one dribble. Low post moves and drills include the drop step baseline power move and the drop step middle hook. Front turn baseline moves include the shot fake bank jump shot, the crossover middle hook and the counter spin back power move. Progression includes the read and react drill to post defense.

Coach Wissel advances to teaching moves and drills from the pinch post. Detailed pinch post (elbow) moves and drills that are taught include the shot fake jump shot, crossover step drive, back crossover drive and hook, step-back jump shot, step-through leaner, crossover step drive bank jump shot and step-back jump shot off the dribble. Coach Wissel teaches players how to create space away from the defender when driving to the strong-hand side and weak-hand side. Points of emphasis include picking the ball up off the dribble in balance and with correct hand position on drives. Players learn to use the jump stop and crossover dribble when driving to their weak-side. Players are shown how to finish their drive with a jump shot, leaner, hook, reverse lay-up or power move.

Next, Coach Wissel teaches scoring from the midpoint and off a pick and pop to the corner with detailed moves and drills including the shot fake front turn one dribble middle hook and drive baseline reverse lay-up. Also included in this course is the one versus two read and react drill.

Basketball Shooting: Post Moves and Drills is the third course in the 3 part series that includes Basketball Shooting: Make Your Shot Automatic and Basketball Shooting: Creating Your Shot Off the Dribble. This 3-part series shows players and coaches how Coach Wissel integrates breakthrough mental and mechanical techniques to improve shooting and scoring skills.

Basketball Shooting: Off the Pass, Off the Dribble and In the Post includes additional drills to take players' games to the next level. This course compliments the instruction offered in Hal Wissel's first course, Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm and Mechanics. Coach Wissel teaches shooting off the catch from inside-out, strong-side and weak-side passes. Players will learn how to cut off screens and to shoot with a quick release.

Shooting off the dribble is taught with a series of lead-up drills including, setting up your jump shot using a shot fake, and picking the ball up off the dribble in balance and with correct hand position. Players learn to use the jump stop and crossover dribble when driving to their weak-side. Players are shown how to finish their dribble with a jump shot, lay-up or runner.

Improve post-up ability with detailed hook shooting lead-up drills, post-up moves without a dribble, and post-up counter moves with one dribble.

Also included in this course are one-on-one drills, and shooting contests that can be done individually or with teammates.

This course, along with Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm and Mechanics, will show players and coaches how Coach Wissel integrates breakthrough mental and mechanical techniques to improve shooting confidence and skill.

This course will show you how Dr. Hal Wissel integrates breatkthrough mental techniques to improve shooting confidence and skill.

Basketball Shooting: Confidence, Rhythm and Mechanics is an inside look at one of Coach Hal Wissel's SHOOT IT BETTER Mini Camps for NBA Players and Prospects. This is a must-see course for any player who wants to become a more confident shooter and for any coach who wants to improve his or her ability to coach shooters.

Coach Wissel stresses the importance being a confident shooter with good rhythm and mechanics. Coach Wissel doesn't simply tell players to be confident, but shows them how to develop confidence through the use of positive self-talk and the use of key words that trigger correct mechanics, rhythm and range.

Observe Coach Wissel teaching players how to be their own best coach, how to correct a missed shot, and how to make their shot automatic through innovative lead-up drills. Drills include the one-hand warm-up, weak-hand warm-up, three finger warm-up, shooting drills without a basket, shooting from a chair, and eyes closed free throw shooting. Most importantly, Coach Wissel teaches players how to develop a quick release and to shoot under pressure, which is what separates a great shooter from a good shooter.

This course, along with Basketball Shooting: Off the Pass, Off the Dribble and In the Post, will show players and coaches how Coach Wissel integrates breakthrough mental and mechanical techniques to improve shooting confidence and skill.