Bump and Move Big Man Drill

The Bump and Move Big Man Drill looks to focus on interior targets working in a highly competitive situation from the Low Post. The drill will focus on the offensive player using a “Bump” to create offensive advantage in the post. The bump tends to be one of a range of offensive skills not often explicitly used due to its obvious peril of resulting in an offensive foul. This however, like all skills can be practiced and refined so players become comfortable and competent in making this a part of the individual offensive skill set. The Bump and Move Big Man Drill looks to also facilitate the opportunity for the offensive player to link the bump with an attacking move towards the basket from the low post for a high percentage scoring movement.

 

When using the Bump and Move Big Man Drill it is important from the outset to explain to the players that the use of the bump is only to create a momentary advantage and not to knock the defensive player to the ground or even shift their feet. The bump is about creating an advantage by rocking the defensive player’s centre of gravity from the balls of their feet, instead to their heels. This will force the defensive player to be unable to make swift movements of recovery in positioning which should be enough time for the offensive player with practice to exploit their advantage for the score.

 

Another effect of the bump on the defensive player is if contact is made in an upward motion, the defender will often stand upright to try and maintain balance and not fall over. This again will assist the offensive player in creating some advantage upon which solid scoring opportunity can be performed.

The Bump and Move Big Man Drill starts with a coach in the long corner with the ball.

 

An offensive (Circle Five) and defensive player (Triangle Five) start on the weak side short corner.

 

The Bump and Move Big Man Drill commences when the coach slaps the ball. The offensive player creates a lead for the ball and then flashes to the intended catching position.

 

The offensive player (Circle Five) is looking to catch at the furtherest, on the edge of the keyway. Anything further and this in really will provide too much time and room for the help defence to fill.

 

The defensive player can fill in behind on the lead or halve the offensive player in the low post.

 

To vary the type of defence employed later on the defender can be allowed to front the post. This is not however advised initially as this will void the opportunity to bump the player and develop the core skill of the drill.

Once the ball has been passed to the post player, Five (Circle) now has an opportunity to execute the bump and then attack the basket.

 

The Bump and Move Big Man Drill finishes once the offensive player scores of the defender secures possession. Discourage only “one shot” rules as this will discourage the offensive player from crashing the boards and continuing to play which is obviously a mindset desired in interior players.

 

It should be emphasised that the bump is about creating advantage, and not about making overly dramatic contact with the defensive player. Depending on the level of competition what is deemed as “reasonable contact” will vary. A coach should always be looking to define this for players to better educate them about the demands of the standard of competition.

 

When bumping the offensive player should look to not make contact with the middle of the chest of the defender, but rather one side of the player’s body to which the attacking move will also be made. This will result in the defender being off balance and in some cases open the driving lane to basket making the overall scoring opportunity a better prospect.

 

Variations

 

One option is to replace the coach with another offensive player. This will help players playing on the perimeter learn to deal with the needs of passing into a moving post target. Additionally a defender can also be added to the passer so there is again an additional challenge for the offensive players to deal with.

 

Building upon the two on two situation, another option is to make the Bump and Move Big Man Drill turn “live” on the pass into the post. This will allow the perimeter player to cut and relocate into space to build more complexity and options into the team’s offense.

 

The Bump and Move Big Man Drill is a great activity for practicing a highly effective post movement while still gaining some benefit from a one on one situation in the post where a player gets to refine their overall skill set.

 

Related articles

• Catch and Go Wing Lay-up Drill
• 1-4 Offense: Kentucky Turn Out
• Three Target Passing Drill
• 1 v 1 Triangle High Post Drill
• Sideline Push Passing Drill