The 1-on-0 Gear Shift Drill is designed to improve a player’s ability to change speeds and directions with the ball. It focuses on tempo control, explosive acceleration, and decisive movement without a defender. This drill is perfect for guards and wings looking to create space through deception and rhythm. The name “gear shift” reflects the emphasis on transitioning smoothly between slow, medium, and fast paces to simulate real game scenarios.
Objectives
- Work the different speeds of travel with the ball.
- Practice boat in situations of stops and re-starts.
- Practice shooting or completions after one or more changes of hand.
Contents
- Entrance to basket
- Step Zero
- Shot
- Changes of hand
- Outputs
- Stops
- Foot work
- Change of pace
- Changes of address
- Feint the end of dribble
- 1×0
Recommended age
- From 10 years onwards (Minibasket: category alevín).
Number of players
- From 2 players on.
- Playable, in the form of team competition.
- Also playable in waves of 3 (placing two rows of cones in order to have 3 halls).
Recommended time
- Recommended time: 5 minutes total (depending on the number of players).
- You can compete in teams. In a round get a computer has the initiative and the next round is the other team that takes the initiative.
Equipment and facilities
- 1 ball for each player.
- A half Basketball court.
- About 4-5 cones to mark the intervals.
Initial layout and description of the 1-on-0 – Gear Shift Drill
One of the two players will take the initiative. Both players come from mid-court. The player with the initiative starts the exercise while their partner goes to the couple. The player with the initiative to decide at what interval to perform the deceleration and stop, and to what intervals to continue (can be either forward or backward). The player who does not have the initiative, you must make the same journey that the player with the initiative. Finally, the player with the initiative will decide at what interval to finish (either with stop and shoot with either input to the basket). The player who goes to the pair should end in the same way.
Win the round the player to score the basket before (it is normal that wins the player with the initiative).
Note: you can also play in waves of 3.
Variants
- Both players must dribble with the same hand.
- Change the side from which it exits the player who has the initiative.
- The player who does not have the initiative, you must perform the movements in a mirror.
- We must make the journey in a determined number of boats.
- The player with initiative must perform a certain number and/or type of changes of hand.
- Vary the number of intervals (place more or less cones).
- Make the intervals are irregular (place cones at different distances).
- The player with the initiative (or the coach), appoints the intervals by which you have to pass.
Note: All variants are supported.
Cedric Arregui Guivarch
National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
