The Ultimate 20-Minute Basketball Workout for Players Training Alone

If your players struggle to get meaningful reps on their own, a 20-minute basketball workout can be a game-changer. This routine comes straight from Coach Collins’ gym and shows how much skill work you can pack into a focused, high-energy session. It works for players of all ages and is perfect for anyone training without a rebounder.

Below is the full breakdown, along with teaching points you can use in practice or send home with your athletes.



1. Form Warm-Up: Perfect Shots (1 minute)

The workout starts with feel and rhythm.

  • Shoot close-range form shots.
  • Aim for “no rim” makes.
  • Gradually move back as consistency improves.

This works like a putting green in golf—just settling into touch before things ramp up.


2. Mid-Range Baseline Series (1 minute)

Players shoot from 8–10 feet on both sides.

  • Never stay on one side for more than two shots.
  • Encourage purposeful footwork and soft finishes.

This is especially helpful when working solo because the ball naturally rebounds to the opposite side.


3. Bank Shot Work (1.5 minutes)

Start at 3–4 feet and hit consistent bank shots on both sides.

Why it matters:

  • It’s a shot players rarely practice.
  • Angles stay consistent regardless of gym.
  • It reinforces touch, balance, and vision.

4. Elbow Jumpers (30 seconds)

Quick catch-and-shoot footwork at both elbows.

5. Runners and Floaters (1.5 minutes)

Start at the college arc and attack the lane.

Players should:

  • Use both hands.
  • Work off both feet.
  • Experiment with different angles.

If players make every shot, they aren’t going fast enough. This part should push them outside their comfort zone.



6. One-Dribble Pull-Up Moves (1.5 minute

From the college three-point line:

  • Hesitations
  • Crossovers
  • Single-dribble pull-ups
  • Change spots on the floor

This builds game-speed decision making while limiting unnecessary dribbling.


7. Block Work: Right and Left (1 minute each)

Even guards need this skill set.

Players practice:

  • Cross-step finishes
  • Up-and-unders
  • Fadeaways
  • Basic post moves using either hand

It also gives players a breather in the middle of the workout when fatigue starts to set in.


8. Baby Hooks (1 minute)

Soft hooks across both blocks.

Not every guard will use this in games, but adding it increases versatility and finishing confidence.


9. One-Dribble Pull-Ups Around the Key (2 minutes)

No fancy moves here—just pure scoring footwork.

This section turns into a conditioning drill as players chase their own rebounds and keep moving.


10. Creative One-Dribble Attacks (1.5 minutes)

Players choose their moves:

  • Spin jumpers
  • Hesitations
  • Crossovers
  • Fake crossovers

This is the “sandbox” portion of the workout where players experiment without overthinking.


11. Three-Point Shooting (2 minutes)

Shoot at the appropriate line for your level (HS, college, NBA).

The key teaching point:
Shoot threes when tired.
This simulates real late-game conditions.


12. One-Dribble Stepbacks (1.5 minutes)

Mid-range or deep—player’s choice.

Stepbacks help open the rest of a player’s scoring package because defenders must respect the space created.


13. Pick-and-Roll Simulation (1.5 minutes)

Use a chair, cone, or imaginary screen.

Players should vary:

  • Angle of attack
  • Number of dribbles
  • Finishes

This is where two-dribble attacks show up organically.


14. Deep Three-Pointers (1.5 minutes)

Shoot within your actual range.

  • If deep threes aren’t realistic, move in.
  • If they are, challenge yourself when fatigued.

This segment builds both confidence and shot tolerance.


15. Free-Throw Cooldown (goal-based)

Finish with made free throws, not minutes.

Examples:

  • Make 10 in a row
  • Make 8 of 10 twice
  • Make 20 total

Players should shoot them tired. That’s the whole point.


Why This 20-Minute Basketball Workout Works

This routine fits everything a player needs into one tight session: shooting touch, finishing, footwork, ball handling, and conditioning. It’s doable at the park, in an empty gym, or even during off-hours at practice. Players improve fastest when they can work consistently, and this workout makes that easy. Oo rebounder required.

Encourage your athletes to hit this daily, track their makes, and take pride in pushing through fatigue. Over time, you’ll see sharper decision-making, better balance, and more confidence in pressure moments.

If you want more breakdowns like this, or if you need help installing a full court press with your team, explore everything on TeachHoops.com. With a 14-day free trial, one-on-one mentoring, and a library of proven practice tools, it’s one of the best places for coaches who want to take the next step.


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