If you’re looking for a way to fire up your players and toughen them around the basket, you need a strong basketball finishing drill. Finishing at the rim, especially through contact, is one of the toughest skills young players must develop. In today’s post, I’ll walk you through a drill that teaches players how to finish hard and stay aggressive. Plus, I’ll share tips on running it safely and effectively.This basketball finishing drill is great for middle school and high school teams. It brings energy to your practices while building skills that transfer directly to games. Best of all, it’s fun and competitive—two things that keep players engaged!

Why You Need a Basketball Finishing Drill in Every Practice

First and foremost, finishing through contact separates good players from great ones. Many youth players shy away from physical play near the basket. However, running a basketball finishing drill regularly builds their toughness.

Additionally, drills like this prepare players for real-game scenarios. In a real game, nobody lets you walk to the rim untouched. Players must learn how to absorb contact and still score. That is why finishing drills should be a key part of your practice plan.

If you want more ideas on how to structure your practices, TeachHoops.com’s practice planning guide is a fantastic resource.

How to Run the MAA Basketball Finishing Drill

The MAA Drill is a simple, energetic way to teach finishing skills. It also builds competitive spirit in your gym. Here’s how to set it up:

• Line up players on each block under the basket.
• The coach (or a passer) throws the ball to either side randomly.
• The player must attack the basket while the opposite block player contests the shot.
• Players must play through contact but stay under control. No unnecessary roughness is allowed.
• After the play, the next two players immediately step in.

The drill should run for about five minutes with high intensity. Because it is quick and aggressive, players stay engaged without getting bored. Furthermore, it creates a game-like finishing environment that players love.

For more ways to develop finishing skills, check out these Basketball Drills from CoachingYouthHoops.com.

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Expanding the Basketball Finishing Drill to Different Spots

Once your players master the basic version, add more complexity. Move players to the free-throw line or baseline for a new challenge. You can even allow players to take charges during the drill if you coach older or more skilled athletes.

While doing this, emphasize two important defensive concepts:

• Verticality: Players must contest shots by going straight up with two hands.
• Controlled aggression: Play hard but safely to avoid injuries.

The ultimate goal is helping players learn how to finish against real defenders. Because of this, toughness improves and so does their body control.

Need more drills that challenge players’ finishing ability? Here’s a helpful resource from TeachHoops on Basketball Practice Drills That Work.

Make It Fun: Add Player Call-Outs at the End

A fun twist to this basketball finishing drill is allowing players to call out who they want to challenge. Players love picking their matchup and competing. This not only spices up the drill, but it also shows who is competitive and who tends to back down.

You’ll learn a lot about your team just by watching who calls out stronger players. Moreover, it builds team chemistry because everyone cheers each other on.

As always, keep the environment supportive but competitive. We want players to push themselves without fear of being embarrassed.

Final Thoughts on the Basketball Finishing Drill

Running a basketball finishing drill like this every week toughens your team and improves scoring under pressure. Plus, it brings a lot of energy to practice, which young players always need.

For even more coaching tools, visit TeachHoops.com for coaching resources, or watch great drills on the TeachHoops YouTube Channel. Keep working, coach—you’re building players for the long run!

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