There are a number of workouts for basketball players that can improve various aspects of a player’s game. Hand-eye coordination, balance, stamina and, of course, skill repetition are important to be all you can be on the basketball court. Here are a few you can work on in the offseason, or implement for the team you’re coaching.

Wind-sprints
Also known as “suicides,” wind-sprints are good for stamina, as well as adjusting your body to rapid changes in movement. Start on the baseline—the line that runs at one end of the court underneath the backboard. There are four parts to this particular drill: 1) sprint from the baseline to the free throw line (or free throw line extended), reach down and touch it with one hand, then turn around and run back to the baseline. 2) Without stopping, touch the baseline, and sprint to halfcourt and touch that line with your hand; then, turn around and run back to the baseline. 3) Without stopping, touch the baseline again, then run to the far free throw line (extended), touch it, and run back to the baseline. 4) Without stopping, touch the baseline, then run the full length of the court and touch the opposite baseline, turning and round and running back through your starting point.

Chest Pass Shuffle
A good drill to improve stamina and also work on your passing skills. Start off in the corner, while your partner stands on the block underneath the hoop. Shuffle your feed sideways while you feed each other chest passes. Try going the full length of the court, then stop and change directions and shuffle back to your starting point.

Defensive Shuffle
To play basketball, you’ll have to play defense, and that involves a lot of lateral movement in the defensive stance. A good drill for this involves starting behind the baseline in the corner of the court. Start facing the nearest basket. Shuffle backwards and diagonally towards the end of the free throw line extended; then, change direction—dropping your left food backwards towards half court—and repeat the same motion to the left, all the way to half court. Then, drop your right leg back and repeat the same motion to the opposite free throw line extended, finally repeating again with your left leg dropping back, heading backwards to the corner at the other end of the floor.

The Mikan Layup Drill
Of course, there are a number of detailed shooting drills every basketball player should know, but probably the most basic is the Mikan Drill—as a layup is the most important shot in the game. Start by standing under the hoop, facing the baseline, and use your right arm to lay the ball off the backboard and in. As the ball comes through the net, switch over to your left arm, and do the same thing. Keep going until you are making hook shot after hook shot. The Mikan Layup Drill is named after the late Hall of Famer George Mikan.