Improving the distance on your shot is important to becoming a better offensive player. Extending your shooting range should be a goal for any player, regardless of what position you play, or what your shooting range is currently.

After you are warmed up and have done some close-in form shooting drills, work your way back to the the furthest distance from the basket you are comfortable shooting from (in other words, the extent of your current shooting range). Shoot 10 jump shots from this range. Once you have made 8 out of 10, you are ready to move back 1 to 2 feet further than you would normally shoot from. Make sure you use the same form on the shot you normally use, getting extra strength and power from your lower body. Really focus on shooting with perfect form. Shoot 10 jump shots from this distance. Then, move back another 1 to 2 feet and repeat the drill. Continue to move back 1 to 2 feet from the basket for each series of 10 shots, but stop once you are unable to maintain solid form on the shot. Once you can no longer use your typical shooting form, stop the drill. Your goal is to increase your shooting range over time, a little bit each workout.

Two-Ball Dribble Drills

Two ball drills are some of the best possible drills for improving your ball handling skills. Start by dribbling both balls from the baseline up to the free throw line, with both basketballs hitting the ground at the same time. Once you reach the free throw line, start a stagger dribble where each ball hits the ground separately. Use this stagger dribble to the half court line, then switch back to a simultaneous dribble to the free throw line, then a stagger dribble to the baseline. Do this for 2 full court lengths.

Next, do an up and back drill where you take 4 or 5 steps forward dribbling both balls, then take 2 or 3 steps back, continuing the full length of the court.

Cross the Lane Jump Shot

Playing in the post will often involve cutting across the lane to receive a pass. To simulate this game-situation, toss the ball out to yourself as you cut across the lane. Catch the ball, and go up for a quick baby-hook shot. Do this cutting from right to left across the lane (shooting the ball with your left hand), then switch and do it cutting from left to right across the lane (shooting the hook with your right hand). Shoot 10 shots from cutting across the lane from each direction.

Then swtich to a face-up move. Cut across the lane while tossing the ball to yourself, but rather than going up for a quick hook shot, turn and fully face the basket. First, shoot a quick jump shot. Do this 10 times from each direction.

Then, turn and face, make a quick pump fake and take one dribble and go up strong to the basket. Do this 10 times from each direction. These drills should get you in great shape, help you work on your inside touch, and make you a more confident inside offensive player.

Offensive Rebound and Put-Backs

As an offensive rebounder, a key focus area is going up strong for the follow up shot once you've grabbed the rebound.

Start 4 or 5 feet out from the basket on the right side. Toss the ball against the backboard and go up strong for the rebound. Keeping the ball at chest level or above, go back up strong for the shot, banking in the put-back shot. Do this 10 times from each side of the basket.

Next, do the same drill, but after grabbing the rebound, give a quick pump fake before going back up with the shot. Inside players are often anxious to block shots, so giving the quick pump fake will often get a defender off his feet or out of position so you can quickly go back up with the put-back. Do the pump fake and put back shot 10 times from each side of the basket.

Overhead, 2-handed passes

Making an overhead, 2-handed pass is an essential tool to playing offense. There will be lots of times when you need to make a long pass to a teammate who is across or up the floor from you.

Have a teammate stand 20 to 25 feet away from you. Put the ball above your head, and hold it with both hands. As you step forward with one foot, move the ball back slightly so it's above your head and slightly back (so it's not directly above your head, but just above and behind it). As your foot hits the ground, extend your arms out so you make a good, strong pass, and your arms end up full extended, out in front of your head.

Practice throwing these pass over farily long distances, because that is the typical situation in which these passes will be thrown in game situations. As you practice passing to your teammates, keep moving back so you have to throw the pass over longer and longer distances.

Slides

As touched on in the earlier drill, defensive slides are a key to being a good defender. Work on your defensive slides to become a better defender.

Here's a great drill to become a better defender. Start under the basket, and sprint to the free throw line under control. As you near the free throw line, slow down, and chop your steps so you are under control and ready to slide (this is called "closing out" on an offensive player). Once you close out to the free throw line, slide quickly and powerfully to one corner of the court (where the sideline and baseline meet). Repeat the drill several times, sliding to one side, then the other. This gets you used to closing out on an offensive player, then quickly being able to slide to one side or the other to defend them.