You know, when we talk about playing basketball fast, it’s not just about raw foot speed. It’s about processing the game quicker, making decisions in a split second, and having the agility to execute them before the defense reacts. I’ve always been fascinated by players who seem to operate on a different clock. Take Jason Perkins’ performance recently for Phoenix. In a crucial game, he went 6-of-12 from the field, dropping 19 points and grabbing five rebounds to snap a two-game losing streak. That stat line isn’t just about accuracy; it’s a testament to playing with pace and efficiency. He wasn’t just running fast; he was playing fast—reading the defense, finding his spots, and capitalizing without hesitation. That’s the blend we’re after. Over my years coaching and playing, I’ve found that specific, targeted drills are far more effective than just mindless sprinting. So, let’s dive into seven drills I personally rely on and have seen skyrocket players’ functional speed and agility on the court.
First, let’s talk about the foundational element: linear speed. But we’re not training for a track meet. The “Three-Quarter Court Sprint with a Ball” is my non-negotiable starting point. Dribble at full speed from one baseline to the opposite free-throw line, touch the line, and immediately sprint back. The key is maintaining control of the dribble at top speed—something most players neglect. I time my athletes on this, and a good benchmark for a guard is under 7.5 seconds for the round trip. It’s brutal, but it mimics the end-to-end bursts you see in transition. Next, we have to address change of direction. The classic “Lane Agility Drill” is good, but I’ve modified it into what I call the “Reactive Box Drill.” Set up four cones in a square. Start in the middle, and a coach or partner points to a cone. You sprint to it, touch the floor, and shuffle back to the center before reacting to the next direction. This isn’t a pre-planned pattern; it’s pure reaction. It trains your brain and feet to work together under unpredictable stimuli, which is exactly what happens when a defender cuts off your driving lane.
Now, agility without the ball is only half the battle. My third drill is the “Two-Ball Pound Dribble Series” in a staggered stance. This isn’t about moving your feet; it’s about training your nervous system and hand speed. Pound two balls simultaneously as hard as you can for 30 seconds, then switch to alternating pounds for another 30. The chaos this creates forces your brain to process independent limb movements, which directly translates to quicker, more controlled handles under defensive pressure. I’ve seen players improve their dribble drive initiation speed by nearly 20% after six weeks of consistent work. For the fourth drill, we integrate a skill finish. The “Speed Dribble into Pull-Up” is simple but devastatingly effective. Start at half-court, explode with your maximum three dribbles to the three-point line, rise, and shoot. The constraint of three dribbles forces explosive pushes off the floor. Miss the shot? That’s fine. The goal here is building the muscle memory of gathering and shooting at full sprint, just like Perkins did on those catch-and-shoot opportunities off quick ball movement.
My fifth favorite is all about deceleration, which is arguably more important than acceleration. The “Backpedal to Closeout” drill. Start under the basket, backpedal quickly to the three-point line, then immediately explode forward into a defensive closeout stance, chopping your feet. The magic happens in the transition from moving backward to springing forward. Most players are slow because they can’t stop their momentum efficiently. This drill builds that brake-and-gas-pedal control. For the sixth drill, we get game-specific with the “Read-and-React Weave.” Two lines at the top of the key. The first player dribbles hard at the wing, where a passive defender is stationed. The dribbler must read the defender’s foot—if it’s back, he pulls up; if it’s even, he attacks the rim. This isn’t a drill about physical testing; it’s about decision-making at speed. I love it because it bridges the gap between drill work and live play. You’re training your eyes and your mind to keep up with your body.
Finally, the seventh drill is a conditioning monster that ties it all together: “Full-Court Touch-and-Go’s.” Sprint from baseline to baseline, touch the line with your hand, and immediately return. Do this for 45 seconds straight. The goal isn’t just to survive but to maintain technical form in your sprint and change of direction as fatigue sets in. That fourth quarter burst for a loose ball or that late-game defensive stop? This is where it’s forged. I’m a firm believer that your speed in minute one is irrelevant if it’s gone by minute thirty. This drill builds the specific stamina for sustained pace.
So, what’s the throughline here? It’s not about getting marginally faster in a straight line. It’s about developing what I call “game speed”—the fusion of cognitive processing, technical skill, and explosive movement. Look back at Perkins’ 19-point game. Those points came within the flow, from making quick reads and having the agility to create a sliver of space. These seven drills, practiced with intent, systematically build that capacity. They move you from being a fast runner to a fast basketball player. Start integrating them into your workouts, focus on the quality of each rep over the quantity, and you’ll be shocked at how quickly the game starts to slow down for you. Because when you’re the one controlling the tempo, everyone else is just trying to keep up.