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Mikan Drill

The Mikan Drill trains players to finish layups with either hand directly under the basket, without needing to dribble first. It builds soft touch, footwork rhythm, and the confidence to score through contact near the rim.

Age RangeAges 8+
Duration5–8 minutes
Group SizeIndividual or pairs
SportBasketball

Equipment Needed

  • One basketball
  • One hoop

Setup

  • Player stands under the basket, ball in both hands.
  • No other equipment or partners are required, making this a great warm-up or homework drill.
Mikan DrillRRight handLLeft handAlternate right & left layups — no dribbleCatch each make off the rim before switching sides

Instructions

  1. Starting on the right side of the rim, take one step and lay the ball in with the right hand off the glass.
  2. Catch the ball off the rim before it hits the ground, pivot to the left side, and immediately lay it in with the left hand.
  3. Continue alternating sides without dribbling — right, left, right, left — for 30 to 45 seconds.
  4. Rest 15 seconds and repeat for 3 to 5 sets, tracking makes per set to measure improvement over the season.
Coaching Points
  • Keep the ball high, near the shoulder or ear, so it can't be stripped from below.
  • Use a soft touch off the glass rather than forcing the ball at the rim.
  • Land on balance after each shot before beginning the next step — rushed footwork is the most common breakdown.
  • Eyes should pick a spot on the backboard, not the ball, on the way up.

Variation

For advanced players, add a dribble entry from the free-throw line, or run a two-ball version where a coach feeds a second ball for a rebound-and-finish sequence. For younger players, allow the ball to bounce once before catching it off the rim.

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