Triple Threat Progression

This is a progression I use daily with my players; it may be only for 2-3 minutes, or as much as five. I stole this drill from Coach Fergot of LaCrosse Central High School (LaCrosse, WI) who is a GREAT teacher of the game. It’s really simple but emphasizes the point of squaring to the basket. Some coaches don’t use triple threat, and if you don’t you can just use “square” as in squaring to the basket.
The progression goes like this:

-Coach calls “triple threat”, players snap into triple threat – do 2-5 times just to get used to it.
-Then coach calls “triple threat” again, players spin the ball out (spin out so it bounces back to them) and catch the ball on the hop into triple threat. This is simulating catching a pass from another player in a game. The players can also throw the ball off the wall and catch the ball on the hop into triple threat. Again, do this 2-5 times just so they get the feel down.
-The coach then calls “triple threat” along with a pivot foot (left/right). The players spin the ball back, hop into triple threat, and pivot on the chosen foot. If you are a coach that teaches one pivot foot, then you just say pivot and they pivot on their given foot. When they do this, have them work reverse and front pivots. Also have them pretend there is a defender in front of them and make sure they don’t turn their back and they maintain vision. I would do this one 2-3 times per foot.
-Another possible take on this is having your players throw the ball off the wall or spin back to themselves and square up on their inside foot, as they would on the catch.
-Lastly, if you have a coach or a partner, the player does the “Boss Drill”. The defender starts with the ball, on the coaches command, the defender tosses the ball to the offensive player who catches it into triple threat, then the defender comes up and slaps at the ball as offensive player rips and pivots protecting the ball.

-Points of Emphasis: When I teach triple threat, I’m not big on the ball being in the shot pocket, I want it in that area, but it doesn’t have to be perfect, especially if the defender is tight. When teaching triple threat, it’s important to teach the athlete to always catch the ball on the hop so that they can use either pivot foot. They should be facing the basket so they can see what is going on and either shoot, dribble, or pass depending on the situation. When working on pivoting, I like to teach ripping the ball knee to knee with their elbows up ripping the ball below the knee level when he goes from side to side. I teach keeping the body between the ball and the defender.

Is this earthshattering, brand new stuff? Of course not! I am sure that many of you do something similar. I just wanted to share this in case it can add something a little bit different. It's a great footwork drill and will help your players with their ball sureness.