Fiba Europe Cup Basketball

Let’s be honest, when we talk about playing basketball fast, it’s not just about raw foot speed. It’s about processing the game at a higher tempo, making decisions in a split second, and executing those decisions before the defense can even blink. I’ve spent years studying the game, both on the court and from the analyst’s chair, and I can tell you that speed is a skill. It can be trained, drilled, and ingrained. The difference between a good player and a game-changer often boils down to who can control the pace. Think about a player like Jason Perkins from the PBA. In a crucial game for Phoenix, after a tough start to their conference, he didn’t just show up; he operated with a decisive speed that cut through the defense. Going 6-of-12 from the field for 19 points and five rebounds might seem like a solid stat line, but it’s the how that matters. Those baskets came within the flow of a team desperate to push the pace and create advantages. His performance was a masterclass in playing fast without being rushed—a crucial distinction.

So, how do you build that kind of speed? It starts away from the spotlight, in the grind of deliberate practice. I’m a firm believer that you can’t just tell someone to “play faster”; you have to build the neural and muscular pathways that make speed automatic. The first drill I always come back to, and one I think is criminally underused, is the “Two-Ball Pound Dribble.” Stand in a strong athletic stance and simply pound two basketballs as hard and as fast as you can for 30-second bursts. It sounds simple, but it forces your nervous system to fire at a max capacity, improving hand speed and coordination. You’re not working on moves here; you’re working on the engine. Another cornerstone for me is the “Outlet Pass to Sprint Finish.” This one requires a partner or a wall. You start under the basket, throw a crisp, baseball-style outlet pass to a target (simulating starting a fast break), then sprint the length of the court to receive a return pass for a layup at full speed. Do this repeatedly, focusing on the speed and accuracy of the pass—the first step in any fast break—and then translating that into a full-speed finish without breaking stride. I’ve seen players add a genuine burst to their game after just a few weeks of consistent work on this.

Decision-making speed is where many players plateau. You can be quick in a straight line, but if you’re a half-second slow reading the defense, it’s all for nothing. That’s why I’m a huge proponent of “Read-and-React Drills” with live defenders. For example, set up a 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 fast break situation with a coach or teammate giving a simple defensive cue as you approach—like pointing left or right. The ball handler must read that cue and instantly make the correct pass or finish. This bridges the gap between uncontested drilling and game chaos. Similarly, the “Spin-and-Go” drill is a personal favorite for building explosive first steps after a change of direction. Start at the elbow, receive a pass, take one hard dribble toward the baseline, spin back, and then explode past an imaginary defender to the rim. The key is the violent, low change of direction on the spin and the immediate acceleration out of it. It mimics how you create separation when a defense thinks they have you cornered.

Conditioning for speed is non-negotiable, but it has to be sport-specific. Long, slow runs won’t cut it. Basketball speed is about repeated high-intensity bursts. This is where “Suicide Sprints with a Ball” come in. Dribble a ball at full speed to the free-throw line and back, then to half-court and back, then to the far free-throw line and back, and finally full-court and back. Your lungs will burn, but this builds the exact type of stamina you need to maintain speed in the fourth quarter. For shooting speed, nothing beats “Catch-and-Shoot Under Pressure.” Have a passer and a defender (who can lightly contest) stationed around the perimeter. Sprint from different spots on the court, catch, and shoot in one fluid motion. The goal isn’t just to make shots, but to shrink the time between your feet being set and the ball leaving your fingertips. I’ve tracked players who can get this time down from around 0.8 seconds to 0.6 seconds—a massive difference at the elite level. Finally, integrate everything with “Full-Court 1-on-1.” This is the ultimate test. Start under one basket, check the ball to your partner, and play live. It forces you to practice speed with the ball, defensive speed in transition, and decision-making all at once, under fatigue. It’s brutally hard but incredibly effective.

Watching a player like Perkins in that Phoenix game, you see the culmination of this work. The 19 points weren’t from isolations; they were from quick seals, fast-break fills, and sharp cuts—all actions predicated on playing with and against speed. His 5 rebounds likely sparked immediate transitions. That’s the end goal. These seven drills—from the foundational ball-handling to the integrated full-court battle—are a blueprint. They won’t just make you quicker; they’ll make you faster in the ways that truly impact winning. You’ll process the game like it’s in slow motion because you’ve trained your body and mind to operate at a breakneck pace. Start with one or two, be consistent, and measure your progress not just by the clock, but by how often you beat the defense to the spot. That’s where the game is won.