Coaching Drills · Skills
The Mikan Drill
- November 13, 2026
The Mikan Drill is one of the most-used finishing drills in basketball, from junior training to the professional game. Players make layups on alternate sides of the rim without letting the ball drop, which builds soft touch, quick footwork and confidence with the weaker hand.
It needs one player, one ball and one basket, so it works as a warm-up at training and as something players can practise at home. It is named after George Mikan, the great 1940s and 50s centre, whose college coach used it to sharpen his footwork around the basket.
- Players 1 per basket
- Equipment 1 ball, 1 basket
- Time 30–60 second sets
- Level Beginners to seniors
- Focus Finishing, footwork, weak hand
What it builds
- Finishing with both hands close to the rim
- The right layup footwork on each side of the basket
- Soft touch off the backboard
- Keeping the ball high and safe from defenders
- Rhythm, balance and fitness
Setup
- One player, one ball and one basket. With a bigger group, use every basket in the hall or rotate players every 30 seconds.
- The player starts on the right side of the basket, about a step out from the rim and in front of the backboard, holding the ball above their shoulders.
- A coach or teammate keeps time and counts the makes.
How to run it
- Right-hand layup. From the right side, jump off the left foot and lay the ball off the backboard with the right hand.
- Catch it high. Catch the ball as it comes through the net, before it hits the floor, and keep it above your shoulders. Don’t bring it down to your waist.
- Step across. Take one step under the rim to the left side. No dribble.
- Left-hand layup. Jump off the right foot and lay the ball off the backboard with the left hand.
- Keep going. Catch it high, step back across and finish on the right again. Keep a steady rhythm for the whole set.
A set: 30 seconds counting makes, or 10 makes in a row. Do 3 to 5 sets with a short rest between them.
Coaching points
- High hands. The ball stays at head height from the catch to the shot, where defenders can’t reach it.
- Eyes on the target. Look at the top corner of the small square on the backboard.
- Opposite foot, opposite hand. Jump off the foot opposite your shooting hand.
- Soft touch. Lay the ball high and gently on the glass. Don’t throw it.
- Quick feet. One step across, staying close to the basket.
Common mistakes
- Bringing the ball down to the waist before each shot.
- Jumping off the wrong foot.
- Using the stronger hand on both sides.
- Drifting under or behind the backboard, which leaves no angle to the rim.
- Rushing and missing. Get the rhythm first, then add speed.
Progressions
- Starting out. Let the ball bounce once before the catch, and walk through the footwork before adding the jump.
- Reverse Mikan. Start under the basket facing the court. Step across and finish with a reverse layup on the other side, using the rim to protect the ball.
- Power Mikan. Jump off both feet and finish strong with two hands. Good for post players and for finishing through contact.
- Add contact. A coach holds a pad and bumps the player gently as they go up, so they learn to finish through contact.
- Hook-shot Mikan. For older players: finish each side with a short hook shot instead of a layup.
Why it matters
A few minutes of Mikans at every training session adds up quickly. Players who can finish with either hand around the rim are much harder to stop.
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