🏀 NBA Final Four Guard Skills Workout: Craft + Power + Pace

Modeled After: Brunson, Haliburton, SGA
Crafty hesitations, deceptive rhythm, functional control under pressure

Intermediate:
- “Walk-Run-Hesi” Drill: Alternate slow dribbles with explosive bursts (simulate SGA/Brunson tempo changes) – 3 reps each side
- Cone Snake Dribbles: Weave through cones using in-and-out, cross, spin – 3 sets
- Stop-Skip-Change: Dribble, stop on a dime, skip forward, crossover – 5 reps each side
Advanced:
- “Haliburton Chaos” Drill: Mix between inside-out, stutter-step, and skip dribble randomly – simulate unpredictable changes
- Live Read Simulation: React to coach/partner hand signal (left = spin, right = cross, up = hesitation), then finish
- Add floaters, mid-range pull-ups, or finishes after each rep

Modeled After: SGA, Brunson, Edwards
Control, contact balance, wrong-foot finishes, explosive takeoffs

Intermediate:
- “Wrong Foot, Wrong Hand” Layups: Right side off left foot (and vice versa) – 3 sets each
- Bump + Finish Drill: Start from wing, bump a pad (or simulate with a chair), finish off glass
- Floaters from Angle: Dribble from wing into paint, floater off glass – 5 reps each side
Advanced:
- SGA Euro + Spin Finish: One-dribble attack into Eurostep → if cut off, spin + reverse
- Brunson Stop-Fade-Reset Drill: Stop on block → up-fake → pivot → finish or fade
- Edwards Explosive Finishes: Start at 3-point line, full-speed 1-dribble dunk/strong layup through imaginary contact

Modeled After: Haliburton, Edwards, SGA
Pull-ups, rhythm threes, hesitation jumpers, step-backs

Intermediate:
- 1-Dribble Pull-Up Series: Catch, jab, 1-dribble pull-up at elbow, wing, and top – 3 reps each
- Quick Trigger 3s: Simulate receiving late shot clock pass – shoot with minimal dip
- Pound-Dribble Stepbacks: Hard pound → plant → stepback → shoot
Advanced:
- SGA Slow-Down Pull-Up: Walk-in from half-court, hesitate into smooth pull-up – 5 reps
- Edwards Stepback to Attack Drill: Stepback → fake → re-attack → finish or shoot
- Haliburton Deep 3s: Start with off-balance, long-range 3s – mix footwork (hop, 1-2, on-the-move)

Modeled After: Brunson & Edwards
Footwork mastery, controlled bump finishes, and mid-air adjustments

Intermediate:
- “Push Dribble + Contact Layup” Drill: Push dribble from wing, jump into resistance (use pad or resistance band)
- Jump Stops + Pivots: Jump stop in paint → pivot series → finish – 4 reps each
- Reverse Finishing Series: Use rim as protection – both sides
Advanced:
- Brunson Post Guard Finishes: Back down to short hook/fade using only 2 dribbles
- Euro + Reverse Bump Finish: Euro from wing → bump with shoulder mid-air → spin off glass
- Edwards Explosive Finishing Drill: Combine vertical pop off 1 or 2 feet into reverse or contact dunk attempt

Modeled After: Haliburton, Brunson, SGA
Manipulating help, using screens, making live reads

Intermediate:
- Pick-and-Pop Simulation: Dribble off cone “screen,” pass to imaginary popper, relocate → receive & shoot
- Float or Kick Drill: Attack from top, make read at elbow (float or “kick” pass then relocate)
- Mid-Range Snake Pull-Ups: Use screen path to snake to foul line area for pull-up
Advanced:
- “2-Read Combo” Drill: After screen, first read = score or pass; second read = help defender arrival (pull back or swing)
- SGA Pocket Pass or Pull-Up Drill: React to imaginary defender – if roller is open, “pass” and relocate; if defender sags, pull-up
- Random Cue Reaction Drill: Partner gives hand signals: shoot, drive, stepback, pass

Modeled After: All 4 Players
Unscripted creativity, conditioning, and confidence building

Intermediate:
- “3-Combo Finish” Drill: Combine 3 different dribble moves into one drive → finish
- Full Court Change-of-Tempo Layups: Jog to half → burst to finish (each rep alternate hands)
- 30-Second Shot Generator: Make as many shots as possible from random spots in 30 seconds
Advanced:
- “Create Your Bag” Challenge: 1 minute to freestyle combo from top into tough shot – stay unpredictable
- Conditioned Shot Clock Drill: Sprint corner to corner → receive pass and shoot with 3 seconds left
- 5-Move Sequence: Jab, attack, spin, stepback, then relocate for catch-and-shoot jumper

🏀 NBA Final Four Guard Skills Workout: “Craft + Power + Pace”