The purpose of phrase exercises is to develop speed and feel. You can practice these exercises two ways. Your primary practice method is to say learn the sticking and rhythm and play the exercise while saying the phrase in your head. You alternate method is to count the exercise. In both cases, practice different tempos and strive for smoothness and musical phrasing.

Ham-bone is a drum exercise based on the following phrase:

ham bone ham bone who's got the ham bone

Basically you base exercises on this phrase

RLL RLL RLL RLL RRL RRL RLL RLL