Purpose: To work on team and individual defensive skills in a competitive 3-on-3 setting. By nature of the drill, players are encouraged to work hard and competitively. Players will also learn to work together offensively and further develop their individual skills within the team concept. Drill: This is a half-court drill with 3 offensive players vs. 3 defensive players. The offense attempts to score in any way possible. The defense attempts to stop the offense from scoring and gain … [Read more...]
Jump to the Ball Drill
Purpose: To practice the conversion from on-the-ball to off-the-ball defense. Many players think that their defensive responsibility ends when the player they are guarding passes the basketball. Good defenders will react, anticipate, and play good defense rather than be lazy. Drill: 2 offensive players and 1 defender guarding the player with the ball. O1 makes the pass to O2 on the wing. X1 'jumps to the ball' as the pass is made; staying in a low denial stance to prevent the give-and-go … [Read more...]
2-on-2 Competitive Give-and-Go Drill
Purpose: To practice the give-and-go in a competitive 2-on-2 situation. The offensive players will work on running an effective give-and-go and the defensive players work on properly defending the give-and-go. Drill: The team is split into two teams, O and X, with the lines starting approximately between the three-point line and midcourt. The drill begins with O1 dribbling to an area near the free throw line extended. O2 fakes backdoor and then receives a pass on the other side of the lane. … [Read more...]
4-Man Help and Recover Drill
Purpose: To teach the defender to closeout, defend on-ball, jump to the ball in denial position, recover to defend the shot and blockout. This drill also stresses quick and efficient defensive footwork. Drill: Three offensive men start as shown in the diagram. The defensive man starts about midway between the baseline and free throw line with a basketball. To start the drill, the defender passes the ball to the offensive point man. The point catches the ball in triple threat position as the … [Read more...]
1-on-1 Rollout Closeout Drill
Purpose: This drill helps the offensive player work on scoring from the elbow area while being closely defended. The defensive player works on closing out effectively and defending on-ball scoring moves. Drill: O1 begins on a low block and X1 starts on the opposite low block. O1 rolls the ball out at a diagonal angle toward the opposite elbow area and runs out, picks it up, and pivots to face the basket. As O1 rolls the basketball and goes after it, X1 will go hard across the lane and plant … [Read more...]
1-on-3 Defensive Transition Drill
Purpose: To teach the defender to guard against three offensive players in a fast break situation. This situation may not present itself very often, but it does occur. It is good to have been drilled in this situation. Drill: Four lines needed; three offensive lines at the midcourt line and one defensive line on the baseline. The ball starts in the middle offensive line and the first defender begins at about the free throw line. The middle man dribbles toward the defender as his … [Read more...]
Double-Team and Steal the Pass Drill
Purpose: To work on defensive double team pressure and the anticipation of a pass with the intent to steal. The focus is on defense but it will also benefit offensive players as they will be working on passing under pressure. Drill: This drill uses 3 offensive players and 3 defensive players. O1 dribbles the ball across halfcourt while two defenders (X1 and X2) attack O1 to double team. O1 will then try to pass to O2 or O3. X1 and X2 should be working on proper double team technique -- … [Read more...]
Cycles
Purpose: To teach and develop transition offense in a game-like situation. The focus and emphasis for this drill is on the offense but it will also work on transition defense and is a fabulous drill to build game-type conditioning. Drill: This drill requires 10 players (5 on offense, 5 on defense). Two defenders (X4, X5) wait out of bounds on the opposite baseline, while three defenders (X1, X2, X3) wait out of bounds on the starting side of the court. The five offensive players begin on this … [Read more...]
2-on-2 Practicing the Slide-Through Drill
Purpose: Some teams will only switch on defense. Some will only slide through screens. Some will teach both options. Possibly, the best defensive teams can do both if they communicate well. The purpose of this drill is to teach players how to cooperate while sliding through the screen to keep good defensive position. Drill: 2 offensive players and 2 defensive players at a basket. The 2 offensive players are basically working the pick and roll, but they may also work a handoff or any crossing … [Read more...]
2-on-2 Practicing the Switch Drill
Purpose: Some teams will only switch on defense. Some will only slide through screens. Some will teach both options. Possibly, the best defensive teams can do both if they communicate well. The purpose of this drill is to practice the switch. Drill: 2 offensive players and 2 defensive players at a basket. The 2 offensive players are basically working the pick and roll, but they may also work a handoff or any crossing action. On the screen, the defensive players should both communicate by … [Read more...]