Purpose: To teach the defenders how to fight through and help on a pick and roll. It also gives the offensive players opportunity to work on setting the pick and roll. Drill: This drill has 3 offensive players and 3 defensive players set up as shown. O1 starts with the ball at the top. O2 begins the drill by setting a screen for O1. O1 attempts to run X1 into the screen. X2 must step up and 'show himself' to O1. This will force O1 to dribble wider, thereby creating a lane for X1 to step … [Read more...]
Defending the Give & Go and High Pick Backscreen
Purpose: This drill is specifically designed to work on defending the high pick or back screen. 'Defending the Give & Go with a High Pick' has several variations. It can be run from the wing, the baseline, or the top; as shown. By moving the drill to different areas the players will realize that the principles learned apply regardless of where they are on the floor. Drill: Place 6 players at a basket (or create lines if needed) The drill begins with O1 passing to O2, who … [Read more...]
1-on-1 Defend the Wing Drill
Purpose: To improve 1-on-1 defense; both in denying your opponent the basketball and in denying him from scoring. Drill: The offensive player starts on the low block and makes a cut to the wing. The defender attempts to deny the pass. If the offensive player receives the pass, it becomes a 1-on-1 situation (2-3 dribbles max). Coaching Points: Deny entry pass Force offensive player toward the corner Make the offensive player catch the ball as far out as possible … [Read more...]
Step Across the Post Drill
Purpose: To teach the post defender how to work in defending the post when the ball is rotated by way of a pass. Good offensive players will work to seal off the defender to get a pass inside. Maintaining continuous post defense is necessary. This drill focuses on the defenders footwork and learning to play more with quickness rather than strength. Drill: Two offensive players with a ball on the perimeter. One offensive post player and one post defender. The defender will start by … [Read more...]
3-on-2 Full Court Chaser Drill
Purpose: To work on a fast break situation and develop the decision making abilities of the point guard (or whoever is leading the break). Also is good for working on transition defense. Drill: This drill is run as a 3-on-2 with a defensive chaser attempting to 'recover' and make it a 3-on-3. The point guard starts on the free throw line (or free throw line extended) and the chaser starts on the baseline. The other two defenders start inside their respective players and a step or two closer … [Read more...]
3-on-4 Halfcourt Defense Drill
Purpose: To work on and improve defensive stance, lateral movement, closeout technique and defensive communication. Drill: The drill begins, as shown in above diagram -- 4 offensive players line up around the three-point line, 3 defenders begin in the lane area, and the coach has the basketball up top. The coach can pass to any of the four offensive players along the three-point line. The defensive players have to move on the pass (closeout, deny position, weakside position) and communicate … [Read more...]
Reaction 3-Man Weave to 2-on-1 Drill
Purpose: To work on transition offense, transition defense, conditioning, and reacting quickly to a situation that occurs on the court. Drill: The players will set up in three lines outside the baseline. The first three players (O1, O2, O3) move onto the court and begin executing a 3-man weave going down the court. The players will continue until the coach blows his whistle or yells the command 'change'. Upon hearing the whistle, whoever has the basketball will immediately drop it and sprint … [Read more...]
4 Man Touch the Line
Purpose: To demonstrate a defensive emergency situation that allows the defense to practice against an offensive advantage. Drill: 4 defenders, numbered 1 through 4, line up along the free throw line extended, facing the baseline. 4 offensive players line up just inside the baseline, facing the other end of the court. A coach is standing on the court with a basketball. The coach will pass the basketball to one of the offensive players who will proceed up the court with his teammates. Just as … [Read more...]
3-on-3 with Open Post Drill
Purpose: This drill is mainly used to focus on the defensive side, but is also good for working on offensive movement. It helps to teach closing the gap defensively and reacting to post passes. It also places added pressure on the defense because of the extra offensive player. Drill: 3 offensive players start around the perimeter and the 4th starts on the low block. 3 defensive players start along the baseline as shown. The drill begins with X1 passing out to O1. X1, X2, and X3 sprint and … [Read more...]
Rush Drill
Purpose: Teach the defensive player to retreat quickly in a disadvantage situation and to possibly hold up the offensive players long enough for help to come. Drill: Have 3 lines under a basket as shown. The player in the middle line will begin with the basketball. The middle player will execute a speed dribble to the other end of the court and shoot a layup while the two outside players sprint down and secure the rebound. The player who scored the layup must now sprint back on defense to the … [Read more...]