Purpose: Learn to force opponents away from normal offensive starting positions and to keep them from receiving the basketball. Drill: Place 2-3 groups of two on the court as shown. The offensive players should be in 'normal' offensive positions so that the defenders can see if they are forcing them away from the basket. The offensive twosomes attempt to pass the ball while the defender, using good footwork and balance, attempt to stop the completion of the pass. The receiver should attempt … [Read more...]
Dribble, Stop and Jump Shot Drill
Purpose: To work on shooting the jump shot off the dribble. Develop the skill of executing the pull-up as a help defender is closing in. Drill: O1 begins by dribbling toward the free throw line. X1 cuts over to a good defensive position between O1 and the basket, forcing the pull-up shot. O1 stops and shoots the jump shot. X2 retrieves the rebound, passing out to O2 and the drill continues. Lines rotate clockwise. … [Read more...]
Defensive Slide and Change-of-Direction Drill
Purpose: To teach defensive footwork (defensive slides, pivoting, and change-of-direction) in a fullcourt, game-like setting. Also a good drill to build pressure defense and overall conditioning. Drill: Place 7 cones on the court as shown. Players begin at a corner of the baseline facing the near basket and guarding an imaginary offensive player. Each defender slides with bent knees, staying low, and moving laterally until reaching the cone. Once at the cone, he pivots (reverse pivot) and … [Read more...]
1-4 Low Drive Play
The 1-4 Low Drive Play is a simple to run and very effective if you have a point guard that is good in a 1-on-1 situation. O1 begins at the top while the other four players are spread along the baseline. O1 dribbles on his defender to either the right or left side. In this diagram, O1 dribbles to the right. O3 moves to get open for a potential pass and three-point shot. O2 cuts to the top to replace O1. O5, upon seeing O1 drive in his direction, steps out to the short corner. Stepping out … [Read more...]
Conditioning Free Throw Drill
This is a good free throw drill to utilize when you are stressing conditioning, particularly in the preseason or early season. Divide the team as desired at the available baskets in your gym. The rules are simple and as follows: Each time a players steps to the line, he will shoot a one-and-one (or bonus) situation. If he misses the first attempt, he runs 2 laps around the gym, sprinting the sidelines and jogging the baseline. Because he missed the front end of the one-and-one, he does not get … [Read more...]
Mismatch Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To work on defensive rebounding in a competitive setting made even more challenging because the defenders are at a disadvantage. Drill: This rebounding drill is a mismatch drill where the two defenders attempt to out rebound the three offensive players. A coach or manager will shoot the basketball while the defensive players try to gain the rebound and outlet the ball to the coach. The offensive players also try to secure the rebound. If the offense gets the rebound, they attempt to … [Read more...]
How to Defend the Flex Cut
Many offenses, even if they do not specifically run the Flex offense, they will often utilize the baseline flex cut. This article will help you learn how to defend the flex cut. When defending the baseline flex cut, it is preferrable to body up and force the cutter low and possibly out of bounds to take him out of the play. By forcing the cutter low, the player defending the screener can also stay close so he cannot step back into the lane and get a pass after screening. The main objective is … [Read more...]
3-2 Zone Defense Basics
This article and diagrams will cover the basic principles for playing an aggressive and effective 3-2 zone defense. This defense is not utilized so that the players just stand around and let the offense attack. In the 3-2 zone defense, we want to be the aggressor. The defenders must move quickly and with purpose. We do not allow teams to penetrate the zone and we strive to keep the ball out of the middle. The defenders will wave their arms, try to steal the ball, and encourage the offense to … [Read more...]
1-4 Low Middle Stagger Play
Get an open 3-point shot with this play out of the 1-4 low alignment. Also a great play that can be used to attack the lane with a middle drive. O1 dribbles the ball up the side (left side in this diagram, but either side will work). The other players align themselves in a 1-4 low set. As O1 dribbles across the top of the key extended, O5 will set an on-ball screen for him. O1 drives into the middle of the floor. O4 slides into the low post. O1 may have a shot from the lane or a dump pass … [Read more...]
5-on-5 Catch Up
Purpose: To work on transition defense by getting back quickly, stopping the basketball, and communicating effectively in a disadvantage situation. Drill: Five offensive players line up on the baseline. Five defensive players line along the free throw line extended across from the offensive players. A coach starts behind the defenders with a basketball. The drill starts with the coach passing to any one of the five offensive players. Once the offense receives the ball, they will transition … [Read more...]