The 2-2-1 Zone Press was first made popular by Coach John Wooden's early UCLA teams. This article explains Coach's basic player responsibilities when executing the 2-2-1. The objective of the 2-2-1 Zone Press is to force the offensive into certain areas and situations. The diagram below shows where the players should line up as the ball is inbounded. 2-2-1 Player Assignments X1 is responsible for guarding the player that receives the inbounds pass. Actually, X1 invites the inbounds pass to … [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...]
Pick It Up Ball Handling Drill
Purpose: To teach the offensive players to protect the basketball and keep it from getting stolen. Also teaches defensive players to be quick in attempting to steal the ball from the offensive player. Drill: Five players start on the baseline and 4 basketballs are placed on the free throw line. On command, the players run to get a basketball. The player without a ball must try to steal one from another player. The four players with a ball must stay in the front court. Run drill for :30 seconds … [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...]
Sprint Shooting Drill
Purpose: To practice shooting a jump shot in a fast break situation at game speed. Drill: Nine players and six basketballs are needed, though you can use less if necessary. All six passers (O) have a basketball. On 'Go', the three X's run their fast break lanes. The three passers pass to the player in their lane. The three shooters shoot, get their own rebound and then fill the three passer spots. After passing, the three passer's sprint out in their respective lanes down the court for a … [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...]
High Pick with Screen Option
This 'High Pick' box set play is a difficult quick hitter to defend. It utilizes a pick and roll and a couple of cuts/screens to create kick-out options on the middle drive. There is also a built in option for a player to either cut or set a doublescreen. The play begins with O4 setting a screen for O1. O3 clears diagonally to the opposite corner while O1 penetrates to the middle. O2 uses a baseline screen from O5 to clear to the other side. O4 will step out or roll to the basket, depending … [Read more...]
56 Made Competitive Shooting Drill
Purpose: To have players shoot from a wide range of spots on the basketball floor in a competitive situation. Drill: Place a group of players at each basket with one basketball. Two baskets minimum. Players in each group begin at spot 1 and shoot only from spot 1 until eight shots are made. The shooter must hustle after and get his own rebound and then pass to the next shooter in line. After a group makes eight shots from one spot, they move to the next spot. This continues until the group … [Read more...]
Team Scramble Rebounding Drill
Purpose: The defensive players must work hard to keep the offensive players from getting to the basketball. Drill: A basketball is placed on the floor under the basket. Five offensive players line up around the perimeter at about the 3-point line. Five defenders stand between the offensive players and the basketball. On the word 'Go', the defenders make contact and block out the offensive players. The goal is to keep them away from the ball for 3 to 5 seconds. Coaching Points: Generally … [Read more...]
Shrink Play
'Shrink' is a baseline out of bounds play you can run against zone defenses. This play forces the defense to collapse, thereby opening up a 3-point shot attempt. O5, O4, and O3 form a stack or line near the free throw lane. O2 spots up in the weakside corner for a pass from the inbounder, O1. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O5 and O4 cut into the open gaps near the basket at the base of the zone. O3 cuts to the open area in the middle of the zone. The cuts of O5, O4, and O3 … [Read more...]