Purpose: To work hard and aggressively defend the offensive player when he picks up his dribble. Also helps develop hand and arm reaction to close off passing lanes. Drill: The offensive player dribbles toward the coach. The coach will yell 'pick it up' after the offensive player has taken several dribbles. The defender tightly guards the offensive player to prevent a pass to the coach. Continue for desired timeframe. Players can work in pairs. After the first two go, the next two jump right … [Read more...]
Full Court Defensive Sliding Drill Series
Purpose: To teach proper sliding techniques and correct sliding angles that are required in a full court defensive system. Also good at teaching basic defensive footwork and works well as a conditioning drill. Full Court Sliding Drill Purpose: To teach proper sliding techniques and correct sliding angles that are required in a full court defensive system. Also a good conditioning drill. Drill: One line of players start at a corner of the court (you could also use two lines of players - one … [Read more...]
Closeout and Jump to the Ball Drill
Purpose: To improve closing-out skills and 'jumping to the ball' when a pass is made. Drill: The players form 3 lines as shown. Coach is at the top of the key and a manager or player is on each wing. The coach will slap the ball to start and each player will run hard toward the coach in a closeout position at the free throw line. When the coach throw the pass to a manager, each player must jump to the ball so they are in a position to deny the ball back to their imaginary offensive player. … [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...]
1-on-1 Zig-Zag Drill Series
Purpose: To work on defending the ball handler in a full court, transition situation. There are 3 sections with this drill that can be practiced individually or fully integrated within a team practice setting. Though not a drill with an offensive emphasis, the dribbler will also get to work on ballhandling and scoring. Drill 1: Defensive Zig-Zag: 1 offensive player, 1 defensive player. Start on one end of the court and continue to opposite baseline, staying between the sideline and free … [Read more...]
Influence the Dribbler Drill
Purpose: Work on the ability to pick up the dribbler at halfcourt by giving pressure, not by backing up. This drill is perfect for when you desire to pressure the dribbler immediately upon reaching the frontcourt. Drill: 1 offensive player with a ball begins on the baseline. 1 defender at halfcourt. The defender will pick up the dribbler as he reaches the midcourt line. The idea is that you do not start retreating when the dribbler arrives; you want to slow up the dribbler or make him pick up … [Read more...]
5 Individual Basketball Defense Drills
Included in this set of 5 individual defense drills are closeout drills, helpside drills, and a transition drills. Each drill incorporates a variety of skills so the basketball player will work on techniques such as closing out, blocking out, helping out, recovering, footwork, and more. Individual Defense Drills archive page photo credit: gus_estrella via photo pin cc … [Read more...]
Closeout Keepaway Drill
Purpose: To learn and develop how to properly closeout on a player ho has picked up the dribble. Drill: Divide players into groups of 3. Groups should find their own space on the court. Passer and receiver should stand approximately 10-15 apart. The drill starts with the basketball in O1's hands, O2 defending O1, and O3 ready to receive the pass. O1 passes to O3, follows the pass and closes out properly on him. O3, upon receiving the pass from O1, takes a couple of stationary … [Read more...]
1 on 1 Gladiator Drill
Purpose: In a transition setting, little elements are overlooked within the big picture. For example, when players go 1 on 1 full court, the focus tends to be on sprinting down the court. As a result, players forget to block out prior to transitioning down the court. This drill stresses all areas of 1 on 1 defense and offense. Players are required to do the little things or they will be penalized accordingly. The elements used in this workout will numerous and can translate into better defensive … [Read more...]