Purpose: To work on closing out effectively while still being able to cut off dribble penetration. Drill: One defensive player, one offensive player, and one passer needed for this drill. The passer stands at the top of the key with a basketball. The defender starts on the low block (X1) and the offensive player starts on the wing (O1). 'C' passes the basketball to O1 on the wing. X1 closes out on O1 from his position on the low block. O1 attempts to drive against X1 and can go … [Read more...]
2-on-1 Wing Shot and Defend Drill
Purpose: This combination drill works on a variety of basketball skills and fundamentals. The offensive players work on dribbling, passing, jump stops, and layups or jump shots. The defender works on stopping the dribbler and then recovering to help defend the wing shot or drive. Drill: Two offensive players near midcourt, one in the middle with basketball and one near the sideline. One defender begins at the free throw line. O1 begins by dribbling toward the lane, forcing X1 to defend … [Read more...]
10 Defensive Tactics When Guarding the Basketball
Individual defensive techniques are very important in your overall defensive scheme. These ideas and tactics should be emphasized with your players as you teach one-on-one skills within your overall team defense. We know the importance of helpside defense and how a good team defense can utterly disrupt an opponent, however, each individual defender must also understand his responsibility for controlling his own man. The following tactics should be emphasized, taught, and discussed with your … [Read more...]
Defensive Cutthroat
Purpose: To teach players either 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 defensive skills in a gamelike situation. The focus is on halfcourt defense and, more specifically, the defensive philosophy you want your players to abide by. Drill: This drill can be performed either 3-on-3 or 4-on-4. This will depend on your preference and the number of players you have available on your team. 4 offensive players line up outside the three-point line. 4 defensive players line up along the baseline. The additional team … [Read more...]
Closeout and Contest Dribble Drive Drill
Purpose: To work on closeouts, stopping the dribble-drive, and overall 1-on-1 defense. The offensive player gets to work on scoring off of a dribble move. Drill: Utilize baskets and groups or have all players at one basket. The players will be under the basket but off the court. The first player in line is on the baseline with a basketball. An offensive player starts at the free throw line. To begin, the first player in line rolls the basketball to the offensive player (in diagram, X1 to … [Read more...]
1-on-1 Press Drill
Purpose: To teach fullcourt defensive tactics and improve conditioning. Also useful for the offensive player to work on dribbling in the full court. Drill: Two players of approximately speed start on the free throw line. The coach begins the drill by tossing the basketball off the backboard. Both players go after the ball once it leaves the coaches hand. The player who gains possession becomes the offensive dribbler and the other player becomes the defender. The dribbler will attempt to go … [Read more...]
2-on-2 Help and Recover Drill
Purpose: To teach the basic help and recover responsibilities utilized within your man-to-man defensive system. Develops help-and-recover techniques and helps teammates learn to work together. Drill: This diagram demonstrates the help and recover from the guard position, as they are further away from the basket. The player not guarding the basketball should be in a position off his defender and toward the basketball. He is in this position to discourage penetration by the dribbler. In this … [Read more...]
Layup Deflection Drill
Purpose: To work on recovering and defending a layup attempt when beaten off the dribble and there is no help. This drill will help defenders learn to deflect or disrupt the layup attempt. When the dribbler gains a half-step advantage on the defender, the defender should not make matters worse by fouling, especially as a player is shooting a layup (think 3-point play!). The defender should attempt to stay with the dribbler and deflect the shot as the layup is attempted. Drill: Two players … [Read more...]
1 on 4 Shell Drill
Purpose: To learn all aspects of defensive positioning in a simple, breakdown shell drill situation. The defender will develop on-ball defense, off-ball defense, and help defense. Drill: 4 offensive players in a shell around the perimeter. A corner player begins with the basketball. 1 defensive player guarding the player with the basketball. Player 1 begins with the basketball and can attempt to drive baseline one time. X1 must stop the drive. O1 will then pass to O2 on the wing. O1 must stay … [Read more...]
Front the Post Drill
The Front the Post defense drill is used to work on fronting the post player and to react to passing around the perimeter. The post defender attempts to continuously front the post throughout the duration of the drill. The objective is to stop the post player from flashing open and receiving the pass. Purpose: The defensive purpose is to continually front the offensive post player and to teach the defensive post player to react quickly to where the basketball is passed on the perimeter. The … [Read more...]