Possibly the toughest position to be in defensively is having to defend the ball in a 1-on-1 situation. More and more teams are using the dribble to create offense. You do need to have good helpside defense but the best initial line of defense for this is to develop a solid foundation of individual defensive fundamentals. 1-on-1 defense should be a part of every practice and the following must be stressed as part of the defensive stance: The defensive stance should be a comfortable stance that … [Read more...]
Dribble Pick-Up Drill
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...]
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...]
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...]
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...]
Defensive Directional Drill
Purpose: To have the entire team work on defensive stance as well as defensive footwork including slide-steps, drop-steps, closeouts, jumps and defensive shuffling. Drill: The players will spread out on the court as shown, facing a coach or team leader. On 'Go', the players will get into a defensive stance and perform a 'quick feet' action (rapidly move the feet while staying in one spot). The coach will then point in the different directions while the players use quick and efficient … [Read more...]