Purpose: To work on the ability to fully deny an inbounds pass. The main purpose with this drill, however, is as a toughness drill. Drill: The players set up as shown, with an inbounds passer, a offensive player, and a defender. The defender, X2, faces O2 and attempts to deny the pass attempt being made...
Deny the Wing Drill
Purpose: To improve 1-on-1 off-the-ball defense and to learn to deny the wing entry pass. When adding the 1-on-1 scoring option, both the defensive and offensive player will work on scoring or stopping the score in the 1-on-1 situation. Drill: Have the players line up at the top of the key; the first player in...
Contain Drive and Jump to the Ball Drill
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...
Overplay Drill
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...
Jump to the Ball Drill
Purpose: To practice the conversion from on-the-ball to off-the-ball defense. Many players think that their defensive responsibility ends when the player they are guarding passes the basketball. Good defenders will react, anticipate, and play good defense rather than be lazy. Drill: 2 offensive players and 1 defender guarding the player with the ball. O1 makes...
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...
1-on-1 Defend Away from the Ball Drill
Purpose: To teach the importance of defending your opponent when he does not have the basketball. Some players defend the ball very well but relax when their opponent does not have the ball. This drill helps work on defending all the time. Drill: 2 lines. One in the corner as defensive players and one on...