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defense DRILLS
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Ball Screen vs Hedging Defense

The player will dribble down to the level of the ball screen. Once they get in line with the screen, the ball handler will dribble backwards simulating that the screen is being hedged by the screeners defender. Once the dribbler has gone backwards they will then attack again getting 1 or 2 dribble separation to shoot a jump shot.

Dribbling

Defender in the Middle

Once the player passes to the opposite line, they will follow their pass and play defense on the player with the ball. The passer will always go to defense.

Passing

Defending and offensive dribble.

Simulate defense on an imaginary offensive player who is playing the wing position. Start our imaginary defensive position on the block playing off then toward the ball that is at the point position leading to the top of the key.

Defense

Defending dribble position

When the player brings the ball down from above his head he is going to go into the dribble. Place feet wide apart so the player cannot go past you. Go two steps back to create a gap and go into a dribble defense mode. Knees bent, back bent, feet wide and hands down and outwards. Look wide and intimidating. Alternate which foot is dropped first. Do this drill ten times.

Defense

Flick Pass

This pass is used when you are being closely guarded. The passer will step to the side of the defender, keeping the ball on their hip away from the defense. The passer will then push the ball and flick their wrist to the target.

Passing Technique

Screen - 2 v 2

One attacking player sets up near sideline with the ball. 2 defenders set up in line to defend players. Other attacking player sets a screen on first defender. This opens the player up for a pass and a shot or clears the way for a lay up.

2 v 2

Zig Zag Drill Defense - Basket...

Set out cones to split the court in half, with your players working in pairs. The player with the ball should dribble the ball up the court in a Zig Zag pattern. The second player will be playing passive defence. They should be in front of the attacker at all times but are not actively trying to steal the ball. The defensive player must try to cut the dribbler off at each of the the lines (cones and touchline) using their outside foot so that the dribbler has to change direction. They continue to do this until they reach the end of the court at which point players then switch roles and repeat the drill in the opposite direction.

General

Defensive shadowing Defense - ...

Make the opposition player turn their back away from the play, put the ball on the floor in a dribble and make them have to make a pass under pressure. Shadow the player with one hand up shadowing the ball. The other hand is down and slightly outwards.

General

Zig-Zag Defensive Slide Defens...

Have cones set up as shown in the image. Players will start at the 1st cone and defensive slide from cone to cone. Once the player gets their outside foot to the cone the player will push off of that foot and change direction.

General

Set play - Triangle Defense - ...

Start with 5 players on court as attackers.Ball starts on half way. 3 players at top creating a triangle, 2 players under hoop.Player with the ball passes to the 'strong side' and stack. Ball is passed around. Any player can put a shot up as long as the triangle is maintained. Players still hold triangle formation around the key - this gives options on offence.

General

Defensive slide Defense - Bask...

Away from the wall the players stand in 2 lines staggered so coach/teacher can see all players. Coach will then direct the players a direction to move by pointing in different directions ( left, right, forward,back) Players must keep their knees bent, backs straight, one arm dribbling, one arm guarding, lead foot moving heel toe and their back foot sliding. When teacher shouts FOOT FIRE! players must move their feet quickly on the spot for a set time.

General

Zig-Zag Defence with Offence D...

The players will pair up with one offensive player and one defensive player. The offensive player will dribble from cone to cone. The defensive player will keep their head in line with the ball using a defensive slide. Once they come to the end of the cones the players will go back to the start and the offence and defence will switch over.

General

Compass Shuttle Passing Defens...

Set out the cones as shown in the diagram. One player starts with a ball with two other players starting in the middle of the cross (compass). One player is an attacker with the other a shadowing defender. The player with the ball has to pass the ball to the attacker, who then passes the ball back. The attacker must then run to another point (cone) of the compass before returning to the middle to receive another pass.

General

Defending and offensive dribbl...

Simulate defense on an imaginary offensive player who is playing the wing position. Start our imaginary defensive position on the block playing off then toward the ball that is at the point position leading to the top of the key.

General

Defending dribble position Def...

When the player brings the ball down from above his head he is going to go into the dribble. Place feet wide apart so the player cannot go past you. Go two steps back to create a gap and go into a dribble defense mode. Knees bent, back bent, feet wide and hands down and outwards. Look wide and intimidating. Alternate which foot is dropped first. Do this drill ten times.

General

Slide-Run-Slide Defense - Bask...

In a defensive position the player will move towards the cone on their side in a defensive glide. Once they have reached that cone they will turn and run to the cone on the other side. Once the player has reached this cone they will defensive glide back to the start position.

General

Defensive glide zig-zag Defens...

Start in the corner of the court or in a grassy area. Glide / side step at a 25-30 degree angle to a fixed point 15 meters away. Drop the trailing foot in the opposite direction to the line. Change direction 4-5 times, go up and back twice, a total of 4.

General

2v2 Help Defence drill Defense...

Set players up as shown in video clip. The baseline offensive player will drive towards the basket. The help defender will come over and stop the drive. The player with the ball will pass to the other offensive player. The receiver of the pass will shoot the ball. The defensive player will sprint out and challenge the shot.

General

Pass then Pressure Defense - B...

Split players into groups of 3. One player has a ball and throws it to the middle player, who in turn throws the ball to the third person in the group. Once the initial passer has passed the ball the run to put pressure on the receiver.

General

Defensive Zig-Zag Defense - Ba...

Defensive slide going at angles from cone to cone.

General

1v1 Zig-Zag to Jump Shot Defen...

1 offensive player and 1 defensive player. The offensive player will dribble through the cones, once the player has reached the last cone the player will dribble towards the basket and shoot a jump shot.

General

Mismatched Defence Defense - B...

Two defenders under hoop, three attackers setting up a triangle formation around key.Attackers to balance the court, pass and move. Defenders not to leave hoop undefended.

General

Eraser Drill Defense - Basketb...

Set 3 blocks (white board eraser) out in a straight line about 10 feet apart. The player will do a defensive slide and pick up the block with the closest hand. Once it has been picked up it will be switched to the other hand. When the player gets to the next block they will pick up with the closest hand and drop the 1st block they picked up.

General

Speed crabs Defense - Basketba...

Set-up over about 30m. Use three blocks of wood or something similar, evenly spaced across the working area. Crab sideways, as fast as possible as possible but do not bring your feet together. Collect each block in first hand and transfer to other hand and replace on ground. In training to be a top player do this drill twice a day.

General

Defensive glide and run zig-za...

You have to turn into a run when an offensive player beats you. Start in the corner of the court or in a grassy area. Go two steps back then glide about 2 meters then go into a run. Do not rise up when running.Stay low to the floor. Take three running steps and then return to a glide. Cover a total distance of about 25 meters. Do a total of four in both directions.

General

Charge Drill Defense - Basketb...

Players and equipment will be set up as shown in video clip. When the coach shouts start, the defensive player will begin fast feet on the spot. When the coach next calls go, the defensive player will slide to the cone on one side, then back to the other cone until they get to their original position. Once back to the original position, the other player/coach with a pad will run into the defenders chest where they will take a charge.

General

Defending a dribble Defense - ...

Force the dribble and control the ball handler. Knees bent, back bent, feet wide and hands down and outwards. Don't let ball handler get past. Place feet wide apart so the player cannot go past you. Go two steps back and the side step to cut off the ball handler. Stay an arms length gap apart from ball carrier. Look wide and intimidating. Alternate which foot is dropped first. Use body to control the direction the ball carrier can move into. Do this drill ten times.

General

Ball Screen vs Hedging Defense...

The player will dribble down to the level of the ball screen. Once they get in line with the screen, the ball handler will dribble backwards simulating that the screen is being hedged by the screeners defender. Once the dribbler has gone backwards they will then attack again getting 1 or 2 dribble separation to shoot a jump shot.

General

Defensive Denial Drill Defense...

This drill will need 1 person with a ball and a offensive and defensive player who will be set up between the cones. The offensive player will run from cone to cone. The defence must keep a hand between the ball and the offensive player to stop a pass going through.

General

2v2 Deny Drill Defense - Baske...

Set up as shown in video clip. When the ball is on that players side of the court they will deny. When the ball is on the other side of the court, the players will come across and play help defence. Once the ball has been passed to one of those players then they will play 2v2.

General

Deny the Post Defense - Basket...

Set players up as shown in video clip. Offensive player will post up on the side of the court the ball is on. The defensive player will try and stop the pass being made into the post, by half fronting, full fronting etc. When the ball is passed across the court the players will continue the same thing on the other side. When the ball is passed into the post, the players will play 1v1.

General

Defensive Position Drill Defen...

Set up as shown in video clip. Position 1- Close Out and guard the ball. Position 2- Deny the ball Position 3- Front the post Position 4- Help side defence Position 5- Sprint out deny the pass Position 6- Sprint to help side defence Position 7- Bump the cutter and play 1v1 from the top of the 3 point line.

General

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defense DRILL CATEGORIES
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1 v 1 Drills
2 v 1 Drills
Defense Drills
1 v 1 Drills
2 v 1 Drills
Defense Drills
defense SESSIONS
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Defending Fundamentals: Footwork and Body Position Session

Offence sells tickets but defence wins championships - Teach your players to take pride in their defence with this real game practice fundamentals session!

Preparing for your next game - Team Session

Get your players working together with this team session - perfect for building team chemistry and preparing your players for their next big game!

Team Defense and Progressions

Bumper defending session that's positively bursting at the seams with 10 Team Defending Drills!

Defensive Fundamentals - Shadowing and Man-marking

Build a defensive team to withstand any attack! Coach important defensive fundamentals - teach your players to take responsibility for their man in this Shuffle and Shadow defensive session.
defense ANSWERS
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basketball

I need some examples of possible offence against the zone pressing (1%3A2%3A2 , 1%3A2%3A1%3A1 , 2%3A2%3A1 , 2%3A1%3A2 ) in basketball.

Archived User Coach

How to beat a 1-3-1 full court trapping defense....

How to beat a 1-3-1 full court trapping defense....

Archived User Coach

GAME TAKTICS

Hello all, Great site... Have a question. We are playing every Sunday games against other companies, 5 on 5 full court. can somebody recommend some prepared actions for attacing and some sefense strategics which we could use? Thanks a lot, Emir

Archived User Coach

What's the best sort of defence at college level?

I'm a  basketball coach in India, coaching at college level. In your opinion and experience which type of defenceworks best? So far my experiences shows that half court pressure, working man to man to deny the pass works best. Feedback and suggestions welcome! Thanks,Mahesh

Archived User Coach

What are Zone drills for 8 & 9 year olds?

What are some defensive drills for zone to 8 and 9 year olds? What are some good drills for teaching players to play offense against a zone? Thanks, John

John Murphy Coach, United States of America

How do you get out of a shooting slump?

what do you do when you have a bad game of shooting how do you get out of the shooting slump ?

Archived User Coach

Question about Basi skills in basketball

If i want to couch beggines baskball game. What skills Am supose to couch step by step? Asked using Sportplan Mobile App

Rwiza Ntare Coach, Tanzania

Practice plans on a day to day basis

Hi there. I’m still learning the game of basketball and coaching it. As I’m setting up plans on a day to day basis, I’m just seeing how it would look like. Like do I only need to focus on one skill per day? Or incorporate all skills, dibble, defense, offense, set pieces... thank you for your help! Asked using Sportplan on Mobile

Tamara Glover Coach, United Arab Emirates

Buzz Zone Defense

I am looking for ideas and offense to attack the Buzz Zone Defense. Drills thst could help me prepare would also help. I deals on offensive alignments. Things to emphasize in attacking it. where should we try and get the ball to?

C L Coach, United Kingdom

triangle defense

how do you defend properly against triangle passing .. any drill suggestions

Brittany angelica Coach, United Arab Emirates

this is for my team 5v5

i need some attack plan for my team adn some defend pls givve me some idea

Dcc001 Teun Coach, United Kingdom

pre planned sessions

Why can't I open the Team Defense Progressions session on my iPad? It loads great on my laptop. Actully, I am having trouble browsing all drills on the ipad. It wont load them.

Christine Cowden Coach, United States
defense COMMUNITY DRILLS
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Close out Deny

Layup & Defense

Overload offence vs 2-3 defense part 4

Overload offence vs 2-3 defence part 1

2-2 1 vom Fl�gel

Balltransport in 2 Teams

2 v 2 Fast Break Defense

blind defense

Basketbal Test 1st defense drill - RIGHT

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