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defensive DRILLS
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15 Pass Drill

Within half court only, offensive team must try to make 15 consecutive passes. The defensive team must try to intercept or deflect the passes.No dribbling.

Passing

2 on 2 Rebound Drill

Coach has the ball.Players are moving as if in a game.Coach will toss ball on backboard.Defensive players must box out and rebound.Offensive players try to rebound and score.

2 v 2

3 on 3 Rebound Drill

Coach has the ball.Players are moving as if in a game.Coach will toss ball on backboard.Defensive players must box out and rebound.Offensive players try to rebound and score.

Rebound

One-Two Pass - Take your man on

Players Blue 1 and Red 1 have a ball each and they are starting from the right hand corners either end of the court. Green players 1 & 2 stand on the elbow of the free throw line. Red player 1 and Blue player 1 start dribbling when they get level with the 3 point line they must do a long pass to the green players before running to receive the ball back. They then play 1 v 1, with the rules being only 3 dribbles and 1 shot.

1 v 1

Rebound Timing Drill(i)

Players line up as shown.Toss ball up on backboard for yourself.Jump up and grab a defensive rebound.Pass to next player in line, join back of other line.

Rebound

Two pass lay up drill with pressure

a.04 cuts to middle of court.b 01 makes good pass.c 01 cuts to basket.d 04 pass to 01.e 04 goes in for rebound.f 04 goes in and puts some defensive pressure on 01 as 01 tries to lay the ball up.

Shooting

UCLA Rebound Drill

Player 1 will toss ball onto the backboard – get a defensive rebound using all good fundamentalsPlayer 4 will signal and call for ‘outlet pass’.Player 1 pivots and makes a good chest or overhead pass, then following their pass and joining ‘outlet’ line.Player 4 passes to Player 2 and follows their pass to join the rebounding line.

Rebound

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2v2 Help Defence drill 2 v 2 -...

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

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

2 on 2 Rebound Drill Rebound -...

Coach has the ball.<br />Players are moving as if in a game.<br />Coach will toss ball on backboard.<br />Defensive players must box out and rebound.<br />Offensive players try to rebound and score.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Zig-Zag Defence to Jump Shot S...

Players and cones will be set up as shown in video clip. One offensive and one defensive player. The offence will dribble through the cones with the defence sliding keeping their head in line with the ball. Once they have gone through all the cones, the defensive player will retreat. The offensive player will dribble to 15 foot away from the basket and shoot the ball. The defensive player will contest the shot and then box out to get the rebound.

General

Mirror Drill Footwork and Move...

Have players and cones set up as shown in the video. The player with the ball will hold it in the middle of their chest. Going for 30 seconds the defensive player must keep their head in line with the ball by staying low and using a defensive slide. The player with the ball can move how they like side to side between the cones.

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

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

Basketball: Defensive Conditio...

Players stand on each side of the hoop. On the coach's whistle they will jump and touch the backboard 5 times, before then turning and sprint back on defence.

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

Defensive Conditioning Footwor...

Set up as shown in the image. Players will run to the first diagonal cone and close-out by chopping their feet.<br /><br /> They will then sprint to the cone at the half way line.<br /><br /> Once they get there, they will slide across the half way line to the other side of the court.<br /><br /> To finish they will back pedal to the baseline.

General

4 on 4 Rotate Box-Out Drill Re...

Four players on each team. The offence will set up around the outside of the 3 point line. The defence will be set out around the key. When the coach yells rotate, the defensive team rotates around to the next position. When the coach shoots the ball, the defensive players will box out the offensive players attacking for the rebound. If the offensive team gets a rebound they play live trying to score. If it is a defensive rebound then the teams will switch over.

General

Close-out baseline drive Shoot...

The defensive player will pass the ball to the offensive player. The defensive player will run towards the offensive player and close-out by chopping their feet. Once the defensive player has closed out, the offensive player will dribble towards the baseline for a jump shot. The defensive player will stay with the offensive player and challenge the jump shot.

General

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defensive DRILL CATEGORIES
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2 v 2 Drills
3 v 2 Drills
Rebound Drills
2 v 2 Drills
3 v 2 Drills
Rebound Drills
defensive 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!

Mid-Season Team Practice: Speed and Decision-Making

Speed, Speed, Speed! This week's mid season session is an intense team session designed to improve the speed and decision-making ability of your team

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.

Help Defence - Covering and Recovery Defensive Techniques

Defence wins you championships! Coach your team how to cover, help and recover on defence and build a team difficult to beat.

Competitive Session - Shooting and Rebounding!

A high intensity fundamental session in shooting and rebounding to give your players the competitive edge come game time!

Team Development Session

Produce a winning mentality amongst your group of players with an unbreakable team ethos. The improvements in your play may just surprise you!

Speed Dribbling - Full steam ahead!

Time waits for no man, so use these 8 speed practices to get your players pushing the ball out in front and advance the ball full-steam ahead up the court!

Squad Selection Session - Choose Your Best Team

Who's going to make the final cut? It's never easy running a selection session. Use this competitive session, to help you complete the puzzle and find your best team!

Shooting on the rebound

No rebounds, no rings! Get your players to be first to the ball with the offensive rebound and see what a difference it makes to their attacking game!

Introduction to Defence - Coaching the Stance!

Make defending just as rewarding and start to see a defensive player become the star!

Box Out - Offensive and Defensive Rebounds Session

Transform your players into confident, rebounders, ready to box-out at will to create a match-winning play from a bad situation.

Team Defence - A Comprehensive Coach Handout

Key defensive concepts to improve your team's defending ability to turn them in to a strong defensive unit

Defensive Player's Mindset

Key points and ideas to improve your player's defendsive mindset and skills.

Setting the Screen - Attacking Play

Set up a screen and disrupt the opposition's man-marking system to create attacking space for your team!
defensive ANSWERS
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Drills for try-outs?

Does anyone have any advice on drills to run that would best evaluate the players in a short time frame? I am pretty sure that we will need to have a cut this year because I am not carrying more than 10 girls on my team again this year.Thanks in advance. - submitted via email

Sportplan Team Coach, United Kingdom

Can someone explain the pick and roll in basketball?

Can someone explain the pick and roll in basketball please? Thanks

Anna Maria Gatt Coach, Malta

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 do I get high school girls to be more aggressive?

How do I get high school girls to be more aggressive and play with more intensity?

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

What is the best way to share playing vocab at this site...

...where it will list and describe playing terminology such as shave, tackle-back, steal, forehand.

Ejaz Syed Coach, United States of America

how to beat a 1-3-1 half court trap

dont have a lot of time but need something to beat a 1-3-1 half court trap

jake 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

Stealing/taking the ball

what would be a few good drills for stealing the ball from opponents my team needs working on it.

Aaron cass Coach, England

post passing

may I ask about the objective of this drill?

Rachellesyn Robles Coach, United Kingdom

passing out of a 1-2-1-1- full court press

Good Evening I am wondering if anyone has drills for me to help teach my grade 8 boys how to relax and pass out of a full cour press?Thank you

Carrie Enns Coach, Canada

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