Defensive Patterns

DESCRIPTION

This is a combination drill that works on conditioning while reinforcing the movement patterns needed to play defense.

This is a great drill for working on a small or half court.  It also is good as a productive consequence.

Players start off the court near the Outside.  

1. Players enter the court @ left back base. (1)
2. Read & transition to defense, then dive for an imaginary tip while calling mine.
3. Move to left back base, read & transition to defense and dig an imaginary ball hit down the line.
4. Run through pass an imaginary ball to the middle of the court while calling mine.
5. Drop to middle back dig an imaginary ball to target.
6. Read, shuffle to left middle angle, run through pass an imaginary ball hit to left back corner.
7. Shuffle back to middle in posture.
8. Read, shuffle to right middle angle, run through pass an imaginary ball hit to right back corner.
9. Move up to right back base, read & transition to defense, then dive for an imaginary tip while calling mine.
10. Move back to right back base, read & transition to defense, dig an imaginary ball hit down the line.
11. Run through pass an imaginary ball to the middle of the court while calling mine, then transition to OH.
12. Approach the net and block.
13. Transition quickly outside.
14. Approach, hit an imaginary ball, then immediately block.
15. Move to middle and block.
16. Transition to middle.
17. Approach, hit an imaginary ball, then immediately block.
18. Move to right side and swing block.
19. Transition to right side hitter.
20. Approach, hit an imaginary ball, then immediately block.

Jog off and around the court back to the starting line.

COACHING POINTS

Look for players to take this seriously and work hard.

Fast pace.  Moving in good athletic posture.  Max jumps on blocks and attacks.  Good floor moves.  Being loud when calling the ball.  No loafing.

Make sure players understand what these moves / patterns are and how they are important / used during real game play.  This isn't just a movement exercise or a conditioning drill.  This is an opportunity to practice your on-court defensive movement.

Especially pay attention and make sure players understand 14, 16, 18, and 20.  These moves are in the drill to emphasize players moving to cover natural weakneses in a perimeter defense.  When a ball is hit to the deep corner, middle back and the appropriate side should both try to cover that ball via a run through, reach, or dive.

Players often just go through the motions on this drill.  Emphasize the linkage to real-game movement and help them use this to focus on improvement that can translate to the game.