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defence DRILLS
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1 on 1 Dive Drill

2 lines on the baseline, with the coach in the middle. The coach will roll the ball down the middle of the court. Both players will run and dive on the ball. The player that gets the ball is on offence and the other player on defence. They will attack the basket from the side they came from. First player to score wins.

1 v 1

2 on 2 Helpside Drill

white1 and white2 will pass ball to each other 3 or 4 times.blue1 and blue2 will adjust accordingly.red1 and red2 are continually getting open.white1 or white2 will pass to either red1 or red2. Now, it becomes a 2 on 2 game.reds vs blues until reds score or blues get the ball.Rotation = Offence to defence, defence to passers.

Games

3 ON 1 AND 3 ON 1

Red 1 shoots a free throw. Players O1, O2 and O3 rebound the ball, fill the lanes. Red 1 plays defence. 2 cones at the halfway line. The wing players must go around the cones. After finishing fast break the shooter becomes defender and 3 players goes against 1 to the opposite basket.

Passing

3 vs 3 with defence

Players join with another group of 3. One group plays passive defence to start off with. As the attacking team improves they the defending team progressively become more active.

Screening

Multiple rebounds

The coach feeds the ball off the backboard. If the offence gets it and scores they get 2 points. If the defence gets the rebound, they get 1 point. As soon as the coach shoots then its a 2 v 2 game.

Rebound

Presssure defence - rebounding

White player 1 starts with the ball and proceeds to pass the ball up the line to the next player and so on. Blue Players 1 and 2 are defenders and can start once the 1st pass has been played. They have to run to protect the basket and stop the white players from scoring. On reaching player 4 the white players 3 and 4 move forward with the ball and try to score. After playing the point out the white players 3 and 4 then become defenders and blue 3 and 4 join the queue of attackers on the other side of the court.

2 v 2

Swapping Defender in the Middle

Once the player passes to the opposite line, they will follow their pass and play defence on the player with the ball. The passer will always go to defence. Once the defence has finished they will join the back of the opposite line.

Passing

Zig Zag Drill

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.

Defense

Zig-Zag Dribble Drill

First player dribbles full court with a defender covering all the time. Upon reaching the opposite baseline player dribbling becomes the defender and the other player dribbles the length of the court.

Dribbling

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

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

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

Box and One Defense Basketball...

Box and One Defense: 4 players play zonal defence in a box, one player plays man to man against the best offensive player.

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

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

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

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

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

Defensive Close Out Defense - ...

Players will run 10-15 feet before they chop their feet in a defensive position which is known as a close-out.

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 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

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

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 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

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

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

3 vs 3 with defence Screening ...

Players join with another group of 3. One group plays passive defence to start off with. As the attacking team improves they the defending team progressively become more active.

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

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

Presssure defence - rebounding...

White player 1 starts with the ball and proceeds to pass the ball up the line to the next player and so on. Blue Players 1 and 2 are defenders and can start once the 1st pass has been played. They have to run to protect the basket and stop the white players from scoring. On reaching player 4 the white players 3 and 4 move forward with the ball and try to score. After playing the point out the white players 3 and 4 then become defenders and blue 3 and 4 join the queue of attackers on the other side of the court.

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

Defensive Zig-Zag Defense - Ba...

Defensive slide going at angles from cone to cone.

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

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

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

defence SESSIONS
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Scoring on the fast break - Aggressive Running, Attacking Passing

Attacking at pace is all about decision making. Develop your players decisiveness and start cutting through the opponents defences at ease!

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!

Fast Break, Transition Offense and Fitness

Develop your players fitness by translating the conditioning to specific offence transition skills. Get them turning defence into attack with a fast break right up to the final buzzer.

Team Defense and Progressions

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

Power Forward - Player Development

Develop a fundamentally sound power forward! Use this session to work on all the skills required for a Power Forward, a critical position for any successful basketball team!

1v1 - Advanced Attacking, taking the advantage!

Improve your players' offensive play by working on their 1v1 skills! Get your players reading opponents' defences, running to the basket at speed and spotting where the advantage is!

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.

Mastering the Fast Break - 10 Top Tips

10 top tips to exploit your opponents defence on the fast break! Expand your players knowledge with this fast break guide

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.

One on One - Take your man on!

Unlock your players' creativity to beat their opponents' on one on one situations. A great session to assess your players' individual qualities

Fast Break Passing - Accuracy and Power

Fast breaking, fast passing and fast all round play! Increase the intensity for your next game and blow your future opponents away.

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!

Using Screens On and Off the Ball

Create space in congested areas with clever movement by the players off the ball. Teach your team how to set the screen to make space for the ball carrier to attack into.

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!

Developing Your Team's Attacking Game

"Success is never final, failure is never fatal. It's courage that counts." - Get your players comfortable with failing and make them courageous in offence to make them better next time! Use this session to develop offensive structures and techniques.
defence ANSWERS
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How do you defend against taller people in basketball?

How do you defend against taller people in basketball?

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 to become a great basketball player in 4 months?

I did not make my 9th grade tryout team and I want to make the team for my 10th grade tryouts...

Archived User Coach

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

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