Rebounding Drills

These Rebounding Drills came from the Arizona Men’s February Basketball Newsletter.  

 

War Drill (8 minute drill)

(1 basketball. 6. 8 or 10 players. Full Court)

    Defense is in the paint and matches up. On the shot by the coach. their goal is to go meet the offense outside of the paint and keep them out of it.

    The offensive players are set up behind the three point line and except for the point guard, (who gets back on defense), are going hard to the rim.  The defender on the point guard should look to help on boxing someone else out.

    This is a highly competitive drill with a winner and loser. If the offense gets the rebound they get a point and can try to score a 2 or 3 pointer.  If they score we set the drill back up. If the defense gets the rebound or forces a turnover, there is no point scored but they push the basketball down court (transition offense) and try to score on the other end. On a score or turnover by them, play stops and we set the drill back up.

    The ball will only go from one end to the other end one time and then the drill would be reset. If we don’t reset the drill it becomes a transition drill and not a contact drill.

There are no points on a made shot by the coach but it is still played like a rebound.

Thoughts on Rebounding: 

• On a 3 point shot, it takes a long time for the ball to get there
• Get out and hit your man, find the ball, and get it
• The greatest rebounders are guys who can range rebound
• They don't just get the rebounds that are coming right to them

Get to the Basket Drill

(1 basketball, 3 or more players)

    Place two defenders side by side facing the offense (if you have football pads, use them).  On the shot, the offense has to bust through to the basket.  This teaches them to never surrender going to the basket and being aggressive.

    Only drill this from the wings.  If we have an offensive player at the top, we would normally want him to get back on defense.

Without the pads, the defense gives a little pressure, just enough to make them push through.

Some Coaching Bullets to Consider

Del Harris and friends, 2012 (revised from 2009)
 

Before you start:

    Be sure you have a mission statement that is current with your current thinking and then stay committed to that statement.  Be sure your staff and players understand your mission.


    Make sure your philosophy of coaching, of defense, of offense and of dealing with players and other constituents is clear-cut and understood by yourself and staff and that it matches your mission.

    Leave a paper trail.  Keep copies of important communications with all relevant parties.  Notes, dates and times of any significant meeting with players, media, etc can be of value.

    Be sure you have a plan for the first day, week and rough copy for first month of your practices.

    Be sure any staff is up to date on current trends in conditioning, nutrition, etc.  These change.

    Be sure to read current books and old standards on leadership, management skills, time management, significant biographies of important people and successful coaches in any sport.  You must continue to grow mentally and spiritually.

    Revise your drill book (You have one, don’t you?) to add any new concepts you have picked up and to discard needless ones.

    The best drills are the ones you make up that teach specifically the exercise you are trying to teach/correct.
   
    Your drill book should be divided into categories such as: warmup, shooting, fundamentals of offense/defense, fast break buildups for offense and transition defense, half court offense, post offense/defense, trap drills, defense shell drills, situation drills for 1-1, 2-2 and 3-3, game ending situations drills, etc.

    Be sure to be clear on all basic defense issues such as you initial and backup coverages relative to pick and roll defense, low post defense, and methods of rotation to cover breakdowns.

    Make sure your coaches and players understand the concepts of switching on defense such as which teammates will be able to switch with each other on their own as needed or desired unless the game plan or a timeout changes it. Have switching partners which normally means that equal size players will switch with one another as needed.

    Know that the concept of switching to keep your bigger players inside and your smaller ones outside is often very productive, i.e. “Bigs in, Littles out”.  Thus you would not switch a big man out off of a downpick or pindown for a small player except in a critical emergency situation.


Your team will reflect what you emphasize.  Take your pick, but only about 4 or 5 will be the limit as to what they will attach themselves to, so choose wisely.
    1. Defense
    2. Rebounding
    3. Unselfish play---team unity---team attitude
    4. Running game
    5. Half court game
    6. Pressing team---running team
    7. Physical team
    8. 3-pt team
    9. Zone team
    10. Ball and player movement team, etc.
 

Game Time:

    Be sure you have a helpful game card with you at all times such as quarterbacks have on their sleeve or arm.
   
    A good game card will not only have all your play calls, but will have categories that will get you a post up as needed and that tell you what plays you have that will get each position (1 through 5) a shot when you want one of those players to have the ball.

    On the back of the card of on a special situations card you can have in your pocket or an assistant will keep be sure to have plays already diagrammed that are for special late game situations such as: when you need a 3 pointer, or a quick 2, or you have differing amounts of time on the clock to get a shot.

    Be smart on what you chart and have accountable chart keepers.  A possession chart can tell you the pace and momentum of the game because it will tell you how many possessions you have had at every time interval and once you know your best pace, you can tell if you are dictating or if the opponent is. 

    Momentum is revealed by a possession chart in that it shows how many times you and your opponent have scored or failed to score in the most recent possessions.

    Other charted items may be the fast break game on both sides of the ball, the low post game (scores allowed/how traps have worked, etc), the pick and roll game (percentage of scores/stops), deflections, penetrations allowed, uncontested shots allowed, and whatever else you deem to be of real value.

As you go along:

    “Prove you are valuable and success will happen for you.  Forget about the entitlements.”

    Be careful of the player who insists he is all about winning, but doesn’t work like a winner.  He is usually happy when things are going his way, whether the team is or not.
   
    The team that will accept we over me (we/me) as a group has a chance to achieve all they are capable of.

    There is no “I” in team but there is “ME”  but it tears up TEAM to get it.  META spells disaster for the team; it says that the “ME Trumps All” the rest of the team.

    Doc Rivers says to try to keep the “chemistry guy” on your team.  Doc moves the lockers around occasionally to keep the right people together or separated as needs be.

    Del Harris says to speak to players often, but more on the conversational level than any other.  Get to know them and then prove that you care about them. he notes that the Caring-Trust-Loyalty Dynamic is of utmost importance to a successful organization. First show you do care consistently. Caring leads to trust. Trust breeds loyalty and loyalty leads to unity.

    Jerry Sloan coaches with the idea that he wants to be a friend of his player/s 20 years down the road.  Now you know he is not a softie, but he cares and his players know it.  They trust him and are loyal to him and they just find a way to win every year.  That is true coaching.

Think communication:

Del Harris notes that there are five levels of communication with players—use each one less than the one before it as you go down the levels.

    1. Conversational level—you have the give and take whereby you get to know the player and he learns you as well.  You demonstrate you care. Use this the most.

    2. Encouragement level—voice is animated and enthusiastic. Use it as much as you can, but it has to be a result of real achievement, not just blowing smoke. But the worst person to be with is the one you simply cannot please.  Be real.

    3. Instructional level—voice is slightly animated as you attempt to pass on teaching points that may help your player get better, or that may help him understand the team concept.  Use often, but mostly in practice or in certain 1-1 situations.

    4. Correctional level—voice increases somewhat in urgency, but this is not to be confused with screaming.  Naturally, this is used on important issues in practices and games to help eliminate errors.  Use it as needed, but if it overwhelms the encouragement level, the team will tune you out sooner than later.

    5. “Go Nuts” level—yes, there is a place for letting them know that they have crossed the line in terms of lack of effort or execution or attitude, etc.  They must know you really care about certain issues. But, of course you must maintain control here, as it should be a purposeful act.  Overdo this level and you will lose your team by Christmas unless you are winning every game.

Who is your closer?

    You need a “closer” in every business, someone who can seal the deal often. Know who yours are.  This is not an equal opportunity situation.  Be able to run your stuff to get the ball to the “closer” in need situations.
   
    Do not underestimate the value of a player who can inbound the ball in pressure situations. Lack of this ability will beat you in the close games.  The chances are you will have no more than two of these, if you actually have anyone.  Develop one.

    Every team wants to win the championship.  Talk about it on the first day, and then forget the talk until you are playing for it.  Your goals must become closer at hand and the main one is to get better every day/game.  That is the path to
championships, not talk. And I don’t want to hear that my teams did not win an NBA title.  My college teams won 19 championships, we won 3 national titles in Puerto Rico against NBA or D-1 level coaches and won 2 international gold medals.  My Lakers team that was the youngest team in the playoffs my final two years (when Kobe was 18 and 19 years old) won 56 and 61 games with Shaq missing 53 of those games due to injury.  They ran off 3 in a row two years later.
   
    Most of your players will be role players.  Most will think they are key players. As coach you must laud the roles you assign; make them be understood and appreciated. Without the dedicated role players you cannot succeed.

    Have simple goals for your role players.  Just 1 or 2 stats per quarter can add up to being the difference—a steal, a rebound, a free throw, a deflection, an assist, etc.  Just a little goes a long way.  Honor your role players as well as the stars.

    Check it out—NBA teams seldom have more than 2-3 players who are more than role players—ones who produce consistently across the stat sheet and make others better.  The 85+ percent are role players.

    Coaches who talk too much in practice can kill the team’s ability/need to communicate among themselves. Coaches who chatter too much give the appearance of working hard but actually stifle the players in developing their own skills of communication. This is true especially of assistants.  Hooting and hollering on every pass and cut is not necessarily a sign you are working.

    Simplify your teaching and communication.  This will reduce confusion.  An athlete that is not decisive and confident in what he is to do will be hesitant and a hesitant athlete will fail.

    NBA asst. coach Brendan Suhr notes that you must coach each player differently.  It’s about their strengths and needs, not yours.  Read books: Strength Finders and Strength Finder 2.0. 

    Identify your leaders and lieutenants.  You must connect early with them and get them to understand and promulgate your mission and goals for the team.

    The best teams are the ones where the coach and the team leaders are united (requires some ego reduction on part of coach) and these players work the hardest and articulate the team message to others.

    It is hard for a general to win without support from within the ranks.  Encourage and develop leaders and relationships with them.
   
    Fill up your players “emotional Bank Accounts”.  Make 4 deposits to one withdrawal.

    Encourage your players to take responsibility.  The best ones have often been allowed too much freedom from this at lower levels (i. e., AAU ball)  “My Bad” is not sufficient.
   
    You can help, but players must know that they are in charge of their own attitudes, work ethic, enthusiasm, and mental/physical approaches.

    Many times I have been asked how a coach gets an NBA player to listen.  The answer is that you must be willing and able to help them get better.  If you can do that, they will listen because they do want to improve.  Once you quit helping them, you can lose them.  Keep improving and learning yourself, therefore.

    When Hank Haney quits helping Tiger Woods to win, Tiger will get another coach. (This was written in 2009—Hank is gone.)

    Learn to read body language to be able better to deal with a player that day.

    Watch your own body language in practice and especially during games.  Do not slump over at the bench or go goofy when things go wrong or a player makes a mistake. Have enthusiastic or positive approach when appropriate, but stay subdued in the down times.  You can go crazy on the team, but that is different than the defeatist, slumped over approach or the throwing your hands up in the air to the crowd as if to say—I am ok, but what is wrong with that player? Stay in control of your body language no matter what you are feeling inside.  (Solid advice—hard to do)

    Why do coaches react so strongly to a player’s mistakes in many cases?  Trust this.  It is because the coach wants to divorce himself from that mistake and thus that player at that time.  It is his way of telling the fans that it is not his fault.  The same coach will give a body language reaction fist pump that says, “That is what I coached him to do” when the player scores. 

    One of your main goals with each player is to coach him to become the best  teammate he can be.  When we interviewed a player pre-draft, we always asked him about his relationship to his coaches and to his teammates.  When we talked to his coach we wanted to know what kind of teammate he was. 

    When I coached college, I coined a term called “Teammanship” and in that concept we tried to inculcate things that would honor team membership and encourage team building.  (On one occasion for each of my two top scorers I had to put them to the brink of elimination in order to get them to know I was serious.  Thankfully, both stayed but one came in the day before he was to enroll at another college to tell me he wanted to come back and be a good team member.  He led the team in scoring and we went 25-3, 6th in nation).

    When my first of two college teams that were inducted into their own Hall of Fame en masse, all 13 players came from as far as Europe to be there. The one who came from England was the one I mentioned in the previous point.  I had started with that team nearly 35 years previously to their induction, but they were still a team.

    Other books of value—The Outliers, The Talent Code (maybe the best relative to teaching/coaching technique I have ever read), Training Camp by Jon Gordon, Leadership Secrets of Attila the Hun (great quick read), Red and Me by Bill Russell, Talent is not Enough by John Maxwell (any of his leadership books such as the Servant Leader, etc.), the magazine entitled SUCCESS, and many more.

    My own book, On Point—4 steps to better life teams is obviously one I believe in for great team building that leads to lasting relationships—worth more than trophies.  See www.OnPointLifeTeam.com for review.

    Allow enough shooting time.  Still the most singly important factor in the game.  Bad plays look good when ball goes in and vice versa.

    Encourage your shooters to get in their 300 or so reps every day.  Nowitzki and Nash and then Jason Terry got in 500 every day---every day—and they are the best for obvious reasons.

    These players came into the NBA as poor shooters—Jordan, Dr. J., and Clyde Drexler and they became Hall of Famers and good shooters.  Most players become much better shooters in the NBA due to reps. Check any player’s career stats.

    If a player comes into the league as a rebounder or a steals guy, he will rebound and steal in the league.  The only stat that players consistently get better at is shooting and it is because they get more reps as a pro.

    Defense is the difference in championship games normally.  But while defense may win a championship for you, you will never get a chance to find out, if you cannot score.

    The thing that makes for a bad team in the NBA (remember that every one of these players was the best on his HS and college team in most cases) is the inability to score.

    Avoid trying to keep your team at half court too much thinking that you can stop them and do more teaching.   The game is played full court.

    Too much time at half court will stifle a teams fast break game as the initial reaction to go to the other end is the difference in a successful break most often.

    A team that spends too much time at half court teaching will not be as good a transition defensive team as it needs to be in most cases.

    So, do more scrimmage-like situations but control the scrimmages and fulfill what you want as a teacher and what the team needs for transition offense and defense.

    Best scrimmage teaching drills are starting with a specific situation at half court and then letting there be that possession and two more.  This three-possession game is called O-D-O for Offense-Defense-Offense.  On the second and third possession the teams can do whatever comes up, as that is the way the game is played.

    Limiting the scrimmage to three possessions allows you to teach the pluses and minuses of the three possessions better because everyone can remember that short of a series.

    Drill also some 5-possession games and do the same way.  You start with a controlled half court and then the players play out four more possessions, ending up on the end they started.  The game is generally played in spurts of no more than 5 possessions before a whistle is blown and this allows game feel and coach control.

    Be inventive with these controlled sessions.  Have each possession be only with 10 seconds; or have them run a particular set when they don’t have a fast break; or have them go vs. man/man some and zone on other sets; and start the initial possession from out of bounds needing a 3 or needing a quick 2 or running the clock etc.

    You can score these by giving a point for a score and a point for a stop.  With 3 possessions (or 5) there will always be a winner since there are an uneven number of points available.  The winner of each one can start the next set if you want.  Or you can keep track of the number of sets each team wins to determine a winner.  Award the winners.

    You never waste time when you do the defensive shell drills.

    Remember that you must emphasize defense, but offense is more involved because it involves ball skills and exact timing.  Thus, offense takes more time.

    I always doubt coaches who say they spend far more time on defense than offense.  Why would you do that when offense requires much more teaching and time? And why ignore offense when teaching defense---the guys on both sides of the ball are on your team when you are teaching defense, unless you spend the whole time running slides against air.  Air is not the enemy—good to remember in all defenses, especially when in a zoning situation on the weak side or when the team is in a regular zone defense.

    Hopefully, anyone should realize that you could teach both offense and defense at the same time. So teach both at the same time. If you cannot, have an assistant focus on what you are not focused on and let him talk.

    Even in the most dedicated of offensive drills, if a player does well or poorly on defense, you cannot overlook that.  More time on offense, more emphasis on defense.

    Your team will reflect what you emphasize. (worth repeating)

    You are an offensive or defensive coach relative to what upsets you.  If you say you are a defense coach but never sub for poor defense by your better players, you are not a defense coach. (If he is really good, you don’t have to leave him out for long—you made a point).

    If you are an execution coach but don’t get upset at the lack of execution, then you really are not what you say you are.

Summary Note

    Over the years your teams will be identified by about 3-5 things that they do well—not 10-15 things.  Those are the things you teach well and that are important to you.

    With the great coaches you always know what their teams will do well.  So decide how you want to be typified and stick with that as long as you are successful.  Make subtle changes as you go, but stick with your winning core.


Del Harris, GM Texas Legends, NBADL
dharris@texlegends.com
www.OnPointLifeTeams.com 

 Del Harris is a legendary basketball coach, who has been associated with seven NBA teams over a thirty-seven year period. He served as head coach of the Houston Rockets, Milwaukee Bucks and the Los Angeles Lakers, where he was NBA Coach of the Year in 1995.  He became the 19th NBA coach to earn 500 wins while with the Lakers. He has a varied background, having coached with five different countries’ national teams; is an ordained minister and a member of SAG. He is currently General Manager for the Texas Legends of the NBA Development League, the Mavericks’ affiliate. 

Individual Skills Defense Drills

Spend time on individual skills each day... these drills are quick and don't take a lot of your practice time, but are important for developing the skill set necessary to play good defense.

Stance Drill

In diagram A, we get all players lined up four or five across (depending on your number of players) in rows. In the stance drill, we have players maintain the correct defensive stance for one minute. We want the hands and arms up and out, and feet shoulder width apart, weight on the balls of the feet (not flat-footed), knees bent and butt out. Surprisingly, it is not easy for players to hold this position for 60 seconds, as arm and leg fatigue creep in. You must do this drill regularly to strengthen these muscles so that your defenders don't lose their defensive stance late in a possession. A zone defense looks "lazy" when players are tired, not sprinting, and hands are down. While players are holding this stance position, you can use this minute to talk to them about anything you want.

Slides Drill

In diagram B, after doing the stance drill for one minute, we do slides from side to side, again maintaining a good defensive stance with arms out and up, weight on the balls of the feet, and using good footwork, without crossing our feet. Start with players chattering their feet in place. As the coach yells (or points) the instructions, "right" or "left", players slide accordingly and chattering again once they stop sliding. Make sure that when players slide, they do not lower their hands... hands should remain up and active. Do this for another minute.

Triangle "Anticipation - Deflection" Drill

In diagram C, break the team down into 4-player groups. The player in the middle gets in the defensive stance (described above) and will try to anticipate and deflect the pass. After receiving the pass, the passer should hold the ball for a couple counts to allow the defender to get set, and can pass to either receiver. Do this drill so that each player gets 30-45 seconds of defending. This drill teaches defenders to read the passer and improves reaction time and quickness.

Ball Pressure Drill

In diagram D, each player has a partner. The defender is an arm's length from the offensive player, and he/she pressures the ball-handler with active hands, but without reaching in and fouling. No dribbling is permitted, and the offensive player must use his/her pivoting skills to protect the ball. Do this for 30 seconds and have players switch offense <==> defense.

Contain the Dribbler Drill

In diagram E, each player again has a partner. The defender is an arm's length from the offensive player, and he/she pressures the ball-handler with active hands, but without reaching in and fouling. Dribbling is now permitted, when the coach yells "go", the offensive player dribbles either left or right for a few steps, as the defender moves his/her feet quickly to contain the dribbler. Have the offensive player dribble to the right and to the left several times, and then switch offense <==> defense.

1-on-1 Full-Court Zig-Zag Drill

In diagram A below, each player has a partner of similar quickness and size. We use both sides of the floor and each two-some is confined to their side of the court. The offensive player tries to dribble the length of the court (staying on just half of the court), and attacks to score. The defensive player tries to cut and turn the offensive player as many times as he/she can coming up the court, and then defends 1-on-1 at the basket. The defender must get low and move his/her feet quickly. Hands should be active, but the defender must not reach in and foul (there is even a variation wherein the defensive player must keep his hands behind his back at all times). If the defender gets beaten, he/she must turn and sprint to recover.

1-on-1 Full-Court Zig-Zag and Close-Out Drill

In diagrams B and C above, again each player has a partner of similar quickness and size. We use both sides of the floor and each two-some is confined to their side of the court. The offensive player tries to dribble beyond half-court and then passes to a coach standing out-of-bounds along the sideline. The defensive player tries to cut and turn the offensive player as many times as he/she can coming up the court. Once the pass is made to the coach on the sideline, the offensive player turns and sprints back to the half-court line and then back and receives the pass back from the coach (diagram C above), while the defensive player sprints to the endline and then back to close-out on the ball. Both players then finish by playing 1-on-1.

Rotation and Close-Out Drills

The following drills help develop the necessary "habits" in rotating within the help defense, and closing out on the offense.

On-Off Drill

In diagram F, as the ball is skip-passed to the left wing, X3 must first close-out with high hands, and then retreat back inside once X1 gets over to the ball. This is called going "on and off" for the forward defender (X3). Defenders should sprint quickly as the ball is in the air, as soon as it leaves the passer's hands. Close-out with high hands in a good defensive stance.

Skip-Pass to Corner Drill

In diagram G, as the ball is skip-passed to the left corner, X3 must close-out with high hands and defend the ball. This is his/her man and X3 does not go "on and off" in the corner, but stays with the ball. X1 drops inside to prevent a pass to the lane or elbow. Defenders should sprint quickly as the ball is in the air, as soon as it leaves the passer's hands. X3 closes-out with high hands in a good defensive stance.

Forward's Wing and Corner Rotations Drill

Now we will drill how the outside low defender (forward) X4 defends the pass to the wing and to the corner. In diagram F2, as the ball is passed to the wing O2, X4 goes "on" (closes-out with high hands), and then retreats back inside ("off"). As the pass goes to the corner (diagram F3), X4 closes-out with high hands and stays with the ball in the corner. As the ball is passed back out to the wing O2 (diagram F4), X4 simply drops back inside, as normally X1 would already be on the ball O2 and there is no need to go "on and off" here.

Forward's On-Off Rotations Drill

The next several diagrams H - K show how our two outside low defenders (forwards X3 and X4) rotate as the ball moves around on the perimeter. In diagram H, as the ball is passed from the point to the right wing, X4 goes "on and off" initially closing-out with high hands, and then retreating back inside. X3 moves inside the paint. As the ball is passed back to the point (diagram I), X3 moves back out to his/her usual neutral position.


As the ball is passed from the point to the left wing (diagram J), X3 goes "on and off" initially closing-out with high hands, and then retreating back inside. X4 moves inside the paint. Diagram K shows a wing-to-wing skip-pass, with X4 going "on and off" and X3 dropping inside.

Spend a few minutes with the three offensive players passing the ball around on top while X3 and X4 rotate accordingly and quickly as the ball is in the air. In you have an assistant, use both ends of the court and make sure all of your inside defenders get enough repetitions.

Basic pointers for all defenses
1. No lay-ups. Try to keep the ball outside. Double-team the ball in the paint.

2. Be vocal, talk to each other.

3. Move quickly, adjust your position relative to the movement of the ball. Move quickly on the flight of the ball, as soon as it leaves the passer's hands.

4. Get your hands up and out, to shrink the passing lanes.
5. Close-out on the shooter with high hands, to pressure the shot and the pass. We are less concerned with dribble-penetration since the zone creates too much congestion inside for the dribble-drive.
6. Stay in your defensive stance. This is especially important for weakside defenders. The weakside low defender should keep his "butt to the baseline" so that he can see the floor, and see any cutters or screeners coming his way, etc.
7. No fouls... play good defense without fouling.
8. No second shots... be aggressive rebounders.

9. When the offense dribble penetrates, quickly close the gap.

10. Get to know your opponent and adjust. Over-protect against the best shooters, or the "hot" shooter, and sag off the guy who never shoots.

11. Trap the corners.

12. Especially if you are ahead, don't gamble or get too zealous about trapping the wing and point guard positions. Keep pressure on the ball, but also protect the paint and force the outside, low-percentage shot.

Defensive Concepts

Lawrence Frank (Head Coach Detroit Pistons) 

“Your every day habits will determine your execution.”


To play on a good defensive team you must:
a. be a good individual defender.
b. be a good team defender.
c. be both a & b.
** If neither, you won’t play! **


Defensive non-negotiables:
1. Sprinting back on defense.
2. Protecting our paint.
3. Closing out hard and contesting the shot.
4. Playing aggressively without unnecessary fouls.
5. All five players blocking out and rebounding.
** No Layups
** No Freethrows
** No corner 3′s


If the ball gets into the paint, what are the consequences for the offense?
1. Charge
2. Steal
3. Deflection
4. Blocked shot
5. Hard “NBA” foul
** Never mention anything about scoring!


Transition Defense:
1 back = Dunk (or Layup)
2 back = Layup
3 back = Jumper
4 back = Got a chance
5 back = GAME ON!
- Win the first 3 steps!
- Stop the ball above the 3-point line
- Get the ball out of the middle 1/3
- Think “help”
- Open shots beat you in transition, but mismatches rarely will.
“Accept who they are. You job is to make them better than they were.”

Orlando "Tubby" Smith  Head Coach University of Minnesota

1. Wherever the ball is, be on the ball.

2. Contest every shot.

 3. Apply Constant Pressure.

 4. Quickly retreat to the ball line.

 5. Overplay/Deny penetrating passes.

 6. Allow non-penetration passes.

 7. Always see ball and man.

 8. Play up the court as close to the ball as possible.

 9. Attempt to intercept all lobs and bounce passes. Go for a steal with hand closest to the defender.

10. Say Ball and always pressure the ball. Pressuring the ball means to be one arms length away. Communicate with the correct terminology.

 11. Drives must always be stopped

 12. Defending the ball off a pass: when in the passing lane go for a steal with hand closest to the receiver—it leads to less grabbing. Passes away are defended  with one foot in the paint, sprint to the ball, sprint to the help. On pass from top—wing, get butt to baseline.

Brad Stevens Head Coach Butler  University

1. Commitment

• Your players must be completely committed to the system
• In 11 years, never had a player in the program that worked his tail off on the defensive end that wasn’t a great teammate/student
• People that do their job on every play make you feel proud to be a part of the program
• Starts with establishing the correct mindset
• Referenced Doc Rivers from last year’s clinic: Believe or Leave
• If your players believe, you can establish a Defensive DNA
• Felt that when he had young teams, having a great defensive team gave him the best chance to win
• Challenge your team statistically
  Example: Earlier this season, Butler was giving up 45% from the floor, but they found out that if they had gotten three more stops per game, they would be giving up 39%. Defensive FG% dropped 2 percentage points for every stop.
• Your team is never too far away from being great, and never too far away from being bad
• Uses the 10 day break during the season to be tremendously beneficial .
• Really admires how davidson plays-They are unpredictable, yet they have a system that they believe in.
• Your system must be built to defend everything, no matter what is being run against it. (i.e. something you didn’t cover in scouting)
• At the same time, have a degree of unpredictability.

2. Positioning

• First Step to proper positioning is your transition defense.
• Your transition drills have to simulate what happens in the game
• Goals for transition defense
  Stay in front of the basketball
  Protect the basket
  Pick up the basketball
  Find good shooters
• Defending the ball
  First important question where are you on the floor?
  If you have an athletic advantage, you can pressure more
  If you are at an athletic disadvantage, you can pressure more
  If you are at an athletic disadvantage, you have to trick the offensive player in different ways to keep him off balance
  Butler plays a lot of 1 on 1–both bigs and guards.  Everyone must be able to guard 2 dribbles on the perimeter (Bigs will often switch onto a guard late in the shot clock)
• Closeouts
• Three steps then break down (chop your feet) with your arms up; closeout to his dominant hand
• Closeouts are dependent upon personnel
• If you’re closing out to a great shooter, close out to his shooting hand and give him less room to get his shot off.
• If you’re closing out to a great driver, you don’t want to break down as much.  ”A great drive beats a great closeout every time.”

3. Prioritizing

• Are you prioritizing what’s important?  The goal is to stop the other team from scoring
• Scouting is a large part of the equation
• Their system must be adjustable and flexible in terms of guarding different teams/players
• Coach Stevens gave an example of how he used their trip to Italy to work on some different things, and “it took (Butler) three months to get back to our identity.”
• Even though you (as a coach) are thinking about jumping to the ball/your identity all summer doesn’t mean your players are.
• Learned that you need to start back over every year
• Tony Dungy example from his new book: Concept of “regenerative leadership”  Older players spreading the culture to the younger players, and the younger players continue the cycle when they become older players

4. Awareness

• Awareness can allow a marginal athlete to become a very good defender—more so than a great athlete with marginal awareness
• The 4 levels of competency:
• Unconsciously incompetent-You don’t know what you don’t know
• Consciously incompetent-You know that you have no clue
• Consciously competent-You know what’s going on
• Unconsciously competent-You begin to see things before they happen.  You can rely on your habits because of how many times you’ve done it before
• Coach will allow players to have “mature freedom” to make reads when they are in this stage of competency.
• When you’re in the first two categories (unconsciously/consciously incompetent), you should be a great follower/listener.
• 60% of awareness comes from what you have built through practice/drills/habits
• 40% of awareness comes from who you are guarding or what the other team is running
• Uses lots of 4 on 4 work in practice

5. Execution/Technique

• Technique is easy to work on in individuals
• Coach Stevens spent some time at the Indianapolis Colts off season
  Was struck by the consistency in their approach
  Quarterbacks spent 5 minutes per day working on their hand offs with no defense. (Attention to detail)
  Described Peyton Manning as “Elite in his preparation”
• Butler ¡s big on drilling and technique
• Be deliberate in your practice and approach
• The strength and conditioning coach will drill the players in the off season around techniques that the players will be executing all season (i.e. hedging a ball screen) ”Deliberate conditioning”

6. Completion

• The importance of “finishing plays”
• Guys that really care and understand the concept of blocking out
• Butler teaches blocking out based on the individual personnel of their players
• Less mobile player’s responsibility is to keep the offensive player from getting the ball
• A more mobile player (with a nose for the ball) may just hit his man then pursue the ball.

 

Lawrence Harvey "Larry" Brown  Head Coach Southern Methodist University

 

“I never remember losing a game because of constant back doors or lobs by the opponent. That’s why I want to make offensive players ‘drivers” by pressuring the ball. And, off the ball, I want to take away passes by denying. ”


“You can’t pressure the ball on the perimeter and then allow It to be easily passed to the post. Front the post when you pressure the ball. ”


“In the NBA you can’t allow the offense to run their plays. They will kill you. You must disrupt.”


“As a college coach I spent 30 minutes per practice on guarding the dribble."


“On defense I love to deny one pass away. Don’t let the offense change sides with the ball."


“Why would the defense double team in a late clock situation? You will give up a shot unnecessarily.”


“Work on *shell defense* everyday. Don’t get caught up in the offense’s alignment, mix it up.”

Mike Rice Head Coach Rutgers University

“Toughness” by Jay Bilas

I have heard the word "toughness" thrown around a lot lately. Reporters on television, radio and in print have opined about a team or player's "toughness" or quoted a coach talking about his team having to be "tougher" to win.

Then, in almost coordinated fashion, I would watch games and see player upon player thumping his chest after a routine play, angrily taunting an opponent after a blocked shot, getting into a shouting match with an opposing player, or squaring up nose-to-nose as if a fight might ensue. I see players jawing at each other, trying to "intimidate" other players. What a waste of time. That is nothing more than fake toughness, and it has no real value.

I often wonder: Do people really understand what coaches and experienced players mean when they emphasize "toughness" in basketball? Or is it just some buzzword that is thrown around haphazardly without clear definition or understanding? I thought it was the latter, and I wrote a short blog item about it a couple of weeks ago.

The response I received was overwhelming. Dozens of college basketball coaches called to tell me that they had put the article up in the locker room, put it in each player's locker, or had gone over it in detail with their teams.

Memphis coach John Calipari called to say that he had his players post the definition of toughness over their beds because he believed that true "toughness" was the one thing that his team needed to develop to reach its potential. I received messages from high school coaches who wanted to relay the definition of toughness to their players and wanted to talk about it further.

Well, I got the message that I should expound upon what I consider toughness to be. It may not be what you think.

Toughness is something I had to learn the hard way, and something I had no real idea of until I played college basketball. When I played my first game in college, I thought that toughness was physical and based on how much punishment I could dish out and how much I could take. I thought I was tough.

I found out pretty quickly that I wasn't, but I toughened up over time, and I got a pretty good understanding of toughness through playing in the ACC, for USA Basketball, in NBA training camps, and as a professional basketball player in Europe. I left my playing career a heck of a lot tougher than I started it, and my only regret is that I didn't truly "get it" much earlier in my playing career.

When I faced a tough opponent, I wasn't worried that I would get hit -- I was concerned that I would get sealed on ball reversal by a tough post man, or that I would get boxed out on every play, or that my assignment would sprint the floor on every possession and get something easy on me. The toughest guys I had to guard were the ones who made it tough on me.

Toughness has nothing to do with size, physical strength or athleticism. Some players may be born tough, but I believe that toughness is a skill, and it is a skill that can be developed and improved. Michigan State coach Tom Izzo always says, "Players play, but tough players win." He is right.

Here are some of the ways true toughness is exhibited in basketball:

Set a good screen: The toughest players to guard are the players who set good screens. When you set a good screen, you are improving the chances for a teammate to get open, and you are greatly improving your chances of getting open. A good screen can force the defense to make a mistake. A lazy or bad screen is a waste of everyone's time and energy. To be a tough player, you need to be a "screener/scorer," a player who screens hard and immediately looks for an opportunity on offense. On the 1984 U.S. Olympic Team, Bob Knight made Michael Jordan set a screen before he could get a shot. If it is good enough for Jordan, arguably the toughest player ever, it is good enough for you.

Set up your cut: The toughest players make hard cuts, and set up their cuts. Basketball is about deception. Take your defender one way, and then plant the foot opposite of the direction you want to go and cut hard. A hard cut may get you a basket, but it may also get a teammate a basket. If you do not make a hard cut, you will not get anyone open. Setting up your cut, making the proper read of the defense, and making a hard cut require alertness, good conditioning and good concentration. Davidson's Stephen Curry is hardly a physical muscle-man, but he is a tough player because he is in constant motion, he changes speeds, he sets up his cuts, and he cuts hard. Curry is hard to guard, and he is a tough player.

Talk on defense: The toughest players talk on defense, and communicate with their teammates. It is almost impossible to talk on defense and not be in a stance, down and ready, with a vision of man and ball. If you talk, you let your teammates know you are there, and make them and yourself better defenders. It also lets your opponent know that you are fully engaged.

Jump to the ball: When on defense, the tough defenders move as the ball moves. The toughest players move on the flight of the ball, not when it gets to its destination. And the toughest players jump to the ball and take away the ball side of the cut. Tough players don't let cutters cut across their face -- they make the cutter change his path.

Don't get screened: No coach can give a player the proper footwork to get through every screen. Tough players have a sense of urgency not to get screened and to get through screens so that the cutter cannot catch the ball where he wants to. A tough player makes the catch difficult.

Get your hands up: A pass discouraged is just as good as a pass denied. Tough players play with their hands up to take away vision, get deflections and to discourage a pass in order to allow a teammate to cover up. Cutters and post players will get open, if only for a count. If your hands are up, you can keep the passer from seeing a momentary opening.

Play the ball, see your man: Most defenders see the ball and hug their man, because they are afraid to get beat. A tough defender plays the ball and sees his man. There is a difference.

Get on the floor: In my first road game as a freshman, there was a loose ball that I thought I could pick up and take the other way for an easy one. While I was bending over at the waist, one of my opponents dived on the floor and got possession of the ball. My coach was livid. We lost possession of the ball because I wasn't tough enough to get on the floor for it. I tried like hell never to get out-toughed like that again. The first player to get to the floor is usually the one to come up with any loose ball.

Close out under control: It is too easy to fly at a shooter and think you are a tough defender. A tough defender closes out under control, takes away a straight line drive and takes away the shot. A tough player has a sense of urgency but has the discipline to do it the right way.

Post your man, not a spot: Most post players just blindly run to the low block and get into a shoving match for a spot on the floor. The toughest post players are posting their defensive man. A tough post player is always open, and working to get the ball to the proper angle to get a post feed. Tough post players seal on ball reversal and call for the ball, and they continue to post strong even if their teammates miss them.

Run the floor: Tough players sprint the floor, which drags the defense and opens up things for others. Tough players run hard and get "easy" baskets, even though there is nothing easy about them. Easy baskets are hard to get. Tough players don't take tough shots -- they work hard to make them easy.

Play so hard, your coach has to take you out: I was a really hard worker in high school and college. But I worked and trained exceptionally hard to make playing easier. I was wrong. I once read that Bob Knight had criticized a player of his by saying, "You just want to be comfortable out there!" Well, that was me, and when I read that, it clicked with me. I needed to work to increase my capacity for work, not to make it easier to play. I needed to work in order to be more productive in my time on the floor. Tough players play so hard that their coaches have to take them out to get rest so they can put them back in. The toughest players don't pace themselves.

Get to your teammate first: When your teammate lays his body on the line to dive on the floor or take a charge, the tough players get to him first to help him back up. If your teammate misses a free throw, tough players get to him right away. Tough players are also great teammates.

Take responsibility for your teammates: Tough players expect a lot from their teammates, but they also put them first. When the bus leaves at 9 a.m., tough players not only get themselves there, but they also make sure their teammates are up and get there, too. Tough players take responsibility for others in addition to themselves. They make sure their teammates eat first, and they give credit to their teammates before taking it themselves.

Take a charge: Tough players are in a stance, playing the ball, and alert in coming over from the weak side and taking a charge. Tough players understand the difference between being in the right spot and being in the right spot with the intention of stopping somebody. Some players will look puzzled and say, "But I was in the right spot." Tough players know that they have to get to the right spot with the sense of urgency to stop someone. The toughest players never shy away from taking a charge.  

Get in a stance: Tough players don't play straight up and down and put themselves in the position of having to get ready to get ready. Tough players are down in a stance on both ends of the floor, with feet staggered and ready to move. Tough players are the aggressor, and the aggressor is in a stance.

Finish plays: Tough players don't just get fouled, they get fouled and complete the play. They don't give up on a play or assume that a teammate will do it. A tough player plays through to the end of the play and works to finish every play.

Work on your pass: A tough player doesn't have his passes deflected. A tough player gets down, pivots, pass fakes, and works to get the proper angle to pass away from the defense and deliver the ball.

Throw yourself into your team's defense: A tough player fills his tank on the defensive end, not on offense. A tough player is not deterred by a missed shot. A tough player values his performance first by how well he defended.

Take and give criticism the right way: Tough players can take criticism without feeling the need to answer back or give excuses. They are open to getting better and expect to be challenged and hear tough things. You will never again in your life have the opportunity you have now at the college level: a coaching staff that is totally and completely dedicated to making you and your team better. Tough players listen and are not afraid to say what other teammates may not want to hear, but need to hear.

Show strength in your body language: Tough players project confidence and security with their body language. They do not hang their heads, do not react negatively to a mistake of a teammate, and do not whine and complain to officials. Tough players project strength, and do not cause their teammates to worry about them. Tough players do their jobs, and their body language communicates that to their teammates -- and to their opponents.

Catch and face: Teams that press and trap are banking on the receiver's falling apart and making a mistake. When pressed, tough players set up their cuts, cut hard to an open area and present themselves as a receiver to the passer. Tough players catch, face the defense, and make the right read and play, and they do it with poise. Tough players do not just catch and dribble; they catch and face.

Don't get split: If you trap, a tough player gets shoulder-to-shoulder with his teammate and does not allow the handler to split the trap and gain an advantage on the back side of the trap.

Be alert: Tough players are not "cool." Tough players are alert and active, and tough players communicate with teammates so that they are alert, too. Tough players echo commands until everyone is on the same page. They understand the best teams play five as one. Tough players are alert in transition and get back to protect the basket and the 3 point line. Tough players don't just run back to find their man, they run back to stop the ball and protect the basket.

Concentrate, and encourage your teammates to concentrate: Concentration is a skill, and tough players work hard to concentrate on every play. Tough players go as hard as they can for as long as they can. It's not your shot; it's our shot: Tough players don't take bad shots, and they certainly don't worry about getting "my" shots. Tough players work for good shots and understand that it is not "my" shot, it is "our" shot. Tough players celebrate when "we" score.

Box out and go to the glass every time: Tough players are disciplined enough to lay a body on someone. They make first contact and go after the ball. And tough players do it on every possession, not just when they feel like it. They understand defense is not complete until they secure the ball.

Take responsibility for your actions: Tough players make no excuses. They take responsibility for their actions. Take James Johnson for example. With 17 seconds to go in Wake's game against Duke on Wednesday, Jon Scheyer missed a 3-pointer that bounced right to Johnson. But instead of aggressively pursuing the ball with a sense of urgency, Johnson stood there and waited for the ball to come to him. It never did. Scheyer grabbed it, called a timeout and the Blue Devils hit a game-tying shot on a possession they never should've had. Going after the loose ball is toughness -- and Johnson didn't show it on that play. But what happened next? He refocused, slipped a screen for the winning basket, and after the game -- when he could've been basking only in the glow of victory -- manned up to the mistake that could've cost his team the win. "That was my responsibility -- I should have had that," Johnson said of the goof. No excuses. Shouldering the responsibility. That's toughness.

Look your coaches and teammates in the eye: Tough players never drop their heads. They always look coaches and teammates in the eye, because if they are talking, it is important to them and to you.

Move on to the next play: Tough players don't waste time celebrating a good play or lamenting a bad one. They understand that basketball is too fast a game to waste time and opportunities with celebratory gestures or angry reactions. Tough players move on to the next play. They know that the most important play in any game is the next one.

Be hard to play against, and easy to play with: Tough players make their teammates' jobs easier, and their opponents' jobs tougher.

Make every game important: Tough players don't categorize opponents and games. They know that if they are playing, it is important. Tough players understand that if they want to play in championship games, they must treat every game as a championship game.

Make getting better every day your goal: Tough players come to work every day to get better, and keep their horizons short. They meet victory and defeat the same way: They get up the next day and go to work to be better than they were the day before. Tough players hate losing but are not shaken or deterred by a loss. Tough players enjoy winning but are never satisfied. For tough players, a championship or a trophy is not a goal; it is a destination. The goal is to get better every day.

When I was playing, the players I respected most were not the best or most talented players. The players I respected most were the toughest players. I don't remember anything about the players who talked a good game or blocked a shot and acted like a fool. I remember the players who were tough to play against. Anybody can talk. Not anybody can be tough.

The Habits of Great Defenders

• Great Defenders are NOT afraid to take a charge - in fact, they embrace it. 
 
• Great Defenders dive on the floor for loose balls whenever the situation presents itself. 
 
• Great Defenders communicate when they are double-teaming or when a screen is coming. 
 
• Great Defenders don’t gamble. They make the right play, the easy play, the smart play. 
 
• Great Defenders know that THIS possession is THE most important possession of the game – regardless of time and score. 
 
• Great Defenders play aggressively but intelligently. 
 
• Great Defenders never take a play off. Resting is NOT in their vocabulary. 
 
• Great Defenders dictate what the offense is going to do. 
 
• Great Defenders approach each game thinking ‘I'm going to shut my guy down tonight.’ 
 
• Great Defenders do not let the ball go to the middle of the floor on penetration.  
 
• Great Defenders understand the concept of ‘ball-you-man.’ 
 
• Great Defenders keep the offense uncomfortable and off balance as often as they can. 
 
• Great Defenders understand that defense wins championships. If the other team can’t score, they can’t win. 
 
• Great Defenders don’t commit lazy or stupid fouls. 
 
• Great Defenders take pride in deflecting passes. 
 
• Great Defenders have their heads on a swivel and see the entire court (always see their man and the ball). 
 
• Great Defenders play the pick & roll effectively - they hedge with a purpose! 
 
• Great Defenders delay the other team from getting into their offensive sets. They keep the offense out of rhythm and control the tempo. 
 
• Great Defenders pay attention to the scouting report and film sessions. They know who the other team's best players are. 
 
• Great Defenders are CONSTANTLY talking - they relay information quickly & efficiently.

Circle Drill

Coach Ron Sen presents the circle trap defense (and offense) drill which can help young players practice both their offensive and defensive skills:

Young players need to learn to apply and to cope with pressure. As general rules, we teach defenders not to allow players to dribble out of trap defenses, to deny ‘gut passes’ through traps, to deny passes to the high post from traps, and to force players to throw over their outside shoulder.

Offensive players must learn to protect the ball, to see ‘through’ trap defenses, move the ball quickly, use ball fakes, look off defenders, and use pivoting effectively.

Every player is a potential offensive or defensive player. The coach inbounds the ball randomly to a player. There is no dribbling allowed. The two adjacent players become TRAPPERS (T) who aggressively trap. INTERCEPTORS (I) must react to defend the other offensive players (O) who cannot move off their spots. When the ball is passed successfully, the adjacent players become the new trappers and new interceptors come into play.

Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @rsen01 on Twitter
Ron Sen is an assistant coach in a middle school girls basketball program and a primary and specialty care physician

Points for playing defense

#1 STOP THE BASKETBALL

This is the overriding principle of good defense. Stop the ball every time.

#2 HAND ON THE BALL

Pressuring the basketball in the proper manner allows the overplaying of the passing lane and the extending of  help. Constantly influence the basketball away from the basket. When it is up top,  influence it to the sideline. When it is on the sideline, influence it to the corner or back towards the jump circle. You ALWAYS want a hand on the ball. Regardless of whether it is before the dribble, during the dribble, or after the dribble has been picked up. If the ball is passed, we want a hand on the ball. If the ball is shot, we want a hand on the ball.

►If the ball handler has the ball but has not used her dribble, we want to be down in our stance with one hand “mirroring” the basketball at all times.

►If the ball handler is dribbling, we want to be down in our stance with our outside hand pressuring the basketball.

►If the ball handler picks up her dribble, we want to get as close to her without fouling as possible and have both hands aggressively “mirroring” the basketball.

►If the ball handler is attempting to pass, we want to have our outside hand extended in the passing lane, attempting to alter the pass or deflect it.

►If the ball handler attempts to shoot, we want to get a hand up on the ball in an attempt to block or alter the shot. This is an aggressive maneuver, but we want to challenge every shot taken by an opponent. We do not believe that a hand in the face will effect a good shooter — we want to make her change her shot.

#3 JUMP TO THE BASKETBALL
Anytime the ball is passed, all five players jump to the ball. More importantly, they must be jumping on the airtime of the pass. Begin your movement the instant the ball leaves the passers hand. Too often, a defensive player or team, moves after the receiver has caught the ball — that’s not quick enough.

#4 CONTESTING THE LOW POST
When the ball is above the free throw line extended, we want to 3/4 the low post with our lead foot in the passing lane. When the ball is below the free throw line extended, we want to front the low post. Don’t allow any low post touches.

#5 CONTESTING THE HIGH POST
This is simply the most dangerous place on the court for the basketball to be. Not only is it in the middle of the court where we cannot establish helpside and ballside principles, but it is close enough to the basket to be shot or driven. Defensively we must be able to anticipate the post flash and contest the pass to the high post.

#6 HELPSIDE POSITIONING

The key to helpside is to take away offensive spacing for our opponent. Our opponent should constantly be looking at 3 (offensive players) vs. 5 (defensive players) situation if we are stationed properly. If the ball is above the motion line, we want the helpside defensive player to have 1 foot in the paint forming a triangle with herself, the ball, and the player she is defending. If the ball is below the motion line, we want the helpside defensive player to have 2 feet in the paint, again forming a triangle.

#7 EARLY HELP

Anticipate situations that need help. Help must come early. We don’t want to have to help once the ball is in the paint, rather before it gets to the paint. Recovery is just as important as help. Help and then return to your assignment.

#8 CLOSEOUT
Know who you are closing out on and defend accordingly. Contest every shot.

#9 BLOCKOUT

Make contact, maintain contact, find the basketball, and go rebound the basketball. A rebound represents a possession. Limit the other team  to one shot at the basket each time down the floor.

#10 DEFEND WITHOUT FOULING

There are three things that we don’t want to give up on defense. One is an open shot by a good shooter. We take this away by putting our hand on the ball when it is shot. The second is to not allow an uncontested lay-up (we will talk about this in #12). And finally, we don’t want to bail out the offense and let them get to the free throw line for easy points.

#11 TRANSITION DEFENSE

Sprint back, stop the ball before it makes it to the paint and take away easy opportunities from our opponent when they fast break. Stop the basketball first and make sure we don’t allow any open lay-ups. Then pick up you assignment.

#12 KNOW YOUR SCOUTING REPORT

Know what our point of emphasis is defensively and understand who they are defending individually.

#13 BE MOTIVATED TO DEFEND.

Defense is a daily event — with no days off.  Be excited about playing defense. Be difficult to score against.

#14 STAY IN STANCE

If you are going to be solid defensively, you must stay the proper stance and, more importantly, condition yourself to stay in that stance. The stance begins at the bottom where we want the feet a little wider than shoulders width. The body should be low, bent at the knees (not at the back) with the head up. Keep your elbows tucked and tight to the body with hands extended and palms up.

Advanced Defensive Cone Drills

Advanced Defensive Cone Drills

by Coach Dave Stricklin
It has become extremely obvious in recent years that having superior athletes is going to help ignite your defensive presence. With athletic players on the defensive side of the ball you will be able to apply additional pressure on the ball handlers and passers, stop dribble penetration and transition from defense to offense quicker and more effectively (which is seldom emphasized).

I am sure that every coach would like to see his team improve in those three areas. However if you walk into various gyms throughout the country you will find many coaches only implementing various shell type drills in order to teach all aspects of defense. While these drills are great for working on team defensive specifics it does not address individual defensive agility. No matter which defensive scheme you run, it will be more effective if you have better athletes.

One area that athletes really need to work on is the transition from defensive slide to full sprint. Below are three drills that train that very movement. After spending as little as 10 minutes 2-3x a week your athletes will notice an incredible difference in their defensive footwork speed.

This first drill is great for all basketball players as it works on changing speeds in all three primary classifications; forward, backward and laterally. Players start at the bottom cone facing half court. They begin the drill by sliding 3 slides across the middle of the key. Once they return to their original starting position they will now sprint to the first cone. Upon reaching the first cone the athletes will back pedal back to the first cone where they will again proceed to slide 3 times across the key and back. Players will now sprint to the third cone and once they are there they will back pedal back to the first cone. Again they will slide 3 times across the middle of the key and back and then sprint to half court to end the drill.



In the second drill players will again line up facing half court. To start players will slide to the first cone 5 feet away and then they will turn and sprint to the farthest cone. After reaching the farthest cone they will turn around and now sprint to the sideline.



The last drill is great for teams who utilize a full court man to man press. Athletes will start on the free-throw line facing half court. Just like when guarding a ball handler, athletes will now slide backward diagonally to the first cone and then will turn and slide in like manner to the second and third cones as well. Once they slide past the third cone, the players will now full on sprint to the three point line. The emphasis of this drill is on improving the quickness of the first 3 steps of each player's sprint.


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Teaching Man to Man Defense

To develop athleticism, you have to play 1v1 on-ball defense. There is nobody to trap or bail you out, except for help defense. So you have to move faster, work harder and smarter, and react quicker to keep the ball in front of you or out of the middle of the court. 

Players develop  better basketball IQ playing man to man defense.  While playing man to man a defender is transitioning to different spots on the floor and learning to defend screens, cutters, post players, ball handlers, shooters, etc.

I plan to teach Man to Man along with the Shell Drill for help defense.

Things to teach:

Move on the pass, NOT the catch. By simply by moving on the pass, you get an extra second to get to your position. In fact, many times your can actually get to their position at the same time the ball arrives!

Keep you knees bent in an athletic stance, even when you are two passes away on help side defense.

Know who you will be guarding ahead of time.

An easy way to improve mental quickness and anticipation is to study your opponent. Smart players will sit on the bench and watch  the moves of the player they will be guarding.

When defending the player away from the ball:
1. Stay between your man and the ball. See your man and the ball at ALL times!
2. Deny all penetrating passes.
   
3. Be close enough to stop the player you are guarding if the ball is passed to him.
   
4. Be close enough to help! You should be close enough to the player with the ball to prevent him from getting into the danger zone if he dribbles by the defender that is guarding him.
   
5. Always stop the ball if it is in front of you!


When One Pass Away:

1. Be Close Enough to Help - When a player is one pass away, the defensive player should be off the player he is guarding and both "Up the Line" and "On the Line."

2. Up the Line - The line we are referring to is the imaginary line between the player with the ball and the player that the defender is guarding. The defender should be a 1/3 to 1/2 the distance up that imaginary line. This distance allows the defender to be close enough to help on dribble penetration. It also allows him to be close enough to stop the player he's defending if the ball is passed to him. If the ball handler gets by the defender and you cannot get there in time to help, you are probably not far enough "Up the Line."


3. On the Line - This refers to when the defender should have his feet or hands in the path of that imaginary line. This positioning may vary depending on whether you allow or deny the perimeter pass. If you allow the perimeter pass, you may take a step back so you can stop penetration. If you deny it, you'll definitely want to have a foot and hand on the imaginary line to force more turnovers.


4. Be Close Enough to Stop the Player You Are Guarding - You want to be close enough to help, but you also need to be close enough to stop the player you're guarding if the ball is passed to him. If you cannot get to your player in time to stop him, you are probably too far "Up the Line."


5. Be Ready to Move - Just like any other position on the court, you must have your knees bent and ready to move quickly!

6. See Man and the Ball - You should be able to see the man you are guarding and the player with the ball at all times. This way you can see if your man moves. You can also react to help on dribble penetration if the ball handler penetrates. Never turn your back on the ball.

Head Position
Something that is crucial while seeing your man and the ball is head position.

When you're one pass away, you always need to see your man and the ball at all times, so head position is really important. Your head should essentially be looking straight between the ball and your player so that you never have to turn it.

If you have to turn your head to see the ball, or if you have to turn your head to see the player you're guarding, you're in the wrong position. It's very important to see both the man and the ball without turning your head.

A big mistake that most players make is that they're constantly looking back and forth. If you have to look towards the ball for a split second, your man can cut behind you and beat you for a lay-up to the basket. If you take your eye off the ball to look at the player you're guarding, the offensive player might dribble-penetrate by the defender and you'll be too late to help or rotate.

1v1 Full Court Defense Drill

This is a great drill that improves ball handling, 1v1 defense, and athleticism. It also conditions your players and is a vital foundation for any team defense.

Instructions

    •    The offensive player and the defensive player start on the baseline.
    •    The offensive player tries to beat the defensive player down the court.
    •    If the offensive player goes by the defender and the defender does not recover, the offensive player goes back to the spot where the defender was beat and starts from there again.
    •    Offensive player and defensive player alternate after one trip.

Variations:
    •    Use the whole court. This gives the offensive player more space and creates more of a challenge for the defensive player. However, you can not have as many players participating in the drill at the same time.
    •    Man in the hole - defensive player has to play defense 3 consecutive trips against 3 different offensive players. Each line would require four players. This is a great conditioner and forces the defender to become mentally disciplined.
    •    No Ball - the offensive player does not have a ball and tries to get past the defender. Good challenge if you have a great athlete on your team.

Here are a few things to emphasize:
    •    All Feet. Don't Reach. When practicing this drill, players tend to reach. Reinforce "All Feet" to make sure they are not reaching. Not only does reaching increase the number of fouls committed, when players reach, they lose their balance for an instant. 

    •    Chest Up. Remind the players to keep their torso up. You want the neck/chin is above the toes, this is a good position. 

    •    Chest Forward. The player is leaning too far back and is putting too much weight on his heels which makes it difficult to stay balanced and explode in either direction. 

    •    Front Of Feet.  Heep the majority of the weight on the front of the feet to stay balanced and ready to move in any direction. 

    •    Don't Lean.  When players lean too much to one side, they will lose balance. When players stop, they reposition their shoulders in the new direction they are heading. This helps prevent the upper body from swaying and the player from losing balance. 

    •    Run! Sometimes, a player may be lightning-quick and the defensive player will struggle to keep up using just the defensive shuffle. So the player has to run with their upper-body facing the offensive player to stay in front. A lot of athletic development coaches call this the crossover step. Players will also have to turn and run to get in front of the offensive player if they have gotten beat.