Basketball drills

Goal: learn/improve defensive position (1 pass or 2 passes away)

Organization:

• 4 attackers and 4 defenders
• attackers may only pass
• immediately after the pass, the passer must change position
• 2 passes to 4
• 2 cuts to basket
• 6 defends the pass to 2 with a jump to the ball
• defender 8 does not allow the pass from 4 to 2
• Attackers 1 and 3 move up one position
• Defender 3 goes from help to denial
• ball is above the lifeline, so defender 8 moves from the lifeline to the side of the bucket

Goal: learn or improve drop step and side slides + condition

Organization:

• place 5 cones as shown
• vary distance and angle
• players move with slides from one pawn to the other
• at every cone they make a drop step and change hands from high to low and vice versa
• Always face the back line where the player started.
• between pawns 3 and 4, a short quick sprint (now with the face to the other back line)
• at pawn 4, turn 180 degrees, assume defensive position, drop step + slides to pawn 5
• in a quiet run back to the starting point

Teaching Points:

• Feet at least shoulder width.
• Knees at about 100 degrees (= sitting down deeply)
• shoulders above the heels (= back straight)
• Head straight up (overlook the field)
• Hand closest to the ball is low (to be able to tap the ball away on the dribble)
• Other hand is above the shoulder (to intercept a pass)
• push hard on the push-off leg to gain speed
• Feet stay low to the ground (= slide, shuffle)
• feet do not connect after a slide, but remain at shoulder width
• at the drop step, the foot closest to the ball moves backwards quite a bit; then the defender changes direction and the hands change from high to low and vice versa
• intermediate sprint must be quick (= simulate recovery of defensive position after the dribbler has passed the defender)
• take up position between pawn 4 and the basket and immediately with slides to pawn 5

Variations:

• let the defender keep his hands behind his back if you want to accentuate his feet and stance
• make bigger differences in the distance between the pawns and the angle they are placed to each other.

Requirements:

• players must be able to individually defend the man with the ball
• players must be able to dribble

Goal: defender must keep the dribbler in the marked area, so that it crosses the center line in the lane

Organization:

• waiting player takes the ball
• and counts down 8 seconds
• The dribbler has to touch the helpline at least once with his foot before he can cross the
• the half way line.
• the dribbler wins if he crosses the half way line outside the marked area (choose a line on the field)
• defender wins if he allows the dribbler to cross the centre line inside the marked area OR at 8 seconds
• loser has to defend in the next round

Teaching Points:

• defender must keep an appropriate distance, taking into account the dexterity and speed of the dribbler
• Defender must anticipate the changes of direction of the dribbler.

Requirements:

• players must be able to individually defend the man with the ball
• players must be able to dribble

Goal: defender must force the dribbler to the side of the field. Dribbler must never penetrate over the defender's front foot and through the middle

Organization:

• choose a line on the field and demarcate the lane with it
• the dribbler must reach the baseline within 5 seconds
• the waiting player counts down aloud
• every time the attacker dribbles over the chosen line, he has a point (waiting player will judge doubtful cases)
• the attacker then dribbles back to the touchline at the same height and lets the defender take his position. The players continue the game, the time runs on
• defender pushes up 5 times for each point
• Attacker becomes defender, waiting player starts dribbling

Teaching Points:

• front hand points to the ball
• at the start of the dribble, the front foot of the defender should be next to the attacker to prevent him from coming directly over the front foot.
• Encourage the attacker to try this every time
• defender should keep an appropriate distance, taking into account the dexterity and speed of the dribbler
• defender should take a slide-step towards the half way line and towards the by-line to prevent the attacker from penetrating over the front foot.

Variations

• start with restrictions for the dribbler: compulsory dribbling with the weak hand; other hand on the back etc.
• as the defenders improve, remove these restrictions step by step

Game shape:

• helper starts on the block
• and may only defend in the marked block
• attacker has 8 seconds to score (the helper counts down)
• if attacker 1 manages to pass defender 3 over his front foot, he can score through the bucket, without the helper being able to do anything
• if defenders 2 and 3 are only allowed to help in the marked area
• at a score the attacker keeps the ball
• at a stop, the players move up one position

Requirements:

• players must be able to individually defend the man with the ball
• Players must be able to dribble

Goal: defender forces the dribbler to the side of the field and reduces the distance so that the dribbler grabs the ball.

Organization:

• choose a line on the field and demarcate the lane with it
• the defender has to keep the attacker inside the lane
• the dribbler has to be at the back line within 5 seconds
• the waiting player counts down aloud
• immediately after the start of the dribble, the second defender locks the dribbler in the back of the court
• as soon as the dribbler takes the ball, the defenders together cut off the passing lines towards the half way line
• and only passes they allow are parallel to the touchline

Teaching Points:

• first defender must aggressively close the gap
• AND close off the touchline
• second man starts as soon as the dribbler crosses the half way line
• trace the ball
• defenders always one hand low and one hand high (umbrella)
• attacker is never allowed to step or pass between the defenders
• avoid mistakes; conquer the ball by 1) 5 seconds, 2) bad pass, 3) attacker's foot on the line

Variations

• start with restrictions for the dribbler: mandatory dribbling with the weak hand; other hand on the back etc.
• as the defenders improve, remove these restrictions step by step
• 2 extra attackers and 2 extra defenders. After the dribbler has picked up the ball, the 2 extra attackers try to open up a passing line The defenders must intercept the pass

Requirements:

• players must be able to individually defend the man with the ball
• players must be able to dribble
• players must be able to outbox

Goal1: Defender must force the dribbler to the side of the field. Dribbler may never penetrate over the defender's front foot and through the middle.

Goal2: boxing out after the shot

Organization:

• 1 against 1 across the longitudinal half
• Loser must defend in the next round, takes the ball and stays on his own length half.
• attacker goes to the other longitudinal half
• defender must push 3 times in the centre circle if the attacker can make a lay up.

Teaching Points:

• defender must keep an adequate distance: do not allow penetration
• immediately after the shot, the defender seeks contact with the attacker
• back parallel to the baseline
• boom out with a front pivot or a reverse pivot

Requirements:

• players must be able to individually defend the man with the ball
• players must be able to dribble

Goal: defender must force the dribbler to the side of the field. Dribbler must never penetrate over the defender's front foot and through the middle

Organization:

• 1 against 1 across the longitudinal half
• Loser must defend in the next round
• defender must press down 3 times if the attacker comes between the defender and the helpline anyway

Teaching Points:

• defender must keep an appropriate distance, taking into account the dexterity and speed of the dribbler
• defender must keep a constant distance from the three-point line (i.e. when the attacker comes within shooting distance of the basket)
• as the skill of the defenders increases, reduce the distance to the attackers

Goal: securing the dribbler against the sideline after stopping the dribble

Organisation:

• defender passes to attacker on signal of the coach
• Attacker is NOT allowed to dribble, only to pivot.
• the trainer counts down 5 seconds

Teaching Points:

• Get as close to the attacker as possible (but stay in your own cylinder).
• Move your feet closer to the attacker, but keep your position between the attacker and the helpline.
• If the attacker allows you to have his back, move your feet forward.
• trace the ball
• defenders always one hand low and one hand high (Umbrella)
• the attacker is never allowed to step or pass between the defenders (only passes parallel to the sideline are allowed)
• avoid mistakes; conquer ball by 1) 5 seconds, 2) bad pass, 3) attacker's foot on the line

Form of play:

Two additional attackers running free outside the lane. A successful pass between the defenders is a point for the attackers. 5 seconds or foot of the attacker on the line is a point for the defenders. Play to the 2.

Goal: to defend one pass away

Organization:

• attackers use quarter of the field
• try to get free with in-out or cut
• first restore balance by occupying the 3 positions before cutting again
• defender overplays when his man is playable with one pass
• attacker can dribble
• a waiting player counts down 20 seconds

Teaching Points:

• hand in the passing line
• front foot in the passing line
• catch your man with your forearm
• 3/4 of your attention on the man, 1/4 on the ball
• NO help
• change after x stops

Form of play:

• each team gets 5x ball possession
• who makes the most stops

Requirements:

players must be able to play individually 1 against 1

Goal: train position of the defender to help prevent penetration (instead of passing over) + recovery

Preparation:

• the defender must first choose his position in such a way that he can help stop the penetration
• after matching the attacker, he takes up his position between the ball and the ring
• at the distance suited to the qualities of the attacker
• or at the distance requested by the coach
• the players play 1 against 1
• Attacker becomes defender.
• New attacker turns in

Organisation:

• the three defenders start in the bucket, with the ball
• defender 5 rolls the ball to 1 and defenders take up their positions
• attackers hold their position and pass the ball back and forth (also pass fakes!!)
• they may score with a drive or a dribble with jump shot
• a three-point is a point for the attack
• a two-point shot is a point for the offense, but
• if there is still a defender between the shooter and the basket at the moment of shooting, it is a point for the defense
• interception or defensive rebound is a point for the defense
• play until the 5, then change

Teaching Points:

• defenders have to take the right position immediately after the pass with an explosive step
• Anticipate the pass and take a slide step so that you can get to your defensive position earlier (in case of a pass fake, you have to take a slide step back quickly)
• one pass away = one metre from your man and one metre from the passing line, so that you can help with the penetration of the ball
• when the ball is 2 passes away, you have to stand with 2 feet in the bucket
• immediately after the shot, both defenders must look at their man instead of the ball and box out

Variations:

• offensive rebound is a point for the attack (if you want to emphasize boxing out)
• shallow cut from 1 after the pass + 2 rotates to the head
• shallow cut from 1 after the pass + 2 sets a screen for 1 under the elbow and then steps out to the guard position

Requirements:

players must be able to play individually 1 against 1

Goal1: Improve the position change of the defender between helpside and ballside defense

Goal2: boxing out after the shot

Organisation:

• one of the defenders passes the ball from under the basket to an attacker
• A defender on the ball side closes the way to the basket (close out).
• the other defender takes the help side position: one foot in the bucket if the ball is above the free throw line; on the basket-basket line if the ball is below the free throw line
• When the ball is passed to the weak side, both defenders must quickly adjust their position relative to their man.

Substitutions:

• make it, take it
• or two is too much (push up defenders after 2 consecutive scores)
• (if you have more than 4 players, let the other players practice shooting at the other basket)

Teaching Points:

• Close out weak side shooter
• two explosive sprint steps, then lower your hips a bit + reduce step size
• inside foot in front
• outside hand in the shooter's face
• After the shot:
• immediately after the shot, both defenders must look at their man instead of the ball and box out
• put the forearm on the chest of the attacker
• box out with a front pivot or a reverse pivot and chase the ball

Variations:

• defenders may score from a rebound or interception
• the scoring team continues to attack
• play until the 7

Prerequisites:

players must be quite proficient and in good shape

Objective:

concentration and energy in defense

Organization:

• 4 against 4 on one basket
• new defenders when the defence has made 3 stops (i.e. the defenders gain possession of the ball).
• after a score or a foul on the shot, the defending team returns one stop
• The exercise lasts 12 minutes
• and if you do not defend well, you are defending for 12 minutes.
• if the attacks take too long, the trainer will count down loudly: 5-4-3-2-1-0

Teaching Points:

• After 2 stops the whole defense steps up their game. When they make the third stop, they can start attacking.
• As a side effect, the attackers learn in a playful way who will hit the balls when it gets exciting, and who will not.

When you have 12 men:

• rotate with 4 men
• After every stop, score or foul on the shot, a new team of attackers enters the field (trainer determines if it is a foul).
• the team that causes the third and last stop goes to defend

Variations:

• three defenders, four attackers
• make 2 or 3 consecutive stops before being allowed to change.
• (with shot clock) 35 seconds of defense without scoring and without a foul. At a stop, the clock stays on and the attackers can try again. If the attackers score, or grab an offensive rebound, or if the defense makes a foul, the clock goes back to 35 seconds.