Individual Defense Drills

 

1-on-1 Push-Step

• Player A begins dribbling in a zig-zag fashion as player B practices his push-step technique.

• Player B must stay in his stance with his arms locked behind his back.

• Switch places on the return trip.

 

3-Man Defensive Drill

• This live 3-man defensive drill allows for three consecutive turns on defense per player.

• Player A begins the drill with the ball on the wing. Player B starts out in the post guarded by player C. Player A passes the ball into player B. Player C attempts to keep player B from scoring.

• Player A rotates to closest elbow, while player C rebounds player B’s made or missed shot. Player C tosses the ball to player A, closes-out and player A and C go 1-on-1.

• Player B positions himself on the wing. Player C rebounds player A’s made or missed shot and tosses the ball to player B. Player C closes-out and player B and C go 1-on-1.

 

Knight Slide Drill

• Team A lines up underneath the basket right at the equator.

• Player A begins the drill facing the sideline. He push-steps to the halfcourt circle (“South to North”).

• Meanwhile, player B starts as soon as player A gets as far as the freethrow line.

• He then retreat steps and push-steps to the sideline (FT line extended).

• Again, player A retreat steps and now slides “West to East”.

• Talk is essential as players will now be crossing at the freethrow line and equator junction.

• Slide across to the opposite sideline and finish with three push-ups. Repeat sequence with added quickness.

Partner Ball Roll

• Defender A starts on the right freethrow elbow. Player B and C stand on the baseline, as wide as the lane and each with a ball.

• Player B rolls the ball up the lane to the opposite elbow, defender A push-steps across the lane, picks up the ball and flick passes it back to player B.

• Player C does the same. Repeat this sequence ten times or according to time.

 

Superman

• Player A positions himself on the block, facing the baseline, keeping both feet out of the paint. He passes the ball up off the glass to the opposite side.

• He must then “push-step” to the other side and rebound the ball on the other side of the lane.

• Repeat ten times or according to time.

 

Great ball pressure is the result of “hot feet”, active hands (arm’s length, 6” zone) and talk (call the ball); but don’t foul. Fouling negates hustle!