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Basketball drills

fogler-plus-transitionfogler-plus-transitionfogler-plus-transition

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

drop-step-and-slides

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.

sending-the-dribbler-to-the-lane

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.

dribbler-lane-keep-learningdribbler-lane-keep-learning

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

dribbler-lane-double-teamdribbler-lane-double-team

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

dribbler-in-lane-and-out-boxing

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

keeping-the-dribbler-in-the-lane

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

double-team-after-a-stop-dribble

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.

3-against-33-against-3

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

close-out-to-the-help-1close-out-to-the-help-1close-out-to-the-help-1

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

close-out-defense-2-2-1close-out-defense-2-2-1

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

12-minute-drill-1

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.