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Basketball drills for technique defense

  • 4 players on the baseline
  • 4 players at the free throw line
  • Coach passes to 1 of the players
  • Player, opposite the one receiving the pass, runs to the baseline to join the defense
  • Other players immediately go on offense and defense
  • Important to stop the dribble
  • Important to defend the basket
drawing 4 against 4 with disadvantage
Different options:
  1. Player under the basket, pass from the corner and player runs in. Quick scoring from close range.
    Make it more difficult by throwing first ball against the board/wall, then score.
  2. Player with ball on the centerline, 2nd player on the backline.
    Player with ball starts dribble and 2nd player chases and must first throw ball against the board/or wall for score.

free-running

  • Breaking free, learning in/out, 5 out (keep moving).
  • Free with defender, receive ball and score.
  • 2x2, also possible with 3x3, 4x4 (vests), trainer passes (or good player).


  • One person shoots free throws.
  • The other players stand in the rebound positions and try to get the ball by outboxing.
  • Every 2 free throws you rotate.
  • Outward, the classic weave is run.
  • Back, the weave is run up to the center line.
  • The next 3 players ready to run the weave catch the current 3 players half court and a 3 versus 3 situation is created from which a score must always be scored.
  • After the score, the newest 3 players run the weave and the next 3 will catch these players half court for a 3 versus 3.
drawing Weave with 3 Versus 3 situation
This is a high tempo drill:
  • One shooter to the left and one shooter to the right of the Bucket
  • The rest of the players stand under the board with a ball
  • White passes to the trainer -triangle red
  • The trainer passes left or right to one of the shooters
  • White provides a good Close Out, going high towards the shooter with 2 arms and contesting the shooter
  • The archer tries to hit under pressure
  • After 1 minute switch shooters
  • Variation: different shooting positions
drawing Shooting Under Pressure & Close Out
  • Guard chooses where to pass to.
  • Defender of player with ball goes to cone, player with ball attacks.
  • Weak side gives help and defends.
  • Driver makes choice to whom he passes.
drawing Help defense
  • Starting lineup:
    • Half court
    • 1 player stands ready to hand the ball in
  • Progression:
    • 1 player hands the ball in
    • Play 3 against 3
    • Within 10 seconds there must be a goal attempt
    • The coach counts down loudly
  • Progression:
    • Goal attempt within 5 seconds
    • Giving at least 1 pass
  • Regression:
    • Goal attempt within 14 seconds
    • Defense with hands behind the back
drawing Buzzer beater
  • Both offensive and defensive player fac the basket.
  • The attacker puts the ball on the defender's back.
  • When he takes it off, he goes to the basket very quickly.
  • Ends at turnover or score.
drawing Ball of the Back
  • Setup:
    • 2 players in offense
    • 2 players on defense
    • 2 players at the free throw line
    • 2 players at the other free throw line
    • Teams of 2 stay together
  • Play 2 on 2 until there is a score or stop
  • Defense gives outlet pass to player at free throw line level
  • On score, insert ball behind baseline
  • These go 2-on-2 to other side of the court
  • Offense becomes defense and returns!
  • Team that defended connects at the level of the free throw line
  • Variations:
    • 3 against 3
drawing 2 on 2 get back
  • Setup:
    • 4 players on the baseline
    • 4 players at the free throw line
  • Coach passes to 1 of the players
  • Player opposite the one receiving the pass runs to the baseline before joining the defense
  • Other players immediately go on offense and defense
  • Stopping the dribble is important
  • Defending the basket is important
drawing 4 against 4 with disadvantage

1x1, after the check the player with the ball cannot dribble for X seconds (must pivot and shield the ball, then 1x1)