Basketballexercises for technique defense

• Apply pressure on the dribbler during a press.

• Have each player sprint fully along the drawn lines and always close off the sideline.
• Repeat with defensive slides.
• Repeat with alternating slides - sprint - slides.
• Practice with an attacker without the ball. The defender must make slides as long as possible; sprint when necessary.
• The defender must close off the sideline in any case.
• Practice with the ball. The defender forces the attacker to turn at the sideline.
• Keep the exercise short and intensive.

• The defender must stand as close as possible to the attacker, considering the dribbler's skill and speed.
• The defender must use their foot to close off the sideline, forcing the dribbler to turn.
• The defender must accelerate and get in front of the dribbler before closing off the sideline.

• If the dribbler manages to dribble between the sideline and the defender, they may score. The defender continues to defend.
• If the defender succeeds in making the attacker turn at the sideline, they may then dribble, and the attacker becomes the defender.

• Start with a weak dribbler and have them begin with their weak hand.
• Initially, impose restrictions on the attacker: they may only change speed, but not direction, except at the sideline.
• Reduce the restrictions as the defenders improve.

Objective

• Concentration and energy in defence.

Organisation

• 4 versus 4 on one basket.
• New defenders after 3 stops (defenders gain possession).
• After a score or a foul on the shot, the defensive team loses one stop.
• The session lasts 12 minutes.
• The trainer counts down for prolonged attacks: 5-4-3-2-1-0.

Execution

• After 2 stops, the defence intensifies.
• On the third stop, they may attack.
• With 12 players: rotate with 4 after each stop, score, or foul.
• New attackers after each stop, score, or foul (trainer determines fouls).
• The team causing the third stop goes on defence.

Variations

• Three defenders, four attackers.
• 2 or 3 consecutive stops for a switch (with shot clock).
• 35 seconds of defence without a score or foul.
• On a stop, the clock remains, attackers try again.
• On a score, offensive rebound, or foul, the clock resets to 35 seconds.

• strong under the board and at the free throw line
• good fast break possibilities at the moment of the shot
• against good centers and inside teams
• great rebound positions, as the spots in front of the defensive triangle are already taken in advance

• vulnerable on the weak side to the end line and center in front of the free throw line
• shooters from close or half distance

• strength lies in the mobility of the front line, which the opponent must attack aggressively; possibly double-teaming
• shooting from outside the bucket is difficult against this zone
• opportunities for organized fast break
• very useful against inexperienced and technically weak teams

• weak between the two lines and in the corners
• rebound positions can often be less well occupied
• overloading in the corner/side areas is dangerously weak against a good center

• 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

• Starting lineup:
  • 4-on-4 on a half court
  • The player with the ball has an advantage
  • The player with the disadvantage is off the field
    
    
• Course:
  • Playing 4 against 4
  • The right forward has the ball and starts the game
  • The player with the disadvantage may only defend when the forward dribbles
  • Important is that the players rotate well; helpside defense
  • Rotate clockwise on each new play
    
    
• Progression:
  • The player at a disadvantage stands behind the right forward
  • The player at a disadvantage stands next to the right forward
  • The player at a disadvantage stands in front of the right forward; disadvantage falls away
  • Maximum of 3 dribbles per player
    
    
• Regression:
  • The player at a disadvantage stands off the field

• Starting lineup:
  • Each 2 form a team
  • Each team has 1 ball
  • Maximum of 2 teams per goal
    
    
• Conduct:
  • Playing 1 against 1
  • Defense passes the ball to offense; at the level of the three-point line
  • Each team takes turns so we don't get in each other's way
  • Each team stays on its own half
    
    
• Progression:
  • Maximum of 3 dribbles
    
    
• Regression:
  • Defense with 1 hand behind the back
  • Defense with both hands behind the back

• Setup:
  • 2 in defense, one foot each in the bucket
  • 2 in offense at the three-point line
  • 1 passer
• Passer passes to 1 of the forwards
• Footwork is important, foot defense over foot offense
• Forward passes to the other forward
• Defense adjusts position
• Forward passes to other forward
• Defense adjusts position
• Passer passes second ball to other forward
• And then they go 1 on 1 towards the baseline

• Setup:
  • Everyone baseline
  • 1 group at the free throw line with ball
  • 1 group near the sideline
• Players give 3 passes to each other
• Important that they walk in a straight line
• After last pass we play 1 against 1, around the middle line
• Defense closes the middle, pushes the attacker to the sideline
• Variation:
  • 1 extra defender under the bucket
  • Extra defender may only help if the attacker goes baseline
  • If the attacker goes to the middle, there is no help
  • Do this to oblige the player not to give middle

• 1 bank & one-against-all
• 2-4 gangs of thieves
• 1-2 guards.

• Thief - attacker: per post only 1 active & 1 gold piece at a time try to steal from bank.
• Collect in own vault -hoop-.
• Guard - defender- may only defend outside the bank.
• If the thief is caught so tapped, he must leave the gold piece in the police station -under a cone.
• Which team was able to steal most gold pieces?

• Divide gold pieces equally among the thieves.
• Thieves: safely move your gold pieces 1-for-1 to other safe -from one hoop to another.
• Thief -attacker: walk around your cone without the guard catching you.
• Agent -defender: in this case may only defend inside the bank.
• If the thief is caught -attacked, he must leave the gold piece in the police station -under a cone.
• Which team was able to transfer most gold pieces safely?

• Thieves: for x time, steal as many gold pieces as possible from other safe.
• Thief -attacker: mandatory back & forth through bank = watch for guard inside bank.
• Guard may only defend inside bank.
• If the thief is caught so tapped, he must leave the gold piece in the police station -under a cone.

• Then an alternating 1 vs 1 situation is started.
• Offense is going to provoke the defense through jab steps, pump fakes and other feints.
• Only when the defender steps on the wrong leg, steps up from his defense before the shot or when there is no reaction, a shot may be fired/passed to score.

• Players distribute to the bucket.
• Opposite them will be defenders.
• Attackers are going to take care of 8 to 10 passes -straight- while defense tries to get in between.
• Attackers are allowed to make in outs but no screens. So they really stay on their own position.
• The attacker with the ball is allowed to make 1 dribble to get the ball to his teammate and make a good pass.
• After 8 to 10 well-crafted passes there is a scoring attempt after which offense and defense will switch.

• Defenders stand as a zone and start communicating where the ball is and who has the ball.
• Player opposite the ball makes a closeout, the rest move so that they are in the direct pass line or are a good help side.
• Attackers may take 1 step to pass and overhead passes are allowed.

• Set up pawns to fence off the field in which to play.
• Make two teams.
• 1 v 1 situation.

• If player loses the ball, the ball is intercepted, then no score 1 goal attempt.
• If scored then attacker goes back on defense.
• The first player in line then starts playing 1v1 and after scoring goes back on defense.
• After defending, he or she returns to the back of the line.

• Split players into groups of 5
• Normally have 2 or 3 baskets available
• For example, switch every 7 minutes

• Shooting game
• 2 teams or 3 teams from the free throw line
• Everyone a ball
• The loser(s) do pushups

• 1x1

• Shooting game with 5 positions
• 2 teams, shoot around (only if you hit the target, move to the next position)
• Start on position 1 and 5, loser does killer run

• Dribble skills (1-2 pawns)
  • Over the pylon (do not take it with you, keep control, from left to right, 1 hand behind your back)
  • Lift pylon with left hand, dribble with right hand (throw pylon, catch with other hand)
  • Left/right and touch pylon (timer, counting) - hand that releases the ball must touch pylon (low position, defend the ball)
  • 2 cones, dribble left, touch right
  • 2 pawns (8 dribble with 1 hand)

• Zigzag around the pawns, low dribble, back and forth (tempo)
• Variant: low dribble, feet on both sides of the pawns, cross after every pylon
• Low dribble, always touching the according pawn - stay in control, stay on the same side (dribble left, touch pawn with right)

• Divide players into groups of 5.
• Normally we have 2 or 3 baskets available.
• For example, every 7 minutes turn over, first center explanation. (most guidance on the dribbling skills needed)
• Station 1. (Basket 1)
  • 3x2 play from the center line without dribbling (only passing, free running, pivoting)
• Station 2. (basket 2)
  • 1x1 play (substitution, attacker becomes defender, occasionally change the order to get different match-ups, 1-shot attempt or under time pressure to keep up the momentum)
• Station 3. (Basket 3 - if available)
  • Shooting exercise: 5 positions on edge of bucket (low, elbow, free throw line, elbow low).
  • 1 player shoots, others catch and pass the ball (1 shot per position, highest score of the group)
• Station 4 dribbling skills. (1-2 pawns)
  • Over the pylon (do not take it with you, keep control, from left to right, 1 hand behind your back)
  • Lift the pylon with the left, dribble with the right (throw the pylon, catch it with the other hand)
  • Left/right and touch pylon (timer, counting) - hand that releases the ball must touch pylon (low position, defend the ball)
  • 2 pawns, dribble left, touch right
  • 2 cones (8 dribble with 1 hand)
• Station 5 dribbling skills. (row of pawns)
  • Slalom around the pawns, low dribble, back and forth (tempo)
  • Variant: low dribble, feet on both sides of the pawns, cross after every pylon.
  • Low dribble, always touching the according pawns.
  • Stay in control, stay on the same side. (dribble left, touch pylon with right)

• Dry practise
  • All players on the baseline.
  • First player starts in the corner, makes slides.
  • Slanting towards line of basket. (Put a pawn down!)
  • From there, sprint to the side of the center line.
  • Then slides to line of basket.
  • Then from there sprint again.
• Practise with attacker - without 1v1
  • Pairs with 1 ball.
  • Start on the baseline, in the corner.
  • 1 attacker, 1 defender.
  • Explain position:
    • Sit deep.
    • Hand in knee.
    • Other hand prevents pass.
  • Slides to the other side.
  • Second round same as above, but from the middle line 1-on-1.

Prerequisites:

• Knowing defensive stance / attacking principle of in-out.

Organization:

• Coach gives pass on spot one (only attack after four passes/four swings)
• Attacker at spot two and three
• In/out move
• First part of the exercise 1vs1; second part 2vs2
• Passing on: offense becomes defense, defense connects and steps in as offense afterwards (stay on same side)

Goal:

• Teach correct defensive position (denial + help defense)

Teaching points:

• Quickly change position when the ball changes sides, read defenses as attackers (backdoor)
• In/out to the bucket, when defending short, get out to 1m outside 3pt line and use backdoor option, jump to the ball as defender

Prerequisites:

• to know the defensive position

Organization:

• coach gives pass to spot 1 (only attack after 4 passes/4 swings)
• attacker on spot 2 and 3
• in/out move
• first part of the exercise 1vs1; second part 2vs2
• shuffle through: offense becomes defense, defense connects and joins in as offense afterwards (stay on same side)

Goal:

• To teach the correct defensive position (denial + help defense)

Teaching points:

• Quickly change position when the ball changes sides, read defence as attacker (backdoor)
• In/out to the bucket, when defending short, get out to 1m outside 3pt line and use backdoor option, jump to the ball.

Prerequisites:

• Bit of game insight at fill the spot, be able to apply defensive stance (denail - helpside)

Goal:

• Offence: quickly see where there is an empty spot and cut through after a pass, defence: adjust stance depending on how the ball moves

Organisation

• Four players (U10) on a spot with defence, empty spot under the ring.
• Offence: Pass the ball around and make a quick cutting move towards the empty spot below the ring, other attackers move up and the empty spot is filled in by the cutting attacker.
• Defence: adjust position according to the ball. (hands on the ball, denail, weakside help on the line ring-ring)
• Five passes (calmly), then 4vs4
• Passing on: offence becomes defence, defence steps out and then becomes offence.

Teaching points

• Offence: good pass - in/out to deep bucket and high exit - jump-to-the-ball - placement of feet - attention to running faults
• Defence: anticipate the ball - check correct posture per spot before passing.

Triplets with a ball.

• Trainer throws ball against the board, team must rebound and choose outlet.
• Trainer blocks off one side so they have to pick and ask for the ball!
• Outlet dribbles to the middle and 3X0 completes with a layup (pace.)

• Depending on the level of the U12 explain: outlet, ask for the ball (hands), fill in lines and run attack.
• Trainer can be disruptive at the 2x1, pay attention to left and right handed dribbling.

• players stand at the baseline on 5 lines 1 group in the middle the other 2 groups at the ends of the field the other 2 in between.
• The ball goes from the central player to player 2 who stands to the right of player 1.
• Then player 1 goes behind player 2 and passes player 4.
• While this is happening player 2 passes to player 3, and player 2 runs behind player 3 and past player 5 towards goal.
• Then player 3 passes to player 4 and performs the same overtaking move.
• When this happens, player 3 passes to player 4 and performs the same overtaking move.
• if player 5 is still too far from the goal he passes to player 1 who has to finish
• As soon as this is done the last passer and finisher go back in sprint defence to the other half where they will play 3 against 2.
• From the end of this fastbreak the shotter goes back into defence and the defending players attack.
• option:
  • After this they can play 1 vs 1 back.

• The attackers are not allowed to move from their spot.
• They play the ball around and if they get the chance, they try to score
• The defenders have to run They try to prevent a goal from being scored
• When defenders are too static and stand by an attacker, you can do 3 things
  • Or force the defenders to run by telling at least one of them to run towards the attacker with the ball
  • Or tell the attackers they can take 2 steps.
  • Or draw a square on the ground where the attackers can move.
  • After 5 attempts, the defenders change with 2 new defenders.

• Centers + Guards + Forwards
• 3 Players
• 1 ball
• -a basket
• -2 Cones

Requirements :

Players must be able to dribble and run a layup

Goal :

• To finish off an overtime situation in 2-man break.
• train outlet pass
• to train running line flyer

Organization:

• the defender throws the ball against the board, left or right of the ring
• the attacker on the side of the board takes the outlet position and asks for the ball.
• The flyer sprints away towards the middle line.
• Flyer sprints around the pawn back to the basket.
• outlet dribbles as fast as possible around the other pawn
• the passer sprints to the centre circle, but has 1 foot in there and then goes to defend.
• attackers have 1 goal attempt and max 2 passes.
• the attacker who misses becomes the defender.

Teaching points

• the defender NOT to make any unsportsmanlike mistakes
• defender takes the charge or forces the dribbler to the side of the pitch