Individual Fundamentals: Guarding Player with Ball, Defending Dribble Penetration, Attacking the Picked Up Dribble, Strong Pass Denials, Quick on Balance Close Outs, Defending Post Ups, Defending the High Post, Defensive Rebounding (Shooter, Ball Side, Helpside & Free Throw)
Team Fundamentals: Double Teaming, Helpside Rotations, Defending Baseline Dribble Penetrations, Defending Point Penetrations, Defending Basket Cuts, Post Double Teams, Defending Off Ball Screens (Down, Back, & Base), On Ball Screens (Mid & Side)
Special Situations: Taking a Charge, Giving a Foul, Last Shot Rebounding, Defensive Transition (1-on-0, 2-on-1, 3-on-2),
DAY ONE – Session 1 |
DAY ONE – Session 2 |
INTRODUCE Basic Concepts Demonstrate cutting the court down in size: Trap Zones, PushPoint (sideline push), Helpside I, and Box Pressure (preventing ball reversal) Pressuring Player With Ball – “On Ball Defense” Basic stance & footwork: Ball, Push, Jam
Defending Against Dribble Penetration Protecting the "Blocks" & Elbows"
Defensive Rebounding - Boxing Out Techniques
Guarding a Dribbler in Open Court
|
REVIEW & REFINE Pressuring Player with Ball
Defensive Rebounding
Defending Dribble Penetration
INTRODUCE Guarding Player Without Ball – “First Pass Denials”
Team Fundamentals
Defensive Transition - Defending Breakaways
REINFORCE
|
DAY TWO – Session 3 |
DAY TWO – Session 4 |
REVIEW & REFINE Pressuring Player with Ball
First Pass Denials
Defending Dribble Penetration
INTRODUCE Special Defensive Situations
Double Teaming Fundamentals
Team Fundamentals
REINFORCE
|
REVIEW & REFINE Pressuring Player with Ball
Special Defensive Situations
Double Teaming Fundamentals
Team Fundamentals
INTRODUCE Team Fundamentals
Defensive Rebounding
REINFORCE Defending Dribble Penetration
|
DAY THREE – Session 5 |
DAY THREE – Session 6 |
REVIEW & REFINE Pressuring Player with Ball
Team Fundamentals
INTRODUCE Team Fundamentals
REINFORCE
|
REVIEW & REFINE Team Fundamentals
INTRODUCE Defending Post Ups
Team Fundamentals
Special Defensive Situations
REINFORCE
|
DAY FOUR – Session 7 |
DAY FOUR – Session 8 |
REVIEW & REFINE Pressuring Player with Ball
Defending Post Ups
Team Fundamentals
INTRODUCE Team Fundamentals
Special Defensive Situations
REINFORCE
|
REVIEW & REFINE Defending Post Ups
Team Fundamentals
Special Defensive Situations
INTRODUCE Defending Post Ups
Team Fundamentals
REINFORCE
|
DAY FIVE – Session 9 |
DAY FIVE – Session 10 |
REVIEW & REFINE Pressuring Player with Ball
Team Fundamentals
INTRODUCE Team Fundamentals
REINFORCE
|
REVIEW & REFINE Team Fundamentals
Special Defensive Situations
INTRODUCE Defending High/Low Post Action
REINFORCE
|
Prior to putting the ball in play, the defensive player must first check to see that all of their teammates are in proper defensive position and stance. Putting the ball into play without first checking to see if teammates are ready results in an automatic ten (10) push ups. Enforce!
Don’t have five days? Then combine the basic defensive skills and techniques into combination drills.
Great teams are a result of the best players being the hardest workers. No one steps on the floor without full hustle attitude. Get rid of the non-workers.
Do not try to introduce and refine a skill or play at the same time. Whenever possible introduce and demonstrate a skill or play one day (or session), and refine it on the next. Review (analyze) and reinforce only as needed during the season.
Motor skill learning and timing requires practicing at game speed.
Teach using quick mental pictures. Associate a technique with a name by using one syllable words if possible ("Ball","Shot", "Down", etc.).
Be sure to teach when and why as well as how. There are certain fundamentals every player must master, and in addition each position also has specific fundamentals to learn.
Practice makes perfect is only true if the proper mechanics are being employed. Physical habits do not change in a game. It is imperative to start building correct habits and techniques from the start.
Make precise corrections. Do not get caught up with lengthy explanations.
Do not waste other players’ time to correct one individual. On first time mistakes, stop action and make everyone aware of correction. On repeated mistakes, substitute or wait for break in action to correct.
Do not waste time. If a drill is going poorly, stop it and go onto something else. Come back to it later or next practice.
Once the basic defensive skills and techniques are mastered, they can be easily extended into full court disruptions.
This example building of a fundamentally sound defense should, be augmented with transition drills.
End all practices on high note or successful achievement (made pressure free throw, shooting contest, half court shot, etc.).
“It’s not what you learn , but what you remember that makes you wise.”
Related Items:
Program Evaluation: Teaching Defensive Skills & Techniques Check List
Defensive Skills & Techniques Drills - Master List
HoopTactics' Player Development: Individual Defensive Skills