Defensive Closeout And Slide Drills For Basketball}

Defensive Closeout and Slide Drills for Basketball

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Kids Basketball Coaching

Zig-Zag Lines Drill

Adds more repetition and a little reaction to the old one-line zigzag drill along the sidelines. Have 3-5 lines on the baseline ready to go. The first player in each line steps out to the distance equal to the free throw line and faces the baseline. They immediately begin chopping their feet. A coach faces the players at the baseline with his/her back to the basket. The progression can begin with the coach blowing the whistle on a basic 45 degree left or right change of direction. You can progress into not blowing the whistle but rather using hand signals, mixing up the direction, quick changes, and diving for lose balls into the drill. On the double whistle that group turns and sprints to the other end and the next group immediately jumps into place chopping their feet awaiting instruction. Once players get to the opposite end they can reform their lines where it can be done going the opposite direction. As your players advance throughout the year you can add lateral slides, forward slides, and sprints looking over the shoulder into lateral slides, along with the diagonal slides. The possibilities are limitless and allow you to dictate how much of one technique and with which combinations they must perform it.

Baseline Closeout Drill

This drill allows players to utilize the actual angles and spacing used in game type closeouts. Begin with 3-5 lines on the baseline and a coach off the three point line. On the whistle the first players in each line will sprint into a closeout on an imaginary offensive player at the three point line. The coach will then give them a direction to begin their diagonal slide as if defending the drive. You can have the players continue the slide to the baseline or blow the whistle and have them sprint to the other end where they will reform their lines. Options include multiple changes of direction, contesting an imaginary shot and blocking out, taking a charge, or diving after a loose ball.

Defensive Wave Drill

Defensive slides are one skill that you are not limited by the number of goals or basketballs you have. Have everyone work at once. Have your players spaced equally in lines and rows across the court facing the same baseline with the first line around the free throw line area. You should position yourself along the baseline area. Players should begin by chopping their feet then you can blow the whistle for a change of direction or have them respond to your hand movements. This drill can be advanced to include every facet of on the ball defense. You can incorporate lateral, diagonal, forward, backward slides, along with taking an imaginary charge, diving after a loose ball, or even contesting an imaginary shot and blocking out. Players have got to pay attention and change directions quickly or they will run into each other. It is a great workout and can be used to teach the initial technique or to build reps.

Break on the Ball Drill

Want to see your team get more steals without giving up layups by gambling and missing? Many players just seem to have a knack for breaking on the ball for steals. This drill allows you to build that skill in all your players. It begins with a line under the basket. Position two stationary offensive players (you can use managers/coaches or rotate these positions out) on the three point line even with the free throw line. A coach stands at half court or beyond with a rack of basketball, you will go through them pretty fast as the drill progresses. The first player in line steps up in front of the basket. The objective is to break on the ball when the coach throws it to one of the offensive players. Players must get a steal or tip out if possible, if not they should break down into good defensive position without over-running the offensive player. This drill will allow the players to recognize the balls they can get to and the ones they cannot. If they get a steal or deflection they finish on the other end with a lay up then rebound the ball and return the ball to the rack. Those that couldnt get to the pass in time should finish their closeout and chop their feet for a few seconds and then return the ball to the rack. You can make the drill as fast paced as you want and change up your passes, backing up and using overhead skip passes, you can even build a little discipline into the drill by having those that gamble and miss the deflection complete a lap or two.

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Defensive Closeout and Slide Drills for Basketball}