(1) Q: What are the core defensive principles we have learned?

A: In a brief summary: 

On-Ball

  • Defensive stance: lower body is low, chest is straight and slightly bent forward, just over one arm-length away, forcing to the sideline/baseline (no middle), contesting the shot -  2.1.1.1.

  • During dribble: Defensive slides - 2.1.1.2.

  • After dribble: Mirroring the Ball - 2.1.1.3.

  • Post: forcing to their weak hand - 2.1.1.5.

Deny

  • Defensive stance: deflection arm, “see ball, feel player” - 2.1.2.1.

  • Cuts: no ball-side or backdoor cuts - 2.1.2.2. 

  • Ball threats: Stunts/Digs - 2.1.2.3.

  • Inter-position transition: jump to the ball, short close-out - 2.1.2.4.

  • Post: ¾ front - 2.1.2.5. 

Help 

  • Default position: slightly less than halfway between player and ball, slightly below a straight line between them, arms pointing towards both - 2.1.3.1.

  • Middle drives: help and recover - 2.1.3.2.

  • Baseline drives: baseline help, help the helper - 2.1.3.3.

  • Inter-position transition: jump/run to the ball, long close-out - 2.1.3.4.

Screens

  • Switch when similar sized players - 2.1.4.1.1.1., 2.1.4.1.2.1.

  • Drop/open-up when different sized players - 2.1.4.1.1.2., 2.1.4.1.2.2.

  • Post: switch or bump and recover - 2.1.4.1.2.1., 2.1.4.1.2.2.

Rebounds

  • Box Out! Locate the player, arm bar to the chest, stay low, swing your body around, use your backside to prevent offense from getting past

  • Rebound; run towards ball, catch at apex of jump, arms outstretched, two hands if possible, chin the ball in athletic stance

We have now learned all of the basic components of ¼-court, player to player defense. We can now put all of the components together.

SKILLS DRILLS

Skills Drill #1 - Shell Drill (3x3) + Live


Phase 1: Stationary
O1 will start at the top of the key; O2 and O3 at the wings. X1 will be in on-ball defense; O2 and O3 in deny defense.

Offense will pass the ball, wait 3 seconds, then pass to another offensive player. Defense will rotate between on-ball, deny, and help defense. Offense will stay stationary and not try to score.

Do this for approximately 20 seconds, ensuring proper defense; then switch offense and defense.

Note: there will be no baseline help in 3x3.

Phase 2: Stunt and Recover
Offense is now allowed two dribbles towards the basket in the direction of another offensive player. Defensive players in deny defense must stunt and recover on the ball-handler.

After dribbling and passing, offensive players will return to their normal position.

(example of a dribble penetration + stunt)

Phase 3: Cut and Replace
When the ball is at the top of the key and passed to the wing, the passer now has the option to cut to the hoop, and fill in the position of the offensive player who didn’t receive the ball. The offensive player who didn’t receive the pass will fill in the original position at the top of the key.

(After passing to O2, O1 has the option to cut to the hoop, and fill in the position of O3. O3 will then fill in the position of O1)

Phase 4: Screens
On a pass to the wing from the top of the key, offense now has the option to set an on-ball screen or an away screen. Defense will switch if offensive players are similar size, and open-up/drop if they are different sizes.

(After passing to the wing, O1 now has the option to set an on-ball screen)

(After passing to the wing, O1 now has the option to set an away screen)

Phase 5: Free + Live
Offense can now play freely (dribble, cut, screen freely in any position), and when the coach says “Live!”, the offense can try to score. Offense has 10 seconds to score.

Skills Drill #2 - Shell Drill (4x4) + Live

Same as Skills Drill #1 (with each phase) except now with four offensive and four defensive players. During Phase 2, O3 and O4 are allowed 3 dribbles along the baseline, and defense must offer baseline help.

Skills Drill #3 - Shell Drill (5x5) + Live 

The same as prior Skills Drill #2, except now with five offensive and defensive players. Complete each phase with the offense in the following starting positions:

Starting Position 1:
5-out (5 players on the perimeter).

(Offense in 5-out)

Starting Position 2:
4-out-1-in (4 players on the perimeter and 1 player posting up on either block).

(Offense in 4-out-1-in)

Starting Position 3:
3-out-2-in (3 players on the perimeter and 2 players posting up).

(Offense in 3-out-2-in)

Skills Drill #4 - 5x5 Live with Defensive Points

The same as Phase 5 in Skills Drill #3 (any offensive starting position), but one point is scored when the defense makes a stop (a miss + defensive rebound) implementing proper defensive principles (see the defensive principles list above). If offense scores or if a defensive principle isn’t accomplished (for example, offense drives middle into the key), offense switches to defense. Points can only be scored on defense. First to three points wins.