This drill to work on full court pressing comes from Scott Peterman’s (Basketball Hoop Scoop) eBook 2-2-1 Full Court Pressure System.
Full-court pressure is most effective when players learn to apply it through game-like situations rather than simply running through defensive rotations.
The 4-4-4 Full Court Drill creates a competitive environment that requires players to communicate, sprint, trap, rotate, and make decisions under pressure.
With three teams of four competing continuously, the drill keeps everyone involved and provides plenty of repetitions in both transition and full-court defense. It also teaches players to immediately transition from offense to defense and recognize their responsibilities as the ball moves up the floor.
This is a great drill for coaches looking to develop an aggressive full-court pressing mentality while making practice competitive and fun.
The drill itself is designed around three groups of four, with the defense pressuring the ball before it crosses half-court and a third team taking over once the ball advances.
Split your team up into 3 groups of 4
First team with basketball attack red defense.
If the offensive team scores, they get to keep ball and must inbound again going to the opposite basket than the one they just scored at.
If the defense gets a stop and gets the rebound, or creates a turnover, they take the ball the other direction.
(So, regardless of which team has the ball, they are going to the opposite basket.)
The team without the ball at that end, picks up the offense in a full court press–whether the basket was made or missed.
The new defense presses the offense and tries to get a trap and a steal before the offense crosses half court.
If they get a steal, they can attempt to score at that same basket.
Once the offense advances the ball past half court, they are picked up and defended by the 3rd team.
Each team has its own score.
To determine a winner, play for a specific amount of time on the scoreboard, or to a specific score.
