This competitive defensive drill came from the FastModel Sports Basketball Plays and Drills Library.
You can also find out more about FastModel Play Diagramming software by clicking this link: FastDraw
This drill was contributed by Coach Greg White.
It is a way to play competitive cut throat so that to win, the team must get defensive stops and make defensive plays.
Defensive Cut Throat
In the diagram below, gray, red, and black are 3 separate teams of 4 players. Gray is starting on defense, red on offense, and black is waiting to go on as the new offense at the end of the possession.
Each team has it’s own score. In Defensive Cut Throat, teams waiting to come on are at half court.
When the offense makes a basket, they go on defense, the defense steps off and goes back up to half court line, new team comes on on offense.
Teams do not score points by making baskets. Points are only scored for defensive stops and plays. When the offense makes a basket, they earn the right to play defense. Being on defense is the only way to score points. (To reward toughness, you can give a team a point, if they score and are fouled “and-one”)
The scoring for defensive cut throat is as follows. All points are rewarded only on defense.
(You can adjust the scoring to emphasize whatever you need to emphasize for your defense.)
1 point for defensive team for a stop.
3 points for taking a charge.
Bonus point for a defense completing 3 consecutive stops. (To reward them outlasting 2 other teams)
You can create your own rules as to why the defense loses the right to play defense such as:
1. Not talking
2. Not taking a charge
3. Giving up middle or baseline drives
4. Not blocking out
5. Sloppy closeout.
You can set the expectations at whatever level will allow your players to improve. The coach can control the pace of the drill by how quickly you put the ball back into play after a stop or a score.
