Putting Teams Away

By Brian Williams on January 29, 2020

This article was written and submitted by retired High School Coach Dave Millhollin.

I have included more information about his coaching career at the end of the article.

Caoch Millhollin has contributed several insightful articles to the site. You can find links to more of them at the bottom of this post under the “Related Posts” tab.

If you would like to contact Coach Millhollin, email me and I will put you in touch with him.

We’ve all heard or said the following things after building a lead on our opponents:

“DON’T LET THEM HANG AROUND!”
“DON’T LET THEM BELIEVE IN THEMSELVES!”
“DON’T LET THEM BACK IN THE GAME!”
“LETS NOT BLOW OUR LEAD!”

This outline covers concepts helpful in maintaining a lead during games. The ideas may seem obvious but they are, for sure, more difficult than they seem on paper; therefore, developing a possession by possession execution mentality (on offense and defense) is extremely helpful.

Staying in Control of the game is the key

How to play in a manner that maintains control of the game:

Don’t let them attempt field goals they think they can make; If a team is down because they missed shots they believe they could have made; they have no cause to lose confidence or hope, they will still believe in themselves.
Don’t let them run their offense; defend all cuts and drives, defend the “lanes” too. If they want to reverse it; don’t let them. Don’t let them get the ball where they want it, and Give them nothing open.

Playing like this tends to create doubt and reduce hope

Don’t give them any easy rebounds
Keep your foot on the gas
Take care of the ball, execute your offense well and take good shots;

don’t let them think they can guard you!!

No Mercy; you can change defenses, but don’t change defensive intensity.

Never give; open lanes, open shots or rebounds

Substitute like the game is on the line (until maybe the last 90 seconds)
Give them no reason to believe in themselves;

remove their confidence, belief and hope

When you’re up big you might want to work on executing an alternative offense, BUT whether you change offenses or not; don’t open it up for bad shots;

Stay in control of the tempo of the game!

For first half leads;

At half time you must consider how the other team might come back and be ready to deal with those things

Be ready for them to switch defenses; Be ready to be pressed and trapped
Be ready for them to try to change the tempo or intensity of the game
Be ready for them to drive and draw fouls, be ready for them to try to get in the bonus and get to the line;

CONTAIN DRIVES, CLOSE OUT EARLY, AND DO NOT FOUL

Be ready for them to go inside if they have bigs or outside to shooters if they have shooters
Be ready for them to go to their best player frequently
DON’T TAKE SHOTS THAT ALLOW THEM TO REBOUND AND RUN FROM

TEAMS THAT MAINTAIN THE SAME EXECUTION STANDARDS WITH REWARDS AND CONSEQUENCES FOR ALL GAMES; NO MATTER HOW CLOSE OR BLOWN OUT THE GAME IS, REGARDLESS OF IF THEY ARE WINNING OR LOSING; these teams almost never allow teams to come back on them, especially teams they are “better than” or “equal to” (and sometimes; “not as good as”!)

About the author of this article, Coach Dave Millhollin In fourteen years at Ponderosa High School, Coach Dave’s teams won 260 games (.665). From 2000 through 2009 Ponderosa won 207 games over a ten year stretch which included four SVC Conference Championships and two CIF Section final four appearances. Over his 27 year Boys Varsity Coaching career, Coach Dave posted 391 wins, produced 20 college basketball players and was named SVC Coach of the Year four times. At Ponderosa, Coach Dave’s teams were #1 in California in team defense five times and in 2008 Ponderosa was the top defensive team in the Nation among shot clock states. Over Coach Millhollin’s last five seasons (2005-6 through 2009-2010; 136 games) Ponderosa averaged a composite 50% total field goal percentage, 58% two point field goal percentage and 32% three point field goal percentage. Since retiring from High School coaching in 2010, Coach Dave has been actively involved in coaching Jr High level School and AAU teams as well as and running instructional basketball clinics from the primary grades through the College level.

A Complete Guide to Horns Offense

By Brian Williams on January 28, 2020

This article is republished with permission. The original article appears at A Complete Guide to Horns Offense.

Horns is a basketball offensive set designed to better utilize fundamental Middle Screen action where the Guard has the ball and the Inside players are making a Screen for the ball-handler. In horns alignment, both of the “Bigs” are in the middle arc area allowing the guard to chose where he wants to go. Having both of the high players high is neutralizing the baseline help in terms that there no Power Forwards and Centers lurking near the basket, and in this setup, if they try to help, wide open shooters will emerge on the top of the key.

Horns is popular because there is no way that the defense can deny a high screen action because there is a screen on the both sides. This way, ball handler can’t be influenced by the defense in any way.

Horns Strengths:

good spacing
pressure is off the ball handler
emphasize corner 3 shots
emphasize middle screen action
no baseline – weak side help on defense

Horns Weaknesses:

not a balanced floor geometry
not emphasizing low post game
not good if the “bigs” are not shooters
not good if the wings are not good corner shooters

Horns Loop STS

The action starts with the traditional horns setup, with the 4 and 5 slightly above the elbows and the 2 and 3 in the corners.

1. 1 is going to pass to 4 (or 5, depends on the covering and the positioning of the defense) and he is going to run towards the strong side corner

2. 3 is going to slide towards 1

3. 1 loops around 3 (no screens here, just crossing paths on the first run)

4. 3 is cross screening for 5

Think about: After one or two runs, defense may get loose a bit so you can tell your players to try:

Instead of going to the corner, 1 can cut towards the rim and receive a lob pass or go for a hand-off and drive towards basket
1 can screen for 3 so now 3 can cut inside the paint
If the screen from 3 is good and 5 is all alone, 4 can pass the ball to 5 (high-low pass

5. 4 swings the ball toward 1 and goes for a screen to 3 that is inside the paint area

Think about:

If the 3 is a good shooter, maybe defense is going to try and flank him, 4 is sometimes going to be alone in the middle of the paint or if there is a read from the D3 (player guarding 3), then he can curve around the 4 and cut towards the basket or have an open close range shot

Options for the inside or the outside pass

6. At the end, there are two options, either to hit a 3 on the arc or 5 on the low post.

Points of Emphasis:

Good shooting big and a guard (4 and 3 in this case) should be on the same side and 1 should play for them
Read the defense because there are many opportunities for a cut.
3 should be really good shooter for the play to have an effect.
Do not rush the pass on the last play ( No 6).
If, on the last play (No 6), 1 pass the ball to 5 on the low post, 3 should move to the 45 degree spot on the weak side and 4 should move to his spot

Horns Handoff

Horns Hand-off is another version of the “traditional” horns offense. Again we have 1 -2 -2 geometry on the court.

1. The action starts with the “pick and pop” action with 1 handling the ball and 5 making a screen for him but he stays at the arc after the first movement.

2. After the pass, 1 should space on the wing below 45 degree spot

Think about:

If the D5 (player guarding 5) slow, attacking him on the drive and finishing or kicking the ball to 2

3. 3 is setting up a cut and 4 is sliding down to set a screen for 3

4. 5 dribbles towards the down-screen towards the 4 and setting a hand-off action for 3

5. 2 is crossing the paint to set a screen for the screener 4 (STS)

Think about:

3 can cut to the basket and if it does not work he can resume the play and go to receive 2 consecutive screens
3 can loop around the first screen set by 4

6. 3 is with the ball at the Point and 2 is making a screen for 4 and giving a 3 chance for an inside pass

Think about:

I like these screen+hand-off situations because they always end with the miss-match. In this situation I strongly suggest that 3 tries to beat D5 on the penetration and if D1 comes to help there is a good 3pt shot opportunity.
If D5 is a good defender and your 3 losses a dribbling, and there is a good missmatch down at the low post with D2 guarding 4, make the ball swing to 1 and then he will be the one that is going to give the pass to 4

7. 5 pins the screen for 2 to bring him on the arc

Think about:

2 making a loop and cutting to the rim
5 staying with the D2 on the low post
3 making a pass to 2 who is going to pass it to 5

Points of Emphasis:

Play this action only if your 5 has good dribbling skills.
3 has to be a play-maker in terms that he needs to have good vision and good passing because in times he hits the Point many options are going to open for the team

Horns Dive

Pick and roll action while the other man dive for the basket

Diving horns are the most simple way of playing this offensive setup in times we want to take one of the bigs out of the paint and to leave our dominant big to play one on one.

1. 4 is going to set a screen for one and he is going to pop afterwards. 1 should dribble to the 45 degree spot and pass the ball to 4.

2. 5 is diving inside the paint area and he needs to position himself as near the basket as he can. 5 needs to keep his man on the one shoulder, and to ask the ball with the free hand.

Think about:

if you are coaching seniors, 5 can dive on the other side of the paint (not like on the diagram) and 1 can throw a lob pass
if the D5 is trailing, 1 can throw a fast pass and 5 can go for a flashy layup

3. 1 turns it back to 4 that is now on the Point position after the pop. If D5 is somehow in front of the 5, 5 needs to pin in his defender to be able to receive the lob pass.

Think about:

teach your 5 to be aware of the help defense, and if he is likely to be doubled he needs to get a ball to the open shooter.

Horns Dip Under

Pass, cut toward the basket and a back screen for the center

1. 1 is passing the ball to 4 who pops a bit off of the elbow

2. 1 cuts to the heart of the paint and then dips under 5

3. 1 makes a back screen for 5

Think about:

1 cutting all the way and getting back for ball
1 faking a cut and gong to 4 for a hand-off

Options for a pass depending on the switches

4. 4 can make an entry pass to 5 on the low post

5. 1 pops out of the screen and if the blocking of a D5 is good, we have a miss-match on the perimeter or 1 is going to be alone for a 3pt shot

Think about:

Strong Side: 4 gets the ball to 2 and he swings it inside for 5
Weak Side: Fast ball to 1 who gets on a fast dribble toward the basket with an option to swing it for and open 3pt shot from 3

Horns Iverson Down

1. 2 and 3 start their movement at the same time. 3 is going towards the horns where 4 and 5 screen for him. 2 runs in opposite corner.

2. 1 drives the ball to free space for 3 and passes the ball to him after he receives the screen from 5.

Think about:

3 can cut towards the basket before or after both screens made by 4 and 5.
D2 can fall a sleep so look for flashy pass underneath the basket to 2

Screen for the screener and a cut toward the basket

3. 5 now screens for 4 who can either loop around and get on the low post or can receive the ball on the elbow for a mid-range shot

Think about:

5 faking a screen and cutting toward the basket

4. 5 comes up again and goes for some pick and roll action with 3

Think about:

5 asking for a ball on the free throw line from where he can make a high-low pass to 4.
5 playing pop after the pick, receiving the ball on the arc and making a pass to 4 or shooting a 3 pointer.

HORNS Rim Cut DHO Throwback

1. 1 makes a pass to 5 who is on the elbow and then goes through the middle and towards the weak side corner

2. 3 climb up to 45 degree spot

Think about:

1 – 5 hand off or a lob pass inside the paint
after 1 is in the corner, 3 can fake a climb and cut to the basket

3. 4 steps on the arc and receives the pass from 5

Consecutive screens for the guard and a hand-off

4. 5 runs to a corner and screens for 2. After the screen 5 needs to open toward the low post

5. 4 dribbles the ball on the arc and to the 2, and at the same time, 2 received the screen from 5 and now runs for a hand-off with 4

Think about:

4 making a pass to 5 (who is opening inside from the screen)
4 faking a hand-off and driving toward the basket in a sprint

6. 2 receives the ball and dribbles it to the point (its a miss-match) attacks the basket or there is a possibility of a pass to 4

Think about:

Swing – swing action on a 3 who can swing it to 1 for a corner 3 pt shot (most likable shot in the NBA)

Horns Stagger

1. 1 and for are playing a pick and roll action

Think about:

1 attacking the D4 and driving to the basket
passing it to 3 for a corner 3pt shot

Two screens for the wing on the weak side

2. 4 and 5 running toward the weak side corner and screening for 2 who loops to the basket after the second screen

3. 3 cutting to the basket

Think about:

2 can fake that he is going for those two screens and cuts underneath the basket
4 or 5 can pop out of the screen

Two screens for the wing on the strong side

4. 5 and 4 are now repositioning and making 2 consecutive screens for 3 who is going from the inside to the outside and on the point

5. 1 makes a pass to 3

Think about:

3 can loop around 5
5 can STS for 4

6. 3 dribbles the ball to the other side toward 1

7. 5 and 4 are now making two consecutive screens for 2

8. 1 is going in the strong side corner

Think about:

2 faking to go under the screens and going over the screens toward the FT line

9. 5 and 4 are positioning to be flat with the baseline

10. 1 is now receiving two screens and running toward the opposite corner

11. 3 pass the ball to 2

12. 1 is coming from 2 screens and can receive the ball

Horns Double On Ball

Pick and a roll toward the low post on the strong side

1. 1 and 4 play pick and roll

2. 4 goes to the strong side low post

Think about:

1 pass the ball to 2 for a corner 3pt shot or an entry pass on 4

Second pick and roll but bigs are switching places

3. 1 and 5 now play pick and roll

4. 5 and 4 change places

5. 1 dribbles to the other side

Think about:

5 fakes a screen and cuts to the basket

6. 1 pass the ball to 4 and 4 can pass the ball to 5 on the low post

Horns Swing Entry

Pass on one side and cut outside of the off ball screen

1. 1 pass the ball to 4 who steps on the arc

2. 1 receives the screen from 5, cuts outside the screen and goes to low post on that side and screens for 2

Think about:

4 makes a lob pass to 1 after he receives the screen from 5

Flex like screen in the weak side corner

3. 1 makes a screen for 2 who cuts to the basket

This is some of the ideas of how to play horns offense with your team. If you want to learn more in depth horns analysis, you can always visit us at Hoopsking. You are just one click away for having some of the best coaching videos that is going to give you expand your knowledge and help your team get to that next level of basketball.

Limiting Reactionary Subbing

By Brian Williams on January 24, 2020

This article is republished with permission. The original article appears at Limiting Reactionary Subbing.

To expound on the past Hoop Coach article , “Thoughts on Playing Rotations”, we’d like to share some thoughts on a related subject.

Whether or not we’ve ever labeled the type of substitution we’re about to discuss as “reactionary substitution”, we all clearly know the practice.

At one time or another (and maybe even regularly) we’ve all yanked certain (or even all) players on a mistake (or even all mistakes).

Sometimes we have done it in a dramatic fashion, embarrassing the player and others for sure, and maybe even ourselves in the process.

If we’ve been smart about it, we’ve watched other coaches pull players on mistakes in subtle ways (as late as possible during a dead ball, during a time-out, after the first of two foul shots and other such moments) so as to avoid the embarrassing aspect of the method.

Of course, we’re all entitled to sub any way we wish but I contend that the less we sub in a reactionary way, the better off our team will be in the long run. The following are some thoughts to consider:

Generally, a consistent rotation is preferable. The more players know why and when they will play, their preparation can be better which can help them acclimate to the game more quickly. Of course, team and individual matchups and other factors enter into the equation but we’re talking in general terms.
In support of the consistent rotation theory, just recollect your own playing days and how important it was for you to understand your role as well as you possibly could.
Players who get the hook on first mistakes play “looking over their shoulders”. Obviously, this is not an ideal way to play as it never breeds confidence into these players.
Even worse than yanking some players on first mistakes is allowing other players to play with total immunity by allowing them to make large numbers of similar mistakes.
We’re obviously not talking about effort gaffes or sharing the ball concerns. Most of have very little tolerance in these areas.
If we do have to pull players quickly, we’d be well advised to learn and practice the subtle tricks mentioned earlier in this post. The less we sub in a reactionary way, and if and when we do, doing it in ways where we don’t “lose” that player will go a long way into building the strongest rotation possible.

Special Situation Basketball Plays from Stan Van Gundy

By Brian Williams on January 23, 2020

This article is republished with permission. The original article appears at Special Situation Basketball Plays.

Basketball special situations are important, and special situations does not mean just last second shots. Offensive special situations are all your jump ball, inbound, pressure release, late clock and free throw situations. Defensive special situations are all your jump ball, inbound and free throw defensive situations, plus how you will foul intentionally, speed up the game if down, or slow down the game if up, and other situations specific to your rules of the game.

I can offer two pieces of advice on special situations. Do what the players know and are comfortable with. Make sure your players know that each basketball move they make on offense, or force on defense, takes one second off the clock (dribble, pass, shot fake, shot).

Here are four important questions about special situations:

Has your team lost a game because your team failed to execute a special situation?
Has your team won a game as a result of proper execution of a special situation?
Do you have special situations for each possible situation (Varies by the rules you play with)?
Does your team practice special situations each day?

If you have coached very long, the answer to all four questions is undoubtedly YES. This is why special situations are a popular topic to digest as a coach.

Who better to learn from than a coach who has been in basketball since 1981. These notes and video learning are from Stan Van Gundy’s presentation on at the 2017 Basketball Coaches Association of Michigan.

Coach Van Gundy’s number point of emphasis was that it is important to have a wrinkle our of what you already run.

Check out these plays, and play diagrams, from the clinic and adapt them to what you do already.

Coach Van Gundy also discussed his coaching musts at the clinic. These coaching musts are a part of his coaching philosophy, and many encompass offensive and defensive special situations.

Stan Van Gundy Coaching Musts

Take Care of the Ball

Good teams pressure – you must be able to handle that.
Spend time on press offense, pressure releases in the half court.

Must Get Back and Take Away Easy Baskets

Take away anything in transition.
Work really hard to get your defense set.

Do Not Foul

Teach technique. For example, how to contest without fouling etc.
Dumb, sloppy fouls will kill you.
Not fouling, does not mean to be soft.

Must Box Out and Rebound

Cannot give up second chances.
All five players must rebound.
You are what you emphasize. Spend your time on things that will keep you competitive.
After time out sets can help you win games and situations.

Stan Van Gundy Play Diagrams

Duquesne Man to Man Slice Rewind

By Brian Williams on January 22, 2020

This play from Duquesne is broken down by Coach Justin Brandt

The other resources he has to share can be found at CoachJB.Weebly.com or you can follow his Instagram at @CoachJustinBrandt for daily posts.

You will need to be on a network that allows you to access YouTube to view the video.

Click the play arrow to view the video.

There is narration with the video, so please make sure that your sound is on.

Take the ideas from the play and modify them to fit what your players do best.

4 x 5 and 3 x 4 Defensive Drills

By Brian Williams on January 20, 2020

This article was written and submitted by retired High School Coach Dave Millhollin.

I have included more information about his coaching career at the end of the article.

Caoch Millhollin has contributed several insightful articles to the site. You can find links to more of them at the bottom of this post under the “Related Posts” tab.

If you would like to contact Coach Millhollin, email me and I will put you in touch with him.

ADVANCED TEAM DEFENSE CONVERSION DRILLS

4X5 AND 3X4 HALF COURT DEFENSIVE DRILLS

ABSOLUTE BEST ACTIVITIES FOR TEACHING HALF COURT TEAM DEFENSE

NOTES FOR RUNNING 4X5 AND 3X4 HALF COURT TEAM DEFENSE DRILLS:

THESE ARE ADVANCED DRILLS THAT REQUIRE PLAYERS TO HAVE ALREADY BEEN TAUGHT INDIVIDUAL AND TEAM HALF COURT MAN TO MAN DEFENSIVE FUNDAMENTALS, HOWEVER, PLAYERS AS YOUNG AS THE

JR HIGH LEVEL CAN RUN AND BENEFIT FROM THESE DRILLS. THEY ARE MOSTLY USED AT THE HIGH SCHOOL VARSITY AND COLLEGE LEVELS

THESE DRILLS EMPLOY SOME ZONE CONCEPTS BUT; THEY ARE NOT ZONE DRILLS, DO NOT ALLOW PLAYERS TO PLAY “ZONE” DURING THE DRILLS

RUN IT WITH THE SHOT CLOCK

THE POSSESSION IS OVER WHEN ANY OF THE FOLLOWING OCCUR:

SCORE
DEFENSIVE FOUL
DEFENSIVE CONVERSION (INCLUDING A FOUL ON THE OFFENSE)
SHOT CLOCK EXPIRES

AS YOU ARE TEACHING THE DRILL YOU CAN GIVE THE OFFENSE CERTAIN RULES, SUCH AS:

ONLY 2 DRIBBLES AT A TIME
NO BALL SCREENS (OR YOU CAN USE IT WITH BALL SCREENS TO TEACH BALLSCREEN DEFENSE)
MOVE AFTER EVERY PASS;

BASKET CUT, THROUGH CUT, BACK CUT, SCREEN AWAY, ETC

2 “ALLIGATOR” COUNT AFTER CATCHING THE BALL BEFORE THE NEXT PASS OR DRIBBLE

ACKNOWLEDGE HOW CHALLENGING IT IS TO GET DEFENSIVE CONVERSIONS BEING A MAN DOWN,

SO – TEACH THE “EQUALIZERS” WHICH CAN MASK MISTAKES AND OVERCOME PROBLEMS BROUGHT ABOUT BY BEING A MAN DOWN. THESE EQUALIZERS ARE:

TALKING AND EVERYONE ON DEFENSE KNOWING EVERY THING GOING ON WITH THE OFFENSE
PLAYING WITH HANDS UP THE WHOLE TIME (THUMBS ABOVE THE EYES)
HUSTLING AND MOVING ON “AIR TIME” (MOVING AS THE BALL MOVES)
BALL PRESSURE
TEACH THE “HELP WEB”
PRIDE AND BELIEF (WE DON’T CARE IF WE’RE A MAN DOWN; WE’RE GOING WIN ANYWAY!)

USE “CORRECTION TEACHING” AND REWIND THE TAPE TO DISCUSS DEFENSIVE FAILURES. SHOW HOW IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN DONE; WALK YOUR PLAYERS THROUGH THESE SITUATIONS

ONCE YOUR PLAYERS CAN GET STOPS WITH OFFENSIVE RESTRICTIONS; REMOVE THE RESTRICTIONS AND GO “LIVE”, HOWEVER, MAKE SURE TO ADMINISTER HARSH CONSEQUENCES FOR POOR OFFENSIVE EXECUTION

GOAL:

DEFENSIVE CONVERSION; GET A STOP WITHOUT FOULING

GET THE REBOUND
GET THE DEFLECTION
RECOVER THE LOOSE BALL
CREATE LIVE OR DEAD BALL TURNOVER
GET A SHOT CLOCK VIOLATION
ABSOLUTELY DO NOT FOUL

PRIORITIES (NO 2X1s IN THIS DRILL)

GUARD THE BALL; 1X1 ON CLOSE OUTS
THE MOST DANGEROUS PASSING AND DRIVING LANES MUST BE GUARDED AND THE LEAST DANGEROUS PASSING LANE MUST BE “KNOWN ABOUT”
GUARD THE NEXT MOST DANGEROUS (SCORABLE) PLAYERS
DIVIDE THE STRONG SIDE EVENLY
WEAK SIDE = “I GOT TWO”
EXECUTE THE “HELP WEB”
MAINTAIN VISION – ALL OFF BALL DEFENDERS MUST SEE EVERYTHING
DENY THE LOW POST
DENY THE HIGH POST
DEFEND/DENY BASKET CUTS BOTH FRONT AND BACK DOOR
DEFEND/DENY BALL CUTS
DENY OR QUICKLY CLOSE OUT SPOT UPS
DENY WHERE THEY WANT THE BALL TO GO; DO NOT LET THEM CATCH IT WHERE THEY WANT IT

TECHNIQUES

TALK – CONSTANT, SPECIFIC, MEANINGFUL, FIXING PROBLEMS TALK, NOT EMPTY CHATTER
HANDS UP – (THUMBS ABOVE YOUR EYES) KEEP YOUR HANDS UP & GO WITH YOUR HANDS UP
STANCE TECHNIQUES; ANGLE, LOCATION, “HEAD ON A SWIVEL” AND COURT VISION
HUSTLE/MOVE ON AIR TIME & DRIBBLE TIME (AS THE BALL MOVES; WE MOVE)
BANANA/CONTAIN CLOSE OUTS
NEVER LET YOUR MAN CROSS YOUR FACE OR BACK
HELP WEB – INTERCONNECTED/INTERDEPENDENT HELP ASSIGNMENTS
HELP AND RECOVER OR HELP AND SWITCH – USE “GIVE & GET” OR “STAY WITH” CONCEPTS
SWITCH OR SAG EVERYTHING GOING AWAY FROM THE BALL
PUSH THE BALL MIDDLE OR TO THE HELP
IF NO HELP ON THE BASELINE DRIVE; YOU’RE ON YOUR OWN TO STOP BASELINE DRIVE
DEAD BALL CALLS; “DEAD, DEAD, DEAD……”, DEAD BALL PRESSURE AND DEAD BALL DENIALS
OFF THE BALL ON DEAD BALLS; LEAVE THE LEAST DANGEROUS PLAYER KINDA OPEN, BUT KNOW WHERE HE IS
SITUATIONAL BALL SCREEN DEFENSE
BLOCK OUT OR “FACE OUT” AND REBOUND

AS SOON AS YOUR PLAYERS UNDERSTAND THE DRILL, USE “CONSEQUENCE REINFORCEMENT”;

IF THE OFFENSE FOULS OR FAILS TO SCORE; THEY RUN – HARD TIMED SUICIDE(S)
IF THE DEFENSE FAILS TO GET THE STOP WITHOUT FOULING; THEY RUN – HARD TIMED SUICIDE(S)

FULL COURT DEFENSIVE TRANSITION DRILL

4X5 > 5X5

THIS DRILL IS USED TO TEACH “MAN DOWN” TRANSITION DEFENSIVE CONTAINMENT AND RECOVERY INTO 5X5 HALF COURT DEFENSE.

Here is how it’s set up;

Line up 5 offensive players along the baseline spaced out evenly, facing the opposite basket
Line up 5 defensive players along the free throw line extended with their backs to the basket they will be defending, each facing one of the offensive players.
The coach positions himself behind the defense with a ball so the defenders cannot see him
The coach throws the ball to one of the offensive players and all five of the offensive players sprint to try to get a fast break
The defensive player lined up in front of the offensive player who the ball was passed to must sprint to touch the baseline with both hands creating a temporary 5×4 offensive numerical advantage
As the player who had to touch the baseline recovers defensively, the 4 other defenders must contain and stop the fast break of the 5 offensive players

Defensive execution of the drill

Stop the ball early, “I got ball”; one defender
Divide up the strong side; two defenders
weak side “I got two”; one defender
The recovery defender sprints to the weak side of the offense where the “I got two” guy is and picks up the extra player achieving a 5×5 situation

The goal of the 4 transition defenders is to buy time for the recovery man to join the defense without allowing a transition shot. They must stop the ball, contain the break, contain penetration drives and passes and make the offense make one or two non-penetrating passes while the recovery man gets back on defense.

The defense then morphs into 5×5 half court man or zone alignment depending on what you want to run.

COACHING NOTES

Make sure to use the drills first to teach; before making them competitive and implementing rewards and consequences.

These drills, if implemented properly and frequently, will reinforce your half court defensive skills, concepts and philosophy. They can improve both your defensive and offensive execution. These drills allow you to teach the “parts” out of the “whole”. They will also help to infuse Confidence and Pride in your team’s defense. Remember to teach the concept goals of the drill; the goal for the offense is to score. The goal of the defense is to get a “Stop” without fouling. These drills should be run with a tremendous amount of enthusiasm and communication. Conversions should be celebrated, especially defensive conversions. In order to keep the offense honest; rewards and consequences need to be dealt out at the end of each drill rep.

The task of getting defensive conversions in these drills is so challenging that your players must execute all the details at a high level of effectiveness, they must also communicate and hustle in order to be successful.

Once your team becomes good at getting defensive conversions, being a man

down, they develop great confidence and belief in defensive conversion.

For trapping, doubling, match up zones and “freak defenses”:

These half court drills are especially helpful for trapping defenses and defenses that use double teams. Also teams that employ box or diamond and 1 or triangle and two type defenses can greatly benefit from these drills because they teach the concepts of “dividing” remaining players with or without being a man down using the previously mentioned “help web”.