Anthony Fobb, Asst Mens Basketball Coach, Sam Houston State
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The full video that this clip came from is available on Glazier Drive: Defensive Drills for Better Man-to-Man
THE T DRILL — OVERVIEW
The T drill is a progression-based man-to-man defensive drill named for the T-shaped movement pattern players make on the court. It builds directly on the fundamentals introduced in the I drill, adding layers of complexity with each variation.
STARTING POSITION AND SETUP
The defender starts at the midline (or straddling the lane line for scout-based schemes). Two coaches or managers are positioned on both sides. The drill can be run with multiple players simultaneously, keeping everyone engaged.
CLOSE OUT FUNDAMENTALS
On the skip pass (which all players must call out loud), the defender sprints to close out past the three-point line before breaking down — chopping feet, getting the butt low, and throwing hands high. The emphasis is on contesting without giving up threes, which the coaching staff views as a game-losing flaw.
FIGHTING THE DRIVE
The drill progresses to live ball situations where the defender must read the offensive player’s dribble direction. The core principle is no middle — never surrendering the paint. The defender cuts off the dribbler with their chest, sending them baseline, staying in front at all times.
CONTESTING THE SHOT
When the offensive player leaves their feet, the defender jumps — critically, a high jump, not a long jump. A long jump leads to fouls. After the contest, the defender boxes out and pursues the rebound. A competitive add-on: the ball cannot hit the floor more than two or three times.
KEY COACHING POINTS
Always work both sides of the floor. Stress constant communication — calling “skip” and “shot” keeps everyone locked in. Defenders must see both their man and the ball without ball-watching. Teach A, B, C, D in order — never skip steps in the progression.
