Step 1/3Ball goes to the wing — everyone shifts
Orange = offense · blue = defense · solid line = cut · dashed = pass · zig-zag = dribble · T = screen · dotted arc = shot
Defense drill
Protect the Paint (3v3)
Half-court game where the only way to score is to get the ball into the key — so the defence learns to keep it out.
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- 6+
- Ages
- 10+
- Level
- Intermediate
Equipment: 1 ball, bibs
How to run the drill
- 13-on-3 or 4-on-4 in the half court, played like a normal game with one difference: the only way to score a point is to get the ball into the key, by dribble or pass.
- 2Possession changes on a point, a turnover or a defensive rebound.
- 3To stop the defence sagging off, a three-point shot that hits the rim also scores a point.
- 4First to three — a low target keeps it intense. Then talk about where the help came from.
Coaching points
- On the ball: keep it in front, force it wide
- Off the ball: one step towards the ball, one towards the basket
- Talk — “Ball!”, “Help!”
More defense drills
Defense · Intermediate
1-on-1 Closeout Live
Defender passes out, closes out, and plays live 1-on-1 with a two-dribble limit.
10 min2+ playersAges 10+
Animated
Defense · Intermediate
2-on-2 Help & Recover
Ball handler drives; the help defender stunts or helps, then recovers to their player on the kick-out.
10 min4+ playersAges 11+
Animated
Defense · Intermediate
2v2 Call the Coverage
A live ball-screen game in which defenders must identify the screen, call its direction and communicate their agreed coverage before contact.
10 min4+ playersAges 12+
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