First back takes the rim, second stops the ball
Orange = offense · blue = defense · solid line = cut · dashed = pass · zig-zag = dribble · T = screen · dotted arc = shot
Defense drill
Transition Defense: Sprint Back
On a coach's whistle, the shooting team sprints back to protect the rim and stop the ball before half court.
- Time
- 8 min
- Players
- 6+
- Ages
- 10+
- Level
- Intermediate
Equipment: 1 ball
How to run the drill
- 15-on-0 offense at one end shoots; on the whistle the coach throws the ball to a new offense.
- 2Defense sprints back: first back protects the rim, second stops the ball, others match up.
- 3Play out 3-on-3 or 5-on-5 to a stop.
Coaching points
- Sprint, then turn and find the ball
- Protect the basket first
- Talk: 'I've got ball!'
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+
Defense · Advanced
Ball-Screen Defense: Hedge & Recover
2-on-2 pick-and-roll: big hedges to stop the ball, guard fights over the top, big recovers to the roller.
10 min4+ playersAges 13+
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