Step 1/4Pass out to an attacker
Orange = offense · blue = defense · solid line = cut · dashed = pass · zig-zag = dribble · T = screen · dotted arc = shot
Defense drill
3v3 Live from a Closeout
Defenders start under the basket, pass out to the offence and close out — then it's live 3-on-3.
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- 6+
- Ages
- 10+
- Level
- Intermediate
Equipment: 1 ball
How to run the drill
- 1Three attackers spaced around the arc. Three defenders start on the baseline under the basket; one has the ball.
- 2The defender passes out to any attacker and all three sprint to close out on their players.
- 3Play live 3-on-3 to a score or a stop. One shot for younger groups.
- 4Offence to defence, defence off, new offence on.
Coaching points
- Sprint halfway, then chop your feet
- High hand on the shooter
- Talk on the way out — “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+
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+
Use these drills in your next practice
Save drills, customise them and build them into timed practice plans. Free forever, no card needed.