Team DEfense Drills

4 on 4 Shell Progression:

  • 4v4 “shell” is a team defense staple and is a great drill to rep daily. It allows you to check and rep your defensive fundamentals and guard against whatever actions you want to add to the progression.

  • A typical shell progression starts with the offense passing and cutting, before adding in away screens, post entries to a coach to work on choking the post, etc.

4 on 4 Grinder:

 

  • This 4v4 drill is live when the coach (beneath the basket) throws a pass to any of the four offensive players along the perimeter. The defense must get three stops in a row before they can rotate out to offense.

 

4 on 4 Flex Action Shell:

  • This 4v4 shell progression reps “flex” action (cross screen + down screen).

  • This is a great segment to add to your shell as it forces the defense to work on guarding off ball screens and their communication.

5 on 3.5 Transition Break:

  • The 5 offensive players start evenly spaced below the baseline, with 5 defenders opposite of them free throw line extended. The coach has a ball and stands on either elbow.

  • The drill starts with the coach throwing the ball to any offensive player along the baseline and calling out another defensive player’s name.

  • The defender facing the offensive player who catches the pass from the coach and the defender who's name is called will sprint to touch the baseline, while the offense goes on the break.

  • The two defenders touch the baseline and sprint back to get back on defense and in the play.

  • The offense tries to keep the advantage and score in transition.