4v4 Trap Drill Creates Chaos
Defenders trap on every pass as the offense attempts to find the open player before the drill spreads into a 4-on-4 full-court game with required trapping. MORE
Basketball Defense: 6-on-4 Shell Drill
Based on Tom Izzo’s method on teaching basketball defense, this drill forces players to work as a cohesive unit to stop dribble penetration and subsequent passes
WHY USE THIS DEFENSIVE BASKETBALL DRILL
Playing great defense comes down to footwork, hustle, communication, rotations and stopping the ball. This drill, which is a staple in what Tom Izzo does defensively at Michigan State, covers it all.
SET UP
The offense is playing with a 6-on-4 advantage. Place an offensive player in each corner. This player must drive the baseline anytime he or she receives a pass.
HOW TO PLA Y
Action begins with a pass to the wing [1]. On a pass to the corner, the defensive rotation begins. The wing defender slides low to follow the ball. The ball-side top defender jumps in front of his man. The weak-side top defender shifts down to the free-throwline area. The backside post gains position in the lane [2].
On the baseline drive, the defender in the lane steps up to stop the dribble as the ball-side wing defender slides to the block. The ball-side top defender moves into the middle of the lane while the weak-side top defender comes low to protect the backside of the lane [3].
TECHNIQUE
It’s easier for a player starting on the weak side to slide over and defend the ball handler as the action always is in front of him or her.
