Outnumbered but Not Outmatched

Stack the odds against your defense by placing 7 offensive players on the floor to score against just 5 defenders – watch the defenders communicate and hustle to stop the ball.

Why use it

Everyone has their version of a defensive shell drill. This one utilizes seven offensive players. It’s especially effective for teams playing a lot of 1-3-1 zone.

Set up

In a half-court setting, place offensive players in each of the four corners, one at the freethrow line and two others at opposite blocks. The defenders begin in a 1-3-1 formation. This is a live drill but penetration only is allowed from the four corners of the floor. The block players are stationary and the freethrow- line offensive player only is allowed to move from elbow to elbow.

How to play

The player with the ball on the perimeter passes across the court. 4 moves to guard the new ball handler as 3 steps into a potential passing lane from mid-court to the corner, and runs out to double-team the new ball handler. 5 slips around the elbow runner. 1 moves to the strong side of the baseline [1]. When a pass is made to the corner, 4 retreats back to the top. 5 drops low to guard the space about to be left by 1 [2]. 1 and 3 double-team the corner. 5 fronts the post. 4 defends the space between the elbow player and the passer. 2 drops to the middle [3].

Technique

Player for three minutes and see how many points the offense scores. Then, change responsibilities and see how the new offense fares against different defenders.