EXPERT SESSIONS AND ADVICE
A skill to work on every day in practice, the defensive slide isn’t as easy as it looks, especially when facing a gifted ball handler
WHY USE IT
The defensive slide is a critical skill to contain dribble penetration. It requires excellent footwork and coordination, so needs to be drilled daily.
SET UP
A ball handler and defender are positioned in each corner. Designate one group as the ones to start.
HOW TO PLAY
The ball handler dribbles at about 75 percent effort to the elbow as the defender slides to keep the defender in front [1]. The ball handler now speed-dribbles in the open court. The defender now is trailing the ball and sprints to a spot ahead of the ball handler. At the same time, the second group from the opposite corner begins the first phase of the drill [2]. Once the defender is back in front of the ball handler, the defender gets into the proper stance and slides the ball handler to the sideline [3].
TECHNIQUE
Be sure the group in the opposite corner waits long enough as not to run into the initial group. You want to be efficient … but also safe. To increase the difficulty of the drill, the ball handler can dribble back toward the rim to make the defender’s recovering and square-up more challenging.
in Basketball coaching, Basketball drills and skills, Offense drills, Shooting drills
Your players are forced to communicate, hustle, shoot and score all while multiple basketballs are flying around the court and multiple players are participating. Why use it This drill combines outlet passing, sprinting the length of the floor, scoring on the move, following your own shot and keeping the pace moving. What’s also great about... MORE
From Derek Brown of CoachTube The ‘Nearest Man’ Drill teaches players how to control the glass even when there isn’t an opposing player in their immediate vicinity Why use it During a game, players may be caught in the paint without an offensive player near them to box out. You still need those defensive... MORE
