Coaching Philosophy:
Basketball is a game that incorporates athletic ability and academics. In order to be successful as a team, we will rely on a fundamental style of basketball. Each student/athlete will be asked to work hard because, “work comes before success.” Hard work will overcome all adversity. It is through this environment that the student/athlete will learn what it takes to be successful in athletics, as well as in life.
Man-to-Man Philosophy:
1. FIVE players jump to each pass – NON-NEGOTIABLE
2. High/low Hole partnered:
a. Should High Hole cover short corner, Low Hole dives to post
b. Should High Hole rotate to corner, Low Hole doubles (traps) post
c. Should ball get entered into low post, Low Hole doubles (traps) post
3. Cut and replace spots
4. Sideline Pin:
a. Extreme ball pressure at ALL times
b. Be physical at ALL times
c. Disrupt the offense
d. Obstruct view of ball handler
5. Run-Jump Penetration – closest man picks up, make sure to rotate
6. Bump/Trap:
a. Be physical
b. Extreme ball pressure
7. Front post – BLAST from help side, post does not catch
8. Always JAM CUTTER
9. Always JAM DRIBBLER as soon as they get ball
10. Turn dribbler several times so they take eyes off floor
11. Force to a corner:
a. Head on ball
b. Arms length away
c. Hand straight out in passing lane
d. Hand ON ball
e. Move with ball side to side, head on ball at ALL times
12. Close-out ALL shots
13. Rotate to half way on backside
14. Play passing lane for TIPS, do NOT get backdoor by offensive player
15. Tip balls on passes
16. Get ball pressure, cover middle, and cover back
17. Make offense go backwards towards half court
18. Play to level of the ball at ALL times
19. Help side is halfway, two fee in paint halfway
NO SUCH THING AS “he’s not my man!”“ IT’S “our man!” STOP BALL
Practice Plan Drills
3 on 2 3 Man Weave
This practice plan drill teaches transition defense and spacing, playing the ball and help side defense. Players line up on the baseline and perform a 3 man weave to the cones 3/4ths the length of the court (passing, offensive spacing, and communication are key). Two defenders pick up the weave on the way back at half court defending the basket.
Closeout
Closing out the shooter begins with footwork and intensity. Coach stands on side opposite the offensive player and the defender begins in help side defensive position. Once the ball is passed to the offensive player, the defender sprints out to the ball with choppy feet, one hand in the passing lane, and the other hand on the ball in order to disrupt a shot or pass.
D.L. Drill
D.L. is named after a former assistant and teaches the back tip concept in a full court setting. Always teach athletes to use their inside hand and run through the ball in order to back tip. Effort is key in this drill and is a great conditioning defensive drill.
Disadvantage Drill
4o0 drill which requires communication and players to sprint into position for defensive helpside. Players typically have difficulty stopping the ball and the closest man picks up the ball and drives the ball to the sideline.
Frenzy
Shell drill where points are only scored on defensive stops. Offense shoots to get onto the defensive side of the ball. This drill works best with three or four groups competing for 7-8 minutes at a time. Everyone has to closeout, move while ball is in the air, and rebound. All around drill for several aspects of the game.
Killer
Time is set from 25-35 seconds and the ball always begins under the basket. The defender passes the ball to any of the three players and closes out and defends 1-2 dribbles. If offensive player scores, the defender must go right back at the scorer until they get a stop. Teaches close out technique and toughness. Kids typically have fun trying to stop all three in the time allotted.
Man in Hole
Zig-Zag drill which teaches toughness and multiple dribblers. Great conditioning and ball handling drill. Time is placed at 6-8 minutes and athletes are required to defend 3-4 dribblers back to back until all have been defenders. A little twist on this drill is having the defenders hold a basketball and push on the dribbler in the defensive stance trying to knock the dribbler off balance. The ball must stay in contact with the dribbler at all times or that one dribbler gets reset to the beginning and the defender has to start over with that dribbler.
1 on 2 on 3 on 4 on 5 on 5 for 2 Minutes (Progressive)
Begin this drill keeping score each possession in a 1o2 scenario. Then 2 players enter in by touching the three point line creating a 2o3 situation at the other end. Score or stop adds two more players for 3o4 situation, then two more get added for a 5o0. Finally, 1 player is added for 5o5 and the 2 minute clock begins. Teaches disadvantage and teamwork in transition situations.
Rush
Players must touch a cone while the game continues going to the other end. Just for a brief moment, the situation is 4o5 until the man down recovers and picks up their original man. Usually we go down, back, and down before the drill ends. Transition defense takes place during this practice plan drill, along with offensive spacing and movement. Teaches players to play fast.
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