[by eBasketballCoach.com]

Setup:

The rules of this drill are that the first team to 10 wins and a team can only score by stealing the ball, forcing turnovers, and taking charges.  Therefore both teams want to play defensive in order to win.  If an offensive player gets the ball and both of his feet into the key then the drill is reset and the offensive team switches and becomes the defensive team.

How it Works

1.The drill begins with an offensive player attempting to penetrate middle and the defense must talk, jump to the ball, and play help man-to-man defense. The defense holds their ground and forces the offensive team to pass the ball back out.

2.The defense must communicate, close out under control, and jump into their new defensive help positions.  Make sure that each player is on the “wall” and that they can see both their man and ball at the same time.

3.The offensive team screens away and sets a pick and roll.  The defense must communicate, fight through the screen, hedge and recover against the pick and roll, and they must not lose sight of their man or the ball.

4.The offensive team tries to attack the base line after the pick and roll.  The defense must communicate and rotate down in order to cut off the base line drive and stop the bounce pass into the middle of the key.  This is where most teams look to take a charge or trap on the base line and it is important to emphasize the offensive player furthest from the ball will be left open.

5.If the offensive team kicks the ball back out then the drill resumes and they may cut, screen, or move anyway they choose until either they penetrate the key or the defense forces a turnover.  If the defensive team forces a turnover then they score 2 points and the drill is reset.  If the offensive team successfully penetrates the key then the drill is reset and the teams switch making the offensive team the new defensive team.

Would you like to boost the “fun factor” of your practices? And increase your team’s competitive intensity? Try one of these 23 competitive basketball drills next time you’re in the gym!