Complete Man To Man Drill

Diagrams

Diagram 1 - Instructions

Diagram 2 - Variations

Purpose

• This defensive drill is superb for transitioning between the different positions on the floor to defend many situations. You transition from 1 pass off the ball, 2 passes off the ball positioning, defending the post, defending flash cutters, closing out, and helping on dribble penetration.
• Also, as a defender, you can’t hide in this drill. You are out on an island and you must fully understand where you should be positioned at all times.

Setup

• Acoach, manager, or player is positioned at the top of the key.
• A defender (X1) is guarding a player on the wing (2).

Instructions

• Coach starts up top with the ball. Defense X1 is in 1 pass away position on the line, up the line.
• Coach will dribble to the wing and the offensive player 2 will rotate into the post. X1 will take them on in a ¾ front in the post.

(Diagram 1)

• Offense 2 will vacate the post and move the weak side wing. X1 should be in a 2 pass away help position with the ball on the opposite wing with Coach.
• Offense will flash cut, defense will pick them up and try to force them up the lane to catch away from the paint.
• If the offense goes back door on the cut, we swivel and pick them up, hand in the passing lane.
• Once the offense catches the ball, you are live one on one.

Points of Emphasis

• Up the Line, On the Line – Up the line, on the line means forming a flat triangle, halving it between the ball and the player they are guarding. Have a hand on the imaginary string between the ball and your player. Not past the string, ON it. Past it will get you beat back door, as your body will be too high and out of position.
• See Player & Ball – When positioned, you should always have your eye on the player with the ball and the player you are guarding. You have to be aware of the ball, so you can position yourself properly to help on defense. You also need to be in the right position, so you can defend your player if a pass is received. If you just watch the ball, it’s easy for your defender to cut to an open spot on the floor for a scoring opportunity.
• Step In Front Of Cutter – Don’t let the flash cutter receive the pass. Be sure to cut them off. You don’t want any penetrating passes within the 3-point arc.

Variations

(Diagram 2)

• Mix Up Cuts & Positions – You can also tell the offensive player to randomly give the defensive player different looks. This is a good progression because it is more game-like as the defender has to react similarly to a game rather than just learn the sequence. You might tell the offensive player to choose three or four different cuts and positions at random.

Coaching Tips

• Fake Dribble Penetration – Make sure that the person with the ball fakes dribble penetration periodically throughout the drill. This ensures that the defender is watching the ball and the player they are guarding at the same time.
• Don’t Depend On Drill – You shouldn’t depend on this drill as a way to defend. The real test is when you are defending with other players on the court. However, it is a good variation to use in practice to initially learn defensive habits. You can also use it as a variation to quickly review defensive principles.

Made by Breakthrough Basketball