SWITCH EM ON THE BALL DEFENSE DRILL

DIAGRAM A

SKILLS COVERED
*On the ball defense
*Ball handling
*Applying and dealing with pressure

ALIGNMENT
*Players need a partner. Each pair needs a ball.
*One player will be on offense. One on defense.
*Pairs that are waiting to take their turn will be out of bounds.
*1 starts with the ball on the baseline.
*Defender 1 will start right in front of 1, in a good defensive stance.  You can also start the drill with a closeout by the defensive player by having Defender 1 start 12-15 feet in front of 1, pass the ball to 1, execute a closeout and then 1 can begin.
*Out of bounds will be the sideline and the lane line extended on the way to half
court. On the way back, there is no out of bounds along the lane-line extended.

EXECUTING THE DRILL
*This is done at full speed.  Must be high energy and intense.
*1 tries to get to halfcourt as quickly as possible. They will use any ballhandling moves they can on their way to half court. (DIAGRAM A)
*Defender 1 will try to make 1 change directions as many times as they can. If Defender 1 gets a steal, they give the ball back to 1 and the drill continues immediately.
*When 1 gets to halfcourt they put the ball on the ground.  Defender 1 immediately grabs it to become the offense. 1 now becomes defense.
*The new offensive player will try to score, and the new defender will try to prevent the score. Offense has five seconds to get off a shot. We want them to think "attack" the basket. (DIAGRAM B)

DIAGRAM B

*It is very important for the defender to "close the gap" on the ball handler as they get closer to the basket.  Try to get your defender to chest up the ball handler once they get to the lane area.  You cannot give ground with the ball that close to the basket.  Be physical.