One of the reasons that many younger basketball players struggle with playing defense is simply that they have not been taught the correct way to play it. You can’t get better at something that you have never learned how to do, and also don’t spend time working on. This defensive basketball drill will teach the player how to closeout on the wing, take away the middle drive, and then finish the play with a stop.
It takes effort to play defense, but it also takes great technique. So really notice the video’s coaching/teaching points and do your best to master these movements. Along with learning how to be a better defender, this basketball drill will teach the players how to compete. If you are a coach and your team struggles to bring energy to practice or training, do this drill. These types of basketball competition drills will increase both the player’s energy and their willingness to compete.
Basketball Drill Overview
Drill Name: 1 on 1 Hawk Defensive Basketball Drill
Equipment Needed: 1 basketball and 2-3 players.
Similar Basketball Drills and Resources
- 1 on 1 Chairs Wing Closeout Basketball Drill
- 1 on 1 Dribble Line Basketball Drill
- 1 on 1 Plug and Closeout Basketball Drill
Goals of the Drill
- Work on the players one on one closeout and wing defense.
Coaching Points
- Use your body to guard the dribble, not your hands.
- Work on playing defense without fouling.
- Don’t give up a middle drive, and do your best to make the offensive player drive to the short corner.
- Finish the play with a rebound.
- Depending on the players’ level, you can adjust the number of dribbles you allow the offensive player to have.
Basketball Drill Instructions
- The defensive player will start on one block with the ball and the offensive player on the other block.
- The defensive player will roll the ball out to the wing (across the lane to the offensive player’s side of the floor), and the offensive player must run out and grab the ball on the wing.
- As this is happening, the defensive player is going to close out the offensive player.
- The offensive player has 3 dribbles to score, and the defender must keep them from scoring.
- The drill is finished with a score, defensive rebound, or a stop.
- Rotate defensive to offense.
