Basketball Drill - Deny and Trap the Corner Drill

By Dr. James Gels, from the Coach’s Clipboard Basketball Playbook, @ http://www.coachesclipboard.net

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This is a defensive drill that emphasizes defensive slides, forcing the opponent to the baseline, and then trapping at the baseline.

Setup: (blue = assistants, red = defense)
Use both sides of the half court, with an assistant holding a ball on each wing, free-throw line extended. He/she should hold the ball extended out with one hand toward the defender (X1).

The Drill:
Diagram A. The defenders at the free-throw line (X1 and X2) slide over and back twice and touch the ball each time, being vocal ("deny, deny, deny"). On the third slide, before she can touch the ball, the assistant puts the ball on the floor and starts dribbling. The defender forces him to the baseline, where the low block defenders (X3 or X4) seal off the baseline and prevent further penetration along the line, and the two defenders trap him in the corner, or along the baseline (Diagram B).

Once the assistant is trapped, the low block defender steps up to the free-throw line, the next player in line becomes the new low block defender, and X1 goes to the rear of the line.

Pointers:
1. Make sure the defense prevents penetration along the baseline.

2. Don't allow the ball-handler to split the trap. Trappers get "knee to knee".

3. When trapping, don't reach in. The height of the trappers' hands should mirror the height of the ball. We are going for a deflection, a bad pass, a 5-second call and lastly the tie-up and jump ball. If the offensive player presents the ball to you, go ahead and get the tie-up, jump-ball... but otherwise, don't reach-in for the ball.

Helpful DVDs

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	Mike Anderson: '40 Minutes of Hell' (Vol. 2) with Mike Anderson, University of Missouri Head Coach. Hard play and pressure defense are the backbone of Coach Anderson's teams. Stance, hands, balance and closeness to the offensive player are very important principles to Anderson. Using an overhead, Anderson diagrams his defensive system. Ball pressure, anticipation, rotation and trapping are key terms in this system. On ball pressure, trapping corners on the baseline, making the sideline an extra man, using the half court line, trap with opportunity, and rotation round out the keys to this defensive. The progression of this defense starts with 1-on-1 defense by using the zig-zag drill. The run-and-jump can be added to the 2-on-2 or 3-on-3 drill. Other practice drills shared by Anderson show transition situations, sliding drills, 2-on-2, run and jump and 4-on-4... (more info) Price: $39.99
	Tom Izzo: Dominating Rebounding & Man-to-Man Defensive Drills By Tom Izzo, 2000 NCAA Champions, 3X National Coach of the Year. Coach Izzo shares one of the most dominating man-to-man defensive and rebounding systems in college basketball today. Izzo's teams have been among the nation's leaders in rebounding margin (+11.7) and scoring defense (58.9) since he took over in the '95-'96 season. The seven defensive drills that Izzo covers include... (more info) Price: $39.99
	Bob Huggins' Drills for Man-to-Man Defense with Bob Huggins, West Virginia University Head Coach; over 600 career wins; former University of Cincinnati Head Coach, '00-'01 National Coach of the Year, Conference USA "Coach of the Decade" (Cincinnati). In Coach Huggins' defense, the middle of the floor - the shoot - is an area where the ball is not allowed. Pushing the ball to the sideline is the goal of this defense... Every day Huggins runs a simple 2-on-2 drill to emphasize getting to the ball, or "sprint to help." The shell drill incorporates all of these principles and does not allow direct line passes. Another key drill is 1-one-1 closeout drill from basket to the top of the key. The help and recover/penetrate and pitch drill forces players to cover area and stresses closing out with hands up and denying penetration. The 3-on-1 close out drill forces the defender to react to the direction of the pass... (more info) Price: $39.99
	Roy Williams: The Carolina Defensive Numbering System & Drills with Roy Williams, University of North Carolina Head Coach, 2009 and 2005 National Champions, 4X Time National "Coach of the Year," Winningest Active Coach in College Basketball. In this incredibly comprehensive video, Coach Williams presents the five points of emphasis of his man-to-man defense. In breaking down the most critical areas of strong-side and weak-side man defense, Williams teaches how to deny penetration on the baseline, close traps on help-side, techniques for ball denial, close outs, fronting the post and denial of screens and back screens. Williams teaches the 20, 30 and 40 defensive numbering system that will create fits for teams at any level! He places special focus on pressuring the ball, proper on-ball and help-side stances, forcing the ball to the sideline, weakside defense, preventing ball reversals and stopping transition offense on every possession. His drills, ranging from one-on-one drills to five-on-five drills, will reinforce proper responsibilities and rotations within the defense. A must for all coaches who play tough man defense... (more info) Price: $39.99
	Jay Wright: Defensive Progression Drills & Techniques with Jay Wright, Villanova University Head Men's Basketball Coach, NCAA "Sweet 16" (2005), Philadelphia Big Five Eastern College Coach of the Year. Aggressive, no-nonsense defense is a trademark of Jay Wright's teams. Because of the great talent Villanova faces every game, Wright focuses on drills that will help contain quick, skilled ball handlers. This excellent teaching tool progresses from individual defensive stance, to one-on-one, two-on-two, and three-on-three in the half- and full-court. Wright stresses pressure on the ball, stance and vision away from the ball. The 2-on-2 "Whack Out" drill will show how to close out on shooters and still contain the ball handler. The term "line of the ball and level of the ball" are illustrated. The versatile 2-on-2 in the Post drill focuses on perimeter defense as well as defending the post. Helping on the post is a concept introduced once the offensive post has the ball inside. The cornerstones of the DVD are defending on the ball, jumping to the ball, playing cutters, playing off the ball and reading help. This has great application to high school and junior high basketball... (more info) Price: $39.99