Properly Defending a Dribbler
Coaches all over ask us questions about teaching kids to defend a dribbler. There are some simple drills that can be done to correctly teach kids the proper defensive technique that don’t require a lot of players.
Remember that team defense is more important than individual defense but it is very important that each player learns correct skills so that the team defense can be even stronger. Here’s how the drill works:
Two teams are lined up on the baseline with one team on offense and the other on defense. Only use one side of the court at first but split the foul line in half as your benchmark. On whistle, the offensive player dribbles to a set area on the court. If you have cones or chairs set up that will work fine. The defender should slide in a good solid stance focusing on staying a half step in front of the dribbler. He should be a half man ahead meaning if you are in front you want to be half a person to the side that is being dribbled to. When the offensive player gets to a cone, marker or chair then he crosses over and goes to the next cone. The drill is not to be done full speed but at a controlled speed where the focus is on the defender. Go to half court at a controlled speed and then switch and use the other half of the court with reversed offense and defense.
Once the defense has done the drill enough and the players get more advanced then this drill should be practiced at full speed with the offense trying to get by the defender. Reward solid play and as the players get older this drill should be more and more physical so players can get used to that style.
