Offense may be how to get in the stat sheet, but playing defense is just as essential in the game of basketball. Basketball defense is necessary in order to stop the other team from scoring or even just slow down their offense, create steals and create easy opportunities for the offense to score. Defensive drills can help players learn the fundamentals and hustle they'll need to succeed during the game.
Z Drill
An effective drill for teaching the proper footwork and hustle required to play effective defense, the z-drill involves everyone on the team. Divide your players into two groups. Have one group stand on the baseline near the free throw line on offense, the other one the sideline about 5 or 6 feet up the floor as defense. The first player in each line steps out on the court to begin the drill. The baseline player has a ball and begins dribbling diagonally toward the sideline. The defensive player must stay in a crouched defensive position, with hands out, and shuffle his feet from side to side to keep up with the dribbler. Near the sideline, the dribbler quickly switches directions and dribbles diagonally toward the middle of the floor. The defensive player must continue to shuffle his feet---not crossing them over---and keep up with the defender. At the middle of the court, the dribbler again changes directions and dribbles diagonally toward the baseline again. Have players repeat this motion all the way up the floor. When players reach half court, send the next group of two out. Have players switch from offense to defense after completing the drill.
Man-to-Man Shell Drill
Shell drills help players learn proper defensive positioning. For the man-to-man drill, position offensive players around the floor evenly spaced out, each with a defender. Offensive players do not dribble the ball, put pass the ball around slowly from teammate to teammate. Depending on where the ball is, each player either denies the ball---puts his body to the side of his man and extends an arm out in front to prevent a pass---and calls out "deny" or closes out and plays active defense on the ball, calling out "ball." Have the offense work the ball all around the court, holding it for three to four seconds each.
Zone Shell Drill
Similar to the man-to-man shell drill, the zone drill teaches players proper positioning on the floor based on whatever zone defense is being used. Players must cover certain zone spots on the floor depending on the location of the ball. If the ball enters their zone, they must close out on the player with the ball and call out "ball" while actively guarding. If the ball approaches near their zone, they must play slightly off the player in their zone and deny the ball, calling out "deny."
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