When teaching the game of basketball to young players, focus on the fundamentals. Choose defensive drills that emphasize the correct footwork and positioning and also allow the players to engage in friendly competition. Beginning basketball players need to learn the basics of the game, as well as a desire to compete. You can accomplish both of these goals by including the right drills in your practice.
Zigzag Drill
The zigzag drill teaches the proper defensive stance and footwork. Set out cones in a zigzag pattern from one end of the floor to the other. Players start in the corner and slide in the defensive stance to the first cone before changing direction and sliding to the next cone. They repeat the pattern all the way down the court. While your players are doing so, watch their feet to make sure they are not bringing their feet together. Also, make sure they are keeping their backs straight, with their heads up. Lastly, teach your players how to open up and swing their trailing leg toward the next cone to change direction.
Shell Drill
The shell drill introduces your players to the three defensive positions: on-ball defender, denial and help position. Place five players around the perimeter and match them up with a defender. Start with the ball in left corner and walk around placing your defenders in the proper position. Pass the ball one person to the right and reposition your players. Continue passing the ball around the perimeter, pausing to reposition players. When the ball has gone from one corner to the other, switch the offense with the defense and start over. When all of your players have had a chance to play defense, repeat the drill, only this time move the ball faster and allow players to reposition themselves. Make corrections as necessary.
One-on-One Drill
Split your team into two groups and have them form lines at the top of the key at both ends of the court. The first person in line is on defense and the second person is on offense. The offensive player checks the ball to the defense, then tries to make a move to score. If the offensive player scores, he becomes the defender. The defender earns a stop by stealing the ball or getting a rebound. If the defender earns a stop, he gets one point and stays on defense. The only way to score is to get a stop. If the defender makes it through the entire line, stopping all of his teammates, rotate in a new defender.
Keep Away
Divide your players up into groups of three. Two of the players are on offense and stand 10 feet apart, with one of them having a ball. The third player is in the middle on defense. The defender must pressure the person with the ball and try to get a steal or deflection on a pass. If he is able to knock the ball away or get a deflection, he switches places with the offensive player who was making the pass. The offensive players cannot dribble, and they must wait until the defender has reached them before they attempt to pass the ball back to their teammate. This drill helps defenders learn to track the ball with their eyes and hands.
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