May/June 2019 - 21

outside the foul-lane area between the wing and corner
positions. After that, ball-side movement is introduced
but initially limited to perimeter player exchanges and
dribble-driving from the perimeter players.
Finally, ball-side pick-and-roll or pick-and-pop action
is allowed from perimeter and high-post players. Players
must fill in the ball-side position vacated after the onball
screener's cut. Defenders provide appropriate help
defense.
The key value of this drill is that the defensive player
learns their positioning and responsibilities within the
concept of a game-like atmosphere. The defender is " on
an island " in terms of their individual accountability for
defensive positioning. With each pass, the help-side and
ball-side players must react and rotate to their proper
positions. If a dribble-drive attempt is made from the ball
side, the ball-side defender must help and recover back
to his man, with the help-side defender rotating to their
proper position.
For example, assume the drill is 2-on-2 help-side/ballside,
and the ball-side defender is covering the wing.
The player at the corner receives a pass from the top
to start the drill. The corner player sees that the wing
defenders have not jumped to the ball, and he decides to
dribble-drive to the hoop and score. The set ends, and
the players rotate their drill positions - offense and
defense rotate one spot over, with the help-side defender
coming off the court. With the defense rotating off the
floor, coaches can correct the errors before the next set
is finished.
DIAGRAM 4 shows the starting positions for the
2-on-2 segment.
3-on-3
With the remaining portions of the drill, the
scrimmage action can be triggered by a pick-and-roll
or pass to the post - or whatever the coach wants to
emphasize that day.
For example, we were preparing to play a team that
favored a UCLA high-post screen in their man offense,
so we practiced how to defend it through the 3-on-3
and 4-on-4 help-side/ball-side drill. This allowed us to
teach proper defense and how to react under changing
circumstances.
DIAGRAM 5 shows the starting positions.
4-on-4
DIAGRAM 6 shows the starting positions for the
4-on-4 portion of the drill. The help-side player can
move between the help-side wing and corner positions.
The drills are useful in another way, because they get
players to rotate into most offensive and defensive spots.
Players not only become versed in the different rotations,
but it allows them defensively to walk a mile in someone
else's shoes. Picture the center defending your point
guard on the perimeter, or the same pair exchanging roles
in the paint. They tend to gain a greater understanding
and respect for each other's primary defensive roles. This
hopefully develops them to become a better defensive
unit - five playing as one against the ball.
Joseph Kubacki has coached high school and grade
school basketball since 1976, mostly in Springfield,
Massachusetts.
WINNINGHOOPS.COM 21
DIAGRAM 5
DIAGRAM 4
DIAGRAM 6
http://www.WINNINGHOOPS.COM
May/June 2019

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