D-Fence section 4

KEYS TO GOOD TRANSITION DEFENSE

In order to stop a fast break you must follow these objectives:

  • React quickly from offense to defense, sprint back down the floor.
  • The first guard back picks up the ballhandler at half court and contains the ball. Stop the ballhandler from advancing up the floor.
  • The rest of the players sprint back to defend the key area and the basket. Once everyone near the basket is covered, the rest of the defenders fan out to the outside and pick up the shooters on the wings.
  • Communicate to your teammates. Talk to each other about what players to pick up and who has whom.
  • Be ready to help your teammates until all of the players on your team are back on defense.
  • You may have to defend another player who is not your defensive assignment until your teammates recover back on defense.

    Now it is time to sprint back and work on your transition defense in this drill:

    5 Man Weave, 3-on-2 Back

  • Start with five players lined up on the baseline.
  • The player in the middle (Player 1) starts with the ball.
  • Player 1 passes to the player to her left (Player 4) and goes two players behind.
  • The players continue to pass and weave two players behind.
  • The drill ends with Player 3 making a bounce pass to Player 1.
  • The passer (Player 3) and the shooter (Player 1) now go back on defense.
  • Players 2, 4 & 5 have to take the ball out of bounds and push it up the floor on offense.
  • These three players (Players 2, 4 &5) play offense vs. the 2 defenders (Players 1 & 3) in transition.
  • The object is for the two defenders to get back down on defense, stop the ball and pick up the offensive players.
  • The first defender back (Player 3) picks up the ball at half court. The second defender back (Player 1) sprints to the key and picks up the player who receives the first pass.
  • The offensive players should be able to score in three passes. The defense will shift on each pass opening up a free player for an open shot.
  • Coaches do this drill for 6-7 minutes. Make sure the players rotate which lines they are in.

    For more advanced teams:

  • Play 4 man weave with 2-on-2 back.
  • Play 3 man weave with 2-on-1 back.