Defense · Drill
Closeout Drill
Most open threes come from bad closeouts. In this drill, the defender starts under the rim with the ball, passes to a shooter on the wing, and closes out: sprint most of the way, then chop the feet with a hand up. The shooter can shoot or drive one dribble, so the defender has to contest without flying by.
- Type
- Defense
- Level
- All levels
- Time
- 5–8 min
- Players
- 2 per group
Step 1The defender starts under the rim with the ball and passes to the shooter on the wing.
CutPassDribbleScreenShot
How the drill works
- The defender starts under the rim with the ball and passes to the shooter on the wing.
- Closeout: sprint the first two-thirds, then chop the feet the last few steps, hand high, weight back.
- The shooter drives baseline. The defender slides and cuts off the drive without reaching.
Coaching points
- Sprint, then chop: short, quick steps as you arrive.
- High hand contests the shot; the other hand covers the drive.
- Arrive with your weight back so you can slide either way.
- Take away the middle or baseline, whichever your team rule says.
Variations
- Make it live 1-on-1 with two dribbles.
- Closeout from the help side of the lane.
- Add a second shooter: defender closes out to whoever gets the ball.