Team defense · Drill
Shell Drill (4-on-4)
The shell drill is how coaches teach team defense. Four offensive players pass the ball around the perimeter, and the four defenders move on every pass: pressure the ball, deny one pass away and sink to help two passes away. Watch how every defender's spot changes each time the ball moves.
- Type
- Team defense
- Level
- Middle school to varsity
- Time
- 10–15 min
- Players
- 8
Step 1Four offensive players around the arc. Defense: one on the ball, the others in deny or help.
CutPassDribbleScreenShot
X's show man-to-man defense moving the way the app draws it.
How the drill works
- Four offensive players around the arc. Defense: one on the ball, the others in deny or help.
- Ball to the top right. Every defender jumps to the ball on the pass, not after the catch.
- Ball on the wing: pressure the ball, deny the pass back, and help side sinks to the middle of the lane.
- Ball reversed. Help defenders recover to deny as their player becomes one pass away.
- Skip to the far wing: the help defender closes out under control.
Coaching points
- Move on the flight of the pass, not on the catch.
- Talk every time: 'ball,' 'deny,' 'help.'
- See both your player and the ball (point to both).
- Close out short, with choppy feet and hands high.
Variations
- Add dribble penetration: help stops the ball, then everyone rotates.
- Add cutters: offense basket cuts after passing and defense must jump to the ball.
- Play it live after six passes: first stop wins.