Closeouts

Recently I've written more about defense, including the pick-and-roll defensive option, ICE. But where young players almost always struggle is managing closeout situations, which often emerge after ball rotation.

Here's a 'typical' example via Twitter and BBallBreakdown


First, watch the video showing how offense defeats closeouts. Defenders are vulnerable when the have momentum working against them and the offensive players ATTACKS DECISIVELY. Effective defenders create indecision (high hands) and contain the drive.


I don't like the high center of gravity in the video, but it has its strengths. First, MOVE ON THE PASS and think CLOSE THE GAP. Challenged threes have dramatically lower shooting percentage than open threes, ergo get at least one HAND HIGH to discourage the shot without fouling. The key elements are early movement, contest the shot, contain the drive. 

I teach an exception for late shot clock and end-of-quarter/end-of-game in a drill I call five seconds to glory. 

The perimeter defender runs at the ball and looks to contest the shot and allow the drive. The help defender contains the drive. This drill tests offense (decision-making and execution) and defense (full contest without foul and help). In a time-limited situation, the offense can't make multiple passes or take more than at most two dribbles without the clock or time expiring. 

There are loads of closeout drills. I love the energy in this brief video. 



The simplest thought is CLOSE, CONTEST, CONTAIN.