To practice defense, defend. One drill can't address everything. My favorite team defensive drill is shell drill and variations (REVIEW HERE).
1. Adding defense to excellent drills makes them elite. Defenders add another dimension to the Tates Locke box drills.
2. "Dog Drill." Find your dogs. Kevin Eastman says that this finds them (above).
3. This "dribble separation" fullcourt drill modifies a drill from the late Bert Hammel. Force, hard overplay weak hand into a stop, cross, and give-and-go into one-on-one (above).
4. "In your face." Defense up and offense disadvantaged ball over head. 2 dribble limit. Tests containment and challenge drive or shot without fouling.
5. "Ten seconds to glory." Strictly this is not solely individual, but it challenges players to get open and score within ten seconds and defense to get stops.
Lagniappe 1: Make defenses cover both sides. Pete Carril reminds that defenses have three primary tasks: contain the ball, control screens, challenge shots.
Lagniappe 2: Upgrade communication. Discover better words and emotional depth. "If you’re unable to influence one person in a face to face meeting, all the tech in the world isn’t going to help you change a million people." - Seth GodinThe ability to score from helpside puts a ton of pressure on the defense (off the ball cuts, skips for opportunities, pin screens etc)— Chris Oliver (@Chris__Oliver) April 16, 2014