All Access Defensive Practice with John Beilein

with John Beilein,Detroit Pistons (NBA) Senior Player Development Advisor;
Cleveland Cavaliers (NBA) Head Coach - 2019 to 2021;
University of Michigan Head Coach - 2007 to 2019;
2019 Coach Wooden "Keys to Life" Award;
2018 CBS Sports National Coach of the Year;
2018 NCAA Men's Basketball National Championship Runner-up;
2014 Big Ten Coach of the Year;
2x Final Four appearances (2013, 2018);
2x Big Ten Regular Season Champions (2012, 2014);
2x Big Ten Tournament Champions (2017, 2018);
University of Richmond Head Coach - 1997 to 2002;
1998 CAA Coach of the Year (University of Richmond);
Canisius College Head Coach - 1992 to 1997;
1994 MAAC Coach of the Year (at Canisius College; inducted into the Canisius College Sports Hall of Fame in September 2019)

Five years ago, University of Michigan's then head coach John Beilein, granted Championship Productions unprecedented access to film a series of 'All Access' practices on Beilein's offensive and defensive practice sessions, and also, his renowned shooting methods sessions; only with the promise that the footage wouldn't be released until Beilein's retirement from coaching college basketball.
After being named the head coach of the NBA's Cleveland Cavaliers in Spring 2019, Coach Beilein has agreed to finally release this practice footage to the public! Now you can learn the coaching strategies used by one of the most successful college basketball coaches in the nation over the past 30 years.

After over 40 years coaching basketball, John Beilein's experience coaching the defensive side of the ball is extensive and refined. This All Access video drops you inside the facilities at the University of Michigan to observe a practice session the Wolverines completed prior to a preseason trip overseas. In it, you'll find Beilein's preferred way to use the Shell Drill, best practices for defending the post and ball screens, and an effective late game press and trapping system. It all adds up to a great deal of coaching tips to improve your man-to-man defense from one of the most respected coaches in the game.

Shell Drill, Ball Screens, Post Defense

Using the Shell Drill, Coach Beilein emphasizes getting into active gaps to deny drivers a lane while maintaining long, active hands that don't drop below the shoulders. Additionally, the Shell Drill is perfect for working on closeouts, rebounding with two hands, dealing with cutters and ensuring defenders continuously communicate.

His players maintain this same defensive approach as they transition from the Shell Drill to ball screen defense, where Beilein teaches technique on getting through and around screens. The portion on pick & roll defense covers both high and side ball screens, plus zoning up on the back end while in P&R coverage. Post defense - before and after the ball is entered to the post - is also thoroughly covered from an individual and team standpoint.

Press & Trapping System

You'll get the chance to see aggressive trapping methods to force ball handlers into making mistakes late in games. Coach Beilein has defenders attempt to force a primary trap in the full court before working to get a secondary trap in the half court if the initial trap is broken. This type of system is perfect for when your team finds itself down a few points late in the game needing to mount a comeback.

Coach Beilein does an outstanding job of emphasizing his philosophy of keeping things simple. He breaks down each drill and concept by demonstrating how he wants players to move and act on the court. You'll learn a tremendous amount of Beilein's coaching philosophy and purposeful exercises that you can use right away to enhance your team defense!

82 minutes. 2019.