Building Blocks for a High-Energy, Heavy Pressure Defense (Close Outs, 5-on-5 Shell Drills, Drawing Charges & More!)

with Daniyal Robinson,
University of North Texas Head Coach;
Cleveland State Head Men's Basketball Coach from 2022 to 2025;
Iowa State University Assistant Coach from 2015 to 2022;
Loyola Chicago Associate Head Coach from 2014 to 2015;
Loyola Chicago Assistant Coach from 2013 to 2014;
Houston Assistant Coach from 2010 to 2013;
Iowa State Assistant Coach from 2008 to 2010 ;
Arkansas- Little Rock Assistant from 2007 to 2008;
Illinois State Assistant Coach from 2003 to 2007;
played college basketball for Arkansas- Little Rock

Coach Robinson has developed a series of 'daily vitamin' drills to help build his half court defense into one of the most efficient defenses.  In this video, Coach Robinson will lead you through the daily drills they do to build championship level defense and create havoc in the half court!

Half Court Defense

Terminology and points of emphasis are important to creating team chemistry.  Understanding and trusting where your teammates are going to be and if they have your back will create confidence and balance with your team.  

Coach Robinson teaches the terminology they use to force opponents to the baseline and sideline.  The defense starts with on ball pressure and continues with players being in lock or 1 pass away and denial.  Helpside defenders are moving while the ball is in the air and will help force opponents into the deep corner or jail part of the court.  

If a player gets beat off the dribble the goalie needs to be there to meet a driver outside of the paint and take any charges necessary to protect the rim.  Your half court defense cannot be successful without energy from all 5 on the floor!  This will help you install the basic terminology and movement in the half court. 

Daily Vitamin Drills 

Beginning with Closeouts, Coach Robinson shows how his players will get high hands and closeout to the high side of the defender to influence sideline and baseline.  Players cannot open their hips and allow easy access into the paint, but rather have their head on the players shoulder.  

As the ball is swung around, top side help will be on the ball with a closeout and chest up.  In 'chest drill', players are working on jumping from help into on ball pressure and taking a charge with their chest out and hands back.  

In '2v2 Energizers', players are going full court working from on ball pressure to helpside defense.  On ball defenders are working to cut off the ball handler and helpside defenders are going to work at getting to the level of the ball.  This is a great drill for teaching sprinting from one spot to the next and controlling the middle of the floor; an excellent conditioning drill that emphasizes man to man principles.  

In 'Big 3 Drill', players have to get a wall up, vertical contest, and take a charge.  This drill is one of the best defensive drills that teaches technique and how to be in the proper position and is one that brings high energy to your practices!  This is a must have drill to add to your package of drills to help build toughness and grit to get that stop when you need one!

Building your defense brick by brick begins with consistent defensive drills.  Building the fundamentals of your defense will help your team play solid lock down defense.  Through 'Daily Vitamin' drills, your players will feel confident they can stop any high powered offense and force them to play right into your game plan!  Coach Robinson will help guide you to bring the energy and effort to your practices everyday!

Customer Review: 5 Out of 5 Stars! 'Excellent video for understanding how to build a solid defense.  Coach Robinson's Daily Vitamins are the perfect combination of technique and fundamentals.  You will love adding these drills to your program!'

71 minutes. 2024.