Building an Elite 'No Middle' Man-to-Man Defense

with Alvin Brooks III,
NC State Assistant Coach;
University of Kentucky Associate Head Coach from 2024 to 2026;
Baylor University Men's Assistant Coach 2016 to 2024;
2021 NCAA National Champions;
3x Big XII Regular Season Champions;
Kansas State University Assistant Coach (2012-2016);
Assistant Coach for NJCAA National Championship teams at Arkansas-Fort Smith (2006) and Midland College (2007)
played college basketball for Midland and Idaho State

In his role as an assistant coach at the collegiate level for nearly 20 years, Alvin Brooks III has carved out a name for himself as a defensive coaching wizard. This reputation was solidified when the Baylor Bears won the 2021 NCAA Men’s National Championship – where Brooks’ smothering, tenacious defense was on full display before a worldwide basketball audience.

Brooks provides a framework for creating a defensive culture that is built on fundamentals, yet driven by an engine powered with defensive schemes, proven principles and the coaching points shown throughout this presentation.  Viewers get a deep dive into the principles, teachings and drills behind one of the toughest defensive teams in the country – beginning with an explanation of why the Bears play the type of defense that they do, as well as the nuts-and-bolts process that Brooks utilizes for implementing his system.

Transition Defense, Half-Court Defense

Brooks walks viewers through a series of effective defensive drills designed to immediately improve a team’s transition defense. With a keen eye for detail, the mind behind the Bears defensive success highlights essential elements of good transition defense, as well as the key actions to look out for when coaching these defensive drills.

As the video transitions to half-court defense, Brooks covers tried-and-true defensive principles such as seeing the ball, being in proper help position and the importance of defenders to always communicate loudly and effectively with teammates on the floor. Viewers are shown how Brooks teaches defenders to dictate from the defensive side of the ball – always contesting shots and with an emphasis on proper footwork and using their chest when defending 1-on-1 from various positions on the court.

Defensive Progression Drills, Tenacious Techniques

Brooks shows viewers an effective defensive drill progression, starting with a 1-on-1 drill and working incrementally up to a fully competitive 5-on-5 drill. Each drill segment builds on the previous one and new facets of technique and defensive principles are added as more defenders are worked into the sequence, until the 5-on-5 segment showcases a stifling team defense.  

Coaches will take notes on how Brooks teaches on-the-ball defense, as well as his rules for defensive help and switching as a key aspect to team defense.

No defensive video would be complete without a discussion of ball screen and pick-and-roll defense, which Brooks covers in detail, using an emphasis on proper footwork.  

If you’re looking for a video that will impact the way you coach defense, then you’d better buckle your seatbelt for what Brooks has to offer in this loaded and informative defensive session!

78 minutes. 2022.