Chris Holtmann: Stopping the Fast Break

with Chris Holtmann,
DePaul University Head Coach;
Ohio State University Head Men's Coach from 2017 to 2024;
2018 Big Ten Coach of the Year;
2018 Jim Phelan National Coach of the Year;
Butler University Head Coach from 2014 to 2017;
2017 Big East Coach of the Year;
2017 John McLendon National Coach of the Year;
former Gardner-Webb Head Coach;
2013 Big South Coach of the Year;
1994 NAIA All-American (Taylor University)

Transition defense has become an important part of teams' defensive strategy at all levels of basketball. A well-planned transition defense can eliminate potential transition offense points, which could help your team prevent opponents from getting easy buckets and potentially give you more wins during the season.

Using a series of defensive practice drills, Chris Holtmann demonstrates strategies for getting back on defense and illustrates them with on-court demonstrations to help your team become a lock down transition defensive squad. Being able to learn from one of the best coaches in today's game - Brad Stevens - Coach Holtmann has developed a philosophy that has landed Butler at the top of the defensive efficiency charts the past two seasons.

The Culture of Transition Defense

While teaching players to defend and buy in, Coach Holtmann explains that offense is an important part of the game and when it comes to teaching transition defense. By getting ahead of the ball, you create a numbers game and can gain an advantage through offensive rebounding. Rounding out his philosophy, Coach Holtmann explains the importance of running to the paint rather than running to your match up, which most players want to do.

Transition Defense Drills

Being able to explain your transition philosophy is only half the battle. Using drills and terminology, Coach Holtmann installs the basics of his transition defense. Starting on the offensive end once the shooter begins to lift into their shot, players begin moving and getting into place to defend in transition. Guards rotate back to form the halfback and fullback positions, where they will be able to communicate and initiate transition defense with the rest of the players.

Coach Holtmann is able to control run outs in practice to build confidence within his defense. In Circle Transition and 5 on 4 +1, players outlet the ball to a coach as defensive players sprint back and sort from the rim out - one of the most important aspects of transition defense.

Coach Holtmann has built his transition defense through experience and detail. This video will show you exactly what you need to stop teams from scoring in transition.

Produced at the Spring 2015 Biloxi (MS) clinic.

55 minutes. 2016.