Competitive Practice Drills for Defense

with Matthew Driscoll,
NC State Assistant Coach;
Kansas State University Interim Head Coach in 2026;
Kansas State University Associate Head Coach from 2025 to 2026;
University of North Florida Head Men's Coach from 2009 to 2025;
3-Time Atlantic Sun (A-Sun) Conference Coach of the Year (2015, 2016 & 2020);
3-Time A-Sun Regular Season Champions (2015, 2016 & 2020);
2015 A-Sun Tournament Champions;
Baylor Assistant Coach from 2003 to 2009;
2008 Fox Sports Top Ten Assistants in the US;
Valparaiso Assistant Coach in 2003;
Clemson Assistant Coach from 1998 to 2003;
Wyoming Assistant Coach from 1997 to 1998;
LaRoche College Head Coach from 1993 to 1997;
Slippery Rock Assistant Coach from 1992 to 1993;
Seneca Valley High School (PA) Assistant Coach from 1991 to 1992;
Butler County Community College (PA) Assistant Coach from 1990 to 1991;
Northgate High School Assistant Coach (PA);
played college basketball at Greensboro College & Butler County CC

Matthew Driscoll knows how to build a program. Coach Driscoll served as an assistant on Scott Drew's staff at Baylor from 2003 to 2009, helping to lead the Bears' back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time in 20 years (2008). After being hired as the head coach of North Florida in 2009, Driscoll repeated this feat, turning the program around and leading the Ospreys to their first-ever NCAA Tournament appearance (2014-15).

Encouraging competition in practices will get your players to work harder, improve faster and have more fun. 2015 Atlantic Sun Coach of the Year, Matthew Driscoll, demonstrates 12 competitive drills that helped his team become one of the highest scoring teams in the country. The drills work both sides of the floor to build a complete offensive and defensive package.

Using 1v1, 2v2, 3v3, and 5v5 situations, Coach Driscoll teaches his players techniques and concepts that prepare them for the upcoming season. These 12 competitive drills will create disadvantage situations, condition players, build toughness and increase court awareness. Utilizing the shot clock and a winner for each drill, Coach Driscoll builds a climate of competitiveness with his team.

1v1, 2v2, 3v3 Drills for Offense and Defense

Break down your half court offensive and defensive concepts with a series of 1-on-1, and 2-on-2 practice drills. Learn how Coach Driscoll maximizes competition by tracking each team's defensive efficiency ratings (DER) to determine the winner of each drill.

The Full Court Advantage drill requires your players to contain the ball in the full court and prevent splits that will lead to easy scoring opportunities. The Laker to Heat drill creates a temporary 3-on-2 advantage for the offense and challenges your defenders to sprint back and get organized to protect the rim. Sprint Pick and Roll is a half court drill to focus on concepts in your ball screen offense and defense.

Transition Drills

Coach Driscoll runs his players through four drills in a segment that emphasizes transition defense. The Build Up drill has players compete through every type of disadvantage situation in fast breaks, while the 2-3 Transition to 11 Drill teaches athletes how to get back in a zone through their transition defense.

Rebounding Drills

You'll see the three tried and true rebounding drills that Coach Driscoll relies on in his practices. These competitive drills will get your players to fight for rebounding position. Coach Driscoll also provides commentary on how you can modify your rebounding drills to increase the difficulty as your players improve in skill level.

If you're looking for ways to increase the energy in your gym, this video will show you competitive practice drills to motivate players of all levels. Your athletes will learn to improve their skills no matter what test is thrown at them.

72 minutes. 2015.