How to Build Your Half-Court Defense from the Ground Up

Regarded as one of the nation's top assistant coaches for decades, Brian Dutcher, now the head coach of San Diego State University, unveils years of experience on the defensive side of the ball in this video. Coach Dutcher displays the drills and techniques that have helped him produce great defensive teams at both the University of Michigan and at San Diego State.

Coach Dutcher shows how to build your defense from closeouts, to weak-side positioning, post defense, double teaming, ball screen defense and more. You'll have everything you need to create a dominant defensive system!

Closeouts and Weak-Side Positioning

One of the most important aspects of a great defense is the closeout. Coach Dutcher shows three drills to teach technique and weak-side positioning through closeout drills that build from 1-on-1 to 2-on-2. The "Top and Bottom I" drill works on seeing the ball from the weak-side, helping on dribble penetration, and recovering with a good fundamental closeout in a 2-on-2 set up.

Post Defense

The cornerstone of any defense is post defense. Dutcher shows how his teams defend the post with multiple drills. From their base defensive look, Dutcher demonstrates a drill that works on all phases of half-court post defense.

If you ever consider doubling the post, this segment will be extremely valuable as Coach Dutcher thoroughly explains how his teams double the post and rotate out of traps. Whether you are doubling big-to-big or guard-to-big, you will have your team well prepared for all scenarios.

Meeting of Three and 4-on-4 Stunting

The "Meeting of Three" drill is a perfect exercise to get athletes multiple reps and incorporate many players at once without any standing around. The drill works on defending the floppy action or pin-down screen and shows how to guard the action as a team. The 4-on-4 Stunting drill is a take on the old Shell drill, emphasizing stunting and closing out.

Ball Screen Defense

The ball screen has filtered down to nearly all levels of basketball, and sooner or later your team will face it and need a solution. The popular ball screen motion offense is widely used, and Coach Dutcher shows how to attack this offense and stop penetration. Dutcher puts in a 2-on-2 breakdown drill to practice ball screen defensive reads. Wrapping up the segment, you will see a competitive ball screen cut throat drill.

If you want to build a dominant defensive system, look no further. This video will teach you drills and skills from one of the most experienced coaches in the game so you can start shutting down your opponents!

85 minutes. 2019.