Our Approach to Defense: Philosophy & Drills

Team defense begins at the point of attack where individuals must be able to pressure the ball while containing the opponent's attempts to drive into the paint. Bruce Weber covers this concept in this video in order to help you piece together your own defensive strategy.

Defensive Drills

Under Coach Weber, Kansas State has emphasized great on-ball defense through a collection of drills. The 24-Second Drill will teach your players how to contain the ball to one side of the court with positioning and quick feet. The Superman Drill challenges players to prevent the opponent from scoring even in difficult closeout situations. The 3-on-3 Drill incorporates additional concepts such as off-ball positioning and helping on dribble penetration.

Beating Screens and Winning Disadvantage Situations

Next, you'll see some drills from Weber that cover more advanced fundamentals to help your players defeat screens. Two different ball screen drills will demonstrate multiple coverages that your defense can use. It's important to have multiple strategies in covering ball screens such as hard hedges, flat hedges, under, and ice. If an opponent can successfully beat your only tactic, then you'll be in for a long night. Having a "second bullet" allows you to adapt based on the situation.

Off-ball screens are also covered in the "Singles" drill. This is a terrific practice segment for quickly working on flare screens, pins, ball screens, and hi-low defense with your posts. The 4-on-5 Zone drill also teaches players how to handle exchanges and single-singles screening actions.

Great team defenses can withstand temporary disadvantages through great communication and rotations. Coach Weber practices this with his team using the "Scramble Closeout" drill. These disadvantages are also common in transition defense. You will see a progression of drills that run through these situations such as 2-on-1, 3-on-2, and 4-on-3 disadvantages that your players must be able to defend.

Develop a team defense that can contend with elite competition thanks to these drills and concepts from Bruce Weber!

80 minutes. 2019.