'Shade Left' Defensive System: Making Opponents Uncomfortable, Install Techniques, Drills, Rules, Tactics & More!

with Eric Henderson,
Drake University Head Coach;
South Dakota State University Head Coach from 2019 to 2025;
2022 NABC District 12 Coach of the Year;
2x Summit League Coach of the Year;
4x Summit League Regular Season Champions;
2022 Summit League Conference - ranked #1 in Defensive Efficiency;
South Dakota State University Assistant Coach from 2016 to 2019;
North Dakota State Assistant Coach from 2014 to 2016;
Burlington Catholic Central HS (WI) Head Coach from 2009 to 2014;
Wayne HS (NE) Head Coach from 2003 to 2009;
Iowa State University Graduate Assistant;
Wayne State (NE) Assistant Coach;
played collegiately for Wayne State (for head coach Greg McDermott)

Great defensive coaches know how to neutralize the strengths of their opponents. South Dakota State’s coach Eric Henderson has become well known for taking this concept one-step further, by developing a defensive system that is predicated on forcing your opponent to beat you with their weaknesses.

Most players are dramatically worse when they are forced to pass, shoot, or dribble with their non-dominant hand. 

In this instructional coaching video, Coach Henderson showcases the Shade Left Defensive System that has been a nightmare for opposing offenses to deal with – complete with an arsenal of the best drills he utilizes on a daily basis to get his team playing defense quick and instinctive, while forcing opponent’s ball handlers to use their weak hand.

On-The-Ball Drills, Gap Defense Drills

To successfully run Coach Henderson’s Shade Left Defense, defenders must master the techniques necessary to effectively take-away a ball-handler’s dominant hand. Henderson teaches these critically important defensive techniques through drills he uses in practice every day.

In the ‘4-on-4, On-The-Ball Defense Drill,’ Henderson shares techniques that defenders must use to prevent their opponent from utilizing drives with their strong hand. In this drill, defenders learn how to position themselves when guarding the ball at various locations on the court so that they can influence the direction of any dribbles the ball handler uses, without giving up penetration.

In the ‘2-on-2, Gap Defense Drill,’ defenders learn how to apply an appropriate level of defensive help. This drill emphasizes proper positioning to simultaneously deter the drive, while also staying close enough to their matchup to contest any kick-out shots. 

Henderson also explains his team’s closeout technique that is designed to both take away the shot and cancel right hand drives.

No-Middle Drills, Close-Out Drills

Great defensive teams must have an organized solution when the opponent does manage to penetrate the paint. In the ‘3-on-3 Crackdown Drill,’ Coach Henderson teaches players how to help on drives to the middle of the floor.

The Shade Left Defensive System uses an approach that allows your post defender to protect the rim while being supported by teammates with defensive rotations. Henderson shows examples of how the on-the-ball defender can prevent passes back to the right side of the floor on drives. The ‘3-On-3 Crackdown Drill’ empowers teammates to engage opposing post players with even more physicality while executing their crackdowns.

Henderson also shows how the Shade Left strategy can be applied to ball-screen coverages with the ‘Spurs Closeouts Drill.’ This demonstrates a great way to replace your shell defense practice segments with live play resembling the intensity that players see during games.

In the ‘Spurs Closeouts Drill’, based on the location of the ball screen, your team learns techniques for successfully adjusting between hard hedges, weakening or icing ball screens. Not only does this impact the scoring ability of the ball handler, but once players become proficient at these skills, you will also see a significant decrease in your opponent’s on-time, on-target passes to open teammates.

Coach Henderson’s Shade Left, Man-to-Man Defense significantly improves your team’s defensive efficiency by forcing your opponent into low-percentage plays, while also reducing committed fouls.This is a must-watch instructional video for any coach who’s looking to improve their team and individual defense!

87 minutes. 2024.