Open Practice with Todd Simon: On Ball Defense, Game Situations and Breaking the Press

Often the way that teams prepare for an opponent is a closely guarded secret. In this Open Practice format, you will get to see Todd Simon prepare his team over the course of two practices for an upcoming opponent! In addition to the highly instructive nature of everything being taught, you will love the focus and energy his team displays as they lock in for the opponents ahead!

In this video you will get:

• Ways to incorporate scout specific shots and reads within shooting drills
  
• Defensive drills
  
• Situational drills
  
• Zone defense adjustments
  

If you are ready to 'up your game' on what you do in practice for opponent prep, this is a great video for you!

Practice One
Coach Simon believes in always starting with some sort of on-ball defensive drill to get his players focused and ready for practice. In this segment you will see how they incorporate specific defensive scenarios and offensive adjustments in a shell set up.

Moving from there, players run through game-like shots as well as shots they will see against their upcoming opponent. Adjustments are shown within their regular actions like early lifts and pistol actions.

One of the emphasized points of practice was to work on their press break. They begin by practicing against pressure, getting open and pivoting.

After the skill work, Coach Simon puts them through 5 on 5 situations with their different press breaks against time and score. The same emphasis is then put on their match-up zone defense with different time and score constraints.

Practice Two
The second practice begins in much the same way with on-ball defense and post and perimeter players split into position groups to get shots up.

With their game on the horizon, Coach Simon continues to teach and prepare his team. Slot ball screen adjustments as well as dribble post ups are discussed and practiced in the specific way they will be guarded in their upcoming game.

Transition defense and press break situations are practiced next.

To conclude the practice, considerable time is spent scouting and breaking down different half court sets (both of their own and their opponent). Different wrinkles are put in last for their own out of bounds plays and half court sets.

As you will see, preparation is key for success in the future! The great thing about the 'Open Practice' style in this particular video, is rarely do you get to see two full practices of opponent prep at the Division I level. Prepare for success with this excellent Open Practice with Todd Simon!

Customer Review: 5 Out of 5 Stars!
"Great video! It is a treat to see how Coach Simon structures practices in preparation for an opponent. There was a lot of teaching going on - it really left me with a great blueprint for things to add and things to reinforce to players in a practice when it is specific for an upcoming opponent!"

117 minutes. 2024.