Todd Golden's Defensive Playbook: Half-Court Principles & Ball Screen Coverages

Todd Golden,
University of Florida Head Men's Coach;
2025 NCAA National Champions;
2025 SEC Tournament Champions;
University of San Francisco (USF) Head Coach from 2019 to 2022;
24 wins in 2021-2022 season was highest for USF since the 1982 season;
2022 was USF's first appearance in the NCAA Tournament since 1998;
Finished as the KenPom No. 21 rated defense in the country in 2021-2022;
University of San Francisco (USF) Assistant Coach from 2016 to 2019;
Auburn University Assistant Coach (with Bruce Pearl) from 2014 to 2016;
Columbia University Assistant Coach from 2012 to 2014;
played college basketball at St. Mary's

University of Florida’s Todd Golden delivers a comprehensive breakdown of the principles and techniques that make his teams so tough to score against. This video provides coaches with a blueprint for teaching and reinforcing defensive fundamentals, from half-court positioning to ball screen coverages.

Golden begins by outlining the four key characteristics of great team defense:

• Forcing tough shots,
• Limiting second-chance opportunities,
• Creating turnovers, and
• Defending without fouling.

Through on-court demonstrations, he walks coaches through his defensive philosophy and shows how to integrate these concepts into a structured system.

Key Topics Covered:

• Transition Defense: Drills like "Ball in Hole" and "Bronco" to eliminate fast-break opportunities.
• Shell Drill Mastery: Positioning, rotations, and exchanges for locking down half-court defense.
• Ball Screen Coverages: Learn when to ice, switch, or drop based on scouting reports and personnel.
• Defensive Identity: Build a system that aligns with your philosophy and maximizes your team’s strengths.
• Communication & Terminology: Teach players the language of elite defense to improve execution.

This video is a must-have for coaches looking to elevate their team’s defensive efficiency. Coach Golden’s strategies will help you develop a disciplined, hard-nosed defensive unit.

Start watching today and transform your defense!

59 minutes. 2025.