VCU Defense

1. VCU Defense Full & Half Court Defense w/Drill Work

2. Create Turnovers Force Quick Shots Disrupt Offensive Flow Make it had for opponents to prepare for. Create Fatigue Make Depth a Factor VCU’s Defensive Goal(s)

3. 3 Values A Team MUST Have 5 players flying around. Communication Emphasis the importance of deflections Keys to Success • “Fouling Negates Hustle” • Talking Makes You Quicker Things to Think About

4. When To Trap? Know the ball handlers level of control Build a element of surprise. Know the location on the court to trap. Trapping Fundamentals

5. Each team has designated a specific player(s) to handle the ball during times of pressure. Understanding who these players are. Know their strengths and weaknesses. • Can they dribble with their off hand? • Do they see the floor well in times of pressure? • What is their typical progression in passing out of a trap? • Can they score? • Do they have tendencies you can take advantage of? • What is their physical condition like? Will they get tired quickly? Ball Handler’s Level of Control

6. A major part of an pressure system is the element of surprise. Surprise doesn’t always mean application of the press, but rather catching your opponent in an unfamiliar situation. Think in terms of being unpredictable. • The simple application of a press will be successful on a team with less talent then your own. However, in order to find success on a more talented team you must be unpredictable. • DO YOUR JOB • Scout your opponents tendencies in pressure situations. • Apply pressure from the front as well as the back of the offense. • Don’t show the same stunt more then twice. • Change alignments when at all possible. Elements of Surprise

7. Here is a great diagram that shows key areas of the court to consider employing a trap. Area(s) of the court good for trapping.

8. Take Away the Obvious Pass • Always Apply pressure on the Ball • Develop Stunting Based on Your Team Strengths; not your Opponents Weaknesses • Practice How Defend Odd-Numbered Situations • 2 on 1 • 4 on 2 • 3 on 2 • Understand How to Defend Multiple Positions Pressing Teams Do This….

9. DIAMOND PRESS

10. “Madman”- ON BALL, BEAT PASSER TO THE BALL, BE ACTIVE, ANGLE YOURSELF WITH THE BACKBOARD • 3 MAN - 1ST PLAYER TO LEFT OF 4, INSIDE SHOULDER /EVEN – DON’T DENY THE BALL INBOUNDS, NO SIDELINE • 2 MAN - 1ST PLAYER TO RIGHT OF 4, FT LINE TO CLOSE DOWN (NO SIDELINE), INTERCEPTOR HIGH • 1 MAN - GET BACK, MATCH UP WITH NEXT GUY OVER TOP ON THE BALL SIDE, INTERCEPTOR SIDELINE • 5 MAN - DEEP AS THE DEEPEST TO ½ COURT, 2 ON 1 GUY, PROTECT THE RIM – NOTHING EASY Diamond PressPosition Breakdown

11. Cannot get beat going down the sideline. • Push the dribbler towards a trapping area. • Active hands and rotations. Deflections back towards 4. • Communicate at all positions. • “Throwback” to 4 means a stunt = retreat and try again. • Stay in Diamond until there is a deep penetrating pass. This means tips, back pressure, weakside sprint outs. • Talk, match-up, and fix-it. Diamond Teach Points….

12. Notice the Diamond press is a full out assault the offense in the backcourt. The goal being to trap the first pass and create confusion. Solid traps, quick hands, and communication are key. Diamond Press Diagram 1

13. The key after the initial trap is x1 who moves in to take away the first pass out of the trap. It is vital you practice taking identifying the “next pass” option in any press break. Diamond Press Diagram 2

14. This diagram shows the appropriate stunts useful in “diamond” series. Diamond Press Diagram 3

15. Double Fist Press

16. MACTH UP AND COMMUNICATE IMMEDIATELY – 4/5, 2/3, 1 • MAD MAN INFLUENCE TO BALL SIDE • INSIDE SHOULDER / ARRIVE ON THE CATCH • 1/3RD THE DISTANCE = STUNT • FORCE IN THE ALLY / STUNT – SHRINK THE FLOOR • 3 STRIDE RULE – TRAP THE TURN AND UP • CLEAROUT = FA AT TOP OF THE KEY = TRAP TURN / CORRAL DRIBBLE Double Fist Position Breakdown

17. Double Fist is that unpredictable, hard to scout, pressure press. The defense should force ball entry to one side of the floor. You can deny or allow ball to come in bounds. Defense goes man-to-man this point. Double Fist Diagram 1

18. The next element of surprise happens in this phase of the press. Notice it takes a run & jump stunt with the x4 and x1 as long as x1 forces the ball back towards x4. Double Fist Diagram 2

19. The third stage of this press takes on yet another element. Notice it moves from a run & jump to a 2-2-1 ¾ court trapping look. Be unpredictable and change up where you trap, how you stunt, and when you retreat. Double Fist Diagram 3

20. Don’t allow splits Be physical with lower body Watch shoulders and eyes to read the obvious pass Penetrating pass does not end press, sprint back and fix it. Remember When Trapping……

21. Side Diamond

22. When opponent takes the ball out of the sideline this a great time to trap. • Trap the first opportunity and then sprint out. When the ball is center line and back or a short pass up court. • KEEP THE BALL OUT OF THE MIDDLE. • As the ball moves closer to the frontcourt it is vital keep it out of the middle of the floor. Properties of the Side Diamond Press

23. MADMAN - ON BALL, ANGLE MORE AS YOU ARE IN THE BACKCOURT, TRAP 1ST PASS IF WITHIN 3 STRIDES • 2 MAN - BACKCOURT GUY, FACE BALL, TAKE AWAY THE INBOUNDER • 3 MAN - FRONT COURT, FACE BALL, MAKE SURE NO ONE IS BEHIND HIM • 1 MAN - ROVER, FREE SAFETY WHO FACES DOWN THE BALL, MATCH UP DEEP AS DEEPEST IF BEHIND HIM • 5 MAN - ENFORCER, COVERS THE BASKET, COMES UP WITH BACK GUY IF HE FLASHES Side Diamond Player Positioning…..

24. The majority of S.O.B’s are executed at the high school level from a single line. Here is the initial set up for the side diamond press trap for the single line set. Side Diamond Diagram 1

25. Press Drill(s)

26. Circle Trap • Works on trapping fundamentals and intercepting the next pass. • Trap Transition • Back tips, Back Pressure, Talk & Fix It • Triangle Fast Break • Back tips, Back Pressure, Talk & Fix It • 444 • Get into press quickly. Conditioning • 1 vs 1 building up to 4 vs 4 Here are a Few Great Press Drills…..

27. Circle Trap Drill

28. Triangle Break Drill

29. Defensive Fundamental Drills

30. One on One Zig Zag Drill • Stance Drill • Scramble Drill • Bulldog Drill Here are some Great Defensive Fundamental Drills

31. This is a simple variation of the zigzag drill. Players guard the ball and turn the dribbler. At midcourt the dribbler stops briefly, and the defender yells, “fire”; while trapping chest-to-chest. We use fire to signal the ball handler has picked up his dribble in a trapping zone. One on O ne Zig Zag Drill

32. This is a basic defensive stance drill. With a coach (represented by the cone in the diagram) in front of the group, place the players in a straight line so that they have room to move. As the coach pulls the ball towards his body, the players yell, advance and take one slide step forward. As he pushes the ball away from his body, the players yell, retreat and take one slide step back. As the coach dribbles at the players, they open up and slide, using a drop step every direction. If the coach drops the ball, the players dive onto the floor. Stance Drill

33. This is a full court drill with no out of bounds. The drill should be played to 16 points. Emphasis can be placed on either offensive or defensive rebounding. Three teams compete continually during the drill. Scoring is as follows: Two points for offensive rebound One point for defensive rebound One point for a score The drill begins with four white jerseys trying to rebound against four blue jerseys in the half court. One team is designated the defense, while the other team is designated the offense. The coach has the basketball. He will dribble the basketball and force both teams to move. The coach will then shoot the ball. If the defense rebounds, they get one point. The defense will quickly outlet the ball to an assistant coach standing at the elbow at the other end of the court. The defensive team now becomes offense and sprints down the floor where the ball is. Four red jerseys are waiting on defense. The drill is repeated at this end. Scramble Drill

34. Break team into pairs. Two pairs will go at once, one pair on the left and the other on the right. The offensive player dribbles from the sideline to the beginning of the three second area. Go to half court. The defender attempts to turn the dribbler. The defender must beat the offensive player to the spot. The defense must influence the dribbler and shut him down for five seconds. The defense must have the offense pick up the ball and cause a dead ball situation. If the ball rolls loose, the defense MUST dive on the floor after it. Bulldog Drill

35. For a limited time coach’s who purchased this download can sign up for the 1000’s of plays, clinic notes, and drills at Coach Mac’s Club for $10. Retails: $54.95 Sale: $10 Visit http://shop.coachmac-basketball.com and click on the Club Membership. Enter the code contained below to receive your discount. Coupon Code: PASSVCU1