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Simple drills that teach basketball players to read their defender
As a basketball coach, you can be a success if you do nothing more than give your players knowledge of how to read defenses, you have done a good job. During the course of teaching this skill, unconsciously develops other necessary skills needed to become proficient as a basketball player. Reading the defense, teaches the player to take advantage of what the defense allows. Do what defender allowsThis is a good drill for teaching the offensive fundamentals of reading your defender. The position the defender takes dictates which one of three counter moves to use: - The Curl
- The Flare
- The Pocket
The purpose of these drills is to teach players the proper way to use screens. It has been my observations that most beginning players do not take time to read screens. Instead, they rely on their own athletic ability to get open for a shot. Johnny Wooden, probably the best basketball coach that ever lived, has the best advice, "Be quick, but don't hurry." All players must take their time using screens. Keep in mind the player receiving the pass can hold the ball 5 seconds, dribble it for 5 seconds, then hold it another 5 seconds. This is a long time! Take time for a scoring opportunity to present itself. Note: The first three drills are simple footwork and shooting drills. The defender is imaginary; however, to get the most from these drills, it is best to put a defender on #1 with instructions to stay with their man. Drills 4, 5, and 6 explains, in detail how to read the defender and how to take advantage of the way he chooses to defend.  | The Curl Cut If the defender tries to follow around the screen, the curl cut give the cutter an open path to an easy basket. As the cutter recognizes this, he/she shouts, "Curl!" as he/she executes the cut. Run drill on both sides of the floor |  | The Flare Cut Remember: All players must take their time using screens. Keep in mind the player receiving the pass can hold the ball 5 seconds, dribble it for 5 seconds, then hold it another 5 seconds. This is a long time! Take time for a scoring opportunity to present itself. As the player comes off his/her screen, he/her, in this case calls, "Flare!" The player catches and shoots. For variety, the coach can have player, shot-fake then shoot, or shot-fake and drive. (Try to make this drill as game like as is possible. Add defender at the post position, for example.) Run drill on both sides of the floor |  | Pocket Cut In this diagram, the coach has dribbled in order to allow more time for a scoring opportunity for #1 to develop. Player #5 helps obstruct the defender's route to the elbow. Teammate #1 catches the ball at the elbow and shoots. (As with the flare cut, the a shot fake and drive can be substituted for variety. Make this drill as game-like as possible.) Run drill on both sides of the floor |  | Reading defense & shooting drill (Curl Cut) If player 1 can get his defender following him around the screen, as illustrated here, he calls, "Curl!" and upon receiving the pass dribble drives to the basket for a lay-up. Teach your players to make themselves big when setting a screen and the cutter should come shoulder to shoulder with the screener. Run drill on both sides of the floor |  | Reading defense & shooting drill (Flare Cut) In this example, the defender is cheating over the top to stop the curl cut. To counter this, the cutting player calls, "Flare!" and flares-out to take the pass and a shot at the basket. Run drill on both sides of the floor |  | Reading defense & shooting drill (Pocket Cut) This diagram illustrates the move you make when the defender, in order to defend against the curl or flare cut, stays behind the post player. Run drill on both sides of the floor |
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