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Deny & Rebound
Description

This drill teaches post players to deny the low-post pass from the perimeter, play help when the ball is not one pass away, and then box out and rebound when a shot is made.

Setup
DIAGRAM
Fig. 1 - Initial setup for this drill.
Fig. 1 - Initial setup for this drill.
  • Position three players #1,#2, and #3 on the perimeter at the top of the key and at each wing, foul line extended.
  • Position two offensive post players, #4 and #5 at each low-post block position.
  • Position two defensive players on each low post player.
  • At least one coach should be monitoring the drill.
The Drill
  • Ball starts with player #1 at top of the key and the drill begins on the coach's whistle.
  • Player #1 passes to either wing, who in turn can pass back to #1 or can skip pass over to opposite wing player.
  • Players on the perimeter should catch and then face the basket in triple-threat position.
  • Passing continues around perimeter as the low-post defenders deny the pass if the ball is on their wing or at the top of the key.
  • If the ball is on the opposite wing from them, the defender should be playing help defense by moving into the paint while remaining in peripheral eye contact with the player they are defending.
  • When the coach yells "Shoot!", the perimeter player with the ball should square and shoot a basket. The defenders in the low post yell "Shot" then "Box" as they pivot into their player for the box out.
  • As the shot is being made the perimeter wing players should move into position for the outlet pass.
  • If the defense gets the rebound, the outlet pass is made and the players then rotate. If the offensive low post player gets the rebound, the outlet pass is made and the drill continues with the same players until the defense rebounds.
Key Points
  • Stress that low-post defenders must deny the pass to the post by playing behind and slightly to the front side of their man with their lead hand in the passing lane.
  • Box outs should be aggressive with the defense reverse-pivoting into their man and making space to jump into the rebound. Make sure your rebounders don't get too far under the basket which is a common mistake of younger players.
  • Defenders on the weak side of the shot need to turn and locate their man as they are playing help defense and will have a relatively larger space to cover for the box out.