Diagonal Cut Defense Drill

Instructions

1. 1ATT cuts diagonally from the wing toward the center of the court.
2. 2DEF angles their body to cut off ATT's path to goal, not chasing.
3. 3ATT pivots and redirects toward the opposite wing to create separation.
4. 4DEF adjusts position and closes the gap without overcommitting.
5. 5ATT enters the scoring zone near the 9m line with a jump shot.

Coaching Points

• Angle your body to funnel the attacker toward the sideline, away from the center
• Don't chase diagonally — cut the angle by moving toward the attacker's destination
• Keep your inside hand active and high to contest any shot attempt
• Watch the attacker's hips on direction changes; hips don't lie but eyes do
• When the attacker enters the 9m zone, shift from containment to active contesting

Common Mistakes

• Chasing the attacker's path instead of cutting the angle to the destination
• Dropping the inside hand and allowing an uncontested shot from the cut
• Turning hips too far on direction changes, opening up a lane to goal
• Backing up too passively instead of meeting the attacker at the angle