Press Defense Drill

Instructions

1. 1A1 advances with the ball; D1 and D2 converge to trap simultaneously.
2. 2D3 and D4 slide toward the outlets to deny A2 and A3 the pass.
3. 3A1 pushes through the trap; D5 provides deep backup behind the press.
4. 4A1 splits the pass to A2 on the wing under heavy pressure.
5. 5D3 reacts to the pass and D6 adjusts to cover the weak side.
6. 6A2 shoots from a contested angle before the defense can reset.

Coaching Points

• Trap defenders: trap simultaneously — one arriving late lets the handler escape to the open side
• Cut off the nearest outlet pass first, then work outward to the next option
• Pass lane defenders: read the ball handler's eyes to anticipate which outlet they favour
• Deep defenders: don't chase the press action; hold your depth to cover any long skip pass
• If the trap is beaten, collapse immediately into a standard defensive set — don't keep pressing

Common Mistakes

• Trap defenders arriving at different times, allowing the ball handler to split them
• Pass lane defenders ball-watching instead of cutting off their assigned outlet
• Deep defenders creeping forward to join the press and leaving the back open
• Continuing to press after the trap is broken instead of resetting to standard defense
• Lack of communication about who is trapping and who is covering passing lanes