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Closeout movement prep

Sprint two-thirds, chop the final third, arrive high with active hands, then slide and open on command without crossing the feet. 4 to 18 players, 1 basket, about 7 minutes.

Add it to a practice plan
Closeout movement prep drawn on a half court in 2 steps. 1. Sprint, then break down: Sprint through the first two-thirds, shorten the final steps, and arrive balanced at the wing cone with both hands active. 2. Slide, open, and clear: Take two defensive slides on the coach's point, then drop-step, open the hips, and run through the baseline.
1. Sprint, then break down: Sprint through the first two-thirds, shorten the final steps, and arrive balanced at the wing cone with both hands active. 2. Slide, open, and clear: Take two defensive slides on the coach's point, then drop-step, open the hips, and run through the baseline.Credit: Drawn by Ball Coach

What it needs

Players
4 to 18 players
Baskets
1 basket
Court
Needs a half court
Time
About 7 minutes
Equipment
two cones, clock
Type
Warm-up, all levels

Set it up

Place two target cones at the wings. Form two lines, one in line with each lane line, either on the baseline or at half court; it is the coach's preference, and the diagram shows half court. The first player in each line works to the cone directly in front of that line.

Run it

On the whistle, the first two players sprint through the first two-thirds of the distance, then shorten their steps and close out under control at the wing cone. Arrive with hips down, chest up, feet just wider than the shoulders, and both hands active. The coach points left or right; players take two hard defensive slides without bringing the feet together or crossing them. On the coach's open call, each player drop-steps, turns the hips, and runs through the baseline before joining the opposite line.

What to coach

Sprint two-thirds, chop the final third, arrive high with active hands, then slide and open on command without crossing the feet.

Score it

A rep counts when the player arrives without flying past the cone, keeps the feet apart during both slides, and opens without standing upright. Repeat any rep with crossed feet, a false step, or an off-balance closeout.

Make it harder

Begin with the coach showing the slide direction early. Progress to a late point, a second change of direction, or an offensive player giving a controlled drive cue after the closeout.

Use it in practice

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Where this drill comes from

Ball Coach wrote this drill for its practice planner's drill library. The curricula below shaped how the library organizes practice; no text or diagram is copied from them. The diagram is drawn by Ball Coach.