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Press build-up

Install the press from 2-on-2 to 3-on-3 to 5-on-5. Define the trap trigger, interceptor responsibility, and safety position. 10 to 15 players, 2 baskets, about 15 minutes.

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Press build-up drawn on a full court in 3 steps. 1. 2-on-2: turn, then trap: X1 turns the ball toward the sideline. X2 closes the trap only after O1 reaches the cone trigger. 2. 3-on-3: take away middle: X1 and X2 hold the sideline trap while X3 sees both O2 and the ball and closes the direct middle escape. 3. 5-on-5: rotate behind it: The trap holds the sideline. X3 takes the middle, X4 rotates to the next pass, and X5 stays deeper than every offensive player.
1. 2-on-2: turn, then trap: X1 turns the ball toward the sideline. X2 closes the trap only after O1 reaches the cone trigger. 2. 3-on-3: take away middle: X1 and X2 hold the sideline trap while X3 sees both O2 and the ball and closes the direct middle escape. 3. 5-on-5: rotate behind it: The trap holds the sideline. X3 takes the middle, X4 rotates to the next pass, and X5 stays deeper than every offensive player.Credit: Drawn by Ball Coach

What it needs

Players
10 to 15 players
Baskets
2 baskets
Court
Needs the full court
Time
About 15 minutes
Equipment
basketballs, two colors of pinnies, two cones, scoreboard or score sheet
Type
Team work, intermediate

Set it up

Use the full court with one inbounder and one ball handler against two defenders in the back court. Add a middle receiver and interceptor for the 3-on-3 stage, then place all ten players in the team's press and press-break alignments. Mark the sideline trap area with two cones and identify the deepest defender as the safety before every round.

Run it

In 2-on-2, the first defender turns the ball toward the sideline and the second defender traps only after the ball crosses the designated cone or the dribbler loses vision. In 3-on-3, add a middle receiver and an interceptor who sees both the ball and receiver, takes away the direct escape pass, and recovers if the trap is split. In 5-on-5, the back line rotates on the flight of the pass while the safety stays deeper than the deepest offensive player. The possession remains live until the offense crosses half court under control or the defense forces a turnover and scores.

What to coach

Install the press from 2-on-2 to 3-on-3 to 5-on-5. Define the trap trigger, interceptor responsibility, and safety position.

Score it

The defense earns one point for forcing the ball to the trap area, one for a completed trap with no split, and two for a turnover. Add one bonus point when the defense converts the turnover into a layup. The offense earns two points for crossing half court under control and one bonus point for doing so through the middle. A foul or an abandoned safety position erases the defense's points for that possession. Play to 12.

Make it harder

Teach the 2-on-2 turn-and-trap at walking speed, then make the 3-on-3 escape pass live. Build to 5-on-5 with the offense limited to one dribble per catch, remove the dribble limit, and finish with varied inbound locations and a ten-second back-court clock. Change the trap trigger only after all five defenders can call it and rotate together.

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.