Bad news - your players will get beat.

I know you don't want them to. I know they aren't supposed to. But they will. That's how basketball works, especially when you press.

In fact, to be a good pressing team, your players can't be afraid of getting beat. They must keep intense pressure on the ball.

Because of that, the offense will sometimes gain an advantage.

When you've trained them what to do when they're beat, there's no reason to panic.

Use the "Tip From Behind" Drill from The Relentless Pressure System With Mike Hilmer to prepare for this situation.

In this clip, you'll hear Coach Hilmer explain a concept that helped his team win 3 State Championships.

The Importance Of Instilling A "Press Mentality"

Pressing is a mentality. Coach Hilmer goes into this when he discusses the rationale for the press. He talks about the mental edge pressing creates because it wears down opponents.

He also talks about the importance of a sprint mentality.

'Tip From Behind' reinforces both of those points. Against most teams, the offense can bring the ball up the floor at their own pace. This gives them comfort and confidence.

Coach Hilmer's press makes every dribble contested. Even when the offensive player gets a step on the defender, they can't relax. That defender is coming hard from behind to make a play. If the offense lets up for a second, the defense will capitalize. That is mentally and physically draining.

The drill also reminds defenders that they are never out of the play. When they get beat, they must compete to get back in the play.

Too many defenders assume all is lost when they get behind the play. They jog back into the play, which is the real mistake. Doing so allows the offense to grow its advantage.

In Coach Hilmer's system, players are always sprinting. If they are beat, they know their next defensive assignment.

'Tip From Behind' teaches players what to do when they are beat on the ball.

The Tip From Behind Drill

• Players partner up and line up next to each other on the baseline. The offensive player has a ball.
• The defender lines up on the side of the offensive player where the offensive player will be dribbling.
• On your command, the dribbler begins speed dribbling up the floor.

• The defender runs alongside and attempts to tap the ball away from the offensive player.
• Players reset at the opposite baseline and switch roles.
• As the drill progresses, allow the offensive player to switch hands.

This trains the defender on an important point - the defender only wants to tip when on the ball side. If they go across the offensive player's body, they are likely to commit a foul.

Thus, when the offensive player is dribbling with the hand opposite of the defender, the defender has two choices. They can wait for the offensive player to bring the ball back to their side. Or they can sprint behind the offensive player to the other side.

3 Key Coaching Points

• Swipe up at the ball - downward swipes are almost always called fouls. Train your players to swipe up at the ball.
• Tap the ball softly ahead - the goal is for the tapper to get a layup at the other end. For this to happen they must tip the ball softly so their teammate can coral it and throw it to them going the other way.
• Sprint mentality - even if the defender can't tip the ball away, they must sprint the whole way. If the offensive player has the ball in the opposite hand, they may not tip it away. However, they might get back in front.

Or they might be able to run through to another player and steal a pass (when live 5v5).

Make sure players know they must sprint whenever they are beat.

Why This Drill Matters for EVERY Defense

Yes, Tip From Behind is designed as a pressing drill. But it's really just a good defensive drill.

If you don't press, will your players still end up behind offensive players during games? Yes.

This is especially the case at the youth level. If you teach your defenders who are beat or trailing the play to look for backtaps, they will hustle harder and you'll create more turnovers.

Backtaps - A Second Chance To Make A Great Play

In most defenses, players get discouraged when behind the ball. In Coach Hilmer's defense, players see opportunity in this situation.

Sprinting from behind and back tapping the ball away is a momentum changing play.

Use 'Tip From Behind' to give your players the physical and mental reps needed to develop that mentality.

Learn more about Coach Hilmer's Relentless Pressure System .

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