Full Court Press Breaker Drill
If you’re not a pressing team, it can be really hard to prepare for teams who do. Simulating that level of pressure is challenging when your players don’t normally play that way.
Consider using a numerical overload to challenge your players and build the habits that consistently break pressure.
Drill Purpose:
This full court drill is great for breaking pressure while working on skills such as ball handling, passing, and cutting. This drill overloads the court with defenders and makes the offensive players work twice as hard to break the pressure.
Start by giving the defense 1 additional player (4v5, 5v6, etc.). As the offense improves, give the defense 2 additional defenders. Continue to tinker with the numbers to appropriately challenge your team.
Instructions:

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You can use different variations.
Here are a few examples:
- 3 on 2
- 4 on 3
- 7 on 5In the diagram above, there are 5 offensive players and 6 defenders.
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Have the offense take the ball out of bounds. From there, the offense tries to break the press and score.
If limited on time, we will have the offense start the drill over as soon as they pass half-court. You can vary the press between full-court denial, full-court, or 3/4 court (or anything else you think of) to adjust to the types of pressure you will face. Ideally, finish the possession with the offense trying to score.
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Coaching Tips:
- Teach universal press break principles. There should always be a receiver up the floor, in the middle of the floor, and behind the ball for a reversal.
- If the ball is passed back, the inbounder should look opposite right away.
- The offense should look to keep the ball moving to prevent traps from being set.
- You can have the extra defenders step off after the ball crosses half court to allow your offense to work in an even situation.
- Players should determine if their teammate needs space or support to know whether to come back to the ball or allow their teammate to attack.
- Stress using the pass over the dribble.
This is a very simple, yet extremely effective concept. Sometimes, when you face pressing teams, it can feel like 7 or 8 defenders are out there on the court. Why not practice like that? If your offense can successfully break pressure against 7 or 8 defenders, they should be able to break most pressure.
For a press breaker offense and strategy to avoid turnovers, you can reference Universal Press Breaker Offense & Strategy
What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...
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