Our U12 boys are having difficulty with defending a baseline drive and I can't seem to find a drill that really suits this age group. Also if the defender does stop the drive, which player should help set the trap? Appreciate your thoughts. Thanks

Coach -

When my boys varsity team was having problems being split at the top and giving up the baseline I gave them two points of reference...... From the top..... FT LINE EXTENDED. From the wing or baseline.... IT WAS THE SHORT CORNER..... 9-10 feet from the basket. Using these points they knew where to take the offensive player... we became more proactice.... WE were going to take you there. Now, It wasn't about getting beat anymore.

Question - why do you want to trap this IF your defender stops him... You already have the baseline as an extra defender? Our rule was this... IF we got beat on the baseline, the nearest post defender would step out and trap, everyone else woulld rotate to the ball..... We even started ti drop the ball side guard down to help with a pass to the post. JMO

One of my favorite drills is the No Paint Drill

Play half court 3on3, 4on4, or 5on4. Put tape on the floor to signify "the paint". I put tape that extends the lane by about two or three feet. The tape starts at the elbow and then widens as it gets toward the short corner ending up about 3 or 4 feet outside the lane.

If the offense gets the ball in the paint, they get a point. We play to a low number to make it really competitive (3 to 5 points). The loser runs, does burpees, or something to provide incentive. The only way to score is to get the ball in the paint. Each time you score a point or turn it over you change position, just like a game, you just don't score points by making baskets.

Progression 1 - no paint, no 3's. If the offense is able to get in the paint, or shoot a 3 (it must hit the rim), they get a point.

Progression 2 - No paint, no 3's, no fouls. This drill will get competitive and players start grabbing and fouling. Since we as a team try to keep fouls to a minimum and work hard at "not fouling", we add another rule where if the coach calls a foul, the offense gets a point.

The result is a bunch players working extremely hard, keeping the ball out of the paint, staying in their stance, moving their feet, forcing tough shots, and better defense.

Thanks coaches. Will take your advice on board. The problem we are having is that we are pushing them to the short corner area but then allowing them some movement along the baseline. We aren't stopping them properly because they are still able to step around and put up a shot. I guess that's why I was thinking about the second player dropping down. We did some work at practice yesterday in getting their feet in the right position to use the line as a defender and cut off movement along the line, but it's that issue of allowing the opposition to step around.

Just tell your kids to put their foot on the baseline.... that will stop them from penetrating any further.

Thanks, will work on what you have advised. It's a great forum. Thanks.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.