Close-out from gap
 | 1 On a pass from coach to attacker 1, defender 2 closes out from a gap position, forces middle or baseline or plays straight up as coach requires, optionally mirrors any ball movement or reacts to foot fakes (e.g., pop off). Variations - coach drives and kicks to 1, 2 helps and closes out - 1 passes back to coach, 2 sprints back to a gap position, closes out on another pass to 1. Ben Jacobson - closing out from a gap position on a pass from the top to the wing, use a proper angle of approach, get underneath the ball (first step toward the baseline), then approach head on. Jim Boone - 2's first step is baseline, a straight closeout provides a baseline drive. Stuart Manwaring - on a closeout you must recover to the line between the ball and the basket and ahead of the ball, so you can stop a layup then move forward as needed to stop an outside shot. If you try to move toward the dribbler, he will explode past or you will be forced to foul. |
 | 2 Rotate defender to attacker, 2 becomes the next attacker when 1 passes back to coach. |
 | 3 3 closes out when coach passes to 2. |
 | 4 Vary player and coach positions, e.g., close-out on a pass out top. See Huggins, Continuous, Spurs and Weakside close-outs, Izzo jump to the ball, and 1 on 1 stops. Progressions - absorb a jab step - react to ball up, ball down - contain 1-2 dribbles left or right. See Vegas, DeMatha, Dick Bennett, Fratello 4-player, Circle the wagons, Pasquali, 3X, Continuous, Petitgoue, Lines, Team, Australian, and Arizona (Vegas) closeout drills. |
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