4 on 4 shell
 | 1 Initially have stationary attackers, no skip passes, pass and hold for 1-2 seconds, or until coach says "pass" (see DeMatha). Defenders jump with the ball into proper on-ball and off-ball positions (be there on the catch), use a quick crossover step then sprint to your spot. One pass from the ball, deny or gap (see Defence - Basic halfcourt man defences for these and other options). Rotate players clockwise one position, a new attacker and defender come on, 3 and X3 go off, continue until defenders have played all positions, switch offence and defence, repeat (Tar Heels).Progressions - add skip passes, e.g. reverse the ball from 2 around to 3, skip it back to 2 - move the ball (not pass and hold) - coach calls "shot", defenders box out on the shot, or coach calls for the ball and shoots (DeMatha, Procopio) - pass and basket cut (Wootten Fogler, Memphis, Petitgoue, Calipari, Woodley) - dribble penetration (Wootten horseshoe, Pitt 4 on 4 penetration, Memphis, Calipari, Woodley, Help rotations) - coach calls "drive" for a drive and kick (DeMatha) - ballscreens (4 on 4 ballscreens) - dribble hand-offs (Woodley) - off-ball screens (Wootten Fogler, Tar Heels, Pangos beat the screen, Oakland downscreens, Diamond, Woodley single-double) - contest passes (Tar Heels) - post defence (Green, Petitgoue, Woodley post) - 5 on 5 (Wootten horseshoe, Forcing left, DeMatha, Florida, Raptors post) - live on a specified action, or coach calls "go" or gives a command (Huggins, 4 on 4 ballscreens, Hurley command). Dean Smith - swing drill - attackers are stationary and pass the ball around Quinn Snyder - 5 on 5 defensive game - five possessions, score on defence, 1 point for a stop, 2 points for a charge, losers run. For scrimmages with restrictions see 4 on 4 closeout (shoot), Pistons 4 on 3 (pass or shoot), Dick Bennett 3 on 3 closeout (pass, dribble, shoot), 3 on 3 kickout (layups or 3s), 4 on 4 cutters (no dribble), Greenvale 4-quadrant, Bauer 5 on 5, Oakland pressure, Woodley 3 on 3. Building up to 4 on 4, start with See Defending - Shell breakdowns. |
 | 2 An unbalanced shell drill can be used to work on defending forwards or guards. The attackers without defenders cannot shoot (option - or dribble). Examples (Coach K) - 5 on 2 with defenders only on the posts (shown) - 5 on 3 with defenders only on the perimeter players - 5 on 4, coach determines which player does not have a defender - 5 on 5 but only one or some attackers can score, defenders do not know who they are. 2007 Tasman Coaches Clinic - add a 5th attacker, unguarded, who dribbles at gaps to force rotations and help. Build to 4 on 4 live, 3-dribble maximum. Tom Izzo - play 4 on 3 and 5 on 4, a weakside defender has two attackers. |