Defense Drill #9A: “Get On Hands” Drill
INTERMEDIATE
- Demo (1 min): Getting On Hands - Proper Defensive Floor Side, Cross-Handed Slashing
- Start with one defender stationed at the crease position on one side of the floor, and another defender stationed at the shooter position (or mid-boards) on the other side of the floor. 2-3 metres back from the defender there should be a pylon and a line of offensive players standing back from the pylon; with balls.
- Variation #1 (15 min): "On-Ball." The first player on one side of the floor or the other, first engages the defender (while protecting the ball) and then is required to back-pedal to the pylon before taking the defender 1 vs. 1 to the net (5 seconds max) for a quality shot.
- The defender's job is to "get on hands" with "short" slashes while the offender is back-pedaling (shopping), at the same time being sure to stay balanced & in good "top-side defensive positioning," not "getting beat" to the net. Aside from that, the object of the drill is for the defender to get as many "legal" slashes on the offenders gloves as possible.
- Alternate sides each rep and also switch positions of the lines between crease and shooter halfway through the drill. Players in the drill play offense, and then play defense against the opposite-side line, before eventually exiting the drill.
Variation #2 (15 min): "Off-Ball." Same as the above variations except the defender starts in an open stance and coaches have balls (or players can rotate to "passer" after playing defense) and feed passes to the offender after they engage and push off creating separation. The offensive player should then either quick stick the pass, catch it and take a screen shot, or dodge the defender and go 1 vs. 1 to the net.
Variation #3 (30 min): "Cross-Handed Slash." Same as the above variations except when offensive players are done they play defense against the same-side line, working on the "cross-handed" slashing technique while "getting on hands." The offender becomes the defender and the defender exits the drill, while the other side takes their turn.
Variation #4 (15 min): "Evading & Clamping The Picker." Same as the above variations except there is a second player trying to pick the defender while they attempt to "stay on the hands" of the ball carrier as much as possible; also clamping the picker where necessary.
The defender should be as proactive as possible with their footwork, while utilizing top-side positioning. The offensive player should stay between the shooter and mid-boards area as much as possible, keeping their feet moving at all times.
If the defender needs to clamp the picker they should run them back to the middle and then jump out on the ball carrier again, 2-3 times max before the offensive player takes a shot or makes a dump pass to an open roller.
Players enter the drill as defenders, take their next rep as the picker and lastly as the shooter, before eventually exiting the drill.

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