When “closing out” the defender aims to stop their opponent from shooting and from driving.  Key teaching points are:

  • “Fly with the ball” – the defender needs to move as the ball is passed, not waiting until their opponent has caught it
  • Move efficiently – if the defender moves to their left, they should step with their left foot first
  • Sprint – the defender needs to move as quickly as possible, particularly if they have to cover a long distance (e.g. if they were on the help line and are moving to an opponent outside the three point line)
  • “End with a chop” – as the defender gets closer to their opponent (having covered approximately two thirds of the original distance between them), they should start to take smaller steps (“choppy” steps). This helps the defender to balance and to be ready to defend their opponent.
  • “2 Hands High” – the defender raises both hands in front of their face, while taking small, choppy steps. This protects against a quick shot, but also moves their hips forward and brings the weight slightly back, which is important for finishing in a balanced stance (ready to move laterally if necessary).  The defender should not reach forward with one arm (which is commonly done to protect against a shot) as this will put them off balance and leave them unable to defend the dribble.

A further two teaching points are that players should:

  • Communicate – the defender should call “ball” as they start to move and not leave it until they are in position. The earlier they indicate to team mates that they will defend the ball, the less likely it is that two defenders will move to defend the one player.
  • Anticipate – if the defender believes that a pass may be made to their opponent, they may move their position slightly to be closer to their opponent.

Perhaps most importantly, defenders need to practice the skill of “closing out” in contested situations, as it more than simply moving to a new position on the court.  As they Close-out, the defender must be ready to change direction to defend a dribble.

Activities to practice “closing out”Sprinting

1x1 Close-Out

Many coaches will introduce “closing out” without an offence player, with the
defender moving towards a chair or other marker.

It is recommended that this type of activity is used sparingly, if at all. Instead,
closing out is best practiced in a contested situation – although when first learning
it, the coach may limit what the offensive player can do.

Here, the defender passes to an offensive player and “closes out”.

Initially, the offensive player may not move, but does shot fakes and/or drive fakes,
which the defender reacts to. Progress to where the offensive player may dribble
(after the defender touches the ball) and then to fully contested, where the offence
may move when they wish.

2x1 Close-out

The coach passes to one of the offensive players, and x1 must Close-out and defend that player. The number of dribbles of the offensive player can be limited.

With young players, the activity should be done so that both offensive players are in a position where they can shoot.

x1 should “read” the coach, anticipating where the pass will be made and moving slightly towards that player.

Close-out 3

x1 passes to one of the perimeter players, closes out and defends them.

The offensive player has no more than 3 dribbles as they attempt to penetrate into the key, to emphasis attacking the basket.

If the offensive player does not make the key, x1 is awarded one point.

The ball is then given to x1 who passes to whichever player they wish, closes out and defends that player.

Once x1 has defended each perimeter player they will have a score out of 3. Rotate another player into defence.

Close-out 4

1 passes to a perimeter player, closes out and defends. The perimeter player has a maximum of 3 dribbles to penetrate into the key.

If they do not get into the key, the defender receives a point. They take the ball and pass to another perimeter player.

If the perimeter player penetrates the key, they now become the defender, pass the ball to the perimeter and Close-out.

Continue for a set time (e.g. 3-5 minutes), with the player scoring the most points being the winner. Points are only earned on defence and players only get to play defence if they can penetrate into the key as an offensive player.

Defend 3

x1 starts in a denial position, defending 1. The coach passes to 1 and x1 closes out and defends.

Number of dribbles can be limited and play continues until x1 has the ball, 1 has reached the key or 1 has stopped dribbling.

Once x1 has the ball they pass to the coach (who is now on the wing) and defend 2 who will “flash cut” into the key.

Again, x1 and 2 play until x1 gets the ball or 2 receives the ball.

The final stage of the activity is when x1 passes to coach and moves to the split line (if they were not in that position). The coach then passes to 3, and x1 closes out and defends.

3 and x1 play until 3 scores or x1 has the ball.

The players then rotate, with one of the perimeter players moving into the defensive position.