Drill3 phasesRuns 5 s
Defensive Mirror
Partners face each other across the free-throw line. The leader shuffles left and right between the cones and changes direction whenever he likes; the defender mirrors him in a stance, staying nose to nose without crossing his feet.
- Difficulty
- Beginner
- Ages
- U8–U12
- Minutes
- 5
- Players
- 2–16
- Balls
- 0
- Equipment
- 2Cone
Run it, tilt it, change it to fit your practice. Free to start. No account, nothing to install.
Coaching points
- Stance first: feet wider than the shoulders, knees bent, back flat, hands active.
- Slide by pushing off the trail foot; the feet never touch or cross.
- Stay nose to nose with the leader; react, don't guess.
- Short bursts: 15 to 20 seconds, then switch roles.
Phase by phase
1Phase 1
The leader shuffles left. The defender reacts at once: push off the trail foot, stay low, never bring the feet together.
- L cuts to the left elbow
- D cuts to the left elbow
2Phase 2
Sudden change of direction: plant, push back the other way. Head stays level, no bobbing up out of the stance.
- L cuts
- D cuts to the high post
3Phase 3
Short and quick: a fake one way, then all the way to the cone. Keep a hand up and talk the whole time.
- L cuts to the nail
- L cuts to the right elbow
- D cuts to the high post
- D cuts to the right elbow
Variations
- The leader holds a ball at the chest and the defender mirrors the ball.
- Add a drop step: the leader may sprint past a cone and the defender must turn and run.
- Make it a game: the leader scores a point by getting a full step clear.