Drill2 phasesRuns 16.2 s
Zig-Zag Defense
The ball handler zig-zags down one half of the floor at half speed, changing direction between the sideline and the lane line extended. The defender stays in front: slide, drop step on every change of direction, slide again.
- Difficulty
- Intermediate
- Ages
- U10–Adult
- Minutes
- 8
- Players
- 2–16
- Balls
- 2
- Equipment
- No equipment: players and balls only.
Run it, tilt it, change it to fit your practice. Free to start. No account, nothing to install.
Coaching points
- Head on the ball, a step in front of the dribbler.
- Drop step on the change of direction: open the hip, swing the lead foot back, slide again.
- Slide, don't cross the feet; sprint only if you get beaten, then get back in front.
- Hands active but no reaching: you win with your feet.
Phase by phase
1Phase 1
The dribbler goes at half speed. The defender slides with him, nose on the ball, and drop steps the moment the dribbler changes direction.
- O dribbles
- D cuts
2Phase 2
Turn the dribbler as often as possible before the baseline: beat him to the spot, chest in front, and don't reach.
- O dribbles
- D cuts
Variations
- Defender with hands behind the back: feet only.
- Go live at half court: the dribbler attacks the basket.
- Offensive player at full speed for advanced groups.