Connecting the Dots

With (18) Run and Jump Press Clinics in 2022 completed, I continually look for creative ways to “Connect the Dots” for players and coaches. Over my entire coaching career, I have always understood that “Connecting the Dots” is exactly what must happen in everything we teach, and it is NEVER EASY! Interesting enough, I have continued to process the necessity to teach players HOW TO RUN in the Run and Jump Full Court Press! Below you will find a set of drills, with explanation, that I use in teaching the running progressions that allows players and coaches to understand what we are looking for.

Drill 1 is a “Muscle Memory” action teaching short closeout, inside foot pivots into the run, and trapping a cone at half court. We trap from different angles and go to both sides of the court. This is a great drill that mimics the press action and is a great way to warmup. Drill 2 brings the ball into play, breaking the group in half. Spots are the same but now we teach “running with the ball” staying level with the player while making NO contact. Dribbler picks the ball up around half court allowing a one-man trap. Drill 3 is the same action with contact between the dribbler and defender. As contact is eminent, the defender must raise both arms, continuing to run. This shows the official that you are NOT grabbing, holding, or using an arm bar to direct. Drill 4 operates in the half court with the same action. Here we want the offense to attempt to score with defender running with arms up and hip contact making for a tough shot. Drill 5 puts everything together with two defenders positioned at the elbows and the ball at a normal catch location. The defender ball side closes out, shades sideline, runs the ball while the weak side defender angles to cut the ball off and trap. You can start this as a slower speed drill into a LIVE situation. These FIVE drills can be easily run in under (12) minutes and teach players that RUNNING the ball handler is a great way to fatigue your opponent and create turnovers. Reaching is NOT allowed as fouling hurts the Run and Jump Full Court Press!