Basketball: Double the Post and Rotate

A 4v4 basketball game where, every time the ball goes into the post, a perimeter defender drops down to double-team and the others rotate to take away the kick-out. Students work on help defense, rotations, and reading the double from the post.

How to play

1. Teams of 4 in pinnies: a post player, two wings, and a point guard; half court plus a spare team (2 min).
2. Walk-through at half speed (4 min): the ball goes into the post, the passer's defender drops to double, and the other two defenders turn toward the ball to cover the nearest open shooter.
3. 4v4 game (2 x 6 min): a post entry pass is required before any shot; a post basket is 2 points, a 3-pointer after a kick-out from the post is 4 points, and a steal on the double is 2 points for the defense.
4. Switch roles after each possession, and the spare team rotates in every 6 minutes.
5. Debrief (2 min): who was open after the double, and who was supposed to cover him or her?

Rules

• The double-team uses high hands and no contact with the post player's body.
• The post player has 3 seconds to decide or loses the ball.
• No shoulder charging while fighting for position.

Variations

Adaptations

• Limited mobility: plays post and gets 3 seconds to pass.
• Visual impairment: the defender doubling calls "Going!" before dropping.
• Lower fitness: plays point guard, which moves less in this drill.

Learning goals

• Double the post and rotate to cover the kick-out.
• Pass quickly from the post to the open player.
• Move as one defensive unit as the ball moves.

Equipment for a class of 25

• Basketballs: 4
• Basketball hoops: 2
• Pinnies: 13
• Cones: 8
• Whistle: 1

Teacher tip

The rotation is the hard part: draw it on a whiteboard or with cones first. If the post player panics, remind him or her that the kick-out is worth as much as a basket.

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