Finishing Against a Trailing Defender: Shield the Ball

The attacker finishes on the move while a defender chases from behind or comes in from the side, so they must shield the ball with their body, finish with the far hand and keep their balance against light contact simulated with a foam noodle. Students practice realistic finishing with no risk.

How to play

1. Demo: gather the ball on the side away from the defender, protect with the inside shoulder and finish with the far hand (3 min).
2. In pairs, the attacker dribbles from half court and the defender starts 2 m (6 ft) behind, tapping the attacker's free arm or shoulder with the noodle during the layup (4 min).
3. Now the defender starts from a cone on the baseline, forcing a finish on the other side or a reverse (6 min).
4. Points game: 2 points for a make through noodle contact, 1 for a make without contact, 0 for a travel; six attempts per attacker, then switch roles (7 min).

Rules

• The noodle only touches arms, shoulders or back, never the head or legs.
• The defender never cuts in front of an attacker who is in the air.
• No pushing with hands: the noodle is the only contact.
• After the layup, both players leave the lane on opposite sides.

Variations

Adaptations

• Wheelchair user: the defender moves alongside and taps the shoulder with the noodle during the shot.
• Students sensitive to contact (autism): drop the noodle and the defender just raises an arm nearby.
• Shoulder injury: plays defender with the noodle in the healthy hand or acts as the travel referee.

Learning goals

• Shield the ball with the body when finishing against a defender.
• Finish with the hand farther from the defender.
• Keep balance and technique despite light contact.

Equipment for a class of 25

• basketballs: 8
• cones: 8
• foam noodles: 4

Teacher tip

Explain how to use the noodle clearly before starting, and take it away from anyone who uses it roughly. Two points for a make through contact motivates students to protect the ball instead of avoiding the defender.

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