Seagull Defensive Slide Drill

Drill	Defensive Slide Conditioning
Drill Nickname	"Seagull" Defensive Slides
Central focus of the drill	Defense
Number of players required	1
Most appropriate age range(s)	Youth, Middle School, High School, College or Above, All

Intro

This is a simple defensive slide drill which incorporates sprints, defensive slides, a reverse pivot for footwork, and a close out to a spot. It's primary focus is working on maintaining a solid defensive stance while fatigued.

Execution

• Drill starts with a line on the corner of the baseline. This can be started at either corner or in opposing corners on both sides of the court if you want to have two groups going.
• Defensive slide to just below the block.
• Close out (as if closing out on a player) to the elbow.
• Defensive slide across the free throw line.
• Backpedal to the baseline.
• Defensive slide to the opposite baseline corner of the line.
• Sprint to half court.
• Defensive slide to the opposite sideline.
• Player should reverse pivot off the last defensive slide to end up facing the line.
• Sprint to the back of the line.

Emphasis

This is a conditioning drill that places an emphasis on maintaining proper defensive form while fatigued.

Players should:

• Stay down in a defensive stance (in an athletic stance not hunched over.)
• Hands up and wide.
• Eyes neutral and level.
• Not crossing the feet when sliding.
• Short quick steps when closing out to the elbow.]