Simply Youth Basketball Man to Man Defense Drill 1: Cut the Cutter

At Simply Youth basketball we have been in the process of adding M2M drills to our site to help you out. Our "Cut the Cutter" drill is the first of these. We hope that it is a good tool for helping you...and the kids you work with.

Essentially, in this first M2M defense drill, we are trying to show you how to accomplish being able to teach your players how to deny a cut into the lane or down the court if they are playing off the ball. This drill can be used just the same as it is shown in this diagram at other areas of the court.

Notice how the offensive player without the ball attempts to cut around and down the lane looking for a pass. If you are not playing your defenders in a denial fashion, the offensive player will very possibly get that pass.

But if D1 is aware of what is happening, then he/she will be able to drop back, take a proper angle, and be sure to cut the cutter off without them getting into the lane with the ball to score.

To do this drill you will want to divide your players into two groups, one at the top offensive position, and wing offensive position. Have the first player of top line turn and act as the defender(D1). Give wing offensive player the ball so they can look to make a pass to the cutter.

Explain the goal of this drill, and what you are expecting of each defender. If you choose you can allow to let defender help off more, or play in a denial position on their man. Either way the purpose is the same. Stress being off and back just enough to see the ball and their man!

On whistle, top offensive player should cut hard down toward the lane on the ball side looking for pass. If the pass is made there should bee no reason why D1 is not there, and recovered, to cut the play off.

Work this through several repetitions any time you are working on defense. Adjust it and run it with the passer and cutter being in different areas on the court, to help them get a feel for cuts from these areas as well. Stress proper defensive techniques such as: ball side arm up and out, feet shuffling in correct defensive stance, not turning back to ball or defender.

After first group has went, get players to rotate. Your passer should move to the back of top line, your cutter should become next defender, and your defender will move to the back of passing line. Now you are set to go again.

Although it is extremely simple, this is no doubt a great basketball drill for teaching M2M defensive techniques. We are glad to be able to share it with you.