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Every great coach knows the importance of drilling their defensive philosophy at every practice and building their defensive chemistry in every possible game situation.

It is important to start early and make it the foundation of your game, and build your culture around defense.  

We are blessed to have current DePaul Assistant and former Boston Celtics Coach Brandon Bailey share the drills that Celtics used while he was there to build that defensive foundation. 

3 on 3 Shell - Rim Protection

This is a basic 3-on-3 shell drill with added components to facilitate situations where the help defense needs to make a decision to when to go in full rim protection, or when to inch out and be ready to guard their own man. Coach Bailey points out the factor that when a driver's shoulders get past his defender, the help defense needs to go in full rim protection and be ready to stop the drive. 

Take a look at the video for full in-game breakdown:

3 on 3 Shell - RIM Protection

4 on 4 Square Shell - Reads

This drill is perfect for on-ball defenders to learn how to anticipate and read screens and communicate with his big on the ball-screen coverage. This drill can be used in a light practice, even as part of a warm-up, or it can be used in full speed to facilitate competitiveness. 

Square Shell

Kick Out Shell

This is our favorite drill, as it helps us to eliminate the post rolling to the basket right before he is able to catch the entry pass. If done right, it can save lots of possessions in the paint after our guard switches to guard the post. It is important that the guard always has awareness of the ball while being ready to fight for position down low, as the time window to eliminate the entry pass is very short. 

Kick Out Shell

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