The shell drill teaches team defense and rotations. Four defenders guard four offensive players. As the ball moves, defenders rotate to stay in position.
What you need: Basketball. Eight kids (four on offense, four on defense). Half-court.
Setup: Four offensive players at the five spots (baseline, wing, top, wing, baseline). Four defenders match up on them.
How to run it:
- Cue: Stance, Slide, Mirror, Hands.
- Offensive team passes the ball around the arc (no dribbling).
- Defenders rotate to maintain solid defensive position on each pass.
- 60 seconds on. Defenders try to get a stop (turnover or bad shot).
- Do 2 possessions. Then switch offense and defense.
What to watch: Do they rotate as a team or is it chaotic? Rotations should flow together. When the ball moves, they move together.
If they’re struggling: Slow the pace. Offense passes slowly. Offense doesn’t cut. Just rotations on the perimeter.
If they’ve got it: Offensive cuts. Full game-speed movement. Defenders must handle everything.