Defensive footwork is taught before defensive concepts. This drill isolates the sliding motion so kids build the habit of staying in front of their player.

Equipment needed: None. Just space and a floor.

Setup: Line kids up facing you, about 15 feet away, in a defensive stance (feet shoulder-width, hands up).

How to run it:

  1. Point to the left. Kids slide left five steps (no crossing feet).
  2. Point to the right. Kids slide right five steps.
  3. Point forward. Kids backpedal five steps.
  4. Point back. Kids sprint forward five steps and reset.
  5. Do 10 cycles (40 total slide directions).

What to look for: Stance consistency. Do they stay in a basketball stance the whole time or stand up? Good defenders stay in their athletic stance the entire possession.

If they’re struggling: Cut to 3 steps per direction. Slow the calls so they can set their feet.

If they’ve got it: Add a basketball. They slide while you walk a ball side to side. Hands track the ball.