‘Scoop’ and ‘Seal’ drills From Larry Menefee, former head boys coach, Wichita Falls High School, Texas

Run both of these drills for a predetermined set time limit. Keep a close eye on the defender’s footwork and make sure that he or she stays under control and utilizes proper defensive technique.

Scoop Drill

DIAGRAM 1: Set up all of your players in a single-file line and arrange them so that every other player in line has a basketball. The first player is on offense, and the second player is a defender. On the coach’s signal, the offensive player dribbles the length of the court with either the left or right hand. The defensive player trails behind the dribbler on the ball side.

As the dribbler nears mid-court, the trailing defender leans forward and “scoops” at the basketball in an underhand motion in an attempt to knock the ball loose and forward out of the dribbler’s hand. The underhand scoop technique is taught and stressed in this drill — as opposed to slapping down at the ball — because an official rarely calls a foul on a scoop attempt to knock the ball loose.

If the offensive player makes the layup, he or she grabs the ball as it comes out of the net and comes back down the other side of the court. The coach signals the next pair to go at a staggered pace so the drill remains continuous and that there is always a pair of players sprinting toward each basket.

Seal Drill

DIAGRAM 2: The players form a single-file line, and the offensive player (the first player in line) attempts to dribble the length of the floor for a layup. A defender (the second player in line) trails closely behind the dribbler, shuffling on the inside of ball handler until he or she reaches the mid-court line.

Once the ball handler crosses the mid-court line, the defender’s goal is to sprint hard, catch up with the dribbler, and force him or her toward the baseline away from the basket.