A 1-3-1 zone part drill for the three players who make up the spine of the defense: the chaser, the middle and the tail. They learn to cover the middle of the floor together as the ball moves. Run it early, when the 1-3-1 is first introduced.
Setup:
Six offensive players: 1 and 2 at the slots, 3 and 6 in the corners, 4 and 5 on the blocks. Three defenders: the chaser (xC) at the top, the middle (xM) at the high post and the tail (xT) near the basket.
Rules:
The offense passes the ball around in any order. Offensive players stay in their spots and no one dribbles. The three defenders rotate with every pass and never touch the ball.
Coaching points:
- Move on the flight of the pass, not on the catch.
- Hands up and in a stance for the whole possession.
- All three defenders talk to each other constantly.
