Help Side Rotational Defense is a big aspect of man-to-man defense. Defensive players are not going to always win the 1 v 1 on the ball defensive battles. Sometimes the offense is going to be able to get around the defensive player. When this happens, what can the defense do?
When the offense is able to drive to the basket, the help side defense rotating over to stop the drive is very important. The player helping to stop the ball is important but every player then needs to rotate so there are no gaps for the offense to exploit.
This drill is using only 3 or 4 players so the players can see how to rotate on a smaller scale before adding in all 5 players. This is a building block drill. This drill simplifies the rotation of a defense to help the players learn what to do and how to do it. With only 3 players, there is no guessing or uncertainty with what each player should be doing. The 4th player keeps things simple but also starts to have the players read and react to their teammates and the offense. So, we are starting out small and building up to a 5 on 5 game situation.
3 on 3 Rotations
The drill starts with the 3 offensive players on the 3-point line with two at the wings and one at the top of the key. The on the ball defender starts behind the ball. This ensures the offense has beat the defensive player causing the rotation. D2 and D3 start in help side defense at the midline.
O1 drives towards the baseline. On the drive the rotation starts. The lowest defender or the defender closest to the basket rotates to stop the ball. This one rule keeps from having multiple people rotating to the ball or having no player rotate to the ball. The low defender is rotating out to the ball.
D3 rotates outside the lane to stop the ball. D1 follows the ball after getting beat. D2 drops down the front of the basket. It is always better to force a 3-point shot rather than a 3-foot shot. The defense should protect the basket 1st and then play out from there. So, even though no offensive player is on the block currently, the defense should rotate down to the basket to prevent any layups.
As D3 stops the ball, D3 and D1 almost have a trap with D1 following the drive. D2 is in front of the basket and has what I call “two.” On rotational defense the defender who is guarding “two” is the key from transitioning from rotational defense back to regular defense. D2 is taking the first pass out of the pseudo-trap.
At this point O1 will make a pass out of the drive. They can either pass to O2 or O3. This pass is what transitions the defense from rotational defense back to regular defense.
If O1 passes the ball to O2, then D2 will closeout to O2 and D3 will sprint back to O3.
If O1 passes the ball to O3, then D2 will closeout to O3 and D3 will rotate up to cover O2. This is an automatic switch because of the help side rotation.
After the pass and closeouts, the offense is still around the 3-point line. The defense should be back to a regular defensive setup. On the catch by either O2 or O3, the drill will play out the possession. The offense is trying to score while the defense is guarding them.
I always finish will the possession being played out to either a stop or score. This helps the players learn how to go from rotational defense to a scramble mode and back to regular defense. Defensive players must be able to think and move in all situations. The finish of the possession helps players learn this skill.
After working on 3 on 3 rotations, a 4th player is added.
4 on 4 Rotations
The setup of the 4v4 is exactly like the 3v3 except the offensive block player is added. This is where the dropping player in the 3v3 is going to get reinforced on that movement. The offense is still in the same spots but with the 4th offensive player on the opposite block from the ball. The on the ball defender starts behind the ball again. The other 3 defenders are in help side defense.
O1 drives the ball towards the basket. D4 rotates to the drive. Again, D4 is the closest to the basket so they rotate to the ball. D3 rotates down to the block to prevent the pass to O4. This is the same rotation as in the 3v3. This drop rotation prevents any layups from happening. D2 drops and is guarding “two.”
Once D4 stops the ball, O1 is again passing it out. O1 can pass to either O2 or O3 again. This pass again starts the transition from rotational defense to regular defense.
If the ball is passed to O2, then D2 will closeout to O2. D3 sprints back out to O3. And D4 rotates back to O4.
If the ball is passed to O3, then D2 will closeout to O3. D3 sprints up to O2. And D4 goes back to O4. This switch is automatic within the rotation of the defense.
After the pass is made players play out the possession.
Conclusion
Good defenses are able to play well when things are not going according to plan. These rotations are key for any good man-to-man defense. Rotational defense is necessary to prevent easy layups. When all 5 players are able to rotate it causes the offense to have to make additional passes to get good shots. With every additional pass made, the offense has a chance to make a mistake. Sometimes the best defense is just stretching the possession out long enough for the offense to make a mistake.
Good rotations are key to taking a potential bad defensive possession and turning it into a potential good possession. Any man-to-man defense should work on rotations after learning the basics of defense and positioning. This drill can be that bridge from basic defense to learning rotational defense.
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