Game version
Mirror slides: a partner walks side to side and you stay in front in a defensive stance, with no contact. Swap often.
Closeout and Contest
Sprint to a shooter and finish under control with a high hand.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of steady slides.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 10 min
- Players
- You, and a partner or a cone
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Basketball, partner or cone
- Level · skill
- Developing · Defense
The steps
How it works
- Start under the basket. A partner (or cone) is at the wing.
- Sprint toward them, then take short choppy steps as you arrive.
- Raise one hand high to contest the shot without jumping at them.
- Slide back and repeat. Do 10 closeouts.
Coaching point
Sprint, chop your feet, hand up. Do not jump past them.
Step by step
The drill in 3 frames
Start under the basket. A partner (or cone) is at the wing.
Sprint toward them, then take short choppy steps as you arrive.
Slide back
Slide back and repeat. Do 10 closeouts.
- Run or crawl
- Shuffle or slide
- Steps
- Faint: already done
Make it fun
Play it, don't drill it
Challenge
Pick a level: Less (partner walks), Core (jogs), More (changes direction). Beat your own run of steady slides.
Story
You are a shadow that sticks to its owner.
My best
Beat your own count
Beat your own run of steady slides. Only your own number counts: today against last time.
Practice makes progress
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