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 Contain
Close out to a shooter, then stay in front of the drive.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Start under the hoop and pass to your partner on the wing.
Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of steady slides.
- Ages
- 14 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- You and a partner
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Basketball, partner, hoop
- Level · skill
- Advanced · Defense
The steps
How it works
- Start under the hoop and pass to your partner on the wing.
- Sprint out with a high hand and chop your feet.
- They drive one way; slide and keep them out of the lane.
- Do 8 reps each.
Coaching point
High hand, short steps, chest in front.
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
Print it now, or save it free
Free for families and teams
Save this drill to your child or team, free
Sign up and the free basketball week for this age opens in your child's planner, kept to healthy limits. A coach can send this drill to the whole team as homework, and parents see every session logged.
14 days free for a family, no card · Running a team is always free
Does your child's coach know about this?
An email from you to the coach, with the words ready. Nothing is tracked and nobody is rewarded.