Game version
Mirror slides: a partner walks side to side and you stay in front in a defensive stance, with no contact. Swap often.
Help and Recover
Step in to stop a driver, then get back out to your own player.
By Coach Evan Waechtler Youth coach (U11, Cache Valley, Utah) and founder of SSTracker Updated October 30, 2026
Set up
Guard a player one pass away while another attacker dribbles.
Core: Jogs. Beat your own run of steady slides.
- Ages
- 11 and up
- Time
- 12 min
- Players
- 3 players
- Space
- Gym or court
- Bring
- Basketball, 4 cones, 3 players
- Level · skill
- Developing · Defense
The steps
How it works
- Guard a player one pass away while another attacker dribbles.
- When the dribbler drives, step in to show help.
- As they pass back to your player, close out with short steps.
- Do 10 reps at walking pace, then jog pace.
Coaching point
Help the drive, then get back.
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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