Three Closeout Drills to Improve Basketball Shooting Defense

• By Grant Young

Closing out in basketball effectively is absolutely crucial for a team’s defense, and here's why: 

A strong closeout directly contests shots. When defenders aggressively close out on shooters, they disrupt the shooter’s rhythm and sightlines, significantly decreasing the chances of successful conversions. In today’s game, where shooters can drain baskets from long range, failing to close out can lead to disastrous outcomes. 

A solid closeout positions the defender to respond to potential driving opportunities. Defenders need to remain balanced and alert, ready to transition from contesting a shot to cutting off penetration. This adaptability is vital; it prevents easy drives and keeps the pressure on the offense. 

Effective closeouts enhance team integrity and foster communication. When defenders execute strong closeouts, they set off a chain reaction of verbal cues and coordination among teammates. A well-connected defense can anticipate offensive strategies, significantly increasing the team’s chances of success. 

Prioritizing closeouts cultivates a culture of defensive responsibility within the team. When players commit to closing out with intensity, it establishes a standard that elevates everyone’s performance. A team that embodies this mentality becomes relentless on the defensive end and positions itself for victory. 

Mastering the closeout technique is non-negotiable for any basketball team aiming to shine on defense. This is why we’ve taken three closeout drills from three quality basketball coaches and are sharing them with you today. 

Dave Adkins - 2 Man Closeout Drill

David Adkins joined the Washington women's basketball program ahead of the 2024-25 season, bringing 15 years of collegiate and NBA experience to the Huskies' bench as an Associate Head Coach. 

Prior to his appointment at Washington, Adkins served as the Director of Player Development for the Denver Nuggets and their NBA G League affiliate, the Grand Rapids Gold, during the 2023-24 season. His NBA tenure also included pivotal roles with the Portland Trail Blazers (2022-23) and the Washington Wizards (2014-2021). 

In his ‘Player Development: Offensive and Defensive Combination Drills’ course, Coach Adkins details his preferred closeout drill, which is called the 2 Man Closeout Drill. 

The drill begins with one coach at the top of the key, one each at each wing, and two players on each elbow. The coach at the top of the key passes the ball to one of the wings, where the player will execute a closeout with their head, shoulders, and hips engaged, sitting down in their stance with their hand up in order to contest a potential three while still being capable of defending a drive. 

Once the closeout is executed, that coach will pass the ball back to the top of the key (prompting the player to return to the elbow) while the coach then swings it around to the other side. 

Once each player gets a repetition then the next two players (who are waiting on the block) step up and the drill continues. 

After each player gets one rep on each side, the drill will progress so that the coach dribbles takes dribbles down toward the baseline or to the corner, where the player will defend them without fouling before executing a closeout when they pick up their dribble. 

This drill affords fast-paced, game-like reps for every player at multiple spots on the court. 

Peter Morales - Closeout Drill

Peter Morales is the head coach of the Eastwood High School men’s basketball team, which is based in El Paso, Texas. During the 2023-24 season, Coach Morales’ team produced a 24-11 overall record (including 12-4 in their district) and advanced to the Texas state playoffs. Before joining Eastwood, Morales coached at Bowie and Coronado High Schools. 

Coach Morales goes into depth about his favorite Closeout Drill as part of his ‘Defensive Drills and Practice Planning’ course. The drill begins with three players grouping up in three different lines, with the ball in the middle line. The middle player then passes it to either side then goes and executes a closeout on the player they passed it to. The offensive player will catch the ball, get into a triple-threat position, and then either make a move to shoot, dribble, or pass, which will force the closing-out defender to react. 

From there, the offensive player will pass to the third player in the group and do the same thing, and the drill will continue that way for 2-3 minutes. This drill is particularly effective because the closing-out defender doesn’t know whether the offensive player will pass, shoot, or dribble, which makes the drill as game-like as possible. 

Craig Kennedy - 1 on 1 Close Out Drills

Kennedy was named the head coach of Spring Hill College’s Men’s Basketball team in June 2018. He is a 38-year coaching and teaching veteran who has coached at Troy University, Georgia Southern University, Auburn University, and the University of Winnipeg. 

Kennedy got his coaching start in his native Canada as an assistant women’s basketball coach with the University of Winnipeg where the program won three Canadian University National Championships and compiled a 101-2 record. Those teams also tied the UCLA men’s basketball record of 88 consecutive wins during that span.

Coach Kennedy’s ‘Practice Drills’ course explains a 1 on 1 closeout drill that he calls the Michael Murphy drill, which begins with one player above the block and one outside of the lane. 

The player above the block passes it to the other player, cuts up to the opposite wing, and the other player then passes the ball back to them and executes a closeout. From that point, the drill becomes a simple one-on-one, where the offensive player only has three dribbles to work with. 

Coach Kennedy’s closeout philosophy is to force the offensive player to do the opposite of their natural tendency. If they’re a shooter, make them dribble and drive (and vice versa). If they’re right-handed, force them to the left (and vice versa).