C4 DRILL IMPROVES YOUR PASSING SKILLS

Although most players work on some type of fundamental passing drill during practice, coaches rarely implement drills that actually mimic game-like situations.  

One of the most important reasons to make drills ‘game-like’ is to prepare players for the real thing.  Our goal in the C4 Drill is to improve your passing skills by applying good ball pressure on the passer.  To get better, it will take time and plenty of repetitions under game-like conditions.

You can also improve some of your other skills with game-like passing drills.

Poorly skilled players do not pivot well or pass well.  However, if no ball pressure is ever applied to these players they will never grow beyond being average passers (at best) because they are not forced to use their pivoting and passing skills.

There is also a defensive benefit from game-like passing drills.  Without ball pressure on the passer, it doesn’t give the other other four defenders time to get into proper help or deny position.  One of the foundations of of good team defensive play is being in proper position, but without good ball pressure the opportunity to attain good position may be lost.

Ball Pressure forces the passer to:

 Pivot away from the pressure and thus give time for help defenders to recover.

 Put the ball on the floor.

 Move the ball from high to low, low to high or side to side to create a new passing lane.

 Sweep the ball low to create space.

 Pass with their weak hand.

 Pass to a perimeter player as opposed to an interior player.

All of these actions by the passer will allow time for the ‘off the ball’ defenders to get into position to take away passing lanes, stop cuts, help on penetration and destroy proper timing necessary for successful offensive play. 

 

Regardless of the defense we play, players must still apply ball pressure if we are going to be successful against the best teams.  The goal is not necessarily steals or turnovers, but instead to contain and prevent penetration, either by pass or dribble, give time for teammates to get into proper position, and slow the timing of the offense. 

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