Defense

Live vs. Close Outs

How to run Live vs. Close Outs — a defensive set you can teach frame by frame and take to your next practice.

Online Basketball Playbook · Published May 30, 2026 · 2 min read
Live vs. Close Outs — frame 1 diagram
C passes to 2; X1 screens near the right wing

Use this drill to sharpen your perimeter players' ability to attack a scrambling defender. The coach feeds the ball to 2, and X1 must sprint to close out — your job is to read the close-out and make the right play, whether that is a shot, a shot fake and drive, or a skip. Reps in this drill build the decision-making habits that unlock your offense against aggressive help defense.

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