With Bob Huggins, West Virginia University Head Coach; over 600 career wins; former University of Cincinnati Head Coach, '00-'01 National Coach of the Year, Conference USA "Coach of the Decade" (Cincinnati).
In Coach Huggins' defense, the middle of the floor - the shoot - is an area where the ball is not allowed. Pushing the ball to the sideline is the goal of this defense. A major concept in Huggins' defense is not allowing straight line passes. To execute this, players are taught to be on the line of the ball to make the pass go over the top instead of directly to the receiver. The result has an affect on the offense by making them move away from the basket to catch the ball. Every day Huggins runs a simple 2-on-2 drill to emphasize getting to the ball, or "sprint to help." The shell drill incorporates all of these principles and does not allow direct line passes. Another key drill is 1-one-1 closeout drill from basket to the top of the key. The help and recover/penetrate and pitch drill forces players to cover area and stresses closing out with hands up and denying penetration. The 3-on-1 close out drill forces the defender to react to the direction of the pass. Huggins wants to deny the ball to the post and shares his thoughts and a drill for post defense. Getting through screens is taught from an anticipation standpoint to beat the cutter to the ball. This drill is done with blocking pads to simulate contact on the screen.
114 minutes. 2008.
