Andrew Pace
Trapping in basketball is a defensive strategy that involves two defenders double-teaming a single offensive player in possession of the basketball, typically near a sideline or corner of the court. The primary goal of trapping is to force turnovers by causing deflections, errant passes, and 5/10-second counts. When teaching trapping, it is essential to emphasize the importance of avoiding fouls. This can be achieved by instructing players to keep their arms up and out without bending their elbows and reaching over the offensive player. Creating a wall by overlapping feet and interlocking legs is also crucial to effective trapping. Drills and exercises can help players practice trapping techniques and improve their defensive skills.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To force turnovers, create scoring opportunities, and dictate the pace of the game |
| Trap Locations | Near sidelines and/or corners of the court, wing sideline area, baseline, top of the key |
| Trap Techniques | Preventing split by a step/dribble, arms up/hands up, creating a wall, mirroring offensive player's hands |
| Defensive Strategies | Double-teaming, trapping certain players, exploiting offensive vulnerabilities, increasing mental demands on opponents |
| Offensive Strategies | Escaping the trap, back-dribbling, pivoting, creating contact, passing, dribbling techniques |
| Drills | 6-player circle drill, 12-player team drill, defensive slide drill, 5-on-5 drills |
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Avoiding fouls
Arms Up/Hands Up
One of the most common mistakes young players make is pushing and slapping with their hands when trapping, which results in a foul. Teach them to keep their arms up and never to "break their arms", meaning they should not bend their elbows or reach over the offensive player. This creates a higher wall, forcing the offensive player to pass around or over it. It is important to maintain discipline and avoid reaching for the ball when the offensive player brings it down, as this can lead to grabbing or slapping the ball, resulting in a foul.
Close the Wall
If the offensive player takes the ball over their head, trappers should move closer with their bodies, keeping their arms and hands up. This makes the offensive player feel uncomfortable and off-balance, making it difficult to pass. However, it is crucial to stop moving once you meet the offensive player's body to avoid a foul. Throughout the trap, trappers should maintain an athletic stance with slightly bent knees to avoid standing straight up, which can lead to a foul or a split.
Timing and Positioning
Trapping in the wrong area or at the wrong time can lead to easy escapes and fouls. Players must learn to recognise when and where to set traps, typically near sidelines or corners where the ball handler's options are limited. Trapping too early or in open areas of the court gives the offensive player space to split the defenders or make passes.
Avoid Reaching and Stealing
When trapping, defenders should not reach in to steal the ball. This will often result in a foul. Instead, they should focus on mirroring the hands of the trapped player and having active hands. If the trapped player attempts an overhead pass, the defenders should raise their hands above their shoulders or head. For a bounce pass, defenders should lower their hands below the waist near the legs. This strategy can force errant passes that can be intercepted or deflected.
Maintain Discipline
Trapping requires self-discipline to avoid committing fouls. Players should avoid bumping into the offensive player or reaching in from behind. Undisciplined play will lead to foul trouble. It is important to maintain control when closing in on the trap to avoid overcommitting, which can result in fouls or give the offensive player space to split the defenders.
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Creating a wall
Arms and hands are still important, though. When teaching young players how to trap, it is important to teach them not to foul. Players often start pushing and slapping with their hands, resulting in a foul and making the trap ineffective. To avoid this, players should be taught to keep their arms up and out, without bending their elbows or reaching over the offensive player. This will create a higher wall that the offensive player must try to pass over or around.
If the offensive player takes the ball over their head, the trappers should walk up under the offensive player, moving their bodies closer while keeping their arms and hands up. This will make the offensive player feel uncomfortable and off-balance, making it hard to make a strong pass. However, it is important that the trappers stop walking once they meet the offensive player's body so that a foul is not called.
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Preventing a split
Create a Wall
One of the most effective ways to prevent a split is to create a wall with your defenders. This is achieved by having the trappers place their feet slightly overlapping and almost interlocking their legs. This reduces the gap between them and forces their hips closer together. Additionally, defenders should keep their arms up and hands high, mirroring the height of the offensive player's hands. This creates a higher wall, making it more challenging for the offensive player to pass through or over.
Close the Wall
If the offensive player raises the ball over their head, the defenders should carefully walk up closer to them, maintaining their arms and hands up. This makes the offensive player feel uncomfortable and off-balance, making it harder for them to make an effective pass. It is important to stop walking once you meet the offensive player's body to avoid a foul being called. Throughout the trap, defenders should maintain a slightly bent knee athletic position.
Knee to Knee
Defenders should aim to get "knee to knee" with each other. This means positioning themselves so that their knees are almost touching, preventing the offensive player from splitting through the trap.
Don't Reach In
When trapping, defenders should avoid reaching in for the ball. Instead, they should focus on mirroring the height of the offensive player's hands. The goal is to go for a deflection, a bad pass, a 5-second call, or a tie-up and jump ball. If the offensive player offers the ball, then a tie-up or jump ball can be attempted, but otherwise, defenders should avoid reaching in.
Outside Defender Keeps Offense In
Positioning an outside defender can help keep the ball handler in the trap. This prevents the offensive player from escaping the trap and forces them to stay in the middle, where they are more likely to make rushed decisions.
By implementing these strategies, coaches can effectively teach their players how to prevent a split when employing trapping techniques in basketball.
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Trapping zones
Trapping in basketball is a defensive tactic that involves two defenders double-teaming a single offensive player in possession of the basketball, usually near a sideline or corner of the court. Trapping zones refer to the areas on the court where traps are typically set, and understanding these zones is crucial for both offensive and defensive players.
The baseline trap is a common trapping zone, occurring when the ball-handler dribbles towards the baseline with two or more defenders adjacent to each other on that side of the court. This trap is often set when the ball-handler beats their defender and drives towards the basket. A help defender, typically a low-post player, can contain the ball-handler until the original defender catches up, and they can then set the trap near the baseline.
The wing sideline area is another favoured trapping zone, as it allows defenders to use the sideline as an additional defender. Setting traps in these areas can force the offensive player to make quicker decisions, potentially leading to turnovers.
The corners of the court, particularly the frontcourt corners, are also ideal trapping zones. Trapping an offensive player in the corner limits their passing options and increases the chances of a turnover. However, offensive players should be cautious of getting trapped in the corners, as it can be challenging to escape without committing a backcourt violation.
Additionally, extended traps can be set at the top of the key or near the half-court line. These traps can be used to counter the offensive team's on-ball screens and disrupt their play.
Understanding trapping zones is essential for both offensive and defensive players. Offensive players can use this knowledge to avoid dribbling or passing into trapping zones, while defenders can set effective traps and force turnovers.
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Drills and exercises
The Circle Drill
This drill helps players understand trapping and offensive tactics. Set up a circle with six players, three from each team, alternating around the circle. Each player takes a step back from the circle to maintain spacing. The coach passes the ball to a player, let's call them O1. The defenders from the opposite team, X1 and X3, then set a legal trap on O1. It's important that the trappers have their feet wide and adjacent, with arms up and out. O1 is not allowed to dribble and must try to pass to a teammate, while the remaining defender, X2, acts as an interceptor. O1 should stay low and never put the ball above their head, using pass fakes and pivoting to make a pass. When the pass is made, X2 closes to trap, and X3 sprints out to trap O3. The drill progresses with X1 becoming the interceptor, and the coach passing to a player on the other team, ensuring everyone gets practice with trapping and offensive play.
The Baseline Trap Drill
This drill focuses on trapping an offensive player near the baseline. Set up the drill on both sides of the half-court, with assistants holding a ball on each wing, extended towards the defender (X1). The drill emphasises defensive slides, forcing the opponent towards the baseline, and then trapping them there. It's important that the defence prevents penetration along the baseline and doesn't allow the ball-handler to split the trap. Trappers should get "knee to knee", slightly overlapping their feet to create a wall. Additionally, trappers should keep their arms and hands up to prevent the offensive player from passing or dribbling through.
The Trail Trap Drill
The Trail Trap is a dynamic defensive strategy that involves strategically positioning defenders to exploit offensive vulnerabilities. It aims to disrupt the opponent's rhythm and create scoring opportunities. The 5-on-5 Chase Drill is one drill that can be used to teach the Trail Trap. While specific details of this drill are not readily available, it likely involves simulating game-like situations to practice trapping and defensive techniques.
Back-Tipping Drill
While not a trapping drill per se, learning to back-tip correctly is an important fundamental skill for any good pressing team. A back-tip occurs when an offensive player speed dribbles past a defender, who then turns and sprints after the ball, attempting to tip it from behind.
When teaching trapping, it's important to emphasise self-discipline to players and instruct them on how not to foul. Trapping requires athleticism and skill, but also a deep understanding of positioning and timing to be effective without committing fouls.
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