How to Coach The Full Court Press in High School Basketball

The full court press is the most effective way to put pressure on an opposing high school basketball team. As a coach, you can certainly install the press with ease if you use enough practice time to prepare. It will pay huge dividends on the defensive end of the floor. Read on to learn how to coach the full court press.

Things You'll Need

  • Full Basketball Court
  • <br>Basketball
  • <br>Basketball Team
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Instructions

  1. Preparing for the Full Court Press

    • 1

      As a coach, the one thing you must understand is that your team has to be in top condition to effectively install a full court press. Pressing a high school basketball team takes intensity and conditioning. This should be the first focus before you ever touch a basketball. Get the team amped up with some high-impact conditioning drills.

    • 2

      Once your team is ready physically, now it is time to get them ready mentally. The first step to this is to break out the chalkboard. X's and O's are boring if you do not excite the team about what this will mean to them. Paint them a picture of success and how you are going to get there. The 1-3-1 full court press is a devastating tool when it is properly implemented. Make sure they are mentally prepared with how the press works.

    • 3

      The final preparation step is to be certain that you have a full understanding of the press as a coach. It is very difficult to teach something you do not fully understand yourself. Take the time to make the press second nature. Now you are ready to put it into action.

    Implementing the Press

    • 4

      With the 1-3-1 press, it is vital that you place the right people in the right places. If you do not do this, the press will get sliced like butter. Start by taking your biggest player and placing him at the back of the press. Make sure that it is clear that he must cover any breakaways as well as rotate with the ball as it comes up the floor. When the ball is to his left, he should shade to the left. When right, he should shade to the right. He must stay active and force the jump shot if someone gets behind the press.

    • 5

      Your two wing players should be the quickest players on the team. They work like a pendulum. When the ball is rotating to the side opposite of them, they have to get back on defense to cover that side. When the ball is on their side, they should be teaming with the point player to double team the ball.

    • 6

      Your center position of your press should be a hands player who is capable of cutting off the passing lanes. Great quickness and good height are the qualifications you should look for in this spot. She will be moving constantly to the ball and denying the pass.

    • 7

      Make sure that all of the members of the team know their roles, and fulfill them with intensity. In high school basketball, intensity will create turnovers. The level of play dictates that the full court press will work if it is executed correctly. Get out there and show them this game winning strategy.