Defense · U10 drill · ages 8–10

Beat the Pylons

Two cones, one rule: do not let him through. And no hands.

AgesU10+
Players2–12
Time10 min
Spacehalf court
Equipment2 cones
Levelbeginner
Court diagram of the Beat the Pylons basketball drill: start positions and movement
Basket at the top. Orange circles: offense, X: defense, wavy line: dribble, dashed line: pass.

Setup

Set two cones either side of the free throw line, a few steps apart. One attacker, one defender.

How it runs

  1. The attacker tries to run through the gap between the two cones.
  2. The defender's only job is to stop him getting through.
  3. Play short reps, then swap roles.
  4. Ask the defender what worked before telling him anything.

Coaching point

The stance at the start decides the rep; most players are beaten because they begin too tall.

In the U10 Drill Book, page 110

The full drill

  • 3 more coaching points
  • 3 common mistakes and how to fix them
  • 4 progressions to make it harder
  • a way to make it competitive

Plus 119 more drills for ages 8–10, one per page, with court diagrams.

More drills

All free U10 drills · All defense drills · Drill videos on YouTube