The Hoops Geek Drill Library

Basketball Drills
4v4 Shell Drill

James Chang

Published 02 April 2026

4v4 Shell Drill

This is a 4v4 defensive drill to teach players where to stand in gap defense and help defense. It’s best to use early in practice, because it warms players up and requires a lot of effort.

1 count defender (defender who's 1 pass away) is always in the gap, while 2~3 count defender (defender who's 2~3 passes away) is helping the helper.

(Note: Although the overall structure of a shell drill is always similar, the key details depend on each coach’s defensive philosophy. This version is based on our team’s defensive tactics.)

100

Phase 1

The ball starts in the corner.

3 drives toward the middle. X1 shows deep help, but doesn’t fully commit. X1 only helps long enough for X3 to recover.

X2 shifts toward 1 and help X1 if the pass is made.

X4 rotates under the basket to protect the rim against the drive.

100

Phase 2

3 passes out to 1 and recovers back to the corner.

X1 hard closes to 1.

X2 contests until X1 fully recovers, then returns to gap defense.

X4 recovers back to the block.

100

Phase 3

X2 contests until X1 recovers.

As the drive happens, X4 shifts up to contest 2 and becomes the second helper (help the helper).

100

Phase 4

1 passes to 2 and recovers back.

X2 hard closes to 2.

X1 and X4 are both in gap positions.

X3 is at the low block, helping the helper.

100

Phase 5

2 drives middle.

X4 contests until X2 recovers.

X1 is sinks down and sits at the nail.

100

Phase 6

2 passes to 4 and recovers back.

X4 hard closes to 4.

X2 is in gap defense.

100

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This is a 4v4 defensive drill to teach players where to stand in gap defense and help defense. It’s best to use early in practice, because it warms players up and requires a lot of effort.

1 count defender (defender who's 1 pass away) is always in the gap, while 2~3 count defender (defender who's 2~3 passes away) is helping the helper.

(Note: Although the overall structure of a shell drill is always similar, the key details depend on each coach’s defensive philosophy. This version is based on our team’s defensive tactics.)

100