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Small-Sided Game·Starter·U14+
Closeout Shell with Live Reads
Closeouts trained inside live game information.
Players
4v4
Court
Half court
Time
12 min
Equipment
Balls, Pinnies
Description
Offense in 4-out shell. Coach throws the ball to a wing as the defender starts in help position one pass away. Defender must execute a controlled closeout; offense plays live.
The constraint
Possession begins with the ball in the air to a perimeter player; defenders must close out from one pass away.
CLA principle
Closeouts trained in shell preserve the spacing, help, and decisions that make closeouts hard.
Coaching points
- Short, choppy steps in the last three strides.
- Inside hand high on a shooter; outside hand on a driver.
- Talk early — your help knows where you're going.
Common mistakes
- Flying straight at the shooter and getting blown by.
- Closing out with no plan for the next rotation.