Split-Line Defense - Shell Drill
================================
The split-line is the imaginary line that runs down the center of the court, basket-to-basket.
The split-line defense is best taught with a shell drill so the players can understand the break-downs that follow.
Defender on the ball, D4 (triangle 4), yells "Ball!".
D2 yells "Help Left!".
D1 yells "Help Right!".
Any player (D3) two-passes away is on the split-line, one step off the line between the ball and his player and yells "Split!".

Split-Line Defense - Shell Drill
================================
Defender on the ball, D1, yells "Ball!".
D4 yells "Help Left!".
Any player (D2 & D3) two-passes away is on the split-line, one step off the line between the ball and his player and yells "Split!".

Progression A -
Deny the Pass to the Wing
================================
O4 starts with the ball, dribbled down from 1/2 court to the Guard Spot.
O1 executes a "V" cut to get the ball.
The defense, D1, attempts to deny the pass to O1.
O1 should have to do an initial "V" cut, a back-cut all the way to the basket, then another cut back out to the 3-point line before he gets the ball.
Points of Emphasis
==============
O1 is allowed to back-cut, but O1 is not allowed to go to the other side of the split-line. Put a second defender on the split-line if required.
Insist on a deep "V" cut all the way into the key.
If D1 lets O1 get the ball too easily, like the first time he makes the "V" cut, stop the drill and make them do it again.
Play one-on-one when O1 finally receives the ball.

Progression B -
Split-Line Defense 1-on-1 - Stop Penetration
=========================================
D3 starts the drill by yelling 'Split!' to signify that he is on the split-line and ready to help. When he helps, he yells 'Jump!
O1 drives either to the baseline or to the middle.
D3 must stop the penetration and box out on the shot.
Points of Emphasis
==============
O1 also cooperates by either continuing straight at the basket trying to draw the blocking foul or pulling up directly in front of D1 for the jumper.
D3 attempts to take the charge, but does not leave his feet to block O1's jump shot. He must box-out and rebound the shot.

Progression C -
Split-Line Defense 2-on-2 - Close-out the High-Post Receiver, Baseline Drive
================================
D3 starts the drill by yelling 'Split!' to signify that he is on the split-line and ready to help. When he helps, he yells 'Jump!'.
O1 drives baseline and D3 jumps to a help position just outside the lane.
O2 cuts to the high receivers position just below the foul-line. O1 passes to O2 when stopped by/at D3.
D1 stays with O1 until O1 is stopped by D3. He then follows the pass high and closes-out on O2.
O2 takes the immediate jump-shot.
Points of Emphasis
==============
D3 cooperates by not blocking the pass from O1 to O2.
O1 cooperates by stopping at D3's trap and making the good pass to O2.
D1 must wait until pass is made before attempting the close-out.
D3 boxes out O1.
D1 does not leave his feet to block O2's jump shot. He must box-out and rebound the shot.

Progression D -
Split-Line Defense 2-on-2 - Close-out the High-Post Receiver, Middle Drive
================================
D3 starts the drill by yelling 'Split!' to signify that he is on the split-line and ready to help. When he helps, he yells 'Jump!'.
O1 drives down the middle and D3 jumps to a help position just inside the lane.
O2 cuts to the high receivers position just below the foul-line. O1 passes to O2 when stopped by D3.
D1 stays with O1.
D3 follows the pass high and closes-out on O2 as he is closest and has the best angle.
O2 takes the immediate jump-shot.
Points of Emphasis
==============
D3 cooperates by not blocking the pass from O1 to O2.
O1 cooperates by stopping at D3's trap and making the good pass to O2.
D3 must wait until pass is made before attempting the close-out. D1 and D3 then box out.

Progression E -
Split-Line Defense 3-on-3 - Close-out the Baseline Receiver
================================
D3 starts the drill by yelling 'Split!' to signify that he is on the split-line and ready to help.
O1 drives toward the basket and D3 jumps to a help position just outside the lane and yells 'Jump!' as he moves to stop O1's drive.
O2 cuts to the high receivers position just below the foul-line. O1 tries to pass to O3 when stopped by D3.
D2 drops to cover O3 and deny the pass.
Points of Emphasis
==============
D3 cooperates by not blocking the pass from O1 to O3.
O1 cooperates by stopping at D3's trap and trying to make the good pass to O3.
D2 waits until he sees O1 start to drive before attempting the baseline close-out.
D2 must intercept or knock the pass away.

Progression F -
Split-Line Defense 3-on-3 - Close-out the Baseline Receiver
================================
D3 starts the drill by yelling 'Split!' to signify that he is on the split-line and ready to help.
O1 drives toward the basket and D3 jumps to a help position just outside the lane and yells 'Jump!' as he moves to stop O1's drive.
O2 cuts to the high receivers position just below the foul-line. O1 tries to pass to O2 or O3 when stopped by D3.
D2 drops to cover O3 and deny the pass.
D1 must recover to O2.
Points of Emphasis
==============
D3 cooperates by not blocking the pass from O1 to O2 or O3.
O1 cooperates by stopping at D3's trap and trying to make the good pass to O2 or O3.
D2 waits until he sees O1 start to drive before attempting the baseline close-out.
D2 must intercept or knock the pass away.
D1 must recover to O2.
All box out on the shot.

Progression G -
Split-Line Defense 3-on-3 - Close-out All Receivers
================================
D3 starts the drill by yelling 'Split!' to signify that he is on the split-line and ready to help.
O1 drives down the middle and D3 jumps to a help position just inside the lane and yells 'Jump!' as he moves to stop O1's drive.
O2 cuts to the high receivers position just below the foul-line. O1 tries to pass to O2 or O3 when stopped by D3.
D2 drops to cover O3 and deny the pass.
D3 closes-out the High-Post Receiver, O2, as he is closest and has the best angle.
D1 stays with O1 and boxes out on the shot.
Points of Emphasis
==============
D3 can cooperate by not blocking the pass at first, but then let them play live.
O1 can also cooperate at first by stopping at D3's trap and trying to make the good pass to O3.
D2 waits until he sees O1 start to drive before attempting the baseline close-out.
D2 must intercept or knock the pass away.
D3 must close-out O2 and not leave his feet, but must not leave O1 until the pass has gone.
Defense boxes out.
Variation: Defense stays on until they recover 3 missed shots / get 3 turn-overs in a row.