Hedge Drill

Hedge Drill is a specialized defensive training exercise that teaches the technique and timing required for defending ball screens through the hedging coverage method. The drill prepares the screener's defender to step out aggressively toward the ball handler as the screen is set, creating a temporary double-team situation that disrupts the ball handler's rhythm and momentum, allowing the primary defender to recover back into position. Hedging, also called showing or stepping up, is one of the most common pick-and-roll defensive coverages used in modern basketball, requiring precise coordination between two defenders, excellent communication, and the ability to execute specific movements with proper footwork and positioning. The Hedge Drill breaks down this complex defensive action into teachable components that can be practiced repeatedly until the movements become instinctive. The fundamental mechanics of hedging involve the screener's defender (typically a big man) recognizing the screen as it develops, stepping out aggressively toward the ball handler beyond the screen, and establishing a position that forces the ball handler to change direction or hesitate. The hedge must be executed with the proper angle and positioning—stepping out high and wide enough to genuinely impact the ball handler, but not so far or so long that recovery to the rolling screener becomes impossible. The defender's hands should be active and up during the hedge, taking up space and potentially deflecting or disrupting the ball handler's dribble. Meanwhile, the on-ball defender uses the hedge to recover over the top of the screen and reestablish defensive position on the ball handler. Hedge Drill progressions begin with the basic footwork and positioning without offensive players, allowing defenders to practice the stepping motion, hand positioning, and recovery movement in isolation. The defender starts in proper position guarding an imaginary screener, then executes the hedge movement on a coach's signal, focusing on the explosive first step toward the ball handler position, the wide stance that cuts off driving angles, and the immediate recovery back to the imaginary rolling screener. This mechanical repetition builds muscle memory for the movement pattern before adding the complexity of reading and reacting to actual offensive players. As defenders demonstrate proper technique, the drill advances to include offensive players executing a basic ball screen. A ball handler and screener execute a simple pick-and-roll action while two defenders work on hedge coverage. The screener's defender must read when the screen is coming, communicate loudly to alert the on-ball defender, step out to hedge as the screen arrives, and then recover back to the screener. The on-ball defender must fight over the top of the screen using the hedge as protection, getting back into position to pressure the ball handler. Initially, offensive players operate at reduced speed to allow defenders to execute proper technique, with tempo increasing as defensive execution improves. The timing of the hedge is critical and represents one of the most challenging aspects defenders must master. Hedging too early alerts the ball handler to the coverage and allows them to reject the screen or change the play entirely. Hedging too late provides no effective help for the on-ball defender and leaves the screener's defender vulnerable to being caught between defending the ball handler and recovering to the roller. The ideal hedge times the step-out to coincide with the ball handler's use of the screen, creating maximum disruption at the moment the ball handler expects to turn the corner. Thousands of repetitions through Hedge Drill develop the pattern recognition and instincts necessary for this timing. Communication is emphasized relentlessly throughout Hedge Drill, as successful hedging coverage requires constant verbal coordination between the two involved defenders. The screener's defender must call out the incoming screen early—typically shouting the on-ball defender's name and "screen right" or "screen left"—giving their teammate advance warning. As they execute the hedge, they communicate "I got ball" or similar language indicating they have temporarily picked up the ball handler. When recovering, they call out their return to the screener, often with "roller" or "I'm back" to alert the on-ball defender that help is no longer available. Without this communication, hedge coverage breaks down into confusion and easy offensive baskets. Different levels and styles of hedging require different drill variations and techniques. A soft hedge involves the screener's defender showing just enough presence to slow the ball handler without fully committing, maintaining closer proximity to the screener for quicker recovery. This coverage is used against less dangerous ball handlers or when the screener is an elite rolling threat. A hard hedge features the screener's defender stepping out aggressively and staying engaged with the ball handler longer, sometimes pursuing them several feet beyond the screen before recovering. This aggressive coverage is deployed against elite ball handlers where more disruption is needed. Some teams even practice extreme hedges or traps where the screener's defender stays with the ball handler to create a full double-team situation. The recovery phase of hedging is equally important as the initial step-out and requires specific drill emphasis. After hedging, the defender must immediately snap back to the screener, who is typically rolling hard toward the basket in an advantageous offensive position. This recovery requires explosive movement, ideally using a sprint and then a hop-to-defensive-stance as the defender re-engages with the roller. The recovery angle is critical—defenders must take the most direct path to the screener while maintaining awareness of the ball's location. Lazy or poorly angled recoveries result in easy dump-off passes and layups for the rolling big man. Hedge Drill also addresses the on-ball defender's responsibilities and technique during the coverage. This defender must fight through the screen by going over the top—squeezing between the screener and the ball handler—using the hedge as a buffer that prevents the ball handler from turning the corner. The on-ball defender must maintain active hands to disrupt the ball handler's vision and passing lanes, avoid switching onto the screener unless the defense is in rotation, and reestablish pressure on the ball handler quickly as they clear the screen. Poor on-ball defense during hedge coverage, such as going under the screen or switching unnecessarily, undermines the entire coverage scheme. Common mistakes identified and corrected through Hedge Drill include defenders hedging at poor angles that allow ball handlers to split the coverage, defenders extending too far on the hedge and being unable to recover to rolling screeners, inadequate communication that leaves the on-ball defender unprepared for the screen, passive hands during the hedge that fail to disrupt the ball handler, and recovery movements that are too slow or take inefficient paths. Additionally, defenders sometimes focus so intently on the hedging action that they fail to anticipate the next offensive action, such as a re-screen or a slip by the screener. Offensive counters to hedge coverage are numerous and require defensive adjustments. Ball handlers can reject or refuse the screen when they read the hedge coming early, attacking in the opposite direction where help is less organized. Elite ball handlers split hedges by attacking the gap between the two defenders before the coverage is fully established. Screeners can slip the screen—cutting to the basket before setting a legal screen—when they recognize the defender is preparing to step out and hedge. Offenses also use re-screens and angle screens designed to confuse hedge coverage and create momentary breakdowns. Advanced Hedge Drill progressions incorporate these counters, teaching defenders to recognize and react to them. The physical demands of effective hedging are substantial, requiring explosive lateral movement, the ability to quickly change direction, and the conditioning to execute multiple hedges per possession while maintaining defensive intensity. Big men who typically execute hedges must develop the lateral quickness and stamina to step out repeatedly against ball handlers, a challenging requirement for players traditionally focused on protecting the paint. Consequently, conditioning work specific to hedging movements—involving lateral bursts, recoveries, and repeated efforts—is essential for maintaining hedge quality throughout games.