DEFENSIVE SLIDE. Let former NBA player, Mark Strickland, make you a better defensive player. This drill will teach you how to close down on an offensive players options. You’ll learn how to sprint out as fast to close out your opponent, moving your feet in small choppy steps while having high active hands to pick off a potential shot or pass that can be attempted by the offensive player. You want to force the offensive player to go only towards the closest sideline and/or baseline towards you. Remember as you sprint out as fast as you can, get into your athletic stance and stay down in it to control your movements. You want to always keep your hands active and your head on the ball, while forcing your defender to go toward the baseline or sideline and limit the amount of space they have to utilize on the court.