defense
No-help is not a verified universal never-help system. Sicko distinguishes when teammates stay with their own attackers, briefly step toward a driver and return, or leave their assignment to stop a drive after the ball defender is beaten.
No-help has no single confirmed system. This example keeps defenders with outside shooters, but allows X5 to stop a drive that would otherwise lead to an open layup.
1–5 are players on offense. X1–X5 are defenders. Each number stays with the same player in every step; it does not lock that player into a position.
Diagram 1 of 4
Name the exception before starting
X1 guards 1. X2, X3 and X4 stay with their players. The coach allows X5 to help if 1 gets a clear path to the basket. Make that rule clear before the play.
Diagram key
Use Previous and Next beside the court, or choose a numbered step. Arrows on the court show where players or the ball move. CoachAssist drew this example; it does not show every way to run the scheme.
“No help” here describes a decision to stay with a receiver, not a verified never-help system. Screen coverage, emergency support and rebounding still need their own rules. The displayed choices are limited examples.
Don Sicko distinguishes staying home, briefly showing help and returning, and emergency help. Off-ball defenders still position themselves to see the ball and their players. A contained drive can justify staying attached; an emergency requires someone to stop the ball and others to account for the helper’s player.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Show the group two slow repetitions from the same start: one with the ball defender in front and one clearly beaten. Ask the nearest off-ball defender to describe the difference without using a coverage slogan. Then ask where the receiver is and whether a short pass is available. Increase speed only after the group agrees what it is looking for. Keep the possession alive after a pass out so staying attached does not turn into standing still.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
When: The drive has not created a clear route past the ball defender.
Do this: Stay with the dangerous receiver instead of adding unnecessary help.
Then: Move with that receiver as the ball changes position.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
When: The immediate basket threat is real.
Do this: An available helper stops it and teammates cover the exposed receiver.
Then: This requires a taught recovery, not a universal never-help instruction.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Problem: The ball is past a teammate but everyone remains attached without protecting the basket.
Try this correction: Replace the slogan with the specific question: is the ball contained? Replay the same start with different outcomes for the first defender.
Check: Players can explain why they stayed or helped before hearing the result.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Problem: The helper remains near the ball after the reason for showing has ended.
Try this correction: Ask the player to identify the return cue before the next repetition. Let the offense pass to the vacated receiver if the return is late.
Check: The correction preserves awareness of both the ball and the original receiver.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
Changes: coverage.
When to use it: The names do not establish separate complete five-player systems or universal ball-screen rules.
Written variant · this option does not have its own walkthrough here.
Source-backed summary; versions may differ.
Choose the level that matches what your players can do now. These steps work for boys and girls. Start simpler if players need more practice.
Set it up: An adult guides two attackers and two defenders at walking speed.
Add more when: Players see the situation rather than repeating a slogan.
CoachAssist suggestion—not the source’s exact practice.
CoachAssist wrote these teaching steps. They are not an exact copy of any coach’s practice plan.
We have not confirmed a specific coach or team using this version. Teams may use the same name for different plays.
The level selector changes the teaching steps above. It does not change these drills. Check the number of players, equipment and difficulty before using a drill.
Builds a skill used in this scheme: Builds stopping a ballhandler without prescribing a never-help policy. Brief help steps, emergency help and rules for particular shooters still require the coach’s definition.
A controlled closeout leads to containment, legal rebounding position and possession.
4–14 players · 6–12 minutes · basketballs
A controlled closeout leads to containment, legal rebounding position and possession.
Four players in offense/defense queues, one ball. One pair plays while the next pair waits outside the routes. Begin with guided offense. Spare balls and waiting players stay outside the active routes.
Optional: within a short coach-chosen timed interval, count sound decisions, controlled catches or completed defensive possessions. Stop at the planned time or sooner; no required makes, winning streak or exercise penalty. Rotate roles and allow rest regardless of the score.
The sources support the system guide. CoachAssist created the practice steps and checks; they are suggestions, not tested programs or a coach’s full playbook. The linked drills practice parts of the system.
We found limited information about this scheme. Check the source notes before using it. These sources do not cover every possible version.
Don Sicko · Hoop Coach · 2026-06-15
Displayed page date; original publication date unverified. Supports help decisions, not a canonical never-help system.
