As we turn the page toward 2025, the next two weeks give us a chance to briefly look back at the concepts that defined our film work over the past year. This week, we’re revisiting the defensive breakdowns that drew the most attention from the Slappin’ Glass community, with a companion look at our most-viewed offensive breakdowns coming next week.
Below is a curated recap of our most-viewed SGTV Defensive Breakdowns of 2025, highlighting the ideas that coaches around the world spent the most time studying. Each concept is paired with the original video, newsletter, and additional supporting content.
Top 5 SGTV Most Viewed Defensive Breakdowns
🥇 Nova Southeastern – Press & Pace Concepts
“Our look into perennial D2 national championship contender Nova Southeastern’s press and the calculated risks they use to create pace, including full-court frontals, ‘going-away’ traps, offensive rebounding, and more.”
🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on sending a “Going Away” Traps after made baskets inbounded by the 5-Man.
🗞️ Newsletter
“Detailing Aaron Fearne’s defensive transition and offensive rebounding concept of Tagging Up. Diving into the theory behind it and the benefits from it. As well as the teaching points required to execute it.”
✚ Pair With: Our podcast with Coach Aaron Fearne on his Tagging Up system.
🗞️ Newsletter
🥉 Joe Gallo – “No 3’s” Zone Defense & Delay Press
“Coach Joe Gallo’s “No 3s” Zone Defense. The slides and responsibilities involved to take away 3 point attempts and turn the opponent over. Including how they react to various puncture situations.”
✚ Pair With: For further study on Coach Gallo’s zone defense, listen to our podcast with Coach Gallo.
🔒 SG Plus Content: Coach joined our “Film Room” to break down the Miami Heat’s zone defense and compare it to the principles behind his own.
🗞️ Newsletter
🏆 Defending the Short Roll – Peel Switching
“A coordinated switching rotation to neutralize the corner cut and 45 slide on any short roll catch against aggressive ballscreen coverages.”
🔒 SG Plus Content: Using the peel switch to neutralize the snake dribble against a drop PNR coverage.
🗞️ Newsletter
🏆 Ballscreen X-Outs – Positioning & Execution
“The positioning and execution of the ballscreen X-out to effectively split two behind the screen and minimize closeouts.”
🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on defending the Spanish PNR with a hedge and x-out on to the stack screener.
🗞️ Newsletter
Honorable Mention
Jump on the Pickup – Generating Steals in the PNR
“A defensive technique in the ballscreen to increase deflections and generate turnovers without compromising the coverage.”
🔒 SG Plus Content: Our breakdown on several techniques and tactics to generate steals without compromising your base coverages.
🗞️ Newsletter
Quick Show & “Hit” Ballscreen Coverage
“An aggressive PNR coverage featuring a quick show by the big and an automatic hit from the loaded-side defender.”
🔒 SG Plus Content: A technical breakdown on the recovery of the big man following the quick show.
🗞️ Newsletter
After Quarter “Hits” – Stealing Possessions
“Attacking an ATO coming out of the quarter or half by immediately trapping the ballhandler once the inbounder leaves to their position.”
✚ Pair With: Podcast guest Nate Babcock{🎧} breaks down the analytical value of trapping end of quarter defensive possessions.
🔒 SG Plus Content: “Hitting” a perimeter mismatch post ballscreen switch.
🗞️ Newsletter
Jerrod Calhoun – Unique Matchup Zone Principles
“Utah St. Head Coach Jerrod Calhoun’s 2025 Socal Coaches Clinic presentation on Program Building, Matchup Zone Principles and 5-Out Offense.”
✚ Pair With: Our podcast conversation with Coach Calhoun on Defensive Fixes, ATO’s, Film Sessions and more.
🔒 SG Plus Content: One of our all-time most viewed breakdowns, the 3-2 “Monster” Zone.
🗞️ Newsletter
Rounding out the Year
🧊 Switch to ICE – Defending Gaurd-to-Guard Handoffs
↪🗞️ Newsletter
🙌 Contesting without Fouling – Transition Verticals
↪🗞️ Newsletter
Thank you all for your continued support and if you have further questions or want to discuss any of these breakdowns with us please feel free to reach out at info@slappinglass.com.