No sport moves more quickly or requires as many skills as basketball. Basketball is the most electrifying and most innovative game known to man. The primary objective of the game is to score more points than the opposition by putting a round ball through a circular band, called a rim. On defense, a blocked shot or a steal can lead to a fast break at the other end of the court. On offense, one quick move can result in an easy basket. Good dribbling and passing skill can set up wide-open shots for teammates. But long before players can be become part of the excitement on the court, they must first lean and study the basics.
This takes a great deal of practice and attention to detail. The basic skills of dribbling, passing and shooting are essential to the continued improvement of every basketball player at every level. In order for a player or team to become a good offensive player they must have the ball. How do obtain or control the ball you might ask? Learning how to be a solid defensive player does this. Consistent winners play good defense, and good defense breeds consistent winning. Fans appreciate and identify with a strong defensive effort, and players respect a strong defensive team.
Teams who take pride in, and have patience on defense have far fewer off nights than the team that relies only on offense. Strong team defense builds good team morale. We have seen a good defensive team that wasnt together. Everyone respects a good defensive player especially players. Individual defense can do the following for you: it can give you self-confidence, anyone that wants to pay the price can play good defense. If you are gifted with speed, quickness and basketball sense, you can be a great defensive player. It can build you a reputation of being tough and aggressive. Help you get in the best physical and mental condition. Earn for you the special pride and self-respect you get from playing at both ends. Playing individual defense can also give you the chance to make one of the biggest plays in basketball, drawing the offensive foul. The first myth about playing defense is that you have to have speed and quick feet, which is not true.
Defense is played with anticipation, or being aware of whats going on around you, good body balance and basic fundamentals. There are certain fundamentals you have to follow. But anyone can play defense. If you are willing to work and watch whats going on around you, then you can become a solid defensive player. Defense is as much a mental as a physical skill. Rather than play reactive defense a player should be encouraged to be proactive. By emphasizing active elements of defense represented as follows by the acronym ATTACK, proactive defense is encouraged. Each letter of the word stands for a must for us to be our best. A Attitude: It all starts with your attitude. The starting point of all defenses is the determination to become an aggressive, intelligent defensive player. Each player must develop and maintain control of his attitude, especially on defense.
T Team: Through teamwork a collective effort of five defensive players is greater than five individual players. T Tools: The three basic tools of defense that is the most important to develop are your mind, body and feet. We play basketball with our mind, body, and feet; and foul with our hands. A Anticipation: Use your basketball sense and judgement. Know when to make your move. Eliminate moves that have little or no chance for success. C Concentration: Be alert and ready to play defense at all times. Make the change from offense to defense quickly. Defense before your opponent has the ball, and it will be much easier.
Maintain a basketball position. K Killer Instinct: You must be aggressive on defense. It is essential that you force the opponent to react to you. Do not react to the offensive player. Force that player away from those strengths.
Ten Cardinal Rules of Defense
1. Transition (Early recognition get the defense set) Quick, organized transition with communication by all five players keys to strong team defense.
2. Pressure on The Ball Continuous pressure must be kept on the ball. Every shot must be pressured both physically and verbally. The live player must be forced to go or you must turn that player back. The dribbler must be forced to change direction or challenged. The dead player must be swarmed.
3. Position One (80% of fouls are because of poor position) When guarding a player with the ball, your position is BALL YOU BASKET. When guarding a player without the ball your position is BALL YOU MAN. (Position must be adjusted every time the ball moves see both player and ball, take away from all front cuts.)
4. Jump to The Ball After your player makes a pass, jump to the ball, every time. Jumping to the ball allows you to be in proper position to defend your player and help teammates.
5. Deny Penetrating Passes Deny passes to your player that takes the ball closer to the basket or towards the baseline. Make your man go without the ball.
6.Form The Flat Triangle (When defending non penetrating passes) use an open stance and point your pistols. Concentrate on the ball. Be ready to help and then decide to recover back to your player or switch to the ball. (You call the switch.)
7.Help and Decide When your player doesnt have the ball, be ready to help on the ball. Be ready to help and then decide to recover back to your player or switch to the ball. 8. Cover Down Rule When the player guarding the ball is beaten the nearest teammate stops the ball and everyone else covers down. (Rotate into the penetrtion, plug up the basket area and force the ball to be passed back outside and then recover back to normal defensive position.) 9. Block Out Execute block out responsibilities every time. When an opponent gets an offensive rebound its about the same as a turnover for your team. 10.
Communication among the players is a must for a great defensive team. Help each other, we are all in this together. Like shooting or dribbling, defense demands a proper setup. To keep yourself balanced and ready to move, stay on the balls, or front of your feet do not stand flat-footed or back on your heels. If you are not up on the front of your feet and ready to move, offensive players can easily dribble by you. Also, keep your feet as wide as your shoulders. If your feet are too close together, its harder to move quickly. Bend your knees slightly with your trunk, or backside, low.
From here on once you have yourself in position, defense is basically played with your hands and feet. Remember; stay up on the balls of your feet with your trunk low. Extend on hand down low on the ball and the other up higher to guard against a shot or pass. Other defensive skills include defending a player with the ball. When guarding an offensive player with the ball never give the offensive player a choice of direction. While defending against the dribbler stay between the ball and the basket. In the backcourt, cut the dribbler off, make the dribbler change directions. Use choppy slides keeping a wide base. In the front court, force the dribbler to the outside. Keep your hands around the ball without reaching, when the dribbler gets in shooting range the hands come up to chest height, palms facing opponent. Spring to recover, if the dribbler gets ahead of you then reestablish defensive position. Stop the offensive player with your body, feet and mind any contact should be made with the chest. When defending a live ball, a player with his dribble remaining, establish the gap (the distance between you and the offensive player) you can play defense with. Keep your inside foot up, force your opponent to your back foot usually to the middle or to their weaker hand.
Apply pressure on the ball with your forward hand but keep your stance. While playing defense keep your eyes focused through the number of the ball handle; using split vision to see the whole floor. If opponent pu …
