Basketball Defense Hints

A good basketball defense will save you on the nights when your offense is sputtering. If your team has been well prepared to meet the offensive situations of your opponents, you can always go on the floor confident that you will give your opposition a good contest.

Many times in the past our good basketball defense has kept us in a game the first half, when our shooters couldn't hit the end of the gym. Then in the second half, when our offense straightened out, we would win a game that, except for a good defense, we would have probably lost in the first half.

A strong basketball defense is a good psychological factor. Quite often an opponent will "freeze up" against a team who has a good defensive reputation.

In the game of basketball today, the great shooters make it imperative that you have three basketball defense styles that you can use against them. We practice these defenses at least twenty minutes each day against different types of offense. In this manner, I feel we are prepared to defend against practically any type of offense we might run up against. Needless to say, we are not always successful in defending all our opponents, but we never surrender, without first making a real fight of it.

I have always used the man-to-man defense as our basic basketball defense, and it is my sincere belief that grade school and junior high school players should be prohibited from using anything else. It has been my experience that the boy who is fundamentally well schooled in the elements of man-to-man defense can be taught to play the zone defense quite easily.

When teaching the man-to-man defense, I teach our boys to be very aggressive. We don't stand passively back, and allow the offensive man to take charge. Instead, we are constantly putting on the pressure, guarding our opponents so closely that we force them into making mistakes that costs them possession of the ball. Teach the boys to "watch the man's belt-buckle," not his eyes, when he is playing basketball defense. His man can't move in any direction without taking his "belt buckle" along, his eyes will lie to you.

When playing the aggressive man-to-man defense, you must always caution the boys about gambling for the interception. The man never lived who could consistently gamble on basketball defense, trying for the interception, and not seriously hinder his team's chances for victory. In a crucial situation, the "gambler" will try for the interception and allow his opponent to score the decisive basket. All you want your defensive men to do, is put the pressure on the opponent so that he will hurry his passes, make mistakes in dribbling, or shoot long, hurried shots. If they do any of these things adequately you will have a tough defense.

I like to keep my boys talking while on basketball defense. A hustling, defensive ball club, will always be helping each other by calling the "pick," "stay," and "switch" to their teammates. The continuous chatter also quite often has a demoralizing effect upon the offensive team, bothering their shooting, and upsetting their poise.

We do not work much on the switch, but we expect our players to do so if they are completely taken out of the play.

Our basketball defense is called HELP. We have our players yell "help" when they get into trouble and the player closest to the play, preferably between the ball handler and the basket, picks up the loose man.

After the boys master the fundamentals of playing basketball defense, you can concentrate on the rebound. I feel the big secret to defensive play is to cut down on the number of second shots that your opponents have. The only effective way to do this, is to set up a very tight defensive rebounding triangle, that I refer to as the "cup." I have explained the techniques of rebounding in chapter IV.

Always stress to your boys, "never give up on basketball defense." We have all observed on many occasions a boy missing a layup when he was miles ahead of the "pack." The hustler, who never concedes a basket will capture that rebound for you, and he will capture a lot of ball games for you, too.

Let's not kid ourselves, the art of basketball defense has been lost in the era of the great shooters. The newspapers write about the guy who threw in thirty points. The headlines are never there for the boy who runs his legs off to keep his man from scoring ten points. To revive this lost art takes a real selling job. I feel you must first sell the kids. Call them into your office and tell them how you feel about defense, and how you can always use the boy who is the good defensive player. You must then publicize the idea of defense in the newspapers. I have found that most sportswriters will be happy to give the defensive star some print when he finds out how important the coach feels this information is to the general well-being of the team.
 
Here are the basic points that you should stress when teaching basketball defense.

1. A basket saved is the same as a basket earned.
   
   
2. Desire and determination are 50% of basketball defense. The rest is footwork and know-how.
   
   
1. If you can't, or don't want to play basketball defense, do something else around the school. I don't need you.
   
   
3. Your defensive performance will carry the same importance with me, as your offense.
   
   
4. If you must rest, rest on offense; never on basketball defense. The reason is obvious. On defense, you don't know what the other team is going to do. On offense you know what you are going to do, so you might find a few seconds to relax.
   
   
5. If you "shut your man off," you have done a 100% job. Your objective should be:
   
   
1. To cut down his number of shots.
2. To cut down his percentage by not giving him a good shot.
3. Put the pressure on the play, make your opponents work the options.
   
   
6. Overplay your opponent's strength.
7. Take pride in your basketball defense. I give much credit for a job well done.

Here is a good example of an excellent driver getting by the defensive man on the baseline. The defensive man also fouled the man on the play.

II. Stress guarding man -with the ball.

1. Develop the running stride.
   
   
1. This maneuver is used for speed in changing from offense to the initial position on basketball defense.
   
   
   
   
2. Develop the approach step.
   
   
   1. This maneuver is used to move from the initial defensive position or from a loose or retreated position to the stance or guarding position.
   2. This is not a guarding position, but a preparatory one to get you ready and into guarding stance.
   3. The approach step must be a quick slide and glide.
   4. Don't lunge or jump into your stance.
      
      
3. Develop the stance.
   
   
   1. Keep your inside foot up. Open your stance to the side and baseline to stop the baseline drive.
   2. The weight must be equally distributed. Keep your tail down and the center of gravity low. Keep the knees bent.
   3. Keep a hand up in your opponent's face. Have the elbows bent to facilitate quick movements of the hands.
   4. Look always at the belt buckle, and not the eyes. Your opponent must take his buckle with him, his eyes will lie to you.
   5. Stay reasonably steady. Don't make too many lateral movements or adjustments. Meeting fakes only will lead you to trouble.
      
      
4. Develop the attack step.
   
   
   1. This step is used to move from the stance to a closer and more aggressive guarding position.
   2. This step is also used to block the shot or force your man into a move he would rather not make such as a hurried pass, shot, or pivot.
   3. Slap at the ball with a quick upward hand action as you slide in to a close position.
   4. Move quickly. Be light on your feet, avoiding the jump or lunge. Your foot action is similar to that of the boxer's movement, sliding the lead foot forward, followed quickly by the rear foot.
      
      
5. Develop the retreat step, both left and right.
   
   
   1. This step is used when the offensive player moves from a shooting to a ball handling or driving position.
   2. The purpose of this step is to establish a position of readiness in order to get in motion with your man on a drive for the basket.
   3. Slide back with the rear foot, moving the weight to the rear.
      
      
6. Develop the slide or glide step.
   
   1. This step is used to move or get in motion in the path of the offensive man.
   2. Slide and glide in a smooth motion; don't bob up and down.
   3. Don't cross your feet.
   4. Play the ball on the dribbler with the near hand coming up from underneath. Don't reach over the arms of the offensive man on the shot or dribble. You will foul when you reach over.
   5. Keep the trunk rather erect with only a slight bend at the waist.
   6. Give ground reluctantly. Fight your opponent but don't foul him.
   7. Don't let your man drive the baseline on the dribble.
   8. If your man gets away, pick up your teammate's man.
      
      
      
      Here is an excellent example of outstanding defensive play. #32 has timed his leap so that he has successfully deflected the lay-in. Notice too, that #41 has successfully blocked out his opponent.
      
      
7. Develop stopping the shot.

1. How to stop the set shot.
   
   
1. Keep your hand in your opponent's face; move in close.
2. Be aggressive; hurry your opponent's shot.
3. Yell at the shooter.
4. Always box out after the shot; then go for the rebound.
   
   
2. How to stop the lay in.
   
   
   1. Come up from underneath with the nearest hand.
   2. If you are taller than your opponent, throw up both hands to smother the shot.
      
      
3. How to stop the jump shot.
   
   
   1. Stop the shot before it is launched, by putting your hand on the ball as your opponent gathers in the ball prior to his jump.
   2. Box out after the shot, then go for the rebound.
      
      
4. How to stop the hook shot.
   
   
   1. Reach with nearest hand, and yell at the shooter.
   2. Nearby players must help from the side and front, especially on post hooks.
   3. "Box out" after the shot; then go for the rebound. A post hooker is easily "boxed out." You are responsible for your man until your team is in possession of the ball.

III  Stress guarding the man without the ball.

1. General points to remember when defensing the man without the ball.
   
   
1. Basketball defense starts on your man before he gets the ball as well as after he receives the ball.
2. Be aggressive, it will get the ball for you and your team.
3. Don't let your man receive a pass or handle the ball freely when in scoring territory. Put the pressure on him. If you allow the post man to handle the ball freely, you will more likely lose the game.
4. An aggressive basketball defense is a five man proposition. It will force your opponents into making mistakes.
5. If your man gets away, pick up another man quickly.
6. Always double team your opponent under the basket to stop the short shot.
7. Be alert for screens. The man playing the ball has the right of way, give him room. Step back and help him through if necessary.
8. Always talk. Switch on screens if necessary.
9. Loosen up after your man passes off.
10. Box out after the shot; then go for the rebound. Keep in mind, he is your man until your team has gained possession.
    
    
2. Stress body position.
   
   
1. Stay between the man and the basket, but favor the inside, or the middle of the court. Force your man away from the best offensive areas.
2. Don't be a head turner. Practice split vision.
3. Play your man tight in the scoring areas. Loosen up when he is out of these areas.
4. The farther away from the ball, the farther you may sag away from your man.
   
   
3. Stress the stance.
   
   
   1. Feet comfortably spread;  about the width  of the shoulders is the good rule of thumb for the defensive man to follow.
   2. Keep your knees bent with the back nearly erect and the head up.
   3. Keep the arms outstretched with the elbows slightly bent. Be ready for the interception.
   4. Always stay relaxed so you won't freeze to a spot.
      
      
4. Stress footwork.
   
   
   1. Slide and glide; don't bob up and down. This will enable you to change directions quickly.
   2. Avoid the cross over step.
   3. "Dog" your man, bother him, talk to him.
   4. "Box" your man out.
   5. When you reverse with the lead foot, swing the shoulder around to help shift your weight.

IV Stress the importance of a good team defense.

1. A weak basketball defense places too much of a burden on your offense.
2. Your basketball defense must be your stabilizer. It must always be steady. You must have a good defense, especially on the road.
3. A good defense can win or keep you in every game.
4. A good basketball defense is a good offense.
5. It is a means of protecting a well earned lead.
6. It demoralizes opponents.
7. Your team defense is no better than your individual defense. You must not have any weak cogs. A good basketball defense is a five man proposition, with individual responsibility.
8. Half of your time in a game is spent on basketball defense. Certainly then, you should consider it as important as your offense.
9. Your objective is to hold your opponents to fifty-five points or less.

V. General description of the team defense.

1. I feel the man-to-man team defense, is the best basketball defense to use against most set offenses.
2. A switching man-for-man is used. Switch only when necessary.
3. This basketball defense is used more than any other, so each player is expected to master it completely.

VI. The team defense starts while on offense.

1. Practice ball control.
   
   
   1. You must have good passing.
   2. Try to make no mistakes that will cause you to lose the ball.
      
      
2. Practice defensive balance.
   
   
   1. This is necessary on all offensive situations. This is why we run our continuity offense.
   2. The back men must be defense conscious.
      
      
3. Offensive rebounding and tying up opponents is a major part of our team defense.

 
VII How to form a team defense.

1. Quickly changing ends of the court in an organized manner is the secret to good basketball.
2. The "fast break" must be used in changing from offense to basketball defense.
3. The three inside men rebound; the two back men "fly back" to stop the fast break.
   
   
   1. The first man back on basketball defense goes to a position under the basket to stop the layup.
   2. The second man back, goes to the head of the circle to stop the ball and complete the tandem.
      
      
4. All men must watch the ball while hustling back on basketball defense.
5. Zone it under the basket to stop the close shot if out numbered by your opponents. Form the basketball defense from the goal out and fight the opponent until help arrives.
6. The first men back on basketball defense, cover the first men down when equal in number, regardless of defensive assignments. Concentrate on stopping the fast break.

VIII. You must play your man and the ball.

1. Never take your eye off the ball while covering your man. Use peripheral vision.
2. Be alert, and always ready to intercept. Be a "ball hawk" but don't take foolish gambles.

IX  You must play the ball handler tight when he is in scoring position.

1. As the ball is moved outside, the defensive man on the ball plays tight to cut down outside shooting and to hurry passes.
2. Other players must sag away from the ball in order to keep the basketball defense compact.
3. Force the opponents to pass around the outside of your basketball defense. Don't let them penetrate your massed defense with passes or drives.

X You must prevent the ball from going to the post man.

1. The defensive center plays in front of the post man when he is playing deep.
2. Men away from the ball sag to converge on the post man.
3. Play the ball handler tight and bother him on passes to the post.
4. Two-time the post man whenever possible to stop shots and prevent him from passing off.

XI You must shift on block plays when necessary.

1. Be alert for screens. Deep men must call the play and initiate the switch when necessary.
2. Use "switch" and "switch back" as the signal when changing defensive assignments.
3. A talking defense is a smart and cooperative defense.

XII You must scissors whenever possible.

1. This will help you avoid screens and stop set shots. 
   

1. Always double team to stop the open shot.
2. If your man breaks by you, look for another open man. The man you will often switch to cover is the center.

XIV You must box out and rebound.

1. The second and third shot will kill you.
2. Tell your boy he must expect to get banged around a little under the boards. Tell him to be aggressive and rugged underneath.
3. He must "box out" all of the time. His first responsibility is to block out and then go for the ball.
4. He is responsible for his man, until his team gains possession of the ball.
5. He must throw the quick "outlet pass" when he clears the rebound.

XV He must always check the changes in the opponent's line-up.

1. When leaving the game he must give the name and number of his man to his substitute.
2. He must call for a jump ball line-up if it is needed. This is usually a good idea when three or more men enter the game.
3. He must never be in doubt as to ivho his man is.

Practice for getting back on defense is stressed every day. You must stress the importance of "fast breaking" both ways, to your team. I set up a regular scrimmage situation; when the whistle blows, the team with the ball drops it and hustles back on basketball defense. The other team picks up the ball, and fast breaks.

In the following diagrams I will show you some of the defensive drills that I feel are very beneficial in teaching the basic skills of individual man-to-man basketball defense. These skills, once learned can quickly be applied to zone defense principles.

ONE-ON-ONE DEFENSIVE CROSS-COURT DRILL

ZONE DEFENSE

The zone defense has a tendency to equalize physical and material, differences between teams. A large number of major upsets occur each year because of one team unexpectedly throwing a basketball defense at an unwary opponent.
On occasions a quick switch to a zone defense has upset the opposing team's offensive maneuvers and enabled us to score some quick baskets that meant the difference between defeat and victory. Many times I use the basketball defense as a surprise offensive weapon.

Another very good use of the zone defense is to keep key players, who are burdened with three or four fouls, from fouling out of a ball game. By using this kind of basketball defense, you can place the man in foul trouble away from the rough action and keep him from possible quick exit. This will often allow you to keep your front line men in the game when normally you would have to remove them.

Here, in the following diagrams, are several zone defense possibilities.
   This is a very good style of basketball defense. It is very difficult to penetrate when played properly. As the first diagram shows the defense has a natural defensive rebounding triangle. It has very good under-the-basket strength. This zone is strong down the middle and provides a good defense for an offensive pivot man. Its weaknesses are at the sides.

It is easy to set up a very strong defensive rebounding triangle.

ZONE  DEFENSE  2-3  SHIFTING ZONE

The zone swings over as the ball is passed to the side. Our baseline man has the shooter well defensed, while our defensive center is fighting to keep the ball away from the offensive post man. #54 has his man blocked away from the board. Our guards are positioning themselves to stop the sideline pass or diagonal pass.


 
2-3 ZONE DEFENSE

This zone is weak against the good pivot attack and from good outside shooting. With three men underneath it is easy to set up a good rebounding triangle and provide good strength under the basket.
 

This diagram shows the rotation of the men when the ball goes into the corner.
 
In this diagram, the strong-side wing man has to go out to stop a scoring threat, so the middle man covers the corner, and the weakside wing man covers the middle of the court under the basket.
 
3-2 ZONE DEFENSE

When you have two very strong rebounders, and three quick men, the 3-2 zone is very good. It is an excellent zone for fast breaking as you already have your three men downcourt for the fast break.
The big weakness of this zone is in the corners and in the middle.


 
1-2-2 ZONE  DEFENSE

The 1-2-2 basketball defense is very much like the 3-2 in its strength and weaknesses. It is weak in the corners but very adaptable to the lightning fast break because of the three men down court.

BOX AND/OR THE "DOG" AND BOX

This is an unusual zone defense, but it is highly effective when the opposition has a high scoring player they depend on to carry them. The "dog" follows the star wherever he goes, attempting to keep the ball away from him, and then harassing him when he does receive it. The other four members of the basketball defense, zone the rest of the court.

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