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New in the Insider Basketball Playbook

3/4 Court Two Long Play

3-Man Weave Rebounding Drill

Jump to the Ball Drill

2-on-2 Competitive Give-and-Go Drill

2-on-2 Competitive Rebounding Drill

Reversal for 3

Basketball Fundamentals 101

Fundamental Basketball Skill #5 - Shuffling

Some may use the term shuffling, others may call it sliding -- either way it is the skill of being able to move quickly and efficiently on the defense end of the basketball court.

If you play basketball, there is a pretty decent chance you will be playing defense.  Actually, it's a pretty good bet that you will be playing defense 50% of the time that you are on the court.  Therefore, it is of utmost importance that you play defense with correct techniques and fundamentals.

My personal defensive philosophy is based upon playing solid man-to-man defense in the halfcourt.  I will utilize various zones and fullcourt pressure depending on personnel, opponent, etc..., but it all starts with halfcourt pressure man-to-man defense.  It is my belief that you cannot have an effective zone defense in the first place if you have not learned the fundamentals of man-to-man.

The first step in coaching/playing great defense, and the most important defensive fundamental skill, is to learn how to slide, or shuffle.  Before shuffling can be learned, it is important to learn the defensive stance.  I teach the stance as basically the same as the basketball position, with some slight variations.  The basketball player in a defensive stance should be in a low or crouched position (lower than basketball position).  The knees should be bent (1/2 squat position) with the rear low, hips back, and the back relatively straight.  The body weight should be distributed evenly to help create good balance.  The feet should be slightly staggered, not parallel to each other.  The head should be centered between the feet to also aid in balance.  The hands should be about waist high, palms up and ready to react.  I like the palms up because it helps eliminate reaching and 'swatting down' at the ball.  Many referees will call a foul just from seeing the swatting action.  Very few fouls are ever called when the defender 'swats' up at the ball.

Once the defensive stance is learned, the shuffling movement is added.  The basketball player should learn and understand the following concepts and teaching points when practicing and playing individual defense.

• The front foot leads in the direction of where the offensive player is going.  The back foot is used to push off.  It is basically a push-pull action (push off the back foot, pull with the front foot).
• The feet should never come together or cross.  Shuffle as if there is a 5"-10" board between the feet that does not allow them to come together.
• The head should stay level.  If the head is bobbing up and down, so is the body.  If the head is falling to one side or the other, so will the body.  A head that is not consistently level or centered will negatively affect balance, quickness, and body control.
• The defensive player should be able to remain in the defensive stance or get back into the stance after reacting to any situation.
• More tips and pointers will be found in the drills below.

1. (coming soon)

John Wooden: Thinking Like a Champion
John Wooden's 'Thinking Like a Champion' has just been reissued on DVD. In this Q & A with former UCLA great Keith Erickson recorded in 1994, Coach Wooden discusses his philosophies on life and athletics.