10 Defensive Commandments For Basketball

1. We will Master our Footwork.
   Use quick feet to stop ball penetration. Trust the reach step. Stop penetration with feet and NOT the hands.  Having ready and active feet will eliminate fouls.
2. We will be Disciplined.
   Do not bite on shot fakes, jabs, or pass fakes but check all shots.  Control the eyes…watch the ball handler’s midsection, stay in a stance, and always see the basketball when off the ball.
3. We will Communicate Everything.
   Shot, loose, dead, screen…nothing will be assumed.  You must talk on everything your thinking.  This is the glue of our defense… talking and reacting as a unit makes five individual players strong.
4. We will be Enthusiastic.
   Defense will be our best offense.  We must bring energy, passion, and a sense of excitement to play team defense.  Help teammates up after a charge, be positive during play and encourage defense from the bench.
5. We will NOT get Screened.
   Use elbows to hit screeners hip, grab ankle, slip through but don’t get screened. The only people that get screened are those that want to get screened.
6. We will be Physical and Aggressive.
   All cuts will be met with a legal arm bar.  Wearing down the other team with strength, numbers, stamina, and heart is our goal.  The ball will be pressured with relentless, disciplined, and intelligent aggression.
7. We will Eat the Wood.
   All loose balls will be recovered by us.  Everyone is willing to sacrifice their body for the good of the team.  Being the first person to the floor not only shows heart but demonstrates to our opponents that they will be out-hustled.
8. We will Eat the Glass.
   A ball in the air should be considered a loose ball as the more determined and fundamental player will usually win the rebounding war. It doesn’t take talent, it takes heart.  It doesn’t take height and jumping, it takes fundamentals, technique and desire.   Hit your man, release, locate and rebound with two hands.  Our rebounding attitude should be hostile, agile and nasty.
9. We will be in Good Position.
   Always be in position to take a charge.  Predict movements before they happen, see the ball, get to the help line.  Use great reactionary vision. When guarding the ball, your eyes are sealed to their midsection. Set your feet to take a charge, stay in your stance, and be ready to rotate.
10. We will Rely on Each Other.
    Stunting, scrambling, rotating, getting deflections, tips, loose balls and taking charges.  Talk from the bench, acknowledge players coming out of the game.  We are only as strong as our weakest player.

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Darren Barndt

Master's in Educational Leadership from Roosevelt University-2007

Bachelor's in History Education from Southern Illinois University at Carbondale-1993
Sophomore Boy's Basketball Coach: 14 years, Lake Forest High School
Varsity Assistant Boy's Basketball Coach, 2 years, East Richland High School
Varsity Boy's Basketball Head Coach, 2 years, Kansas High School

Co-Founder:"847 Hoops"A non-profit basketball camp that serves 100 kids each summer at no cost. http://www.847hoops.com

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