The following defensive tips and strategies will help you become a better individual defender. Better individual defenders = better team defense. Get after it! Talk. Don't be shy. A good defender communicates with teammates on the court. Move your feet. It's hard to be a good defender if you don't move your feet. Stay between your man and the basket. This is kind of the golden rule of defense. If you're always behind your opponent, it's hard to stop him. Get a hand up on all shots. You … [Read more...]
Wide Attack Jump Ball Play
Utilize the 'Wide Attack' jump ball play when you know you will most likely win the tip and you want to get a quick score to start the game. The jumper (O5) is obviously in the center circle ready for the official's toss. The other four players form a box around the circle. Two ball handling guards should be positioned to one side ... and the tip should be controlled to that side. In this diagram, O3 and O1 are the ball handlers. On the official's toss, O5 attempts to tip the basketball to … [Read more...]
10 Situations to Play Zone Defense
Some coaches will only play zone defense and some will only play man-to-man. The smart coach will incorporate both into his or her defensive philosophy. Personally, I prefer playing a man-to-man defense but I know there are times when a zone defense can be more effective and might even be necessary. The following are 10 situations when playing a zone defense can be advantageous for your team: Playing man-to-man might highlight a team weakness that could become a strength in a zone defensive … [Read more...]
Double Double Stack Isolation
The 'Double Double Stack Isolation' basketball play begins with two double stacks, a low stack and a high stack, and it attempts to isolate two offensive players. O2 and O3 begin on a low block while O4 and O5 start on the opposite elbow. O1 dribbles to the side where O2 and O3 occupy the low post (in this diagram, it is the left side of the court). As O1 dribbles to the left wing, O2 wraps around O3 and cuts to the opposite corner. O3 pops out to the corner. At the same time O5 sets a screen … [Read more...]
Sideline Scissor Play
Two players cutting off of the inbounds receiver make this sideline out of bounds play difficult to defend. When the official hands the ball to O1, he passes it to O5 at the elbow area. If the defender plays behind O5, he should be open. If the defender plays in front, O5 could also set a downscreen for O4, who will then flash to the high post. After passing to O5, O1 will cut off of O5 to the free throw line area. At the same time, O2 will cut to the outside of O5 and down to the low block. … [Read more...]
"Y" Formation Triple Screen
The "Y" formation may not be a particular offensive set in basketball, but in this quick hitter, the players basically form a "Y"! (Actually, in this diagram, it's more like an upside-down "Y"!) Regardless, this is a simple play to install and teach and quite frequently creates an open shot! As the point guard, O1, dribbles up the floor, a triple screen is formed by O3, O4, and O5. The triple screen is being set for O2 who sets up his defender, changes direction, and then cuts off the triple … [Read more...]
Low Post Flash to the Ball Drill
Purpose: For the post player to learn and develop the skill of getting open in the low post. Drill: A coach or player starts with the basketball on the wing. The post player, O5, begins on the opposite low block. O5 fakes one way with a jab step to set up the defender and then cuts the other way toward the ball. As O5 moves into the lane, the hands should be ready to receive the ball. Once O5 receives the ball he should make a move to score such as making a power layup move, drop step, spin, … [Read more...]
Spread Inbounds Play
The Spread Inbounds Play spread the zone with the initial attempt at sealing in the low post. Additional options to seal defenders and cut open create a good scoring chance to use against a zone defense. When the official hands the ball to O4, O5 seals one of the low zone defenders and O2 cuts either high or low behind the zone. O4 is looking for O5 posting up or O2 behind the zone. If O4 cannot get the ball in, O3 will screen the outside zone defender and O5 will pop out to the corner. O3 … [Read more...]
Touchdown Pass Drill
Purpose: To practice throwing and catching the long baseball pass. This is a pass that can be used against pressure defense and may be necessary in a late-game situation. This drill also teaches the 'flyer' or receiver to bounce out and shoot a 3-pointer or long jump shot. Drill: Split the team so there is a line of players under each basket. Only one basketball is used and it is given to the first player in one of the lines. The drill initially begins with O1 tossing the ball off the … [Read more...]
20 Player Fundamentals to Break Pressure Defense
Regardless of how you decide to break and attack full court pressure, the players must learn various fundamentals that are helpful in beating pressure. Teach your players these skills and devote practice time so they will understand them and develop confidence against pressure. Here are the 20 fundamentals to be stressed: Do not waste your dribble. Dribble with a purpose Stay under control when dribbling. Out of control dribbling often leads to a turnover. Throw diagonal passes. Know where … [Read more...]