| Coaching basketball defense is essential for | | | | Over play them to their strong side. Force |
| all teams and organizations. Here is why. | | | | them to go where you want them to go! |
| | | | |
| Anyone can learn to play DEFENSE. | | | | Keep palms up. Make deflection moves away |
| | | | from the dribblers body. |
| There are games when the shot is not falling. | | | | |
| That happens. Yet a player can always play | | | | Don't be "all over" your opponent. Be |
| defense. | | | | deceptive. Only attempt high-percentage |
| | | | steals. |
| Here are some tips that I have passed on to | | | | |
| young players. | | | | Guarding the Shooter |
| | | | |
| Determination | | | | Keep both hands up and moving. |
| | | | |
| Desire and hustle are a must for a good | | | | Never leave the floor until after the shooter |
| defensive player. You gotta love a player who | | | | does. |
| never rests on defense. Any player can give | | | | |
| effort like this on the court. | | | | Deflect the ball as the shooter brings it up |
| | | | from their dribble. |
| Hey - if you want to rest, rest on offense! | | | | |
| | | | Vision (Use of the eyes) |
| Position | | | | |
| | | | Guarding the ball: Don't look at the |
| Balance is crucial....keep your weight over | | | | opponent's eyes, don't focus on the ball, |
| the ball of your feet! | | | | LOOK AT THEIR BELLY BUTTON! |
| | | | |
| Keep feet spread about shoulder width apart. | | | | Guarding opponent without the ball: Focus on |
| Defense is all about foot-work. | | | | seeing your check and the ball at the same |
| | | | time. The closer they get to the basket, the |
| Use a somewhat crouched position, bend the | | | | closer you move towards your check. |
| knees more than the back. | | | | |
| | | | Guarding the ALL-STAR Player |
| Arms should be relaxed, slightly flexed, and | | | | |
| kept moving. | | | | Don't let them get the ball - DENY the pass |
| | | | in to them. |
| Stay between your man and the basket. | | | | |
| | | | Take away their favorite spot! |
| Guarding the Dribbler | | | | |
| | | | Coaching basketball defense is vital for |
| Use a fake to get a person to stop their | | | | developing the complete player. Take the time |
| dribble when he's away from the basket. | | | | to reinforce these concepts. It will pay off |
| | | | for your team. |