DEFENSIVE BASKETBALL

​DEVELOP THE DISPOSITION TO DOMINATE EACH POSSESSION 

DEFENSIVE CONCEPTS 

1. Technique 
 Proper stance, vision equals quickness, communication, awareness and move on airtime. 

2. Influence catches away from the basket, pressure ball, run with in outer 1/3. 
 All defenders are on and up the line in stance. 

3. Pressure the ball as much as possible without penetration or fouling. 
 Make the ball uncomfortable with wide, active stance, and ready hands. 

4. Deny passing lanes, protect middle. 
 Passes up from baseline, head in the lane and one step away from your man. Passes down, hand in the lane and up the line. Gap defense protects against the drive. ​

5. Defense is set up in three tiers. 
 Guard the ball, protect the gap, watch weakside. ​

​​“Concentration and mental toughness
​are the margins of victory” – Bill Russell

DEFENSIVE OBJECTIVES

1. Keep the ball out of the paint. 
 Transition, Post, Cutter Catch, Drive, Rebound. Don’t be blind on your early help and then have a quick recovery, force the extra pass. Escape the paint. Foul only for profit. ​

2. Ball pressure, shot pressure, no foul. 
 Alter or change vs. block, no rhythm shots. 

3. No direct drives or passes. 
 Force lob passes and rounded drives. 
​
4. ICE – no 2nd shots. 
 Identify, Contact, Explode to the ball. ​

“Good basketball always starts with good defense!” – Bob Knight

“Winning is more related to good defense than good offense”
– Dr. Jack Ramsay

“Stop by stop by stop. Play aggressively. Sprint back on ‘D’ and pay attention to how we’re supposed to guard as a team”
​– Gregg Popovich

​SUCCESS DEPENDS ON

1. How hard we play. 
 Every posession counts

2. Ball pressure. 
Good close-outs,
dictate where the offensive player can go.
Get into the catch, don't allow catch and shoot.
Win the first step

​3. Defensive spacing. 
 Know where the ball is and where your help is coming from. 

4. Communication. 
 Let your teammates know what is going on! 
​Talk what you're doing on defense.

4 SINS to guard against

1. Fouls 
2. Lay-Ups 
3. Straight line drives / passes 
4. Second shot opportunities.