Defense is just as important as offense. Any basketball player that only thinks about scoring points, is only half a basketball player. Likewise, any basketball team that only emphasizesoffensive plays withoutbeing equallycommitted toplaying defenseis only half a team. The reasoning behind this is simple:It does you no good to score20 points in the first five minutes of a basketball game, if your opponent scores 35. In order to win a basketball game, you want to get ahead in score and stay ahead. You can only do this consistently by emphasizing defense as much as offense. The purpose of this article is to highlight some fundamental principlesabout playing defense in basketball that every basketball player, regardless of level, should know.
You need to have the "right attitude."
When playing defense in basketball, you cannot layback and let the team with the ball do as it pleases. You must get very aggressive, outfight the offense. At every opportunity, take the initiative away from the offense, break up anddisrupt their offensiveattack. As you know, to score in basketball, you have got to have the ball. To get the ball, you have got to battle basketball it. A few ways that you can prevent the opposing team from executing their offense is by stealing the ball, by interception of passes, by controlling the backboards, by fighting through screens, by forcing held balls, by putting constant pressure on the offense. Without pressure, the offense will easily run one play after another. With pressure, it will make bad passes, commit walking violations, miss easy shots and lose confidence. This forcing of the offense is at the very heart of good defensive play. And that applies to any basketball team or to any individual basketball player.
Establishing the correct stance on defense.
When on defense, you should have your feet a little better than shoulder-width apart, toes pointing straight ahead, heels off the floor slightly. Your knees should be flexed, and your trunk inclined forward. To move sideward, you should never cross your legs. At the end of the movement, your feet should be at the original width.
If an opposing player fakes a shot, you should never, never leave your feet. If he fakes a drive, simply drop straight back a step until you are sure of what he is going to do. Should the offensive man-and we still assume he has the ball-be a faster player than you, play him looser than usual. If he is slower than you, close in a bit. An outside shooter wants to be played closer than aplayerwhose best weapon is a driving layup.
Study your opponent
When you are assigned to guard an opposing player, study him carefully. Find out where he is strong, where he is weak. Take advantage of your opponent's weaknesses. Force him off the strong part of his game. This is notas difficult as it sounds. For example, you will find that many players can only dribble or shoot with one hand (right-handed, or left-handed.)
If you are playing a man who does everything with his right hand, favor that side with your defensive position. In other words, if he dribbles with his right hand, force him to go to his left. When you constantly force this player to go to his weak side, you are hindering his play considerably; and,consequently, you will probably cause him to lose his composure.
When you are playing an offensive man who does not have the ball, try to be in a position to intercept passes, but do not be so close as to give him a chance to get behind you.
Guarding the Dribbler
As a defensive player you should try not to slap at the dribbler as he goes by.Youshould turn and go with the dribbler, get one step ahead and deflect or steal the ball by reaching underneath the dribbler's hands with the inside hand. If this tactic fails, you should wait for the dribbler to either shoot or stop before you make another defensive move. If the offensive player attempts a jump shot, close with him as he puts both hands on the ball--stop the shot before it gets started.
On a layup, reach over with the outside hand and try to block the shot at the top of the offensive player's jump. Do this without making contact. If you make contact, the shooter may get the field goal and a free throw. If you don't make contact he will only have the opportunity for two points. The other alternative, of basketball would be to block the shot.
Stopping the Give-and-Go
A pass and an immediate cut to the basket is the oldest maneuver in offensive basketball. Called the "give-and-go," it sometimes causes a defensive player trouble.
The difficulty usually stems from two faults:
The guard turns his head to watch the ball. When he does that the offensive man cuts behind him and easily takes a return pass.
The guard remains flat-footed as the cutter goes by.
On the give-and-go, you as the defensive man should take a quick step backward and keep your eyes glued to the cutter's midriff. The step back will giveyou a chance to find out which way the cutter is going to go--the ball side, or the far side. By watching the cutter's midriff, the guard can't be faked out of position. Despite tricky head, shoulder and hand movements, a cutter's stomach will indicate his direction.
If the cutter goes to the ball side, you should turn and go with the cutter. Ifyou can get one step ahead, you will have a chance of intercepting the pass, or getting a held ball.
If the cutter goes to the far side, you should turn that way, stay half a step ahead of the cutter and look for the pass. He is now on the inside and can easily be intercepted.
Blocking out after a shot
Defending after the shot is similar to defending against the give-and-go. If you are guarding the shooter, you should anticipate a drive for the rebound.
As with the give-and-go, you should take a step backward and watch the shooter's midriff. As the shooter begins to break in for the rebound, you should turn directly in front of him. You do not hold the shooter off physically until about 10' from the basket. Then you hold your ground and hope that the ball reboundsyourway. Naturally, if all five defensive men "block out" on shots from long or medium range, they will have the best opportunity to catch rebounds because each will hold an inside position.
Blocking out should be attempted whether you are playing a man with, or without the ball. If your man does not drive to the basket, however, do not stay on the outside too long. Go in and help out. Since you will out number the opposing team, you will have a good chance to get the ball.
Defending after a foul shot
There is one positive rule about attempting to recover a foul shot from the defensive basket. Someone must always cover the shooter. If this rule is not followed, the ball may hit the outer rim, bounce right back into the shooter's hands and present him with an easy field goal attempt. Instead of losing a point, he is apt to gain two.
So, as you line up with your teammates, be sure someone- usually the last man on the line-steps directly in front of the shooter as the ball hits. If the ball bounces straight back, your team will have it.
When lining up on the foul line at either basket, be certain the man next to you-especially if he is taller-does not hook his arms over yours. If he does, you will never have a chance at the ball.
And remember, when at the defensive basket, do not tap the ball on the rebound, catch it. And, do not pass across the lane to start the offense up court. Go directly forward, or to the sideline.
Switching on defense
Switching is one way toprevent cross-court screens. In the man-for-man defense, it is smart to point to the man you are guarding since switching is a possibility. When there is an easy and obvious opportunity to change assignments, the players should yell "switch" and point to the man being picked up. Remember, switching can only be effective against lateral movement. It will not work against direct cuts to the basket.
There is one obviousdanger to the switching tactic: If one of the two defensive players involved fails to switch, two men are going to be guarding the same offensive player, while one offensive man will be running free. Do not yell "switch" unless you are sure your teammate can and will make the switch with you.
Take-Home Defensive Tips
Never stop pressing the offense. In other words, don't quit!
Never tip the ball as it comes off the defensive basket. Always catch it.
Never pass the ball across the back lane. Take it away from the lane. First, by a quick pass out to a breaking teammate. Second, by dribbling.
When playing in the man-for-man defense, always stay between your opponent and the basket.
If you think you are being screened, close up on your man and fight through. If you are being used to screen out a teammate, loosen up and let your teammateslide through and be alert to the possibility of a switch.
If your man gets one shot and misses, do not let him get a second attempt.
When playing two men, remember that the man closest to the basket is the most dangerous.
At all times, "help out" the rest of your teammates on defense.
If the man you are guarding has the ball, you should stretch one hand up (with fingers spread) to block a possible shot. The other hand should be stretched sideward. (Usually the sideward hand is the hand that is to the "inside" of the court. In other words, if you are located to the right of the court, your right hand is up, left hand sideward. )
The position of your head as a defensive player when guarding an opponent is extremely important. You want to see the ball and as much of the basketball court and offensive players as possible. To do this, you should make full use ofyour peripheral vision (sometimes called "split" vision).
How important it is for you to learn the fundamentals of playing defense as a basketball player cannot be emphasized enough. Remember, offense win games but defense win championships.
You can find FREE, exclusive basketball resources including basketball videos on how to improve your basketball skills by visiting http://www.basketball-drills-and-tips.com
