Here are 25 great, fundamental tips to playing defense. Go over this thoroughly with your players from time to time so they stay fresh on the tenets of good defense.
Defense is the most consistent phase of basketball. A team can have a bad shooting night, but they should never have a bad night on the defensive end of the court.
1) Take pride in your defensive ability. Make up your mind to stop your man. Keep saying, “I must stop my man from scoring!” — do not depend on your teammates to bail you out. Remember defense is a state of mind!
2) Play with rock solid fundamentals. Keep your nose on the ball, maintain a low center of gravity. Be lower than your opponent. Force the player to his weak side. Keep your hands active and play the angles.
3) Hustle. It pays off. Aggressive basketball is winning basketball.
4) The defender closest to the rim is the defensive quarterback. That defender calls the switches and alerts teammates to ever-changing situations. Every player must be a good communicator.
5) It takes guts, determination, plus physical and mental toughness to stop a scorer. Be determined to continually improve your individual defense now…tomorrow may be too late.
6) Failure to pressure the ball loses games. If you turn your back, the other team is going to score. Be determined to stop the quick cuts to the rim. Get a piece of the cutter. Bump that player and be physical.
7) When the opposing team shoots, block out your assignment. Go up strong and rebound with both hands. Secure the rebound and come down strong with the ball. Chin the ball, and get the elbows out. Do not tap a defensive rebound unless that is the only way you can get a hand on it.
8) Hustle. It is that intangible factor that makes a superior player out of one with average ability.
9) Maintain your poise and stay cool. Foolish fouls are made by foolish, out-of-position players.
10) See both the ball and your man. Keep your head on a swivel. If you lose sight of your man, go to the basket and you will find him.
11) Punching upward. If you punch at the ball — punch upward and do it with a closed fist.
12) Never underrate your opponent. Play the opposition as hard and as tough as possible. If your opponent is weak, be ready to sag and help.
13) Speed is important, but you can substitute brains for speed. Anticipate. Think and always be ready to help a teammate.
14) Keep the ball out of your “house.” Do not let the opponent get the ball into the middle of your defense. Sag, float, plug it up…do anything to keep the ball out of the middle!
15) Make you man shoot over you — never let him go around you. When playing a good shooter, make that player put the ball on the court and drive. When playing a good driver, give that player another half step. If the player is not a shooter, sag and be ready to help out your teammates.
16) Plug the lane. If your defensive assignment is two or more passes away from the ball, get into the lane and plug it up.
17) Ignore pass fakes and shot fakes. Stay lower than the opponent and leave you feet when the opponent leaves his or her feet, not before. Keep your eyes on the numbers on the chest. If the numbers don’t go anywhere, the player isn’t going anywhere.
18) Force low. When guarding a post player in the post, force that player lower. When he or she is playing high, force that player higher away from the rim. Be the dominator in the middle.
19) Force to the lines. When guarding the dribbler, force to the sideline or baseline, where a trap or double-team might occur. Keep your nose on the ball and stay lower than the ball handler.
20) If you are the only player back defensively, protect the rim. Give up a jump shot, but not the layup. Fake at the ball and try to make the dribbler pick up the dribble. Try to force at least two passes because by then defensive help should arrive.
21) When the player you are guarding shoots, do no turn immediately and follow the flight of the ball. Watch the shooter and if the player goes to rebound, then pivot and block out, staying between the player and the rim.
22) Jump to the ball and the rim when the ball is passed. Move every time the ball moves. Never let a player pass and then cut between you and the ball.
23) Never relax on defense. Never play flat-footed while playing defense. Stay low, stay in a stance and be lower than your opponent.
24) Anticipation & aggression. Hustle, fight, talk, be alert, anticipate and be the aggressor. Intimidate your opponent.
25) Be in the best shape of your life. Be a tireless worker on the defensive end. Adopt a positive attitude, have confidence in your ability to stop anyone. Those who play defense will play!
