Defense wins championships. At any level, in any league, defense is the difference maker. Most basketball games are decided by 10 points or less so we are talking about anywhere from three to five possessions that determine the final outcome of most basketball games. I have said it before and I’ll say it now, if you bring a good offensive game you can be a star, if you bring a good defensive game you can be a winner.
We know that to be successful at defense you must be conditioned and mentally tough because of the nature of basketball as well as the proficiency of today’s offensive players everyone will be scored upon. Just remember the outcome of the contest will be decided by a few possessions and the smart, resilient defender will prevail. Defense is often painful and not very glamorous. Basketball was always meant to be a two-way sport so it is to the advantage of the individual player and team to have a sound defensive philosophy, attitude, and approach.
Ballers of all ages and levels of competition subscribe to and read Basketball Online Magazine to get information that will help them play, coach, and understand the nuisances of the game better. Depending on your level of experience you may have been taught some of what I am about to share. However, I hope to reinforce the positive teachings while giving you some very valuable techniques and insight into effective defensive play.
Playing defense on the perimeter is very different from inside defense but let’s start with the basics of a good defensive stance no matter where you find yourself on the court. Feet shoulder width apart with weight resting on the balls of your feet. Bend your knees and drop your bottom to a point that when you look down you can no longer see your toes. One hand extended out on a plane along the side of one knee while the other hand is extended out on a plane from the chest area. From this position you can move forward, retreat or jump with little or no wasted motion.
Most good offensive players get a “lot of mileage” out of the triple threat position. Every good defensive player gets maximum benefit from the defensive position I described above. Many times when a defensive player gets beat off the dribble it is because he/she has broken down (no longer has a good defensive stance). From this position the defensive player can also launch to challenge a shooter’s jump shot and we all know that most good shooters aren’t as good with a hand in their face. It is very important to perfect your slide step from “the” defensive stance. The player who drags his feet or gets to much air under the balls of the feet while executing the slide step will not be able to stay in front of the play.
Finally, while playing “on ball” defense, my focus was the torso of my opponent - not the feet, head, shoulders or even the ball. All of those things I could see out of the periphery of my vision. What worked very well for me was to focus on keeping my body between my opponent and the goal. I have seen many defensive players use other reference points and the result was usually the same… the defensive player would be faked into a different time zone or trip over their own feet.
Which brings us to what is the correct distance to defend from? There is no hard and fast answer to this question. There are many variables including; distance from the basket, speed, maneuverability, and ball handling skill of the offensive player. Generally speaking if you don’t have a scouting report on your opponent 24 to 36 inches should be an adequate cushion. This gives the offensive player a challenge in getting past the defensive player but also puts the defensive player in a position to close the gap on most shot attempts.
Hand-checking is allowed on most levels of basketball play to one degree or another. Often a defensive player is allowed to place a hand on the offensive player for a fraction of a second. Most players will do it to establish the distance from which they will defend. The best defenders raise hand-checking to an art form. Boston Celtic great Tom “Satch” Sanders often used the hand –check to control and manipulate the players he defended. By the time the game ended I would be sore from the consistent and periodic hand-checks (jabs) to the side from Satch, each one placed precisely at the same point.
I learned to use the hand check as another set of eyes the hard way. Once while playing in a college All-Star game I was back-picked down on the blocks, .as I rolled of the pick to cover my man I failed to extend my arms in an effort to “see” him. The result was the player, who standing beside me, received a pass from the point and dropped in a layup to win the game. After that I developed a hard and fast rule that I want to share with you. Anytime your opponent drops below your shoulder reach out with your hand until you make contact and “see” him and then make the appropriate positioning adjustment. If you don’t you may find yourself on the wrong end of a poster shot. NBA legend and great Spencer Haywood, an extremely gifted offensive player and excellent defensive player used his hands and arms to create what appeared to be a fence that extended from horizon to horizon discouraging anyone who even thought of driving around him.
There is so much to cover when talking defense, and this is just a sample. Hopefully you will find something useful in what was shared here. If you looking to win an important game get more playing time or just bragging rights try turning up the D.
