Coaches Resources
Week 1 : Coaching tip. Defending the ball (Play the Man).
There is a school of thought that we must make the ball handler dribble with their weak hand. This is good idea but not to where it becomes a focus of attention. The main thing is, once we have the ball handler moving in a direction, we keep the ball heading in that direction and not allow a dribble reversal as this makes the whole defense shift.
When teaching players to defend the ball (ball handler), you must take their focus away from the ball. If the defender has the ball as the focus it is easy for the offensive player to fake the defender out of their defensive stance. Most defenders make the mistake of thinking they need to move or adjust their stance every time the ball moves.
The defender who is focused on the ball is likely to take pass fakes and break down against spin moves, jab step and crossover moves as they will be continually off balance.
Guard the “lead” leg as this is the leg that is going to beat your players. The pivot leg (foot) must stay grounded and can’t be moved until the dribble is in play (with the exception of one step moves).By keeping the “lead” leg in the middle of the defensive stance, this allows the defender to maintain a good aggressive defensive stance and pressure the ball.
Coach the players to keep their feet active, but their body calm. If their feet must move, keep their balance on the balls of their feet and ready to react and move in any direction at any time.
Teach the players “feet first” when attempting to stop an offensive ball handler. Remember the goal is to be able to react and move in any direction with equal quickness at any time. Think move the feet before any other part of the body.
The most common defensive mistake of young players on the ball is to “reach” for the ball. Feeling inadequate to stop the attacker by foot movement or lacking proper defensive footwork fundamentals to step slide and cut the dribbler off, most players try to reach and tip the ball to discourage the attacker. This option often leads to the defensive player getting beaten or a “reach” foul.
When the player must move teach them to move in quick choppy steps. This allows them to adjust quicker against a skilled ball handler who may reverse direction on the defender.
Teach “peripheral vision” awareness so that defenders can be aware of screens that may be coming to attack the defender and “alertness” so as to be aware of their position on the court.
These are some of the ideas needed to help teach good defense on the ball.
Eric Lowe,
Coaching & Development Officer.
