Excerpts and points to consider:
1. Where do your opponent's points come from? UCONN's Geno Auriemma wants a third of the points in transition, a third from 3s, and a third from set plays. He trains the talent to do that.
“If you think that your half-court defense wins your games, you don’t understand the game. If you take film and break it down, you will find out that only 30% of your points are coming out of your set plays and the other 70% are coming in transition, second shots, and foul shots. So the transition game is what it is all about.”
-Hubie Brown
2. Transition defense begins with a mindset.
We tell our players its “one or the other.” Either you are going to the offensive boards or you are sprinting back (unless we are in a full court press).
3. No paint.
Bad things happen with paint penetration...easy shots, layups, pitch for 3, fouls. We have to keep the ball out of 'the house' to prevent those.
4. Communicate.
The guys in the back (usually the bigs) must direct traffic. Remind players that "the ball scores." You cannot 'blame, complain, deny' because your guy didn't score when defense is a collaborative effort.
“LOAD TO THE BALL” HEAVY HELPSIDE…5/4…5/3…5/2
As we are getting back, if you are not sure immediately who you are picking up, move to the middle of the floor in a help and anticipate position…it will give you a closer angle to pick up someone on the ballside…if end up defending someone opposite the ball then you are in help where you should be any way.
As we are getting back, if you are not sure immediately who you are picking up, move to the middle of the floor in a help and anticipate position…it will give you a closer angle to pick up someone on the ballside…if end up defending someone opposite the ball then you are in help where you should be any way.
5. ABCs.
Attitude, belief, commitment, discipline, effort, FOULS. Fouls occur for a myriad of reasons...defender out of position, lack of alertness, lack of aggression, hand discipline, failure, poor decision-making. Who fouls baseline runners? I see it all the time. No easy baskets means don't let the opponent or the officials beat you. Move your feet, show your hands, and use your head.
