Mistakes kill coaches. Baseball classifies bad defense as defensive mistakes and errors (DME). Mistakes don't equal errors. Outfielders get trapped too close to the wall and surrender extra bases. They miss the cutoff man or throw to the wrong base. They don't back up a play, allowing advance on an overthrow. And so on.
Basketball needs DME, too. Exceptional teams limit DME. In his book, Why the Best Are the Best, Kevin Eastman notes the Celtics allowed 32 points in a Finals game against the Lakers because of defensive mistakes...at the most elite level.
Of the six games we lost this season, four were by six points or less. Turnovers, missed shots, and failed free throws all contributed, but we can eliminate obvious DME and turn failure into success. There is no intent to include all possible DME.
Missed individual assignments. If you cover nobody, then you can't stay on the floor...especially when you get to high school. Take it personally.
Bad containment. Develop a feel for how close you can play to the ballhandler.
No help and rotation. (the help cannot be beaten). I saw a team lose a sectional championship by a point because of failed help and rotation (left, three layups on pass across). "The ball scores." It doesn't matter if your player doesn't score if your lack of help and rotation (help the helper) allows somebody else to score.
Bad gambles. Going for a low probability steal can surrender an easy basket. Understand the risk and reward of your decisions.
Poor communication. Defensive talk helps decision-making and intimidates. Don't allow teammates to get blown up by hard screens.
Poor conversion (offense to defense) with failed transition D.
Fouling perimeter shooters. "Never foul a jump shot." Never, ever foul a three-point shot. The top 3-point shooting team in the NBA (San Antonio) shoots 40 percent, 1.2 points per possession. The worst two teams in the NBA shoot just under 70 percent (1.4 points per possession). Do the math. Bad fouls give away points.
via Sandy Weil
Contest shots without fouling. Open shots are easier shots (above). Maintaining close defensive proximity pays dividends. In a game with fifty shots, 12 percent reduction is six fewer baskets (twelve points).
Failed blockouts. An initial offensive rebound (second chance) turns into points half the time. A third chance becomes points eighty percent of the time.
The quickest means to improvement are better shot selection and reducing DME.
Lagniappe: Coaches are responsible for adding energy at practice. The coach can never have an "energy day off."
Can’t be understated how important it is for coaches to be ACTIVE during workouts & practice. You have to get on the floor & sweat with the players. See this clip of Bulls AC Loenser working with @RyArch15 on his ‘snake’ dribble PUJ. Coach goes hard on the ‘rearview contest’! pic.twitter.com/bOwwQpysUv— Coach Liam Flynn (@coachliamflynn) February 26, 2019