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Sunday, February 9, 2025

Basketball- Common Defensive Issues and Fixes

Blanket statements about fundamentals both overstates and understates problems. In Why the Best Are the Best, Kevin Eastman shares that in a playoff win, the Celtics allowed 32 points through defensive mistakes and errors. Younger, less trained, less experienced players make far more.

For youth coaches, expecting consistency will only cause frustration. Learn to deliver teachable moments. 

Basketball isn't like some other sports which allow for specialization as a defender (e.g. baseball defensive replacement) or offensive player (designated hitter). 

Errors occur in stance, position, execution, and more. 

Let's review a few and suggest corrections. 

1) Stance 

Players need footwork, balance, and maneuvering speed. Many high school players play too 'upright', limiting footwork and balance. "It's a shoulders game. The low man wins." Ultimately, players must learn to defend "live" although here's a Coach K drill. 

Note that defenders can't only slide step, anymore than NFL cornerbacks do. Teach "hip turn and run."  

2) Vision 

"See both." Head on a swivel, players who are marked "head turners" lose sight of the ball or their cover. 

3) Pressure and contain the ball. 

Defense starts with disrupting the offense. That begins by disallowing dribble or pass penetration via on-ball defense. On-ball defenders should assume an attitude of attacking the ball. Nose on the ball..."don't back down" and no "dead man's defense" (six feet under). Make the dribbler uncomfortable with proximity, fakes, and poking at the ball. 

Everyone plays defense with Kevin Eastman's "dog drill." 


4) Excessive fouling 

"Turnovers kill dreams" and fouls are a type of defensive turnover. Remind players to "show your hands" and "don't swipe down." What looks like a foul will usually get called. Fouling perimeter shots and three-point shots change harder shots into easier (free throws) ones. Watch "frustration fouls" in every high school game. A player takes a bad shot or commits a turnover and then quickly doubles down on the error. 

As Kevin Sivils says, "foul for profit." Reinforce avoiding bad fouls. 

5) Athleticism

Sport rewards athletic explosiveness. Not everyone is gifted with superior quickness, strength, or conditioning. All make a defender better. Jumping rope, squats, lunges, and plyometrics all belong in your program. Unathletic teams are going to struggle even with positive fundamentals. 

Here's a good link to lateral quickness exercises. 

— Michael Jagacki (@Mike_Jagacki) June 26, 2024 

6) Communication

Communication impacts defenses in many ways. Communication energizes, recruits teammates, and intimidates. You've heard it many times - ELO - early, loud, and often. "Silent teams lose." 

It's impossible to defend complex offenses with on and off-ball screening and urgent cutting without excellent communication. 

Lagniappe. A version of "blind pig..." 

Lagniappe 2. "Same side" dribble defeat with hesitation, blow by, and "in and out" dribble.  A great view of a Tatum move... 

Lagniappe 3.  Teach players to compete. 

  

 

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