Basketball DefenseHow to Play DefenseBasketball Defensive FundamentalsDefensive Basketball is key to overall play. When you present a threat to the offense, they play differently and make mistakes.
Stay low. Your feet should be shoulder-width apart. Your hands should be up and out at 45 degrees about chest height.
In the open court beat your opponent to a spot where they want to go. This forces them to change their direction or pace.
Play tight defense on your opponent. Get close to them to take them out of their comfort zone.
Force your opponent out of the middle and to the side. This is done by playing slightly to one side of them.
Know which hand is your opponent's weak hand. Do your homework or pick it up quickly at the start of a game.
Overplay your opponent's strong hand side to force them to dribble the ball with their weak hand. Anytime you can crack their confidence, you gain an advantage. Be pro-active on defense, not re-active.
Avoid backpedaling against the dribbler on a fast break. Instead, go to the dribbler to force an early decision. This is a great example of being pro active.
Do not open up too much when taking a drop step on your defensive slide. Remember to keep your high foot's heel in line with low foot's toes. This a great tip from a successful college coach.
If your opponent beats you, pick out a spot down the court and run hard to get back in front of them before that spot. Angles are crucial if you dont have blazing speed or quickness.
When defending the ball, keep the lead hand high and the follow hand low. This allows you to harass the pass and dribble. Too many players drop their hands and try to react to a pass.
Basketball Defense is about position and strategy. Practice these skills and you will win.
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