Playing good defense in basketball is a lost art. Offense is the name of the game, right? Wrong! A good defensive team in basketball will almost always beat a good offensive team. Here are some tips you can use to improve your basketball defense:
1. Always remember that 75% of playing good defense in basketball is all about desire, hustle and determination. The other 25 % is technique and foot work.
2. If you are tired rest when your team is on offense. You do not want to rest when you are on defense. Why rest on offense? Because you know what your teammates are going to do and you can pick your spots to catch a quick breather. On defense you do not know what the other team is going to do so you need to be alert at all times.
3. Overplay your opponent’s strength and put pressure on the player you are guarding to make them work their options. This will cut down on the number of shots they take and lower their shooting percentage because they will be taking more bad shots.
4. Develop an approach step to more effectively move from an initial defensive position to the guarding position. Your approach step should be a quick glide into the guarding position. Never lunge or jump into your stance or your opponent may suddenly burst by you.
5. Develop your guarding position. Keep your inside foot up and open up your stance towards the side and the baseline so you are in a position to stop any drive to the baseline. Keep you knees bent and lower your center of gravity so you will be able to switch directions smoothly.
6. Keep a hand in your opponent’s face and always watch their waist, not their eyes. There waist will tell you where they are moving to next.
7. Develop an attack step to a more aggressive guarding position. Move quickly, but do not jump or lunge. Slap at the ball with a quick upward hand movement. You might steal the ball or get them to make a pass or take a shot that they did not want to take.
8. Develop a retreat step so you are ready when your opponent goes into a driving position. Slide back with your rear foot and keep your weight back. Watch their waist to see in which direction they will be going.
9. Develop a glide step to use when you need to get in the path of another player quickly. Do not cross your feet. Slide into position. Guard the other player aggressively. Do not let them drive on the dribble. Force them into a bad shot or make them get rid of the ball.
10. Stop the shot. Move in close and keep a hand in your opponent’s face. Distract the shooter by shouting at them. Be aggressive and hurry your opponent’s shot and then box out.
11. Stop the lay up. Come up from underneath with your closest hand and try to knock the ball away. This is all about timing and positioning. If you are taller than your opponent smother the shot by raising your hands high.
