Having a well-organized basketball defense is a goal that every basketball coach should set to his/her youth team. Coach Ron Sen describes the main defensive rules every youth team must implement.
Defensive rules are particularly important for young players. With freedom (to trap aggressively, go for steals, etc.), you need discipline. Players must know that defense gets you on the floor and keeps you there.
We are an attack defense, not a react defense. Winning offense comes via dribble penetration, post entry, and getting to the line.
Defense must take that away:
- Help your teammates defend.
- Communicate.
- Take away what the offense wants.
- Deny easy baskets.
- Make transition immediate.
- Pressure the ball.
- Keep the ball out of the lane via dribble or pass.
- Defensive rebound, “hit and get.”
- Deny post entry passes. (Front or three-quarters the post)
- Know how we defend the screen-and-roll.
- Protect the blocks and elbows (key scoring areas)
- You must always see the ball.
- Take away the cut to the ball.
- Denying ball reversals helps limit closeout situations.
- Commit only smart fouls.
- Contest all shots; never foul a three-point shot.
- Force the ball to the sideline and baseline.
- Never allow ‘gut passes’ or passes to the high post out of traps.
- Lane entry means steal, deflection, charge, blocked shot, or defensive rebound.
- Defend first with your feet not your hands.
- Fight cutters and screeners for position.
- Play post players tough on the perimeter. Make them put the ball on the floor.
- Make a difference before your player has the ball.
- You win by getting your shoulders lower than the offensive player’s.
- You must beat your assignment to half-court in transition.
- Deny the point guard initial pass (every team looks for point guard
Ron Sen, MD, FCCP @rsen01 on Twitter
