Steve Moore Transition Defense by Mark Chapman

Written by Coach Peterman

I have coached at the NCAA Division 2 (Southwestern Oklahoma State University), NAIA (USAO), and JUCO Levels (Blinn College and Carl Albert State College) as well as high school. I just felt that fellow coaches especially young coaches need to constantly work on their “game”. Just like the basketball players that we coach. We as coaches need to improve ourselves. That is my story and why I do this blog.

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Basketball Defenses

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October 18, 2013

Steve Moore Transition Defense

Steve Moore is the long time coach at College of Wooster (NCAA D-III) in central Ohio. I had the opportunity to listen to him address a group of coaches as he talked about his team’s transition defense and the emphasis they place on specific parts of the game. He also talked with our coaches about Post Defense but I will save that for another post.

The following are the breakdown of key points that were discussed.

* Have specific things you require of your transition Defense

– Designated guy to get back: Important that one guy knows he has to be the first one back

*Even if he drives & shoots

* Even if corner shot, still must get back

* Even if you get knocked into the wall, still must get back

– Don’t stop ball until someone is there to help

– Point guard gets chewed out if a layup is given up

* Rebounding

– Likes to send 4 to the offensive boards

* Crash hard on teams that don’t run transition

* 3 ½ crash: 2 man stays for long boards

* Teams that run the floor well we only send two back

– If opponent always outlets to the same person. Take that away

* Stop ball advance up the sideline

* Take away what your opponent likes to do on a regular basis

* When opponent gets defensive rebound

– Don’t gamble or “clamp” the rebounder

– Good teams will beat the jam

– MUST get back: require players to SPRINT

*emphasize; establish those habits

* Demand it!

* Sprint to the level of the ball

* Leaders

– NEED a defensive leader

– PG is leader on offense

– Many want to be offensive leaders but not on defense

* In charge of getting everybody back

* Yells at teammates to get back

– NO LAYUPS; Protect the basket

* Last guy can’t gamble too far away from the basket

* Break transition down so players understand responsibilities

– Find 3pt shooters in transition

– Be on the man when he CATCHES the ball

* 1 ft away is to far

* Easier to guard a guy when you are their when he catches

* If not the shot fake is VERY effective

– Watch for trailing big man shooting 3 in transition

* Post players use to getting back in the lane forget about trailer

* 2 on 1 transition defense

– Hedge at ball (cat & mouse)

– Contest layup with baseline hand not necessarily your strong hand

– Can try to take a charge even after a pass

– Never assume the offensive player is going to make the layup

* Good fast break teams. . .

– Have a post player sprint the floor

– Have good shooters that you can’t help off of

We have a new basketball coaching contributor in Mark Chapman He is doing an excellent job in providing basketball coaching clinic notes, basketball drills, and basketball plays. He is the Head Boy’s Basketball Coach at Hamilton Township High School in Columbus, Ohio.