Playing good defense will always be challenging for a basketball player. The offensive ball handler knows what he wants to do with the basketball, whereas the defensive player must react or respond to the ball handler or the offensive player who is moving without the basketball. Playing defense is instinctively reactive or responsive. whereas the offensive player can take the initiative and be one step ahead of the defensive player, who is at a decided disadvantage.
However, playing defense requires pride and urgency. The defensive player does not want the man he is guarding to score. He wants to proudly deny the player a score. The defensive player does not want to be beaten by the offensive player. The defensive player wants to return to the huddle or the bench as someone who stopped his man from scoring. The defensive player should be motivated by a sense of pride.
Playing defense also requires urgency. The defensive player must be assertive and intense. The defensive player must anticipate what the offensive player is going to do. The defensive player must be proactive, while at the same time exercising good judgement on the court.
Additionally, the defensive player must show good technique and a good understanding of what to do on the court. A defensive player has to know when to stay with his man and when to switch on defense.
Moreover, the defensive player needs to keep one eye on his man and one eye on the ball handler. It's also a good practice to stay in between one's man and the basket. Furthermore, some defenders try to deny the pass to the man they are guarding. They try to deny the inbounds pass or deny the pass into the low post. These basic skills are important.
Here are some other tips on how basketball players at any level can improve their defense.
1.When guarding a player in the corner, do not let him slip along the baseline and catch a pass for a lay up..This can happen if the defensive player does not run fast enough to catch up with the offensive player. It can also happen if the defensive player takes his eyes off of the player he is covering or the player with the basketball. If the defensive player even momentarily loses sight of the player he is guarding, the offensive player can get a head start towards the basket. Then it becomes difficult for the defensive player to catch up to the offensive player. This can result in an easy lay up.
2.When guarding against the fast break, guard the baseline in case the offensive player in the corner decides to drive towards the basket instead of shooting the three point shot. Even though the three point shot has become a big part of the NBA today, some teams still try to drive closer to the basket either along the baseline or into the lane. When teams get back on defense during a fast break, they need to get into proper position. They need to take away the baseline, so that the offensive team gets a lower percentage shot.
3.When guarding against an offensive player dribbling into the lane, only one defensive player should play help defense. One defensive player has to stay close to the rim to guard against a potential pass to a player who could score close to the rim. Playing help defense is crucial. However, if two players step up and guard a player who has dribbled into the lane, it may leave another player open close to the rim. In this case, the player with the basketball could throw an alley oop pass to a teammate. Skilled handlers of the basketball can draw in too many defenders and adeptly pass the basketball to an open player. Drawing in a defender who should stay at home with the player he is covering, can help a team score an easy basket.
4. Do not forget a player who is open for a three point shot. Sometimes a wing defender can play help defense on an offensive player who had dribbled into the lane. This may be necessary. However, if a wing defender over commits to the player with the ball, he can forget about the player in back of the perimeter that he was guarding. If this player is a high percentage three point shooter, than he can receive a pass from the ball handler and make an open three point shot. This is a challenging situation for a defender who has played help defense. A help defender has to commit to helping, but should not over commit. If he over commits to the player with the ball, then the defender may not be able to get back and contest the open three point shot. If he over commits to playing help defense, than the defender must have the speed and quickness to get back to the man he was guarding.
5.Do not fall for fakes in the low post. Sometimes a player will be dribbling the basketball with his back to the basket. He will be guarded by a defender who is trying to stand his ground and not let the ball handler get closer to the rim. The offensive player may fake towards the lane and then move the other direction and make a lay up or a bank shot. Or a player may fake towards the baseline and maneuver towards the lane and make a hook shot. If a post up defender over commits to the fake, then the offensive player has as clearer lane to the basket. The offensive player may shoot an uncontested shot in this situation. A defender needs the discipline to not over commit to the fake, so that he can continue to stand his ground and prevent an uncontested shot. Knowing what direction the offensive player tends to fake is crucial here. The defensive player needs to know the tendencies of the ball handler. Does he like to fake to his left or right? Chances are his tendencies will manifest themselves during the course of the game.
6.Put your hands up on defense as much as possible. When defensive players keep their hands up on defense, it makes it difficult for the ball handler to see passing lanes. When a defensive player has his hands up, he may be able to block a pass into the lane. Blocking a pass could lead to points in transition. Blocking a pass could lead to a four point turn around.
7.If a defensive player is screened, he needs to quickly decide to make a switch on defense or play through the screen. If a player is screened, then he needs to stay with his man or switch on defense. He needs to make the decision quickly. If he is unsure of what to do, then he will be out of position. If he is indecisive, then he will not be able to stay with his man or switch to cover another player. He will be caught in the middle. Being caught in the middle is the worst place to be defensively. If a player is caught in the middle, then he cannot stay with his man or switch with a teammate. Being quick on defense is imperative.
8.Defensive players always need to stay in front of the man that they are guarding. The traditional advice is to stay in between the player you are guarding and the basket. Or stay in between your man and the ball handler. However, a defender needs to stay in front of his man in order to guard the basket. If a player is to the side of the ball handler, then he can go by the defender. Staying to the side of the ball handler, gives the player a clear path to the basket. Staying in front of the ball handler makes it more difficult for him to dribble to the basket.
9. When contesting shots, the defensive player should jump up and not into the offensive player. When defensive players try to block a shot it is better to jump straight up. When a defensive player makes contact with an offensive player, the referee will often call a foul. Even if the defensive player's hand does not touch the shooter's arm, the referee will call a foul with the body. So, if the defensive player can remember to jump straight up, this will help the player to block the shot and avoid the foul.
10.When taking a charge, the defensive player has to establish position. When the defensive player takes a charge, he has to make sure he gets in front of the ball handler and stops moving. Shuffling the feet is very important on defense. However, once a person has slid into position, the defensive player must remain stationary. Once the defensive player establishes his position, he must stop moving his feet. If the defensive player continues to move his feet, the referee will often call a blocking foul. Taking a charge is one of the best defensive plays a player can make. It shows strength, quickness and attentiveness.
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