Helena Frye
In basketball, a face guard is a defensive technique where a player uses their hand to block an opponent's view and restrict their movement. Beating a face guard requires quick thinking and a range of strategies. One approach is to drive towards the defender's hand, exploiting the fact that their foot on that side is likely closer to you, so they'll need to take a step back, creating an opportunity for a crossover and drive to the basket. Backdoor cuts and screens can also be effective, enabling easy buckets or forcing a switch. Communication with teammates is key, letting them know you'll set back picks or pin downs can create advantages as your defender may be slow to react.
Techniques to beat a face guard in basketball:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Drive towards the defender's hand side | If the defender is using their right hand for face guarding, drive towards their right side. This will make them take a step back, creating an opportunity for a crossover and drive to the basket. |
| Watch the defender's feet | Pay attention to the defender's foot placement. If they take a step back, it creates an opportunity for a crossover and a drive to the basket. |
| Bump the defender when driving to the basket | When driving to the basket, bumping the defender, especially if they are bigger, can help create space and improve your chances of scoring. |
| Set on-ball screens | Using on-ball screens can make your defender react slowly to switches, creating advantages for your teammates. |
| Backdoor cuts and screens | Employing backdoor cuts and screens can help you get easy buckets or force a switch. |
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What You'll Learn
Drive towards the side of their guarding hand
Driving towards the side of the guarding hand is a great way to beat a face guard in basketball. Face guarding is when a defensive player puts their hand in front of an opponent's face to obscure their vision. While this is illegal in most versions of basketball, it is not always enforced and can be very distracting for the ball handler.
To beat this defence, you can try driving towards the side of the guarding hand. If the defender is using their right hand to guard you, drive towards their right side. This will force them to take a step back, causing their hand to drop from in front of your face. By watching their feet, you can time your move perfectly. As they take that step back, you have the opportunity to perform a crossover and drive to the basket.
This technique is effective because the defender's hand position gives you information about their footwork. If their right hand is up, their right foot is likely closer to you. By driving towards that side, you can exploit this positioning to create space and gain an advantage.
Additionally, face guarding puts the defender at a disadvantage as they cannot see the ball or the movements of other players. This vulnerability to cuts can be exploited by faking a cut and then sealing off the defender. You can also have a teammate set a screen for you, allowing you to get ahead and shield the defender with your back to gain a clearer path to the rim.
By utilising these strategies, you can effectively counter a face guard defence and create scoring opportunities for yourself or your teammates.
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Watch their feet and exploit the step back
When an opponent is face guarding, they are at a disadvantage because they cannot see the ball or what other players are doing. They are also vulnerable to cuts because they are standing too close to you. One way to beat a face guard is to watch your opponent's feet and exploit their step back. If the defender is using their right hand to guard your face, they likely have their right foot closer to you. Drive towards the side of their body that their hand is on, forcing them to take a step back. When they do this, their hand will drop from in front of your face, and you can take advantage by crossing over and driving to the basket.
If you are driving towards the basket and the defender is bigger than you, you may need to bump them as you go past. You can also set on-ball screens or give your teammates a heads-up that you'll set back picks or pin downs for them. This will create advantages for your teammates if the defender is slow to react to a switch.
Another strategy is to fake a cut to the top and then cut backdoor, so your teammates can throw the ball over the top for a layup. You can also try to get easy buckets or force a switch by attempting backdoor cuts and screens. If you are the ball handler, you can also try going into a triple-threat position and doing a jab step. If the defender slaps you in the face, it is a flagrant foul.
Remember, defence is mostly about effort. If the defender is constantly in your face, they will make it harder for you to see the ball and make decisions. However, if they take a step back and wait to block you, they are giving you more space to work with.
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Bump bigger defenders on the way to the basket
When driving towards the basket, you will likely need to bump bigger defenders if they are close to you. This technique is more effective if you can stay in control of the ball. Here are some tips to help you bump bigger defenders on your way to the basket:
Firstly, vary your starting stance. Avoid the typical 'triple threat' position, and instead, try starting your drive from a more upright, relaxed stance. Defenders will not be expecting a sudden, explosive move from this position. Alternatively, start your drive with your back to the basket. Turning and driving can catch defenders off guard as they are used to guarding players who are facing them. The key is to avoid falling into positional patterns and to be quick in your execution.
Secondly, use your body to bump the defender in one direction before quickly moving in the opposite direction. This will create the space you need to get past them. You can also try a hard jab step in one direction, followed by a quick dribble in the other, to create the angle you need. When attacking at sharp angles, use your body to shield the ball and increase your chances of finishing the play.
Additionally, when driving into contact, keep the ball tight to your body, ideally on your outside hip, away from the defender. Your off-arm should be up, creating space between you and the defender while also shielding the ball. Strength training is crucial here, as it will enable you to absorb contact and maintain control of the ball.
Finally, when playing against bigger defenders, you can use the back pivot to create space and take advantage of your quickness. If you add counter moves, you can become even more unpredictable. For example, a violent rip and pivot will create more space between you and the defender, allowing for an immediate shot or counter move. Remember to be ready to shoot as soon as you face the basket, as any pause gives the defence time to recover and stop your shot.
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Set on-ball screens to slow defenders' reactions
Setting on-ball screens is a great way to slow down a defender who is face-guarding. Screens are a crucial part of basketball, as they force the defence to communicate, rotate, and adapt. Setting on-ball screens can create advantages for your teammates and slow down the defender's reactions. Here are some tips to effectively use on-ball screens to beat a face guard:
Firstly, understand the defender's positioning and their line of sight. When they are face-guarding, their vision is limited, so use this to your advantage. You can fake a call for the ball or a screen on one side and then move to the other, exploiting the defender's lack of information.
Secondly, use on-ball screens to create separation between the defender and the player with the ball. This can be done by having a teammate set a screen, blocking the defender's path and forcing them to take a less favourable position. This will give the player with the ball more time and space to operate.
Thirdly, setting on-ball screens can force the defence to switch matchups. When a screen is set, the defender guarding the player with the ball may have to pass their mark to another defender, creating a mismatch that can be exploited. This can be particularly effective if the new defender is now guarding a much smaller player, or vice versa.
Additionally, setting on-ball screens can be used to free up the player with the ball for a shot. If the defender is focused on navigating the screen, a well-timed pass to the now open player can create an easy scoring opportunity.
Finally, vary your pace and direction when using on-ball screens. Changing speed and direction can throw the defender off, causing them to hesitate or make mistakes. This can create opportunities to blow past the defender and drive to the basket.
In summary, setting on-ball screens is an effective tactic to slow down a defender who is face-guarding. By using screens, you can create advantages for your team, exploit the defender's limited vision, and create scoring opportunities.
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Force a switch with backdoor cuts
To beat a face guard in basketball, you can force a switch with backdoor cuts. This involves setting up your cuts effectively and using quickness and change-of-direction to create separation from your defender. Here are some detailed tips to achieve this:
- Use your eyes and head movement to fake out the defender: Look up at the sky and fake a jump. Most likely, the person face guarding you will also look up to follow your gaze. As they turn, quickly cut to the open space.
- Fake and then cut: Start as if you're going to the break, but then allow your defender to beat you there. After they've taken a few steps, cut back hard and seal them off. This will create an opportunity for your teammate to throw the ball over the defender, giving you a layup.
- Jab step to establish their reaction: Start with a jab step to see how the defender reacts. If they move, shoot; if they don't, drive. This helps you understand their defensive tendencies and allows you to adjust your moves accordingly.
- Use screens: Screens will be crucial in creating separation. Have a teammate set a screen for you outside the defender's vision, making it harder for them to react. You can also use your back to shield the defender and create a clearer path to the rim.
- Exploit their blind spots: When a defender is face guarding, they can't see the ball or what other players are doing. Take advantage of this by cutting left, spinning right, and sealing them off.
- Communicate with your teammates: Signalling to your teammate when you're ready for a throw to space can help ensure effective timing and execution of the backdoor cut.
- Mix up your movements: Vary your movements to keep the defence guessing. If a player is consistently denied the pass, they will start to make backdoor cuts. Similarly, if a player's defender isn't paying attention, they will automatically start to make backdoor cuts.
- Use your quickness and change-of-direction ability: As mentioned earlier, creating separation relies on your ability to change directions quickly. Work on your footwork and speed to exploit the defender's vulnerabilities when they are too close to you.
By implementing these strategies, you can effectively force a switch and create scoring opportunities using backdoor cuts to beat a face guard in basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Try to get easy buckets or force a switch by using back door cuts and screens. You can also be the screen setter and see if a switch occurs.
Go at their hand. For example, if they are face guarding you with their right hand, drive towards their right side. If their right hand is up, their right foot is most likely closer to you, so they will need to take a step back. When they do, their hand will drop from in front of your face and you can go for a crossover and drive to the basket.
If you are driving towards someone bigger than you, try bumping them on your way to the basket. You will usually get away with it if you stay in control.
