Andrew Pace
Basketball is a fast-paced, dynamic sport that requires a lot of skill and quick thinking. One of the most important aspects of the game is defence, and knowing how to stop an opponent's drive is key to success. There are several techniques that can be used to halt an opponent's progress and prevent them from scoring. This includes forcing the player to their weak side, using your body and arms to block their path, and denying them space to shoot or pass. In this article, we will explore these strategies and more to give you the tools you need to become a master of defence on the basketball court.
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What You'll Learn
Keep your hands high if the ball is high
Keeping your hands high when the ball is high is a fundamental defensive strategy in basketball. This strategy is about reacting to the ball's position and adapting your defensive stance accordingly.
When the ball is high, you want to mirror that position with your hands to maximise your ability to block or intercept the ball. By keeping your hands high, you are in a better position to contest the shot. This strategy is particularly important when defending against players who are skilled at shooting.
It is important to note that this strategy is reactive and dependent on the position of the ball. If the ball is low, you should adjust your defensive stance by keeping your hands near your chest. This adjustment allows you to better defend against bounce passes or chest passes, which are more likely to occur when the ball is in a lower position.
By focusing on the ball's position and adapting your defensive stance accordingly, you can improve your defensive capabilities and better contest shots or intercept passes.
Additionally, it is worth noting that while keeping your hands high is important, it is also crucial to maintain proper defensive positioning and footwork. You should aim to beat the offensive player to the short corner, forcing them to change directions and making their finish more challenging.
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Force the player to their weak hand
Forcing a player to their weak hand is a highly effective defensive strategy that can elevate your team's performance. It is a strategy that has been used with tremendous success by coaches such as Dave Smart, whose team's winning percentage was .992.
To implement this strategy, defenders must force the offensive players to dribble and pass with their weak hand. This will make it more likely for the defence to gain deflections and steals. However, it is important to note that this strategy should not involve reaching across the opponent's body.
For this tactic to be successful, the on-ball defender must be aware of the help available from teammates. Coach Fortunato stresses that players should think of it as one on five rather than one on one. Trust is crucial, and it may take time for players to get used to overplaying the opponent's weak hand.
Additionally, coaches can help players develop their weak hand through various drills and exercises. For example, players can start by dribbling with only their weak hand, keeping their dominant hand behind their back. They can also perform passing drills with a partner, standing ten feet apart and passing and receiving solely with their weak hand. Isometric exercises, such as wrist curls, finger extensions, and squeezing a tennis ball, can also help strengthen the weak hand.
By forcing players to use their weak hand, defences can create more turnovers and lower the opponent's shooting percentage. It is a strategy that can be highly effective when implemented correctly.
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Chase the offensive player down to the short corner
Chasing the offensive player down to the short corner is a key defensive strategy in basketball. This technique is about guiding the offensive player to the baseline and forcing them to change direction, making their finish more challenging.
The first step is to position yourself between the offensive player and the basket. This is known as "guarding the ball on the rooftop". By doing this, you can control their drive and limit their options. You want to force them towards the sideline or baseline, and ultimately, down to the short corner.
As the offensive player drives, you must stay with them, ensuring that you meet them with your chest at some point before they reach the short corner. This is a critical moment in preventing a straight-line drive to the rim. Keep your hips closed, and do not open them up towards the rim.
To further increase the difficulty for the offensive player, you can try to force them to change directions. This can be done by getting your chest and hands up, contesting the shot without committing a foul. It's important to keep your hands high and not reach in, as this could result in a foul being called.
By employing this strategy, you can effectively disrupt the offensive player's rhythm and make their shot more challenging, increasing the chances of a successful defensive play.
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Bump the player with your chest
Bumping the player with your chest is a legal defensive technique in basketball, a contact sport where some degree of physical interaction is expected. As a defender, you can use your chest to bump an opponent driving to the basket, but only if you are not moving towards them and they initiate the contact. If you move forward or sideways and make contact with the offensive player, it is a foul on you. However, if you remain stationary or move away, and the offensive player runs into your chest, it is a charge or a no-call, meaning no foul is committed.
To effectively use the chest bump technique, keep your arms up and out, and shuffle your feet to stay square with your opponent as you move sideways. Use your chest to redirect their drive, pushing them towards the baseline instead of letting them drive straight to the basket. This forces them to take an off-balance shot or pass. If they are posting up, lean in and push with your chest to prevent them from backing you down.
It is important to note that while chest bumping is allowed, you cannot charge at an opponent's chest. Hitting the chest can be considered an offensive foul, and the defensive player must assume a legal defensive position. Additionally, you cannot use your arms or hands to physically impede a player's progress or movement. The key is to be strong and assertive in improving your position without striking or grabbing your opponent.
Some players suggest anticipating the bump and pulling back to negate the contact, especially if there is no referee present. This can throw off the opponent's rhythm and prevent them from gaining a contact advantage.
By understanding and applying these techniques, you can effectively use chest bumps to defend against drives in basketball while adhering to the rules of the game.
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Draw a charge foul
Drawing a charge foul is a great defensive play in basketball that can help energize your team. It requires quick thinking, precise positioning, body control, skill, timing, and courage. Here are some tips to help you master the art of drawing charge fouls:
Get in Position
To draw a charge foul, you must be in front of and facing the basketball. Anticipate where the offense is trying to drive and get there first. This requires a degree of anticipation and skill in getting squared to the ball. Make sure you are square to the person with the ball. Position your feet shoulder-width apart with one foot slightly forward to balance in case contact occurs from either side.
Establish Legal Guarding Position
To draw a charge foul successfully, you must establish a legal guarding position. This means ensuring that your torso is set in position before the offensive player begins their upward motion. It is important to note that the defensive player must be outside the "Restricted Area," which is the area within the arched line below the rim. The Restricted Area rule ensures offensive players have room to drive to the basket without giving defenders an unfair advantage in drawing fouls.
Brace for Impact
When you anticipate that your opponent is driving towards the hoop, it's time to plant your feet and brace for impact. Think of yourself as a stoplight at a busy intersection, controlling the flow and directing traffic. Remember to maintain body control throughout and be careful not to initiate contact with your torso movement.
Practice Falling Safely
When attempting to draw a charge, it is important to practice falling safely. After the contact, go butt to back on the floor and do not use your hands to brace your fall. Reaching back after contact can hurt your wrists and force you to miss playing time.
Act it Out
Getting the call on a charge is as much an acting job as it is about being in a legal guarding position. Once contact is made, you can exaggerate the force of the collision by falling to the ground to induce a foul to be called. However, be careful not to "flop," which is considered overt deception and is penalized in basketball.
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Frequently asked questions
Do not give up a straight-line drive to the rim. Force the player to drive to the baseline by chesting them and not allowing them to go middle. Do not open your hips and grant the offensive player a clear path to the rim.
You can use your arms to predict or trap the player into a ball movement so you can read their counters. You can also chest bump them or use a "Barkley" or "Nash dribble" to confuse them and slow them down.
Do not ball watch and relax when the ball handler's primary drive is cut off. Do not let the player drive to the hoop as it becomes harder to defend once they are in the paint.
Force the offensive player down the rooftop to the short corner. Any shot from this location will be difficult and contested.
