Ayrton Oneill
Taking a charge is a crucial skill in basketball that can significantly impact the outcome of a game. It involves drawing an offensive foul by positioning yourself in front of the basketball and anticipating the offensive player's movements. While it is a valuable defensive strategy, it can also be dangerous if not executed correctly. Coaches play a vital role in teaching players how to take charges effectively and safely, including proper falling techniques and legal guarding positions. The timing, body control, and anticipation required to take a charge successfully make it a challenging skill to master, but one that can greatly benefit a team's performance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Teach players the correct technique | Falling properly with contact and protecting themselves |
| Practice taking charges | Utilize practice time to teach players how to take a charge |
| Teach players to avoid a charging foul | Look ahead when dribbling and pass or dribble around defenders |
| Teach players to draw a charge | Be in front of and face the basketball, anticipate where the offense is driving and get there first |
| Teach players to fall correctly | Roll on the back, keep hands up, and take the contact with the forearm |
| Teach players to sell the charge to the referee | Exhale at the point of contact and groan |
| Teach players to avoid taking a charge if in foul trouble | It is a judgment call and officials may not always call it |
| Teach players to avoid injury | Use a floor mat under the basket to cushion the fall |
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What You'll Learn
Teach players to fall properly and protect themselves
To teach players to fall properly and protect themselves, it is important to first understand the rules and criteria of a charge. A charge is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player charges into a defender. To be called a charge and not a block, three criteria must be met: the defender must be in a legal guarding position when the contact occurs, the defender must not be standing in the restricted area (a 4-foot diameter semicircle under the basket), and the defender must not initiate the contact.
When teaching players to fall properly, it is crucial to emphasize the importance of rolling onto their back and pulling their feet up to absorb the impact and protect themselves. They should also keep their hands up to take the contact with their forearms and avoid falling with their hands behind them, as this can lead to wrist or hand injuries. Additionally, players should be taught to fall backwards by making contact with the floor with their buttocks first, rather than their back or shoulders, to avoid injury.
It is also important for players to understand the concept of anticipation and how to get to where the ball is headed before it arrives. This involves predicting the offensive player's movements and getting squared to the ball. By anticipating the play, defenders can put themselves in the best position to draw a charge while also reducing the risk of injury.
Practicing falling techniques and drills is essential for players to feel comfortable and confident in taking charges. One drill involves placing a floor mat under the basket to cushion the defender's fall. The offensive player dribbles to the hoop for a lay-up, making sure to initiate contact with the defender. The defender then plants their feet with a wide stance and braces for contact. After the contact, the defender quickly pops back up, and the players switch roles.
By teaching players the proper falling techniques and providing them with drills to practice, coaches can help their players protect themselves while effectively drawing charges during games.
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Explain the rules and criteria for a charge
Teaching players how to take a charge is an important aspect of coaching basketball. A charge is an offensive foul that occurs when an offensive player charges into a defender. Here are the rules and criteria that define a charge:
The defender must be in a legal guarding position:
This means the defender must be in front of and facing the basketball. They must anticipate where the offence is trying to drive and get there first. The defender can move laterally to maintain their position as long as they don't encroach on the offensive player's space. To be in a legal guarding position, the defender must have both feet planted and be outside the restricted area.
The defender must not be in the restricted area:
The restricted area is a 4-foot diameter semicircle under the basket, painted on the floor. If any part of the defender's foot is inside this area, it is automatically a blocking foul. This rule does not apply in high school basketball or when new possession occurs inside the Lower Defensive Box.
The defender must not initiate the contact:
If the defender is in a legal guarding position and the offensive player initiates contact, it is a charge. If the defender initiates the contact, it is a blocking foul.
Additional notes:
Taking a charge is a skill that requires practice. Coaches should emphasise the importance of proper technique, including falling backwards and protecting oneself during contact. It is also important to note that taking a charge can be a momentum changer in a game, resulting in a defensive stop, a foul, and a change in possession.
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Practice drills and scenarios
The following drills can be used to teach players how to take a charge effectively:
Drill 1: Close-out defensive positioning
This drill focuses on teaching players the importance of positioning when taking a charge. The defender passes the ball to a coach or manager, who then passes it to another offensive player. The defender closes out on the ball, and the offensive player passes it back to the coach. The defender then sprints into defensive position up the line. The coach passes to the next offensive player, and the defender sprints into help-side position. The offensive player with the ball moves in and hits the defender with a blocking pad as they take the charge. This drill helps players understand the importance of positioning and teamwork when taking a charge.
Drill 2: Floor mat drill
Place a floor mat under the basket to cushion the defender's fall. If using a restricted zone (charge arc), ensure the defender starts outside the arc. The first offensive player dribbles towards the hoop for a lay-up, making contact with the defender. The defender steps into the lane, plants their feet with a wide stance, and braces for contact. For added safety, the offensive player can use a blocking pad instead of dribbling in. Teach the defender to "sit down" on the mat, making contact with the floor with their buttocks rather than their back or shoulders. After the contact, the defender quickly pops back up, and the next offensive player in line repeats the drill. This drill helps players learn how to take a charge safely and effectively.
Drill 3: Falling techniques
Teach players the proper falling techniques to protect themselves when taking a charge. Instruct them to fall backwards, going butt-to-back on the floor, and not to use their hands to brace their fall. Demonstrate how to roll on their back and pull their feet up to absorb the contact with their feet. Also, emphasize keeping their hands up and making contact with the forearm, rather than falling with their hands behind them, to avoid wrist or hand injuries. This drill ensures players know how to fall correctly and safely when taking a charge.
Drill 4: Drawing the charge
Instruct players on how to draw a charge effectively. Emphasize that they must be in front of and facing the basketball, anticipating where the offense is trying to drive, and getting there first. This requires both anticipation and skill. Encourage players to watch game footage and study their opponents' tendencies to improve their anticipation. This drill helps players understand the importance of positioning and strategy when drawing a charge.
Drill 5: Avoiding charging fouls
Teach offensive players how to avoid charging fouls. Instruct them to look ahead when dribbling and either pass or dribble around defenders in a legal guarding position. Explain that once a defender has established this position, they can move sideways or backward, and any contact on their torso remains legal. However, if the offensive player uses excessive contact (with shoulders or elbows), a charging foul may still be called. This drill helps players understand the rules and techniques to avoid committing charging fouls.
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Anticipate where the offence is driving
To teach your players to anticipate where the offence is driving, it's important to develop their court awareness. This involves understanding the dynamics and spatial aspects of the basketball court. Players should consistently scan the court with their heads up to assess the positions of their teammates, opponents, and the ball. This will enable them to make quick decisions and anticipate the movements of their opponents.
Drills that focus on defensive positioning and close-outs can help players improve their court awareness. For example, in a drill by coach Frank Haith, a defender passes the ball to a coach or manager, who briefly holds it before passing it to another player. The defender then closes out on the ball and sprints into defensive position. This type of drill helps players understand the dynamics of the game and improve their ability to anticipate the offence's next move.
Additionally, players should be taught to minimise the ball handler's options and bait them into going where the defence wants them to go. This involves understanding common offensive moves and being able to recognise when an offensive player is about to drive to the basket. For example, if an offensive player is driving to the basket and passes to a teammate, they may continue to run into a defender without the ball, which can be called a charge if the defender has met the necessary requirements.
It's also important to note that the defender must be outside the restricted area, which is a 4' diameter semicircle under the basket, to avoid an automatic blocking foul. By understanding the restricted area and the criteria for a charge, defenders can better position themselves to anticipate and react to the offence's driving moves.
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Avoid injury by sitting down on a mat
When teaching players how to take a charge, it's important to also teach them how to protect themselves from injury. One way to do this is by placing a floor mat under the basket to cushion the defender's fall.
When contact occurs, the defender should avoid injury by "sitting down" on the mat, with their buttocks making initial contact with the floor, not their back, head or shoulders. This technique is sometimes referred to as a shoulder roll. The defender should keep their chin tucked into their neck and lower their centre of gravity by sitting down. This will help to eliminate injuries.
It's important that the defender does not remain rigid and gives on contact. If they don't, injuries to one or both players are likely to occur. The defender should keep their arms at their sides and use their hands and feet to push backward after hitting the floor.
After the contact, the defender should pop back up quickly, and the offensive player should move to the back of the line, so the next player can drive for the next contact.
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