How Do You Play Good Basketball Defense?
• Make sure that you have the right body position and weight. • Make sure your head is always lower than the head of the guy you are guarding. If you stay lower than him, you will be more ready to move than him. If he lowers his head to drive, you need to lower your head even more to stay in front of him. Players get blocking fouls when their knees are out. If you examine a little further, you will see that their heads were up, too! At the moment of the block, the defender’s head is likely higher than the dribbler’s. • Have your weight back. Be ready to move when he moves. • Stay close to your man. Players often stay away from their man. When the man fakes or looks to shoot or pass, it’s only then, they move forward. So, what happens? You get to the bubble (to the man); but your weight is forward so that you can not possibly beat him to where he is going. Imagine trying to win a hundred yard dash. One guy is in the starting blocks ready to burst forward. You start several feet in front
