Playing good defense is a lost skill in basketball. Offense is the name of the game, right? Wrong! A good defensive team in basketball will almost always beat a good boring team. Here are some tips you can use to improve your defense:
1. Always remember that 75% of playing good defense in basketball is all about desire, drive and determination. The other 25% is skill and footwork.
2. If you are tired, rest when your team is on offense. When you defend, you don’t want to rest. What rest in the offense? Because you know what your teammates are going to do and you can pick your spots to catch a breather faster. On defense, you don’t know what the other team is going to do, you have to watch at all times.
3. Overplay your opponent’s strengths and put pressure on the player you are guarding to perform well. This will cut down on the number of shots they take and lower their shooting percentage because there will be more bad shots.
4. Develop a step approach to move more effectively from the initial defensive position to the point guard. Your access level should be quick in the guard position. Never lunge or jump into your stance or your opponent will suddenly break away from you.
5. Develop your own website. Keep your foot inside and open to the side of your base and to the side of the baseline so you are in position to prevent someone from driving to the baseline. Keep your knees bent and your center of gravity down so that you can bend directions smoothly.
6. Keep your hand in your opponent’s face and always guard their backs, not their eyes. There, I will tell you where to move next.
7. Develop an attack level for more aggressive surveillance of the site. Move quickly, but don’t jump or dash. Hit the ball with an upward motion of the hand. To steal the ball or pass them or take a shot they didn’t want to take.
8. Develop a retreat step so you are ready when your opponent enters a position of thrust. Work on your back foot and keep your weight back. Their kidneys will go to see which one they will go to.
9. Develop a level of sion to use when you need to quickly get on the track of another player. Don’t cross your legs. Slide into the idea. Guard the other player aggressively. I flow out so that they don’t push back. Force them to make a bad shot or take the ball away.
10. Stop shooting. Move into close range and keep your hand in your opponent’s face. The shooter was distracted by the shout. Be fierce and quick to shoot your opponent and then out of the box.
11. Stop hoarding. Reach down with your closest hand and try to knock the ball away. It’s all about timing and positioning. If you are taller than your opponent, shoot your hands up high.
