Basketball - Defence (Man to Man/Individual defence)

In basketball, it's a common saying: "Defense wins championships." That couldn't be closer to the truth. Its not easy, and you will need skill and patience to become a good defender. Don't worry by the time you're done reading this, you'll know all the fundamentals to be a great man to man defender.

Just press read more after watching this video clip and you'll find out all you need to know.

Defensive Positioning/Stance

Defensive positioning starts and ends with footwork. To get in the best possible position to stop a defender, follow these steps:

1. Keep both heels on the ground and your weight on the balls of your feet.
2. Your toes should be pointed straight ahead, and your feet should be roughly shoulder-width apart.
3. Your knees should be bent slightly to enable quick lateral movement.

Where to Defend

Playing the man means not getting distracted by ball movement, arm movement, or jab steps. Your eyes should be focused on the offensive player’s midsection. If the offensive players’ eye level drops when making an offensive move, the defensive player’s eye level should also drop. Keep your arms out, elbows bent slightly, and palms out to deflect a pass or deny the opponent the ball.

An opponent with the ball has three options: Dribble, pass, or shoot. Good defensive position and strong lateral movement can take away at least two of these three possibilities. It’s important to stay close enough to the offensive player that you can slap away the ball, but not so close that he can beat you with one step. Standing too far away from the ball-handler can cause you to lunge for the ball, which leaves you off-balance.

Good man-to-man defense emphasizes taking away the opponent’s strengths. For example, you should closely crowd an effective shooter. Conversely, if you’re guarding a dribble-penetrator, take a half-step back so he can’t blow past you.

It’s also a good idea to over-play an opponent’s strong side. For instance, if you’re guarding an offensive player with a strong right hand, then drop your right foot backward a half-step to encourage him to dribble to the left. Over-playing an opponent’s strengths can force poor decisions, such as bad passes or tough shots.

A good defender should always try to find the correct on-the-ball defensive position when the opposing player gets the ball.

Lateral Movement

Good man-to-man defense starts with playing the man, but quick lateral movement is the next step. Lateral movement involves quick, short steps from side to side. The defensive player’s feet should never cross when staying in front of the ball, and he should always maintain his balance with his feet spread shoulder-width apart.

To get in position, keep your hips firmly framed between your feet, and then face the opposing offensive player. Lazy habits — such as turning your hips to chase a player, reaching for the ball, and losing balance — must be avoided on defense.






All these things are important to "play the man", so get practicing!