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Defence
A good
defender will use their head as much as their body.
Offensive players are often instinctive. If they tend to
drive right or shoot from a favoured spot, they will do
so frequently. If you can read your opponent's
tendencies, you will have the edge over them.
Always study
the game and players, especially the ones you are likely
to guard. The best time to do this is when you are on
the bench, so never get disheartened if you are taken
out of the game, use it to your advantage.
Above all,
there is one thing that will set apart a good defender
and this is pure hard work; a player who is ready to
give their all for the team.
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Defending Player
Without Ball |
Position of your body
You should be always facing
attacker but ready to block them
out of the paint
At least partly blocking their
way towards the basketball hoop
Put yourself close to the
invisible track between them and
the basketball.
Position of your hand
Hands should be widely spread
sideways to increase horizontal
coverage
Place your hands forward so that
you can reach to intercept or
strip the ball on sight
Position of your eyes
Your eye movement should focus
mainly on the mid torso of the
attacker. Whilst your focus is
concentrated on the player, scan
around for the following:
Position of the ball handler and
cover the passing lane
Possible screens and position
Help Defence
Defending an opponent without
the ball is just as important as
defending the ball. Defenders
should position themselves
between the ball and the
defender, where at the same
time, they maintain total
awareness of where the ball and
their maker are on the court.
To avoid losing your marker,
point one hand in the direction
of your marker and the other
hand toward the direction of the
ball. Never watch the ball, only
glance.
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Defending Player
With Ball |
Pre Dribble Stage
When your opponent has caught
the ball, he is most dangerous
because he is in a triple threat
position. In this case, you
should:
Assume your defensive stance.
Bend your knees and keep your
hands out. Do not reach or over
play as this often results in a
foul, but instead jab at the
ball. Keep your knees bent and
concentrate on containing your
opponent with your strong
stance.
Pay attention to his mid torso.
A good offensive player uses
arms, legs, head, etc to fake a
move, but their actual movement
will be restricted unless they
move their mid torso.
Anticipate where your opponent
is going and get a head start.
Use your hand to prevent any
passing route. The lower you
are, the quicker you can move,
by stepping and sliding your
feet.
Dribble Stage
When your opponent is dribbling,
they can still pass and shoot.
Limit their movement by staying
one arms length away, any closer
would allow them to dribble past
you. At arms length you are
still close enough to attempt
steals and cut off the passing
options.
Try to force them towards the
baseline, this provides a trap
Try to take away your opponent's
strongest dribbling hand by
forcing them one way. Do this by
keeping your left foot forward
to force them to dribble with
their left hand and vice versa.
If they are quicker than you,
take a step back. Concentrate on
containing them.
If they is a sharp shooter
within range, stay close to them
with your hands up.
Post Dribble Stage
Once an attacker picks up the
ball, they may only move their
pivot foot, pass or shoot.
Remember you are allowed to jump
straight up legally. Avoid
leaning into the player and
never go over the back as this
will result in a foul.
If the inside player is much
taller than you, you will have
to guess when they will catch
the ball and quickly strip away
from them. Try to steal the ball
from their stomach rather than
attempting a block.
Stand firm in the paint. Keep a
hand or forearm on their back
and one arm straight up.
After a shot is released. Don't
assume it will go in, always box
out to avoid offensive rebound
and then rebound yourself.
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Stealing The Ball |
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Stealing
from the dribble
Timing is the key factor in attempting to steal
the ball from a dribbler. Time the ball, how quick the
bounce, position of the bounce and anticipate
where the ball will next go.
Pay attention to those who dribble high and dribble it
in front of their body. A good dribbler will dribble
knee height, at the side of their body. Keep your left
foot forward, for most dribblers are right handed or
vice versa if their strong hand is left.
When stealing, place your hand on where you anticipate
the ball will be landing to deflect the ball away. Try
to deflect it as near the ground as possible.
Stealing
from the dribble
Passing is one of the most vulnerable events a ball
stealer can take advantage from because at that moment,
no one's hands are guarding the ball. Stay low and hide
your body from your passer. When they pass, be ready to
spring into action. Quickly reach out and deflect, or
catch the ball.
Allow your attacker to penetrate and suddenly double
team them by closing down all their passing angles
except to one of their team mates. The only option will
be for them to pass to the open player and this is when
you reach out f to steal the ball. This will require a
fellow team mate to double team.
If you manage to steal or even deflect the ball, you
must pounce onto it and burst ahead for the open lay up.
Remember though not to over commit as this will take you
out of the game and leave you team one player down until
you recover.
Stealing
off a post player
Low post players are not the best ball handlers. When
they catch the ball at low post, their standard move is
back facing the board, drop step, then shoot. There are
two instances where you can steal the ball:
Before they catch the ball, anticipate when their team
mate is passing. Take advantage of post player's slow
movement. Be ready to pounce and catch or deflect the
ball.
Most post players will dribble when it is not necessary.
Place your body close to their back and when they
attempt to advance by pushing you, their arm will
naturally be closer to their body. This is your
opportunity to reach your arm and deflect the ball away.
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Rebounding |
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Good
footwork, leap, strength experience and anticipation are
required for rebounding.
The biggest key to basketball rebounding success though
is how you think about it.
1) Think
Miss
You
must always be thinking that the shot will be missed, no
matter who took it. Think about how many easy lay ups
have been missed in games and if you had been ready you
could have pounced onto that rebound.
Remember that desire makes up 75% of rebounding success
and only the last 25% is ability.
2)
Box Out Your Opponent
There are two effective ways to do this. The first is
the frontal step. If the opponent you're guarding tries
for a rebound, step in front of them and make contact.
Be sure to stay balanced and wide with your knees
slightly bent and your legs apart. The benefit of this
move is you stay well balanced and you can get to the
ball quickly.
The second fundamental of blocking out is the reverse
pivot. This is good to use when your back is to the
hoop. When someone shoots you spin, or pivot on one
foot. Let's say you're using your right foot as the
pivot foot. As the shot goes up, pivot on your right
foot and swing your left leg across your body so you now
face the basket. This move allows you to cover a lot of
space quickly because with just one step you can move to
either side of the court. You're now in great rebounding
position with your body between your opponent and the
ball.
3)
Approach
You must be able to get from where you are blocking out
your opponent to where the ball comes down. You must be
quick at seeing how the ball will come off the rim. If
you haven't moved into the correct position within one
to two seconds, it's usually too late. One tip is that
when a shot is taken from the side of the basket, it
comes off the opposite side about 70% of the time.
4)
Grab the Rebound
The key here is to have established good position and
then go up for the rebound strong. Make sure your feet
are positioned so you have balance and jump up, wide and
strong. It's actually not all about how high you can
jump. Players who can jump the highest but don't
establish very good position and go up strong won't be
the best at basketball rebounding.
Extend your arms and reach for the ball with both hands.
Get a good lock on the ball as soon as your fingertips
make contact with it. Keep your shoulders strong as you
lock your wrist and elbows. As you come down, keep the
ball safe. Stay wide and strong. Protect the ball by
pivoting out of any danger and immediately look to pass
for the fast break or to a guard if that option is
not there.
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(c) Game Time
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