Basketball Defense Tips

When covering a zone, whether it is 1-2-2 or 2-1-2 there are a few tips I got to give about people who drive in for the basket or take a jumper.

1) When a person drives in to take a lay-up(through the zone) he/she has 2 things in mind… “get the basket in” and ” create a foul so I get one free extra shot(3 point play)”.

So the best thing to do is to get in front of the person when you think he/she is about to drive and stand there with your hands crossed over the front of your body.

In simpler terms, make a stand in front of the driver so he/she hits straight into you in his path to take a lay-up. This creates a charging foul and you get the ball. It is important not to move after you are standing still because if you do, the foul will be on you. The main point if for you to be forcefully pushed back, maybe pushed to the ground, by the offensive driver by you just standing there. Be aware that you have to read his movements and be in front of him before hand, if you are pushed while trying to gt into that position, the foul will be on you.

2) Mainly when doing 2-1-2 defense zone
This is again to do with a person who drives in. If this guy always drives in through the middle this will be very effective but it can be applied anywhere else. When the person tries to drive in, the closest to players should make a wall and stick together to stop his drive. They should be shoulder-to-shoulder stuck together and the results for the opponent would be “travelling” or a forced pass backwards which can be intercepted by one of your team mates.

3) In General about people who take jump shots, you have to keep them away from their hot spots and force them to take a low percentage shot. Always challenge the shot by jumping up with them or raising your hands up. DO NOT FOUL A JUMP SHOOTER!!! This is because even if he/she shoots in a low percentage shot and you foul him/her then that person would have a very high percentage shot at the free throw line!!! 2 shots will go in most of the time… Be careful of pump fakes which can cause you to jump and then they would get another shot easily while you are in the air, that’s why its always important TO READ YOUR OFFENCE!!

4) The next, one of the most important steps in any defense is block-out and rebound. When the ball is in the air, box-out the offensive re-bounders so they cant get a chance to get the ball. The box-out is getting in front of the re-bounder and not letting him/her get in front of you for the rebound, don’t push him/her at all costs. In that move you will be facing the hoop and the offensive re-bounders Will be behind you. To do a successful rebound, 3 of the baseline players box-out and go for rebound while the other two will sort out the fast break. Rebounds is the one of the most important steps in defense and also to execute a good fast break.

These are some general tips on defence in Zone. I will be publishing another article on:
DEFENSE IN MAN-TO-MAN

Thanks again, hope these tips help you!
Mark