Basketball Positions

The five traditional basketball player positions are:

Point guard: The point guard is the team leader and play caller on the basketball court. A
point guard needs good ball handling skills, passing skills as well as strong leadership and
decision making skills. Traditionally basketball point guards were small, fast players and this
is still often the case. However, Magic Johnson changed the way point guards were used. He
was a big 6-8 player that used his height and size to get great passing angles. Magic's
success has opened the door for all sorts of point guards. The key to a strong point guard
today is leadership, passing, and running the team.
Shooting guard: The shooting guard in basketball has the main responsibility of making
long outside shots including the three-point shot. The shooting guard also should be a good
passer and able to help the point guard with the ball handling. Shooting guards are often
the top scorer on a team. Perhaps the best shooting guard in the history of basketball was
Michael Jordan. Jordan could do it all, from scoring to defense to rebounding. It's this
versatility that makes a great shooting guard, but all shooting guards should be able to
extend the defense with their outside shot.
Small forward: Along with the shooting guard, the small forward is often the most
versatile player on the basketball team. They should be able to help with ball handling,
make an outside shot, and get rebounds. The small forward is often a great defensive player
as well. The combination of height and quickness can allow them to defend a number of
positions and take on the best scorer on the opposing team. On many teams today the
small forward and the shooting guard are almost the same position and are called "wing"
players.
Power forward: The power forward on a basketball team is usually responsible for
rebounding and some scoring in the paint. A power forward should be big and strong and
able to clear out some space under the basket. Many great power forwards in the game
today do not score a lot of points, but lead their team in rebounds. Power forwards are often
good shot blockers as well.
Center: The center is usually the biggest or tallest member of the basketball team. In the
NBA, many centers are 7 feet tall or taller. The center can be a big scorer, but also needs to
be a strong rebounder and shot blocker. On many teams the center is the final line of
defense. Many of basketball's greatest players (Wilt Chamberlain, Bill Russell, Kareem,
Shaq) have been centers. A strong center presence was long considered the only way to win
an NBA championship. In modern times, many teams have won with other great players
(Michael Jordan), but a strong center is still a prized basketball position on any basketball
team.
Bench: Although only 5 players play at a time on any basketball team, the bench is still
very important. Basketball is a fast paced game and players need to rest. A strong bench is
key to any basketball team's success. In most games at least 3 players from the bench will
play a significant amount of time.

Defensive Positions:
There are two main types of defensive basketball strategies: zone and man-to-man. In manto-man defense each player is responsible to cover one player on the other team. They
follow this player wherever they go on the court. In zone defense, players have certain
positions or areas of the court they cover. The guards usually play at the top of the key with
the forwards playing closer to the basket and on opposite sides. The center usually plays in

the middle of the key. However, there are a wide variety of zone defenses and combinations
of zone and man-to-man that basketball teams play. Teams will often switch defenses
around during a basketball game to see which works best against a particular opponent.

Basketball Strategy
Basketball Defensive Strategy
Although scoring is exciting, fun to watch, and fun to do; defense is a key to winning any
basketball game. Teams often change up defenses and change who is guarding who during
the game. There are two main types of defenses: zone defense and man-to-man defense.
The zone defense is where each player has a specific area of the court they are responsible
to defend. The zone shifts and moves depending on where the offensive players are
standing and where the ball is. Zone defenses are great for stopping inside scoring as
multiple players can surround or "collapse" on a player getting the ball on the inside. They
are not as good at stopping outside or long shots. So zone defenses are often deployed
against offensive basketball teams that have a strong inside offensive game, but a weak
outside game.
Man-to-man defense is where each player is assigned to cover a specific offensive player.
The player guards the offensive player wherever they go on the court. Man-to-man defense
can be very affective against a strong outside shooting team. Man-to-man can also help
with rebounding as each defender can block out the person they are guarding and no one
can slip into open zones like they can on zone defense.
Sometimes teams run a combination of zone and man-to-man. One example of this is the
box-and-one. In this defense four players play zone (in a box shape) and one player plays
man-to-man usually on the offensive team's best player.
Other basketball defensive strategies include:
Full court press - where a team will play defense over the entire court hoping to trap or steal
the ball.
Double Team - where two players will cover the player with the ball

Offensive Basketball Strategy

Offensive basketball strategies may include designed plays to a style of play. Teams tend to
want to play an up-tempo fast break game or they want to slow the game down and get
into their half court offense. Teams with athletic and fast players may want to play a fast
paced game where they can take advantage of their speed in the open court. Other teams
may feel they can excel in a half court game taking advantage of their designed plays,
outside shooting, or post up play.
The key to any good offensive strategy is passing. The ball can be passed faster and more
effectively than it can be dribbled. By passing the ball around quickly an offensive
basketball team can cause the defensive team to move and make adjustments. Enough
good passes and eventually an offensive player will get a good open shot.
One of the staples to most any basketball offensive game is the pick-and-roll. This is when
one offensive player will stand in the way of a player defending another offensive player

who has the ball. The player with the ball will then start to make a move. At the same time
the player setting the pick will roll to the basket. The defenders now have to make a choice
on whom to cover. They can often get confused and, in the confusion, either the player with
the ball will have an open shot, or the player setting the pick will be wide open for an easy
layup.

Basketball: Penalties for Fouls

Depending on the situation and type of foul in basketball, the penalty will be different. Nonshooting fouls generally cause the team to lose possession of the ball. Shooting fouls result
in free throws. If the basket was made when the player was fouled, then the basket counts
and one free throw is awarded. If the basket wasn't made, then either two free throws or
three (if the player was attempting a three point shot when fouled) are awarded.
Fouling Out
Each time a player commits a foul, they get another personal foul added to their name. If
they reach a certain total during they game they will have "fouled out" and will not be
allowed to play any more. It takes five fouls to foul out in college and high school, six fouls
in the NBA.
Team Fouls
The total number of team fouls add up during the game as well. After a certain number of
fouls, a team is considered "over the limit" and free throws will be awarded for non-shooting
fouls. The rules for the NBA and college/high school are different:
NBA - Team fouls are added up per quarter. Four fouls are allowed with two free throws
being awarded starting with the fifth foul. Only defensive fouls count toward team fouls.
NCAA college and High School - Team fouls are added up per half. After 6 fouls a team is
awarded a one-and-one free throw. A one-and-one means that the first free throw must be
made in order to get a second free throw. If the player misses the first, the ball is live and
play begins. After 10 fouls in a half, two free throws are awarded.
Technical Foul
A technical foul is given for unsportsmanlike conduct or other infraction. This can range
from fighting to arguing with the official. Both coaches and players can get technical fouls.
The penalty for a technical foul is two free throws and the ball for the other team. Also, if a
player or coach receives two technicals during a game, they will be ejected. In college a
technical foul counts as a personal foul as well, so it adds into fouling out. In the NBA a
technical foul does not count as a personal foul.
Flagrant Foul
Another type of foul in basketball is the flagrant foul. This is when a foul could seriously
injure an opponent. Generally two free throws and possession of the ball are awarded. In
high school and college the player committing the flagrant foul is ejected from the game. In

the NBA it can count as a technical foul or the player can be ejected depending on the
severity of the foul.

Basketball Coaching ... Game Strategy

First of all, realize that most games are won and lost by your players executing the fundamentals and
plays that you have taught them in practice. But courtside coaching can greatly influence the outcome of a
game, especially a close game. If you get blown out by 30 points, let's face it... the other team was
probably a lot better than you.

Game plan
First, prepare for the game through scouting, or reviewing game films of your upcoming opponent. Find
out who their best offensive players are, what their style of play is, what they like to do, and what their
weaknesses are. If you have played this opponent previously, review your old game stats, notes and films.

Here is a good habit to get into: soon after playing a game, make notes of the game, your observations and
impressions of the opponent and save them. Refer to these the next time you play them. Then you can
develop a game plan that hopefully will favor your strengths and attack their weaknesses, and deny their
strengths.
But I would not change my game plan from what we usually do successfully to something else solely
designed to stop our opponent. Let them change their style of play to try to stop you! Discuss in your
practices and in your pre-game meeting your strategy for playing this team. Discuss the defensive
assignments so each player knows his role exactly, and who he will be responsible for guarding.
If you have never played this team before and have no prior information, try to learn early who their best
players are and what style of game, what tempo, they like. Once you know this, you can make quick
adjustments in a time-out, or at the end of the first quarter.

Game tempo
Try to set the game tempo to the style that best suits your team. If you are a running, pressing team, and
your opponent is a slow-down team, push the ball up the floor on offense, press on defense, and create
havoc!
If you are better in a half-court slower paced game (less team quickness and only average ball handlers),
then bring the ball up the court more deliberately, and get back on defense to prevent the fast break. If
your opponent is a great fast-breaking team, prepare your team to stop the break by having one, or maybe
even two, guards back, and have your big guys jam the rebounder with hands up so they can't get off the
quick outlet pass.

Type of defense
What does your team do best? -- man-to-man, or zone? Are they quick, good defenders (go man-to-man),
or do you have a couple slow defenders (maybe go zone)? Most teams may try both at various times of
the game. Only you can decide what is best for your team. Here are a few things that I look at.
If the opponent has good outside shooters, use man-to-man to keep pressure on their shooters.
If their strength is inside post play, you can play man-to-man and double team the post with your weakside guard. In this situation, whenever the ball goes into the low post, have your low post defender deny
him the drop step to the baseline, and have your weak-side guard slide down quickly to prevent the move
to the lane.
Or you can go into a 2-1-2, or 2-3 zone to "pack the paint" with your defense. This leaves the outside
more vulnerable. During the course of a game, if I realize that the opponent is getting most of their
baskets inside, I may switch to a 2-1-2 zone to jam the paint and see if they can shoot from outside. If they
can't hit the outside shot consistently, this may be the best way to stop them.
If they are playing with a point guard and two wing players ("3-out, 2-in"), we may try a 1-2-2 trapping
zone.
Some coaches play only man-to-man and refuse to use zones. Others use only zones. As a coach, I believe
I should use every possible tool or trick that I can to win a game. I personally favor pressure man-to-man,
but will not hesitate to go zone if I feel it will give us an advantage, or a better chance of winning.
One exception, teach kids in the lower levels to play good man-to-man, before getting into zones. So in
practice, we will work on man-to-man defense, but also have the 2-3 and 1-2-2 in our arsenal, and
periodically review our zone coverage patterns.

So when do you switch from man-to-man to zone, or vice versa? There are different ways of doing this.
Some coaches will change defenses frequently, in order to confuse the opponent... as long as your own
team doesn't get confused too! I personally like riding success until the opponent shows me that they can
beat it. If we are doing a great job with our current defense, I will stay with it until it begins to fail.
You might also change from man-to-man to a zone if one or two of your better players are in foul trouble,
and you are trying to protect them from additional foul exposure.

When to press, or stop pressing

Again, the decision to press depends on whether your team has quickness, stamina, and bench support,
and whether the faster pace favors your team. Some teams will press the entire game because it favors
their quickness, and they have a deep bench.
Some will press at the start of the game to get off to a quick start. Some will press the last few minutes
before the end of a period, realizing they can rest at the break. Some teams will press after each made
basket. Some teams only press when they are behind late in the game, but it's usually too late by then.
My personal plan often is to start the game pressing. Once the opponent starts breaking down the press, or
gets a couple lay-ups, I'll drop it. I'll put it back on later as a "surprise" tactic, or if I sense a critical time in
the game where a couple quick steals and lay-ups could make a big difference.
If I have a 10 point lead with a just couple minutes left in the game, I would drop the press, slow the game
down, get back on defense and make the opponent work hard in the half-court for their shots, working the
clock down.

Using time-outs
Coaches should use their time-outs wisely. In close games, if possible, I try to save two or three time-outs
for the last few minutes of the game, when you may need to stop the clock, set up a play, discuss your
team's strategy, etc.
Sometimes it doesn't work this way. You get behind early, and must use your time-outs to hopefully break
the opponent's momentum, and reset your own strategy. If you are trying to slow the game down, you
might also use some time-outs early. If you are getting beat early, there is no point in saving your timeouts for the end of the game, when you are down 20!
Sometimes I will look over at the opposing coach and notice that he is going to call time-out, and this may
save one for me. Sometimes I see a coach call a time-out 30 seconds before the end of a quarter and
wonder to myself, "Why?" Why waste a time-out then, when you can use the time at the end of the period
as your time-out? Remember, that at the end of each quarter, you have a free time-out.

Keep it simple in your time-out huddle. The kids will often only remember one thing you tell them in a
time-out... usually the last thing. So use your time-out to make one important team point... don't waste a

time-out to instruct just one player... you can substitute for him and explain things to him on the bench
quickly, and then send him back in.
An example of an important "team" pointer might be stressing getting back quickly on defense and
keeping one or two guards back if the opponent is fast breaking. Another example might be to change
your defense, or your offensive plan, and another might be to simply prod the kids into increasing their
defensive and rebounding intensity and overall hustle. But keep it simple.

Substitutions
If you are coaching youth basketball, where everyone is supposed to play, or if you have a team with a
deep bench and can do a lot of substituting, then I would advise relying on your assistant coach to help
with the substituting. If you only play six or seven players, you can handle it.
In the former situation, I have found that it's really hard to keep track of everyone's playing time, and still
try to coach the game, set the strategy, etc. Before the game, I will discuss with my assistant who the
starters will be for that game. We will then also talk about which substitutions to bring in for certain
players and at what intervals... that is, our "substitution pattern".
Once the game starts, I have my assistant make most of the substitutions based on that pattern. He can see
when certain players are getting tired and need a break. If we have a "hot" player on offense, we will ride
that horse for awhile and not substitute until things "cool off". I will over-ride the assistant at any time, if I
see a certain situation where I feel we need to have a certain player or two on the floor at that time.

I also like to be aware of our players' fouls. I have a formula that I try to teach my players in regard to
staying out of foul trouble: "your number of fouls should be less than the number of the quarter you are
playing in." So you never get your 2nd foul in the first quarter, or your 3rd foul in the second quarter, or
your 4th foul in the 3rd quarter.
If any of these situations occurs with any of my key players, I may sit him/her down for awhile. If we are
down 10, I may need to keep him/her in there, and have to take my chances with the fouls, and maybe try
to protect him/her, using a zone on defense.
On the other hand, I have seen coaches essentially foul-out their own players with four fouls, sitting them
down for a quarter or more because of four fouls... essentially the coach has fouled his own player out
with only four fouls, and taken him physically and mentally out of the game. You might be better off
letting him play carefully, than not at all!
Another point on substitutions... if you have eight or nine fairly good players, it will probably be to your
advantage over the course of the season to play all these kids, with lots of substituting. If you are willing
to risk a couple losses early in the season, you may be a much stronger team late in the season if you
develop that eight or nine-man rotation into a good team, with lots of bench support. This also creates
more team harmony and team spirit.

Yelling at players

Sometimes I see coaches screaming at kids. I don't think this helps the player, and is usually born out of
frustration on the coach's part. It doesn't mean the coach is a mean person, and often the coach feels bad
about it after the game. Personally, I think coaches should be vocal in encouraging their players, and
yelling plays, strategy, etc.
I think it is counter-productive to yell negative stuff at kids in front of their parents, friends and the fans. I
think it is OK to get on them in practice, in the privacy of your gym. But games are for the players and
should be fun for them, and they shouldn't have to dread the coach yelling at them.

Talking to Officials
Try to be on good terms with the refs and introduce yourself and shake hands with them before the game.
Most referees are good people who like and take an interest in kids just like you. And just like you, they
want a fair game for both sides.

Rarely, you may find a truly one-sided official. But expect them to make some calls that you do not agree
with. In these cases, you may actually be wrong, or the ref may have made the wrong call, since no-one is
perfect. Players and coaches make mistakes, and so do the refs. Basketball is not a perfect game. Learn to
live with it and teach your players to adjust to the officiating and "play over" bad calls.
Most refs will talk and respond to you if you treat them with respect and sometimes you can even throw in
a little humor. But you may be in for a really long night if you have a ref who believes you are trying to
"show him up". Then instead of focusing on calling a fair game, he changes his focus to "show you whos
the boss". Also, be patient with young, new referees.

End of quarter strategy

If you have the lead, and there is only 20 seconds left in the quarter, you may want to hold the ball for the
last shot, so that you may increase your lead, and at worse, maintain your present lead without allowing
the opponent a last second chance.
In high school or under, I would want the shot to go up with about 5 or 6 seconds left. This allows time
for an offensive rebound and a second shot, but not much time for the opponent to get the ball up the floor
off the rebound. Also, it takes some of the pressure off the shooter when there are 6 seconds left, as he/she
knows there is a chance for a rebound and put back. If you wait until the buzzer, there is more pressure on
the shooter to make the shot.

Late game strategy...

With a 6 to 12 point lead

With only a couple minutes left in the game, I try to "shorten" the game by holding for a good shot,
preferably a lay-up, and keep the clock running. As the late Al McGuire used to say, "you don't need any
more points... the clock is now your enemy!" This may be a good time for a time-out and explain to the
kids, "nothing but lay-ups".
Even better, make the call from the bench so that the clock doesn't stop for a time-out. Chances are, the
opposing coach will use one of his time-outs anyway to instruct his players to foul and press... so you can
probably save your time-out.

Al McGuire
In "running the clock", I would always take the lay-up because it is a higher percentage thing than just
trying to hold the ball, and you can put the nail in the coffin with one last score. You must still work your
offense, but looking only for the lay-up.
If you try to just "stall" without looking for the lay-up, the chances are greater that you may turn the ball
over, or that you will get fouled, and a lay-up is easier than two pressure packed free throws. Also, if you
entirely lose your focus on scoring, you may also lose your aggressiveness and momentum, and you
become easier to defend. But if you have a two possession lead (4 points) with less than 30 seconds, hold
the ball.
On defense, get back and play good half court defense. Avoid stupid fouls that stop the clock and allow
the opponent to score when the clock is actually stopped (free throws). Contest (but don't foul) the threepointer, and prevent the fast break and easy lay-up. If you only have 3 or 4 team fouls, you can play
aggressively and pressure the ball a non-shooting foul just results in their inbounding the ball (which
you could steal). See "Defense for the Few Seconds of the Game"

If you are behind...

Have your players push the ball up the court on offense, and full court press on defense. Use your timeouts to stop the clock and remind your players that the key to winning is tough defense and rebounding...
you must prevent the opponent from scoring to allow your offense a chance to catch up.
Think in terms of the number of possessions you are down. If you score, you might call a time-out
immediately before they can in-bounds the ball. This not only stops the clock, but also allows you to get
your full-court press set, where you can try to deny and steal the ball.
Be aware of your number of team fouls. If you only have 4 or 5, you may have to foul quickly so that you
are over the limit (7) and can send the opponent to the free-throw line. If the difference in the score is only
one possession, I would just play very aggressively if the ref calls the foul, thats fine. If not, we may
come up with a steal or force a turnover with our aggressive play.

If you are inside a minute and are down two or three possessions, try to get the quick steal, but if you
don't get it, then immediately foul to stop the clock. Too often, teams will let 20 seconds run off the clock
before someone finally fouls, wasting too much precious time. Remember that a lot of things can happen
in just 20 seconds. After being down by two, our high school varsity scored 4 points in just 7 seconds to
win it's regional final game this year!
If you are down 4 points, you don't have to go to the three-pointer, since it's two possessions anyway. Take
it to the hoop and get to the free-throw line and stop the clock. Then after scoring, or making the two free
throws, put maximum, deny pressure on the in-bounds pass, going for the steal, or quick foul.
Even if you are down 3 with only 20 seconds to go, it might be a higher percentage move to go for the
quick two-pointer and then pressure the inbounds pass than putting the whole game on the shoulders of
your three-pointer shooter, who probably has tired legs. If you take the "3" and miss, and the opponent
gets the rebound, you are usually history, because you will have to foul, and they only have to convert one
free throw to "ice" the game. If there are only 8 seconds or less, take the three-point shot.

If the game is tied and you have the ball...

Hold for the last shot and try to get that shot with 4 or 5 seconds left, so you have time for an offensive
rebound and a second shot. But warn your players to be careful not to get the "over-the-back" foul on the
rebound. Again, it takes some of the pressure off the shooter if he doesn't wait until the buzzer.
Try to get the ball inside for the high percentage shot... you may either get the shot, or get fouled and win
it on the free-throw line. If you have an outstanding outside shooter, you can go "inside-out", passing the
ball into the low-post, sucking the defense inside, and then kicking the pass out to your perimeter hotshot
for the game-winner.
If you need to, call a time-out to instruct your players on this strategy... but realize that when you call
time-out, you risk having your in-bounds pass stolen. Even better... work on this game situation in
practice and be able to call it from the bench without using a time-out (unless you need to stop the clock).
Less than 4 seconds and you have the ball going the full-length of the court... "Full-Court Buzzer-Beaters"
A few seconds remaining and you have the ball at half-court... see "Half-Court Buzzer-Beaters"

If the game is tied and you are on defense...

Make sure your players all know their defensive assignments. Be sure to get "help-side" defense on their
star players. Contest the shot with hands up, but do not foul, unless it looks like an easy lay-up... then you
must make them win it on the free-throw line, which is not always easy late in the game with the pressure
on and fatigue a factor.
Some coaches will have their defense try to "take the charge" on dribble-penetration. My experience is
that unless it is a really obvious charge, you won't get the call from the ref when the game is on the line.
If your number of team fouls is 5 or less, play very aggressive defense. If the opponent waits until the last
few seconds to make the move to the hoop, you could foul (unintentionally) the ball-handler. Since they
are not yet in the bonus, they must reset and inbounds the ball with just a second or two left. If you still
have 5 or less team fouls, you can be very aggressive in defending the inbounds pass each foul will
harass them and cost them time on the clock.
If you get the quick steal in transition, attack the basket immediately without calling a time-out to set up a
play. Chances are, in transition, you will get a good shot, or get fouled. If you get the defensive rebound
with 5-6 seconds left, get a quick time out to stop the clock and set up your last play.
Another "gutsy" strategy is: assuming they have a poor free-throw shooter, you may immediately foul
him, if it is a "one and one" situation. If he misses the first free throw, you can gain possession and now
you have the advantage. I would not attempt this if the opponent is in the double bonus, or if there is less
than 10 seconds left... you may not have time to score after the free throws, should he make them.

There is a lot of basketball strategy that can be used in the final two minutes! I'm sure I have omitted
some things and other coaches could add even more pointers. Watch TV and see the great college coaches
work the clock late in the game. You can learn a lot from the TV commentators as well.

How to Coach Basketball Individual and Team Defense

In my 77 years of observing basketball at all levels of play, I have found that every great
championship team was strong defensively. It has also been my observation that no matter how
good the offense becomes, there will be days when the lid is on the basket, but good defenders
seem to never have off nights.
Good basic basketball defense does require speed and quickness; however, I have often seen
players make up for these physical shortcomings by out-hustling and developing a defensive
attitude that is aggressive. It isn't necessary that a player be highly skilled to play effective, hardnosed defense.
Too many athletes get the idea that defense is passive. Passivity creates negative actions.
Aggressiveness is positive. I think you will find that all aggressive minded athletes will be the
best defenders. Even while defending a goal, players should always be on attack.
Most important is the fact that anyone through hard work, and attention to detail, learn to play
good solid defense. It is a known fact in the basketball coaching circle that a player can learn
basic defensive skills far quicker than he can learn to properly execute basic offensive skills. On
defense, hustle, aggressiveness, and anticipation tend to make up for other deficiencies in a
player's game.
The great defensive performer is ready to start guarding his man when he comes out of his
dressing room, guard him if he goes into the popcorn stand, and until the final whistle. The
opponent should go home with the feeling of being attacked by a wild octopus. He should have
nightmares dreaming about the aggressive tactics that wild man inflicted, not giving him one
minute of peace.
The current trend is toward defense. Never before, in the history of the game has defense been
played as currently being played by the top teams in the NCAA. No team has a corner on the
defensive game, today. All good teams are playing it more efficiently each year. The trend is
pointing in that direction out of necessity. More time must be devoted in preparation of a way to
stop modern offensive formations and patterns. Younger coaches are discovering something
that Bob Knight and Dean Smith have known for years and always practiced.
In most cases the defender positions himself either between his man and the basket, particularly
if guarding a player with the ball, or partially or wholly between his man and the ball. Both
positions serve to reduce the action-reaction advantage favoring the offensive player, forcing the
offensive player to work harder than normal to get the ball or move into scoring position.

Individual Requirements
Defensive team play can only be as effective as the individual ability and dedication of each
player. Attributes to be sought individually are:
1. Desire and Pride. Regardless of how sound a player is fundamentally, he can not be an
effective defender if he lacks either these two qualities. Playing hard-nosed defense
requires hard work and determination, while offering little praise or recognition. Hustle is
the child of desire that includes determination to play defense well. A good defender
works tirelessly and puts forth that extra effort even when tired. Pride is the satisfaction
one feels when knowing he played the part to the best of his ability while receiving little,
or no credit.
2. Mental Alertness and Aggressiveness. The player who reacts immediately from
offense to defense will be in position to cover unguarded opponents, prevent the surprise

offensive maneuver, putting the offense at a disadvantage. These two requirements can
often force an opponent into a defensive posture even though he has control of the ball.
3. Anticipation and Adaptability. Anticipation is the ability to predetermine offensive
patterns. To decide whether a pass can be intercepted or change offensive men with a
teammate before the situation presents itself. Adjusting to changes with the correct
defensive action indicates a player's adaptability. This is not based entirely on instinct, but
upon an intelligent study of an opponent's individual and team offensive moves from the
moment the game began.
4. Speed and Quickness. Running speed enables a defender to move from one court
position to another more quickly than other players. His speed and quickness allows him
to recover from defensive mistakes, assuming a new defensive position with little danger
to the team. Quickness of feet, hands, and arms enables a defender to keep the offense
in a protective attitude by individual harassment. Quickness effectively neutralizes an
opponent's superior speed. Because the normal defensive distance from the basket is
between eighteen and twenty -two feet, quickness is probably a bigger asset than speed.
The objective of a basketball team defense is to stop the offensive team from scoring. We all
know this is an impossible task. More practical is the attempt to take the opponent out of the
offense they are trying to run. This can be done by:
Forcing the ball toward low-percentage shooters, or scoring areas by fronting or
overplaying the opponent's high scorer.
Getting back quickly on defense to limit the fast-break opportunities
Forcing shooters to alter their position, timing, release, or arc of their shot
From the above, you can see the entire purpose of a team's defense is to limit the opponent's
opportunity to score by these three things. The coach must use several factors, the most
important one is the available personnel.
It is my opinion the correct defense is one which limits the opponent's offensive attacks. A good
team defense, this day and age, incorporates the strong points of both the zone and man-toman defense. The primary focus in a man-to-man is the person and the secondary objective is
the ball; however, teams that use person-to-person as a primary defense also use some zone
principles as playing loosely away from the ball. They collapse weak-side toward the basket to
prevent penetration, compacting the defense in the basket area.
Conversely, zone defensive players play the ball first and the person second, but must be able
to defend against the opponent with the ball on a person-to-person basis.
In the old days, a zone player covered a specific area. It isn't that way, today. Zones of today,
flex with a person-to-person attitude at the ball, attacking the person with the ball and preventing
a pass into the pivot.

Whatever Defensive You Choose

1. Insist that players never allow the offensive team to advance the ball to their point of
attack without strong defensive pressure.
2. As a coach do not use a single defense in your overall preparation.
3. Adapt to whatever defensive style is best suited to counteract the opponent's offensive
moves.
4. Understand the type of defense you choose to use and be able to teach it to your players.

Work hard at improving your team's defense. Any defense used must be:
Sound, both individually and as a team.
Flexible, adaptable to different offensive attacks
Simple, enough for your players to learn.
Complex, for the opponent's to solve.
Defensive ability is based is based on the following factors:
1. Hard work.
2. Determination.
3. Dedication.
4. Discipline.
5. Concentration.
6. Responsibility.
7. Cooperation.
8. Physical and mental coordination.
9. Speed and quickness.
10. Willingness.
11. Pride.
When coaches scout their opponents, they preview each other's defenses. Showing multiple
defenses allows a coach to employ a defense that will give his opponent difficulty. This forces
the opposing coach to use practice time to prepare for each defense playing against reserve
players who must be taught each defense in order to act as opponents.
A good coach should pressure teams holding the ball for a last shot at the end of a period or the
game. The stalling team generally are so interested in maintaining possession, they usually do
not look at the basket; therefore, it might be easy to force them into a violation. Teams who are
ahead should not relax and become passive either on offense or defense.
All teams must be able to press to some degree, especially in the late stages of a game.
Defensive aggressiveness will cause the opponents to move out of their normal pattern.
Defensively, a team should change the game pace to its own advantage. You must surprise and
confuse the opponent. Saving some practiced defensive variations for the second half that were
not shown in the first half is generally another good surprise maneuver. You could also use a
defensive variation in the last few minutes of the first half so that the opposing coach will use
much of his valuable half-time period discussing methods of attacking a defense that will not be
used again in that game.
The winning team in basketball is frequently the team quickest in transition from offense to
defense; therefore, it is important that your team maintains defensive balance while attacking
offensively. You must always keep a player in a defensive safety position so that he may hinder,
or stop, the opponents from scoring an easy unopposed basket. A team should have:
Three offensive rebounders.

One person who is half offensive and half defensive, going to the ball only if certain of
possession.
One player at Safety Defensive position.

Preparation
Defensive preparation begins the first day. Team defensive fundamentals are essential and
should be reviewed throughout the season.
You must practice double-teaming opponents, working on the double-teaming aspects from
person-to-person, zone, or zone-press defensive alignments. You must teach baseline
defensive techniques and how to play persons who do not have possession of the ball. If you
want an aggressive defense, you must have your players to overplay. If not, let them play loose
or sag back when the player is one pass away. It is best that you teach all your players to never
allow an opponent to cut in front of them to the ball, especially a corner player who wants to cut
to the keyhole area with the ball out front or on the opposite side.
Emphasize the need for a good defense by doing as follows:
1. Insist upon attention to detail when implementing the defensive.
2. Break the defense into fundamental parts.
3. Practice group defensive techniques each session.
4. Develop rules for each phase of the defense.
5. Spread defensive drills discriminately through daily practice. For example: at the
beginning of one practice session, halfway through another, and at the end on the third
day.
6. Never allow improper defense by any player. Correct poor procedure immediately.
7. Reward good defensive play. Give praise both public and private for outstanding
defensive accomplishment.

Determining Team Defense

The basic makeup of your material must be considered. In general, a team will consist of one of
the following groups:
1. Five taller than average players - If you choose a person-to-person defense, it should
be a loose defense. If the coach prefers a zone, a passive type might be best. In this type
of defense your players can defend the goal area. Whenever pressure is needed, a type
of half-court pressure should do the job. Have your quickest player force the ball up to the
mid-court line and the entire team giving pressure in the half-court area.
2. Four tall players and one small and quick player - Teach this group a loose person to
person defense or a one-two-two zone where the smaller and quicker player is given
freedom to anticipate and intercept. Whenever pressure is needed, a type of half-court
pressure is best, with the small player forcing the ball up to the mid-court line and the
entire team exerting pressure in the half-court area.
3. Three tall players and two smaller players - I recommend a regular person-to-person
defense. The team could also use a two-one-two or a two-three zone, a combination
defense, or a pressure defense that could be extended to a two-two-one full-court
pressure.

4. Two tall players and three small players - You can use any type of person-to-person
defense. You could use a three-two zone, a one-two-two zone, a one-three-one zone, or
a combination defense. Whenever a pressure defense is needed, this team can use any
type pressure defense, be it half-court, three-quarter-court, or full court.
5. One tall player and four small players - I recommend a switching person-to-person
defense whereby the four small players switch on every lateral cross or movement
toward the basket, staying with their player only on diagonal cuts. The best half-court
zone would be either a two-two-one or a one-three-one. Leave the big player in the
basket area at all times.
6. Five small players - This team should use a tight person-to-person half-court defense
with double or turn action taken on the outside dribbler. A full-court person-to-person
would be OK, too. A zone press defense could be used, with all five players crashing the
defensive boards, or an aggressive two-three zone defense in which pressure is put on
the ball at all areas of the front court.

Team Principles of Basketball Defense

"All good defenses, be it person-to-person, combination. or zone, are based on these six
principles:
1. Reduce the High-Percentage Shots.
2. Decrease the Number of Shots under 18 feet.
3. Limit you opponent's Second-Shot opportunities.
4. Eliminate Turn-Overs.
5. Attack the Ball with Controlled Aggressiveness.
6. Discourage Opponents from Penetrating.
Let me repeat, the objective of a basketball team defense is to stop the offensive team from
scoring; however, this is an impossible task. More practical is the attempt to take the opponent
out of the offense they are trying to run and the ball out of the hands of their best scorer.