Playing winning basketball is all about team play. The one constant in team play is the way a team plays defense. Shooting percentages may vary from game to game, but defensive effort must remain constant. To play defense well, players must not only guard the player they are responsible for in a man-to-man defense but must also provide help when a teammate needed it.
Function
A helping defense is one that recognizes the strength of the opposing offense and does everything it can to slow it down or stop it. If the team you are playing has a strong point guard, the player guarding him will try to stop him. But that may not be enough. As soon as he moves toward the right side of the court, the defensive player closest to him may leave his man and attempt "double" the man with the ball and trap him. When this is done effectively, it can lead to a steal, a turnover or poor shot selection.
Significance
When you are helping out with excellent switching and side defensive help, your opponent may lose focus. Instead of thinking about what they want to do with the ball, they are thinking about what you are doing on defense. To make this happen in the game, you can work the following 3-on-2 drill. Have the point guard dribble the ball over the midcourt line. At that point, the defensive player assigned to the small forward on the right side comes up to assist the primary defender. While he leaves his man open, the center switches out on the man the small forward was covering and the power forward switches to the center's man. One offensive player will still be open, but he will be on the opposite side of the court
Types
Defenses can provide "help" coverage when they are playing man-to-man defense, box and 1 zone, 2-3 zone, 1-3-1 zone and a 3-2 zone. Perhaps the defense that is best suited to playing the helping game is the box and 1 zone. In this defense, your best defender guards the opponent's best offensive player on a 1-on-1 basis. The other four defenders are stationed in a rectangular pattern around the lane -- also known as the lane. Any one of the four defenders in the box can jump out and double cover the man with the ball.
Features
All players who play effective help defense have to be aggressive and on their toes at all times. This first move must be quick and aggressive. To help this happen on the court, have all the defensive players line up on one side of the court and get in aggressive defensive position with their hands up, knees bent and their weight on the balls of their feet. Each player shuffles across court -- you don't cross your feet -- and then comes back. This teaches hustle, aggressiveness and quickness to the ball.
Expert Insight
A helping and alert defense is always a major factor with all championship teams. "When I was playing with the Knicks, the importance of defense was hammered home by Red Holzman every day," said 11-time NBA championship coach Phil Jackson. "I have used that every step along the way no matter where I have coached."
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