Cherry pickers can frustrate even the best basketball teams. Instead of staying on the defensive end of the floor and helping prevent the opposing team from scoring, the cherry picker drifts toward the other end of the floor and waits for a long outlet pass. When the pass is completed, the cherry picker has an uncontested shot. Executing the offense with a man advantage, strong rebounding and paying close attention to the cherry picker are the best ways to eliminate the easy baskets.
Players with long arms are difficult for opposing teams to deal with on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. A long "wingspan" can give you a competitive edge in basketball, but you have to know how to use y...
One dominant player can score points in bunches and take over the game. Stopping the dominant player takes practice, strategy and hard work. Devising different defensive looks and employing multiple defenders are good ways to s...
Stealing the basketball from an opposing player allows you to gain possession of the ball, eliminating the opposing team's ability to score. In addition, steals can often lead to easy scoring opportunities on a fast break becau...
The inbounder is the player on the offensive team who stands out of bounds and tries to pass the ball to a teammate who is standing inbounds. A defensive player is allowed to guard the inbounder, but the defender is not allowed...
When playing a zone defense in basketball, you must communicate with your teammates and trust that they will do their part to keep the offense from scoring. One particular situation that requires strong communication among your...
Basketball is a limited contact sport. Offensive players generally have the right of way on the court, with or without the basketball. Most forms of defensive contact with an offensive players may result in a foul. But defensiv...
In basketball, there is a saying that "defense wins championships," which is why defensive preparations can be extensive before important games. A man-to-man defense means that each player is matched against an opposi...
Man-to-man and zone defenses are defensive alignments used during a basketball game that involve different assignments for each defensive player on the court. Basically, zone defense gives the five defensive players a particula...
One of the more common, and effective, ways offensive players get open is by setting picks for each other. Picks put pressure on the defense, creating mismatches that can lead to easy points for the offense. Teaching your playe...
When teaching the game of basketball to young players, focus on the fundamentals. Choose defensive drills that emphasize the correct footwork and positioning and also allow the players to engage in friendly competition. Beginni...
Defensive-minded basketball coaches employ a variety of strategies to stifle opposing offenses. One strategy is a zone defense. Zone defenses are designed to take away an opponent's strength, whether it's outside shooting or a ...
Taller players tend to dominate basketball games because they have distinct advantages in scoring and playing defense. They're naturally closer to the hoop and their imposing height can be used to block shots and disrupt play a...
Offense wins games, but defense wins championships. To be successful in basketball, you must be able to defend your opponent and keep them from scoring. One of the more challenging offensive plays to defend in basketball is the...
Basketball is as much technical work and strategy as it is physical. Basketball players must establish and maintain effective defensive position to successfully play defense. Physical prowess and tenacity are important, but the...
When playing defense in basketball, it is important to keep your hands active in order to clog the passing lanes and get steals. To do this, your hands should always be out at your sides when you are in a defensive stance and ...
The two basic defenses in basketball are man-to-man, sometimes referred to as person-to-person in respect for the rise of women's basketball, and zone. Each basic defense has a number of variations. Many coaches prefer the man-...
Statistical analyst Dean Oliver developed the defensive rating statistic, an estimation of the number of points a basketball team allows per 100 opponent possessions, to quantify defensive effectiveness. The formula, first used...
In basketball, high scores and fast-paced play often make you forget the defensive side of the ball. Obviously, defenses in basketball are designed to prevent the opposing team from scoring, but defenses have many other purpose...
There are plenty of rules to sift through regarding fouls in the game of basketball. Using your chest or body to defend a post-up player can usually be done in certain game situations, but you could be called for a foul for thi...
Playing solid defense in basketball is one of the primary factors in a team being successful. Successful defense is based on effort, technique and conditioning. Coaches don't expect all players to be dynamic scorers, but they d...
To emphasize the importance of defense during a game, basketball coaches commonly say, "Defense wins championships." Learning and playing defense is 90 percent effort and only 10 percent skill, making it important for beginners...
The phrase "defense wins championships" is relevant to basketball. Although a lot of scoring occurs in basketball, a strong defense can reduce an opponent's shooting percentage and slow the rate of scoring in a game. Good defen...
Teams with strong post play try to work the ball inside, while good outside shooting teams attempt to open up shots on the perimeter for their shooters. Opposing coaches plan and scheme defenses that attempt to hide mismatches ...
An old adage in sports notes that "offense wins games, but defense wins championships." This holds true for basketball, as an elite defensive team can contain a high-powered offensive team and turn the game in its favor. Knowi...
The phrase "defense wins championships" is as true as ever in basketball. Although scoring occurs at a fast rate in the sport, strong defensive play increases the scoring difficulty for an opposing offense. Defensive skills are...
Zone defenses are employed in basketball for many reasons. They help eliminate mismatches that can be exploited in a man-to-man defense. A zone also can make it easier for other defenders to help a teammate if he falls or loses...
To be a complete basketball player, you need to give equal time to the defensive side of your game. Being a one-dimensional player, even if you are a serious offensive threat, only hinders your team. Even the most prolific NBA ...
A pick or a screen is a type of offensive strategy used in basketball to help a teammate get an open shot at the basket. When an offensive player impedes a defensive player from guarding another offensive player, this is called...
Defense may be more important than offense when it comes to winning basketball. Coaches Red Auerbach, Phil Jackson, Red Holzman and Chuck Daly made defensive pressure the priorities of their teams and all became championship co...
Being able to score is important in the game of basketball, but it won't do you much good if you're not able to stop the competition from doing the same. Defensive basketball drills can help you get your team ready to face an o...
Basketball defense training focuses on improving your stance, as well as your basic fundamentals. While the offensive side of basketball makes you focus on agility and scoring, the defensive side requires specific attention to ...
Offense may be how to get in the stat sheet, but playing defense is just as essential in the game of basketball. Basketball defense is necessary in order to stop the other team from scoring or even just slow down their offense,...
In basketball, transition defense means making the necessary adjustments to quickly change from offense to defense before the opposing team can get down the floor to score an easy basket. Players must be ready at all times to s...
In basketball, playing defense means trying to stop your opponent from scoring. The rules of basketball spell out how and under what circumstances the defense can attempt to stop offensive players. The majority of personal foul...
If the popular sports cliche has it right, defense wins championships. Exceptional defense in basketball can be hard to learn, and takes years to master, and even many professional basketball players sometimes get criticized fo...
Playing solid defense in competitive basketball requires teamwork, practice, knowledge of your opponent and most importantly communication. Players should practice different situations they believe they will encounter througho...
Basketball teams use a variety of defenses to stop an offense from scoring. One of these defenses is the 1-2-2 zone. This defense requires players to guard an area rather than a man. The 1-2-2 zone is usually employed against g...
A proper defensive stance is the base upon which good basketball defense is built. Bend your knees and get low to the ground. Your head should always be lower than the head of the player you are guarding. Spread the feet shoul...
