OVERRIDING DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLE

A strong defensive system should have an overriding principle — a theme in which the defense is built around.  At Covenant, that overriding principle is: “STOP THE BASKETBALL.”

STANCE

Whether you are playing man-to-man or a zone, if you are going to be solid defensively, you must first be ready to stop the ball. 

There are three keys to a good basketball stance.  First, we want the proper body position.  Second, we want to evenly distribute our weight in order to have good balance.  Finally, we want to move in our stance in such a way that allows control.  The combination of position, balance and control gives us maximum speed, quickness and agility.

While most players do a good job of assuming a stance at the beginning of the possession, only a few are disciplined enough to stay in their stance the entire time.  Staying in your stance and mastering the proper footwork can help any player take their game to the next level.  Regardless of size or speed, you will instantly become a better basketball player by maintaining a good basketball stance.

BALL PRESSURE

If stopping the ball is the overriding principle to our defense, then ball pressure becomes one of the most critical elements.  We want to be able to control the basketball and dictate where it will be dribbled.  Our point of pick up on the basketball will start at half court.

HAND ON THE BALL

► If the ball handler has the ball but has not used her dribble, we want to be down in our stance with one hand “mirroring” the basketball at all times.

► If the ball handler is dribbling, we want to be down in our stance with our outside hand pressuring the basketball.

► If the ball handler picks up her dribble, we want to get as close to her without fouling as possible and have both hands aggressively “mirroring” the basketball.

► If the ball handler is attempting to pass, we want to have our outside hand extended in the passing lane, attempting to alter the pass or deflect it.

► If the ball handler attempts to shoot, we want to get a hand up on the ball in an attempt to block or alter the shot.  This is an aggressive maneuver, but we want to challenge every shot taken by an opponent.  We do not believe that a hand in the face will effect a good shooter — we want to make her change her shot.

I cannot emphasize enough the importance of playing aggressive defense.

4:13