DEFENSIVE STOPS

Defensive Stops are the determining factor of any game.

A Defensive Stop is a possession in which the opposing team does not score.  Defensive Stops are a result of offensive turnovers and defensive rebounds.  Defensive Stops don’t just happen.  They are a product of solid defensive play.

Defensive Stops are a key element to all offensive runs.

It doesn’t do much good to score, if you don’t keep your opponent from scoring.  6 to 0 or 8 to 2 blitzes are a result of combining defensive stops and scoring.

Defensive Stops allow you to play through adversity.

Defensive Stops during a game buy you critical time when your offense is struggling.  If you should experience a four or five minute scoring drought, Defensive Stops will keep you in the game and minimize the hemorrhaging.  Instead of falling behind by double digits, you may only lose 2 to 4 points.

Defensive Stops neutralize and erase offensive mistakes.

Offensive turnovers or bad shots, no matter how severe, can be simply “erased” or cancelled out just by hustling back on defense and making a defensive stop.  The only turnovers that hurt are the ones that the opponent scores after.

Defensive Stops are also crucial protecting a hard earned lead at the end of a game.

End of game leads can evaporate quickly without defensive stops.  The best way to protect the lead is by making defensive stops.  Defensive rebounding in this situation is critical.  Anticipate long rebounds and box out.  Do not allow any second efforts.

Defensive Stops are also crucial in catching up at the end of a game.

All the scoring in the world will do you little good if you don’t keep the other team from scoring.

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