Basketball Defense
Have you ever heard the crowd chanting during a game of basketball: "DEFENSE!"? It is one of the most common cheers coming from the stands at a basketball game, but do the fans really know what their cry for DEFENSE means? Come to think of it, does the team? The coach? Does anyone understand the importance or meaning of basketball defense? In basketball, defense is just as important as making baskets. Let's take a closer look at what effective basketball defense really means.
A basketball team is playing defense whenever they don't have possession of the ball. Defensive players also protect their basket and stop the other team - who is playing offense - from scoring. Basketball defense is not just a way of playing the game; it is a mental state that pushes players to focus on preventing the other team from shooting or scoring. Any basketball player can learn to play good defense. The key is to remember that defense is one of the most important parts of a basketball game.
Basketball Defense: Transition
Making the switch from offense to defense must be done speedily, with the defense being prepared and ready for play the moment the ball moves to the opposing team. The minute your team moves to defense, your focus should be on getting the ball back.
Basketball Defense: Purpose
The purpose and job of the defense is to put pressure on the other team, causing them to make a mistake and give up the ball. The basketball defense has to guard all of the offensive players on the court, watch every corner and try to disturb the play and focus of the ball handler. A great way to stop the offense is to use your body to block the ball handler's view of his teammates. Put your arms up and really be a pest. If you can stop the other team from communicating, you cut off their ability to set up plays. Always stay between the opposing player and your basket. At the same time, you have to watch for rebounds and chances to get that ball back.
Basketball Defense: Always Be Ready
Defensive players always have to be on the lookout for opportunities to steal the ball back. In order to be ready for any chance, keep your lead hand near the ball and wave your other hand to stop the opposing player from passing. Determine the offensive player's dominant hand, and then keep your opposite foot forward and your hand out with your palm up to block the player.
In basketball, there are three types of defense: Man-on-Man Defense, Zone Defense and Box 1 Defense, which combines the first two. Man-on-Man Defense is the most common and easiest type of defense. Basically, one defensive player guards a certain offensive player at all times. For example, the point guard from the defensive team is assigned to guard the point guard from the offensive team. Man-on-Man assignments are made according to the athleticism, height and speed of the player.
The Man-on-Man style of defense puts a lot of pressure on the offensive player, but it is dangerous to the defensive player if they are outmaneuvered by the offensive player they are guarding. If this happens, the offensive player is basically free, because all of the other players on the defensive team are busy guarding their own offensive players.
With Zone Defense, the defensive players guard a specific zone, or area of the court. There are difference kinds of Zone Defense, and they are usually identified by numbers that correspond to the players in that specific zone. For example, A 2-3 Defense means that two players should be guarding the zone near the three-point line and three players should be guarding the baseline. Usually a Zone Defense is limited to the key or painted zone.
Sometimes a basketball team will use both a Man-to-Man Defense and a Zone Defense at the same time, like with a Box-1 Defense. With the Box-1 Defense, four players from the defensive team man an assigned zone around the key. Then a fifth player - usually a guard - covers a specific player on the offensive team, in a Man-to-Man style of defense.