Desire | Stance and footwork | Positioning | Talk | Definite responsibilities and techniques | Rebounding assignments

The importance of sound team defensive play in championship basketball cannot be overemphasized. The major difference between the average basketball team and those who ride the crest of the tournament trail at the end of the season lies in ability to play defense. The Cincinnati-Ohio State game in the 1961 NCAA finals was a tremendous example of the value of good team defense. Cincinnati could not match the offensive power of the Lucas-led Buckeyes but their team defensive play was so brilliant that it gained for them the coveted NCAA championship. Many types of team defenses are used in modern basketball. Various types of man-for-man and zone defenses exist and combinations of both are seen often. Regardless of the type of defense a team may use, certain essentials are necessary for it to be successful:

1. Team members must have a desire to play defense.

2. Correct defensive stance and footwork must be used by all team members.

3. Correct positioning must be maintained by all team members.

4. Team members must talk to one another to be able to combat the variety of situations that may occur.

5. Definite responsibilities  and techniques  must  be  established  for meeting the various types of offensive maneuvers that may be encountered.

6. Definite rebounding assignments must be made.

1. Team members must have a desire to play defense. Because of the nature of the game and the tremendous amount of publicity and public favor given to the high scorers, most players prefer to play offense. The coach's job is to sell the importance of playing defense to his team and to instill in them the desire to play defense. Defense can be the great equalizer. When the offense is having a bad night—and this will invariably happen—good sound defense can produce a victory. But good sound defense cannot be played unless team members want to play defense. The idea of letting the other team shoot so that you can get the ball for a scoring attempt will result in a long, dreary winter. The worst method of obtaining the ball is by taking the ball out of the opponent's basket! If a coach will stress defense at least on an equal basis with offense in his practice sessions, if he will cite outstanding defensive performances to the press, if awards at the end of the season will include awards for best defensive players as well as offensive players, and if he will distribute praise regularly to his good defensive players, then this desire to play defense can be instilled into a team and the seeds sown that are prerequisite to a solid team defense.

2. Correct defensive stance and footwork must be used by all team members. No player can play good defense in an incorrect stance or with faulty footwork. The player who stands erect in guarding an opponent or who uses incorrect footwork will seldom do a good defensive job. Since a good team defense is dependent on not one or two players but five working as a coordinated unit, improper stance or footwork by any one of the five can reduce greatly the effectiveness of the team defense.

3. Correct positioning must be maintained by all team members. A player cannot expect to defense an opponent unless he maintains proper floor position. In man-for-man defenses, this will mean that he usually will be between his respective opponent and the basket. If his opponent breaks into the area near the basket, it will be necessary for him to play between his opponent and the ball to prevent him from receiving the ball in such a dangerous scoring position. If the team defense is a zone, each player must be in the proper floor position in his zone and must make the proper shifts with the movement of the ball. An incorrect shift will result in improper position and a weakness in the team defense. One player out of position can nullify the work of four other players and weaken an otherwise sound team defense.

4. Team members must talk to one another to be able to combat the variety of situations that may occur. Talk is a valuable asset to a good team defense. The player who will not yell out to teammates to warn them of special situations will impair the effectiveness of the team defense though he himself may be a good individual defensive player. Terms such as "watch the screen," "screen left," "switch," "stay," "rebound," and "slide through" are a few of the many needed to insure correct defensive action for the variety of offensive screens and maneuvers that may be faced.

5. Definite responsibilities and techniques must be established for meeting the various types of offensive maneuvers that may be encountered. A good team defense will be prepared to meet all types of offensive formations whether it be a single pivot, double pivot or other offense. Definite techniques and responsibilities must be established for meeting the offensive maneuvers that go toward making up these team offenses. Work on the practice floor before meeting these formations will allow team members to know adjustments in the team defense that may be needed for each formation. Definite techniques must be prepared for meeting the various types of screens, the "split-the-post" situation, the "give and go," the "shot over the screen," and other offensive plays. These techniques must be developed on the practice floor and cannot be left to chance during the game. Players who switch on a screen one time and then "slide through" on the identical screen the next have not mastered these techniques absolutely essential to a sound team defense.

6. Definite rebounding assignments must be made. Rebounding assignments begin with a shot by the opponent. If the defense is a man-for-man, each defensive player must screen (box out) his opponent so that he will be between this opponent and the basket. Failure to do this by any one member of the defense can result in an easy basket for the opponent. Correct blockout techniques usually result in three rebounders being in the vicinity of the basket for the short rebound and two rebounders outside in a position to grab the long rebound. If the defense is a zone, players must be certain of rebounding areas and must attempt block-outs of opponents in their respective areas.

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