Selection of the defense | Teaching the defense | Points to remember

Good team defense can bring a victory when the offense is having the invariable "off" night. Surely most coaches would agree that defense is fifty per cent of the game. Yet, how many devote half of practice time toward developing this important phase of the game that can add many wins to the victory column? It is doubtful that one-fourth of coaches devote this much time to team defense, though they may fully realize its importance.

The building of a team defense begins with the selection of the defenses to be used for the season and the inclusion in the practice schedule of adequate practice time to develop these defenses. A coach may decide that a sinking type of man-for-man defense will be his basic team defense, yet there will be times when he will have to press. A zone defense may be chosen as the basic defense but again provision must be made for the pressing situation. The team that uses the man-for-man as their basic defense may want to learn a zone for use in special situations, such as when opposing a high-scoring center or when against a weak outside shooting team. Thus, more than one team defense is needed for a season of play and these defenses should be selected in advance so that practice plans can be made accordingly.

Selection of the Defense

Several factors may be involved in selecting defenses to be used during a season:

1. The defensive philosophy and knowledge of the coach.

2. The defensive ability of the player personnel.

3. The type of competition to be faced.

The defensive philosophy and knowledge of the coach are tremendously important in the selection of the defenses to be used. The coach that is more familiar with the teaching techniques of the man-for-man defense probably will do a better job of teaching this defense than he would a zone. If his philosophy centers around a belief in aggressive man-for-man play, he may find it difficult to generate sufficient enthusiasm for teaching a zone.

The defensive ability of player personnel on hand is certainly an important factor to be considered. A team that will be made up of tall, slow players may find a type of zone defense more effective than a man-for-man. A zone also may be more suitable for the smaller team that needs rebounding strength. The team with fast, average size players may be able to gain more advantage from a man-for-man defense.

Not to be forgotten in the selection of the defense is the type of competition to be faced. As a general rule, the better type competition, the less likelihood of the success of a zone. Few college teams play zone defenses because college shooters usually are too proficient. Fewer zones are played by the larger high schools than by the smaller ones. This is mainly because the larger high schools face similar schools with large numbers to select from and a higher probability of better shooters. Smaller high schools have fewer students to choose from and teams often have ineffective shooters from outside. Thus, the success of zone defenses is highly related to the type of competition to be faced.

Teaching the Defense

Explanation, demonstration, drill on parts of the defense and on the defense as a whole, and correction of mistakes both by the use of floor correction and blackboard discussions are important procedures in teaching the team defense.

Teaching begins with a thorough explanation of the defense to be learned along with general rules and principles that apply to the defense. This explanation should be given with the aid of a blackboard and after thorough preparation on the coach's part in order for the presentation to be clear and understandable. An enthusiastic presentation will instill confidence and a desire to learn the defense to the squad.

After thorough explanation, drills must be employed to teach the major parts of the defense. The technique to be used for combating the various types of screens should be designated. If switching is to be used, drills to insure proper switching technique are a must. Drills designed to teach the technique for defensing the off-side screen, the pivot area, to block cutters, to protect the base-line, and other components of the team defense must be practiced daily.

As players learn their definite responsibilities for the parts of the team defense, they will become ready for work on the defense as a whole. The whole defense should be taught by use of 5-on-5 drills on half-court. Initially, the offense should be instructed to move the ball slowly so that the coach can detect improper position and make changes with each movement of the ball. After basic positioning is learned, work must be at full speed. The defense must receive practice against all types of offensive formations and play situations. Constant correction is a necessity. As players make errors during the half-court defensive drills, play should be stopped to allow the coach to point out the mistakes and the correct method demonstrated. Periodic chalk-talks should be held to review the team defense and to discuss mistakes being made both individually and as a team.

Besides sufficient work on the basic team defense, the practice plan must provide for adequate work on auxiliary defenses. Pressing defenses, jump-ball defense, out-of-bounds play defense, defensing the fast-break, defensing the high-scoring center, and other special defensive situations must receive attention.

Throughout the development of team defense, daily practice should be devoted to mastery of the individual defensive fundamentals. The team defense is as good as its individual members. Individual defensive fundamental improvement will result in improved team defensive play.

As the season progresses, the scouting report can be an immense aid to the defense. On practice sessions prior to games, the offense used by the next opponent can be thoroughly explained, any adjustments needed in the team defense diagrammed, and practice time devoted to the execution of these adjustments.

Points to Remember

1. Clear explanation and periodic review of the team defense through chalk-board and skull sessions are necessary.

2. Break-down drills for combating various offensive maneuvers must be included daily in the practice plan.

3. Mistakes must be constantly corrected and the proper technique demonstrated.

4. The defense must receive sufficient practice against all types of offensive patterns.

5. Pressing defenses, jump-ball defense, methods of defensing out-of-bounds plays, the fast-break, the big man, and other special defensive situations must not be neglected.

6. Scouting reports must be studied and utilized in preparing the team defense for each opponent.

7. Defense must receive equal emphasis with offense.

8. Constant work on individual defensive fundamentals is essential.

9. Never forget the importance of desire in building a sound team defense. The coach must exhibit a genuine enthusiasm for defensive play that will be contagious to his players. Praise must go to good defensive performances as well as good offensive performances.

10. The defense will never reach perfection. Players must not be allowed to become complacent and satisfied with present performances. Constant improvement must be the objective.

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