Fighting Through On-Ball Screens
-Recognize the screen early and press up on the ball handler.
-Place a forearm on the offensive player's body to maintain pressure, feel their movement, and gain leverage.
-Do not shy away from the screener. sSep into them or use your inside shoulder to press tight against the screener's hip.
-Pivot your outside foot, fire your head and shoulder past the screener, and sprint to get back chest-to-chest with the ball handler.
Traps
-Initiate the trap when the offensive player is in a disadvantaged area, such as the sideline, a corner, or right after crossing half-court. Avoid trapping in the open court where the ball handler has room to escape.
-Two defenders must converge quickly and meet "feet-to-feet" or slightly overlap their shoes to form an impenetrable barrier. Keep knees bent and stay low to change direction instantly.
-Keep hands active and high to disrupt passing lanes and deflect skip passes, while keeping low hands ready to deter ground passes. Never break your arms or reach wildly, which leads to fouls.
-If the ball handler lifts the ball over their head, trappers must step up and walk directly under them legally to suffocate their passing sightlines.
On Ball Stunts
-A stunt is a quick jab, fake, or swipe at the basketball when an opponent is dribbling.
-This is especially effective when picking up the ball full-court.
-Stunt at your man 3 or 4 times in the first half and remember if they react in the same way.
-Later, stunt again and then go for the steal know that you are pretty sure how they will react and where they will put the ball after you stunt.
Walling Up
-Stay body-to-body and attach yourself to the offensive player's inside shoulder when they gather, rather than chasing or reaching for the ball.
-Absorb the offensive player's momentum using your chest legally to push them off their direct line to the basket.
- Keep your arms straight up and hands positioned high or behind your ears, matching the cylinder of your body to avoid reaching.
- Do not lunge or jump prematurely on pump fakes. Stay grounded. Keep your feet moving and maintain position until the actual shot release.
Kill the Pivot
-Move in tight immediately once the offensive player stops dribbling, since they can no longer escape via a drive.
-Place your foot and body position directly into the path of their non-pivot leg or stance to disrupt their motion.
-Jam their movement so they cannot comfortably sweep through or create passing angles, forcing an awkward state or a panicked pass.
-Keep your hands high and active to contest the forced pass without fouling.
