Help Side Defense
-When a player is off the ball, they should not be close to the player they are guarding if they are not close enough to deny a pass.
-Denying a pass will be covered on the Team Defense page.
-Coaches have different opinions on where players should be when they are in help side but if you follow the general rule of being spaced halfway between the ball and your man then you should be good.
Transition from Offense to Defense
-Players must sprint back on defense the second the other team gets a rebound or a turnover happens.
-The first defender back must sprint straight to the paint, face the ball, and stop easy layups.
-Another defender must slow down the ball handler, but the rim protector must never leave the basket open.
-Players need to talk loudly, call out assignments, and point out who is open.
- Once the paint is safe, defenders run outward to guard the three-point line and hot shooters.
Denying a Pass to the Wing
-Position yourself "on the line & up the line" between the passer and your assigned offensive player. Split your opponent's body in half with your stance.
-Stay close enough to your opponent to make physical contact or touch them.
-Extend the arm and hand closest to the ball into the passing lane with your palm turned toward the passer.
-Follow the core rule of "see the ball, feel your man" so you can react instantly to movements.
Denying the Backdoor Cut
-Stay in the same body position you were in while denying the ball to the wing. When the offensive player goes backdoor move with them.
-Drop the hand you had in the passing, and raise the other hand that is closer to the basket with the palm facing the passer.
-Quickly whip your head around from the direction it was facing while denying to the opposite direction during the backdoor.
