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How to defend fast players basketball
7 Tips For Stopping An Elite Guard
- By Joe Haefner
Home > Coaching > Basketball Defensive Strategy > 7 Tips For Stopping An Elite Guard
Swish! Another jump shot hits nothing but net. A couple of plays later the same player drives the ball down the lane at will and nails a tough shot in the lane.
A couple of plays later, the same thing happens except the same player now throws the perfect pass at the perfect time to a wide open player underneath the
basket for a dunk. And each and every time this happens, it seems like a dagger is being driven into your team's heart. We've all probably played against this
type of guard throughout our career at least once.
Well, I know it drives me crazy when it seems like if all I could do is contain this elite player, it would give me a chance to win.
Because of this, I've given you seven tips that have helped me in the past. And I hope these tips will help
you for the next time you face that elite guard.
Play Underneath - If he's a great dribble penetrator, but his outside shot is fairly weak, you may
want to sag off of him and play underneath screens.
Pressure - If he's a great shooter, but ball-handling is not his expertise, you will want to pressure
him and stay very close, so that he can't receive any easy passes or get any room to get off a shot.
Sag Off Until 1st Pass - If you run into an elite player who can do everything, he will be much more difficult to stop. One thing you can do is
sag off until the first pass. When the elite player has the ball, you make that first pass
really easy for him and as soon as that first pass is thrown, you deny the pass back to him all the time.
Deny the Player - You can also deny the player the ball from the start. The player
guarding the inbounder completely denies the star player while the defensive player assigned to the
star player is on the opposite side. If he were to catch the ball, you could have the player denying
the pass sprint back to the person he was initially guarding. You could also use the player guarding
the inbounder to instantly form a double team to try to force the star player to get rid of the ball.
Double Team - If this player is still destroying you, you could flash a double-team at him whenever he touches the ball. Different tactics
include double team from the person closest to the ball, from the weakest offensive player, and from the offensive player's back are few that you could try.
Take Charges - If you are also playing great help defense, you can take a couple of charges. This
will make the player think twice before penetrating, and he'll start settling for the tough, outside shots.
Study Tendencies - As you go up in the levels of basketball, it's important to study the player's tendencies. You should know what
shots they make at a high percentage and what shots they miss at a high percentage. If the player
is very good at driving right and scoring the ball, shade them to their left. If the player always hits the corner jump shot, make sure to stay close
to them when they're near the corner. If they catch the ball with space, close out hard and force them to put it on the ground.
When Shane Battier guards
Kobe Bryant, he knows he can't stop him, but he tries to force him to take low-percentage shots. By studying game-film and statistics, Battier
knows that if he can force Kobe to take certain type of shots, it increases his team's chances of winning.
Overall, the biggest thing is to make sure that the defender is focused, staying in front of
him, and keeping his feet. For the most part, if you've got a marginally quick defensive player, he
can stay in front of the elite player, cause him to take tough shots, and contain his penetration.
What are your thoughts on this? Please add your comments below.
8 Keys to Playing Defense in Basketball
This article was written by basketballhq.com co-founder Kyle Ohman.
Playing Defense in Basketball: Focusing on Technique and Mindset
Playing defense in basketball is an interesting skill. It is interesting because it requires technical skills and a passion and desire to compete at a high level. Basketball players that want to be great on the defensive end must buy into the mindset of being a great defender.
This basketball article for players will provide keys for playing defense in basketball and will focus on what it takes to be an elite-level defender. So whether you are a player on your own looking to improve your defense, or a coach looking to develop a player, these defensive keys will give you the template that you need to work on your defense in basketball.
8 Keys to Playing Defense in Basketball:
1. Defensive Communication
Communication is a skill that any player can be good at because it only takes deciding to do it. The best defensive teams in basketball are filled with players that are all working together to get the job done. This only happens, though, if each player communicates their responsibility and their teammates can trust them to be where they need to be. On defense, there are many moving parts, so the better you can communicate what you are doing, the easier it will be for your teammates. Your communication will let your teammates know what they need to be doing in any given defensive situation.
Always be Communicating
Be in constant communication with teammates to help prevent defensive breakdowns.
Communicate on and off the ball regardless of being in the direct action or not.
Relevant Communication
Communicate things that will help teammates out. Don’t just talk to talk because the coach says something about talking on defense.
You should be talking about: Being on the ball, being in the help/gap, cutters, screens (which direction and what type of screen), what defense you are in, and anything else your team emphasizes.
Communicate Loudly!
Communicate loudly and clearly so that your teammates don’t have any confusion about what you are saying.
Loud and effective communication also demoralizes the other team’s offense.
2. Defensive Positioning
A big part of defense is positioning. The better you can position yourself before the offense executes an action, the better you will guard it. Whether it is being in the help, gap, etc., you need to know where you are supposed to be at all times and then make sure that you are there. This may change depending on your team defense and what type of defensive scheme your coach runs. So make sure that you know exactly what defense the team is in and what you should be doing in every situation.
Be in the Right Place
Don’t let yourself get caught out of position and playing catch up to the offense.
As the ball moves, you move. There are different types of defensive strategies, but this is a good rule of thumb that you should follow.
Correct positioning allows you to take charges, block shots, close gaps, etc.
Teammate Trust
Being in the right position allows your teammates to trust the help and do their job on the ball.
Discourage the Offense
Having five players that are in the correct defensive position forces the offense to take a tough shot and will eventually cause them to be discouraged on the offensive end.
3. Athletic Stance
As a basketball player in general, you want to do your best to always be in an athletic stance. If you are standing straight up and down, before you make any athletic move, you will have to load and then go. This makes you that much slower.
If you are already in an athletic stance, it will allow you to be explosive and go right away. As a defender, you must be holding yourself accountable to be in an athletic stance on the ball and off the ball.
Stay Low
There is no reason to stand up off the ball. When you do, you lose your ability to be quick and explosive.
An athletic stance allows you to quickly move to where you need to be as the ball moves.
Wall Up
There is an exception to staying low, and that is when you are guarding in the post, and the offensive player is trying to finish over you. In this situation, you will want to keep a wide base with your feet, but make sure that you are walling up the offensive player and making them finish over high hands.
4. Defensive Anticipation
This defensive key is going to be essential to anyone that wants to be an excellent defender. The more you can read the offense and then anticipate what they will do, the easier it will be for you to be in the right positioning to play defense. This doesn’t mean gambling and getting out of control, but it does mean recognizing what the offense is about to do and then getting prepared and set for it.
This goes back to being in the right position. The sooner you can recognize what the offense is trying to do, the easier it will be for you to get in the right positioning.
Anticipating Vs. Reacting
Being in the right position and staying in an athletic stance allows you to anticipate where the ball will go.
Keep your head on a swivel, and be aware of what is going on around you.
If you are always reacting to the ball, you will find yourself getting beat.
Read the Offense
Be a student of the game and recognize that different offensive actions open up certain types of shots and passes.
Read what the offense is trying to do, and then be in a position to take it away.
5. Defensive Scouting Report
Different players have different skill sets. So you must know what a player likes to do best and also what they struggle with. If you know this, you can take away what they like to do best and force them into something they aren’t comfortable with.
For example, if you guard a great shooter, you would want to close them out tight and make them dribble the basketball. If you are defending a driver, you would want to close them out short and force them to shoot a contested shot. You can only do this, though, if you know the player you are guarding and what they like to do.
Also, your scouting report may need adjusting midgame. You may see something that your man/woman is doing, and you may need to adjust. A scouting report shouldn’t be written in stone.
Individual Scouting Report
What type of offensive player are you guarding? What are their strengths and weaknesses? These are questions you need to ask as a defender.
Once you figure out these answers, you can start forcing the offensive player into shots and positions where they are not comfortable, which leads to low percentage shots, turnovers, etc.
Team Scouting Report
Learn the other team’s set basketball plays and tendencies from film and throughout the course of a game.
As you recognize what they are running, call it out to the rest of your team.
6. Defensive Effort and Energy
Something that you are always in control of, no matter how skilled you are or how well you are playing, is your energy and effort. This means that there is never a good excuse for why you shouldn’t be giving your best effort and bringing energy on the defensive end. Regardless of how well you are playing on offense or how the game is going, you should be giving your best effort on defense.
This doesn’t mean, though, that you are out of control and running around like a chicken with no head. Be disciplined in what you are doing, but also give your best effort.
Maximum Defensive Effort
Great defenders are willing to give max effort all the time.
Don’t be afraid to do the dirty work.
Ways You Can Give Defensive Effort
Sprint back.
Dive on the floor.
Take a charge.
Battle on the boards.
Whatever you can do to help your team win.
7. Defensive Discipline and Details
This was mentioned in the previous point, but it is worth a point all on its own. As a defensive player, you must stay disciplined in the way you are guarding. And, you must not only be disciplined in the way that you are guarding your man/woman, but also within the team’s defensive scheme.
It may be tempting to reach, gamble, etc., but if that is not your team’s defensive strategy, you must be disciplined enough to hold back. If you stay committed to the details of playing high-level defense, you will be able to get deflections, steals, and force the offense into bad shots, and all without having to gamble and put your team in a difficult situation.
Stay Disciplined on Defense
Don’t gamble outside of team strategy and get caught out of position.
Don’t commit silly fouls that hurt yourself and put the other team in the bonus.
Commitment to the Details
High hands on every closeout.
Have active hands both on and off the ball.
Take great angles both on and off the ball.
Bump cutters.
Come together and touch on screens.
Do all the little things that your team emphasizes on the defensive end.
8. Finish the Defensive Play
One of the toughest things for a defense to do is play solid defense for a whole possession only to give up an offensive rebound for a putback or then have to guard again for another possession. This means that as a defender, you need to do your best to help finish defensive possessions. You must be willing to box out and finish the play on the boards, get on the floor for a loose ball, take a charge, etc. The better you can close out possessions on the defensive end, the more value you will add to your team.
Rebound the Ball
Forcing the offense to take a bad shot is great, but you have to finish the play on the boards.
Box out on EVERY shot, and then pursue the ball.
Get on the Floor
Any loose ball in your area needs to be yours.
Sacrifice your body for the team.
Defensive Basketball Drills
If you want to become a better defender or work with a player on becoming a better defender, you must be willing to put in the time. These basketball drills are all going to focus on different defensive areas. So along with taking advantage of all of the defensive teaching points, make sure that you take advantage of these defensive basketball drills.
Cone Drop Defensive Slide Drill
This defensive drill is going to work on the technique of the defensive slide and is a basketball fundamental that every player should master. It will allow a player to work on staying low, not crossing their feet over, etc. The more a player can master this basic defensive movement, the easier it will be to guard the ball and make other explosive movements.
Similar Drills: Lane Slide to Close Out Defensive Drill, Lane Slides Defensive Drill
Drill Goal: Work on staying low in a defensive stance and changing directions laterally, both quickly and efficiently.
Equipment Needed: 4-5 cones.
Drill Tips:
When doing this drill, really lock in on the correct footwork and make sure that you stay low in an athletic stance the whole time.
Focus on not clicking your heels together, crossing your feet over, or letting your weight be unbalanced.
Work on being able to drive off of each leg and change directions as quickly as you can each time.
This is a great drill to track how long it takes you to complete and then try to beat it the next time. Must practice good footwork, etc.
Drill Directions:
Start by placing a row of cones on one side of the lane line and then have the player line up inside the cones.
The player will begin in a defensive/athletic stance.
To complete the drill, the player must take each cone, one at a time, across the lane line using a defensive slide. Once all of the cones have been set down in a line on the opposite lane line, the drill is complete.
As soon as the last cone is placed down, the drill is over.
Closeout Slide Rebounding Drill
This basketball drill will work on being able to close out under control, a defensive slide, and then also being able to finish the play by going to track down the rebound. These skills are all essential in playing defense and being able to get a stop. In the video, this basketball drill has the player treating the rebound like an offensive board to also work on finishing, but you can also set it up like a defensive board and have the player secure the ball and then outlet it. Being able to close out well takes many quality repetitions, and this drill will allow for that.
Drill Goal: Work on closing out the ball, defensive sliding, and then tracking down the rebound.
Equipment Needed: Two cones, a basketball, and a partner.
Drill Tips:
Make sure that you are practicing good habits with your footwork and are being as efficient as you can be. This drill will end up hurting you more than helping you if you allow yourself to practice bad habits.
Once you have the footwork down, push yourself to go as fast as possible, and get out of your comfort zone.
Stay low and athletic in all of the different movements during the drill.
Make sure that you are practicing the drill on both sides of the floor to get an equal amount of repetitions sliding each direction.
Drill Directions:
Start by placing one cone on the wing and one at the top of the key.
The player will start on the block of the side that has the cone on it.
The partner will start with the basketball.
When the drill starts, the player will begin by closing out the cone on the wing. They will then immediately slide to the cone at the top of the key and then turn to box out.
As the player is boxing out, the partner will toss the basketball up off the rim, and the player must release from the box out and go track down the rebound.
They can either treat it as an offensive board to work on finishing and look to tip it back in or rebound and finish. Or, the drill can be set up so that it is a defensive rebound, and the player must secure the board and then outlet it to the partner.
Four Cones Defensive Drill
When it comes to playing defense in basketball, a player will have to be ready to move in any direction with only a split-seconds notice. This defensive drill is going to work on moving forward, backward, and laterally. Along with teaching the player to stay low in an athletic stance the whole time, it will also allow for working on moving in every direction.
Drill Goal: Work on being able to move forward, backward, and laterally on defense.
Equipment Needed: 4 cones and a partner (optional).
Drill Tips:
As you are changing directions, really focus on staying balanced and under control. Also, make sure to be efficient with your footwork and movements. The goal should be no wasted movements.
The goal is to go as fast as you can while also ensuring that you maintain the correct footwork.
Don’t hunch your back, cross your feet, hop, etc.
This drill can be done with one player or a group of players. With a group, have the players go one after the other.
Drill Directions:
Start by setting up cones on each elbow and block.
A player will start at either cone on the block and with their back to the free-throw line.
When the drill starts, the player will begin to chop their feet while staying in an athletic stance.
While this is happening, the coach will call out “turn,” or if a player is by themselves, they can do it at their own discretion. When the coach calls “turn,” though, the player must rotate their inside foot backward like they are about to turn and sprint before quickly returning to athletic stance and foot chops.
This will happen twice more. On the third time that it is called, the player will open all the way up and begin moving forward towards the cone at the elbow, where they must breakdown and closeout.
Immediately after the closeout, they will slide across the free-throw line to the opposite elbow cone.
At this elbow cone, they will immediately backpedal down to the cone on the block.
For the final stretch of cones from block to block, the player will slide again.
This concludes one time through the drill.
Superman Rebounding Drill
As mentioned earlier, a big part of playing defense is being able to rebound so that you can finish out the defensive possession. And, while it would be nice to have every rebound come right to you, the ball must be pursued and tracked down a lot of times. This rebounding basketball drill is going to work precisely on that. It will allow for working on rebounding out of area and being able to pursue the ball. It will also work on going and getting the ball at its highest point and securing it with two hands.
Drill Goal: Work on rebounding out of area and being aggressive to the boards.
Equipment Needed: A basketball and a hoop.
Drill Tips:
Get up off of the ground and be explosive on every rebound.
Don’t wait for the ball to come down to you; go up and get it with both hands at its highest point.
Challenge yourself and work on getting as wide as you can on each board.
Drill Directions:
The player will start with the basketball outside of the block on either side of the basket.
When the drill starts, they will toss the ball up off the backboard at an angle so that the basketball bounces over to the other side of the paint.
As the ball is up in the air, they will run over to the opposite of the paint, track down the ball, jump as high as possible, and secure the ball with both hands.
The player must land in an athletic stance and chin the basketball as they land.
They will then immediately toss the ball up off of the backboard and repeat moving back the other way.
Continue this pattern for the desired amount of repetitions.
Playing Defense in Basketball Conclusion
Playing defense in basketball starts with a choice. You have to decide that you will put in the effort, energy, and commitment to playing defense at a high level. After that, it becomes the ability to learn how to play defense the right way. It takes time to learn the correct angles, how to anticipate, commitment to details, etc. To be a great defender, you have to be willing to put in the time and the work.
Playing defense does not always bring the recognition that it deserves, either. The average fan doesn’t understand how important it is to have a player communicating on every play, having active hands, and being in the right position. However, I guarantee you that your coaches and teammates do! If you want to help your team win games and even championships, playing defense is one of the best ways to do it.
Use these eight keys to playing defense in basketball as a blueprint to what a great defender looks like, and get in the gym to make yourself an elite defender.
Zone Defense | Tactics of the game
This system consists in the fact that each player guards a certain place (zone) of the site, keeping any of the opponents in his zone throughout the game. This is where the name of the system comes from. Depending on the actions of the players, the zone defense system has two options. At the first variant (fig. 86) each of the players, defending his zone, moves from the starting positions indicated in the figure to the shield itself. This option is suitable for teams in which players are of equal height with good mobility.
With the second variant (Fig. 87) there is always a certain pair of players under the shield. To ensure reliable protection and possession of the ball when it is reflected from the backboard, it is desirable to have tall players behind.
The positioning of players in zone defense can be different and depends on the opponent's game. On fig. 86-87 there are two players under the shield and three in front. This arrangement is called 2-3.
It is used against teams dominated by long distance shots. There may also be a reverse placement - 3-2 (Fig. 88), when three players stand under the shield and two are ahead. So it is more profitable to play against teams whose players throw mainly from under the shield and from the corners of the site.
There is also a formation 2-1-2 (fig. 89), in which two players are placed under the shield and on the front line and one in the middle. This setup justifies itself against teams using the centre-attack option.
When distributing zones between players, it is advisable to take into account the following: 1) that there should always be at least one player under the backboard who is tall or has a good jump, who can take possession of the ball when rebounding from the backboard; 2) in the front line there should be the fastest players who move well and prevent throws from a distance. Their speed is also important for the timely transition to a counterattack; 3) in the option with one player in the center, the place of the central defender is occupied by the most experienced player, who must manage the entire defense.
The zone defense system requires great attention and the timely and coordinated movement of the entire five in the direction from which the threat of attack is created. If the opponents are concentrated on the left side, then it is necessary, without violating the zonal principle, for all players to move symmetrically in the threatened direction. There is a kind of rotation of the site along with the players (Fig. 90).
In the same way, one should move if opponents threaten from the other side.
The team assumes a defensive position immediately after the opponents have taken possession of the ball. Each player is obliged to occupy the place assigned to him. He must always move on bent legs, arms outstretched to the sides. This position of the players prevents the passing of the ball and the movement of opponents. In some cases, temporary changes of places by players are acceptable, but at the first opportunity, it is necessary to take each place again. In zone defense, each player is in his own zone and leaves it only in certain cases. Such cases include the situation when two opponents are in the zone of one player, and one of them may be behind the defender. In a similar position, the defender from the nearest zone is obliged to take on a dangerous opponent.
The division of the court into zones is done for the orientation of the players and should not interfere with their movement on the court when necessary.
The zone defense system is suitable for a team with players that are tall and lack mobility, and against teams that do not use long range shots.
The alternation of zone and personal defense systems in the same game brings great benefit. Changing the defense system confuses the opposing team, which contributes to the overall success.
The positive side of the zone defense: a) it is difficult for opponents to approach the shield, due to which they have to throw from a distance, which greatly reduces the result; b) you can easily receive the ball after it bounces off the backboard; c) in comparison with other defense systems, it is necessary to make fewer jerks and stops, which saves the energy of the players.
Disadvantages of the system: a) does not provide full protection when several attackers are grouped within the same zone; b) little advantageous with accurate throws from a distance; c) it becomes more difficult to keep the best player of the opponent; d) the defense is passive, so if the team loses, then it completely loses the initiative. In some cases, some teams use this type of protection as a combination of personal and zone systems. For example, four players form a zone, and one player holds the most dangerous opponent.
After describing the zone defense system, it is necessary to return to the offensive tactics again, pointing out how to build an attack against the zone defense.
The most effective way is the speed of runs and passes, that is, a typical swift attack. Due to the speed of movement of the players and the ball, not all opponents have time to take their places according to the accepted arrangement, and it is possible to attack the basket through the formed passage.
But if all five players have adopted the correct defensive position, then the result can be achieved only with the help of thoughtful combinations. Below are some examples of offense against a zone defense: 1) Two or three attackers concentrate on one of the flanks and, using short passes between themselves, get the opportunity to approach the throwing board.
2) All five players are placed in the frontcourt, as if surrounding the defenders. Then begins a quick transfer of the ball from one player to another, first in one direction and then back. Defenders are forced to move all the time in the direction where the ball is, but it is clear that they cannot keep up with the flight of the ball, and this is what the attackers should use. A player with the ball rushes into the formed passage to bring up and make a throw, or a player without the ball runs out, to whom the ball should be immediately passed.
3) One or two players (usually defenders) are at the back, while the attackers change places in different directions, trying to run into the free throw area from the touchline or endline. All players must be very careful to take advantage of any good move by a teammate and pass the ball to him without delay.
4) If there are one or two players in the team who accurately throw from the corners of the square, they immediately take their starting position, and one of the partners comes out to screen the opponent closest to the thrower. Thus, conditions are created for an aimed throw. At the time of the throw, the tallest player must run up to the post to catch the ball from the backboard in case of a miss.
5) When attacking by the center, the following combination is appropriate: four players position themselves so that they can freely pass the ball to each other, and the center takes place in the free-throw area. In the process of transfers, players No. 4 and No. 5 periodically approach the arc of a semicircle (Fig. 91). Opponent No. 2, who holds the post, usually does not move more than one or two steps away from him, so that players No. 4 and No. 5, being close to the arc, have a real opportunity to shoot the ball into the basket. If the opponent No. 2, insuring the throw of player No. 5, approaches him, then the latter passes the ball to the center player (Fig. 92). Having received the ball, the post player can immediately shoot to the basket or bring the ball closer to the backboard. Almost certainly, if the center player takes the ball to the backboard, either one or both opponents (No. 4 and No. 5) will go to him, then he will be able to pass the ball to partners No. 1 or No. 3, running out under the shield from the sidelines (Fig. 93) . This combination requires a long preparation and accurate calculation. Finishing combinations when attacking against a zone defense depend primarily on the capabilities of the team, as well as on how the zone defense is built.
Challenging for the ball | Techniques
The struggle for possession of the ball is one of the main tasks of the player in defense.
A full-fledged defensive player is guided by the principle "the best defense is an attack. "
Unfortunately, we still have quite a few players and entire teams who are limited only to guarding the basket and do not take any active measures to take possession of the ball, patiently waiting for the opponent's mistakes. Such defensive play deserves sharp condemnation.
One of the reasons for the passive play in the defense of some players and teams is that most coaches pay little attention to the methods of fighting for the ball and do not care at all about their improvement. As a result, many players do not master these techniques and, of course, do not use them in the game.
Among the leading players and teams there are many real masters - "chasers for the ball." An example is the player of the USSR national team K. Petkevicius (Leningrad), who uses all the techniques of fighting for the ball in the game.
In order for the player to perfectly master these techniques, it is necessary to systematically improve them in the training process.
The main techniques in the fight for possession of the ball are: interception, knocking out, pulling out and fighting for the ball after rebounding from the backboard.
Ball interception . Interception of the ball is the best means of counterattack. The interception of the ball, as a rule, takes the opponent by surprise, and thus creates extremely favorable conditions for the transition to the attack.
Interception of the ball is most often possible if the attacker passes the ball inaccurately, does not go towards the pass during cross passes, especially repeated ones, as well as in all other favorable cases of the game.
If the interception fails, the player must immediately stop and quickly turn back. To intercept the ball, the player must take an advantageous position, prepare for a quick dash and correctly determine the distance, the pace of the upcoming pass.
The player's actions must be unexpected, fast, ahead of the attacker's (Fig. 60). The surprise of a jerk depends on the ability to disguise your actions. To do this, the player must demonstrate passivity and indifference to the upcoming transfer of the ball with all his appearance.
The constant threat of interception affects the decisiveness of the enemy's actions.
Fig. 60. Intercepting the ball
Kicking the ball . The ball is knocked out of the hands of the opponent either while dribbling or throwing into the basket. You can knock the ball out of the hands not only of a gaping opponent, but also of a player who used dribbling and holds the ball in his hands, or a player who lowered his hands with the ball before throwing it into the basket, and in a number of other cases.
In order to tap the ball, the defender allows the opponent to approach or himself suddenly approaches him and with a quick movement of his hand, reminiscent of the movement of a cat's paw, knocks the ball out of the opponent's hands.
Considering that the hands holding the ball form a kind of bowl, knocking the ball from top to bottom is less effective than from bottom to top, in this regard, it is advisable to knock the ball out by moving the hand from bottom to top. Since the distance between the palms holding the ball is extremely small, the ball is knocked out with the edge of the palm.
When dribbling the ball, it is advisable to take it out at the moment when the ball makes its way after rebounding from the floor to the hand. Another technique is used to select the ball while dribbling. The defender, having caught the pace of dribbling, puts his hand on the ball bouncing off the floor a little earlier than the opponent and thereby takes the ball away from the opponent’s hands, continuing to dribble it himself (Fig. 61). Knocking out the ball at the moment of throwing into the basket requires especially delicate calculation and high skill. Often, a skillfully knocked out ball saves the team from a sure hit. According to the execution technique, this resembles the action of a volleyball player when blocking, and the hand rests on top of the ball (Fig. 62). This technique is perhaps better called covering the ball. Covering the ball during shots to the basket is also applied if the defender overtakes the attacking player at the moment when he has already started the shot to the basket. In this case, the defender has the only means of fighting against the shot that has been started - this is to cover the ball. In order not to make a gross mistake, the defender is obliged, without reducing the speed of his movement, to determine the direction of his movement and the position of the ball in the hands of the opponent. The defender should not move towards the player, but overtake him somewhat and cover the ball at the moment when it leaves the opponent's hands. A defender who incorrectly determined the direction of his movement and the position of the ball will make a gross personal mistake: he will collide with the opponent or hit him on the hands.
Fig. 61. Dribbling tackle
62. Covering the ball when throwing into the basket
The defender, who has an advantage in height, fighting for the ball under the backboard, uses the following technique: he retreats to the backboard, and then, two or three steps from the backboard, passes the attacking player past him, gives him the ability to initiate a shot into the basket and then remove or cover the ball as it leaves the opponent's hands.
Pulling the ball. Pulling the ball requires fine calculation, quick, energetic action. The ball should be grabbed as deep as possible, and then jerk it sharply towards you. The jerk should be short and energetic. To increase the strength of the jerk, it is advisable to pull out with a turn of the torso.
If the ball cannot be cleared immediately, the referee awards a dropped ball. The appointment of a dropped ball is a partial victory for the defender.
Breaking the ball is used when the opponent holds the ball in his hands, when the opponent lands after catching the ball in a jump, especially when playing from the backboard, and also when the opponent dribbles.
Lately, players have been successful in taking the ball away from players who are finishing dribbles. The defender carefully observes the player dribbling the ball, and, having determined the end of the dribbling, quickly captures the ball a little earlier or simultaneously with the opponent.
If he were to catch the ball, you could have the player denying
the pass sprint back to the person he was initially guarding. You could also use the player guarding
the inbounder to instantly form a double team to try to force the star player to get rid of the ball. 
If the player
is very good at driving right and scoring the ball, shade them to their left. If the player always hits the corner jump shot, make sure to stay close
to them when they're near the corner. If they catch the ball with space, close out hard and force them to put it on the ground.
The best defensive teams in basketball are filled with players that are all working together to get the job done. This only happens, though, if each player communicates their responsibility and their teammates can trust them to be where they need to be. On defense, there are many moving parts, so the better you can communicate what you are doing, the easier it will be for your teammates. Your communication will let your teammates know what they need to be doing in any given defensive situation.
When you do, you lose your ability to be quick and explosive.
The sooner you can recognize what the offense is trying to do, the easier it will be for you to get in the right positioning.
Along with teaching the player to stay low in an athletic stance the whole time, it will also allow for working on moving in every direction.
This arrangement is called 2-3. 
Such cases include the situation when two opponents are in the zone of one player, and one of them may be behind the defender. In a similar position, the defender from the nearest zone is obliged to take on a dangerous opponent. 
All players must be very careful to take advantage of any good move by a teammate and pass the ball to him without delay. 
If the opponent No. 2, insuring the throw of player No. 5, approaches him, then the latter passes the ball to the center player (Fig. 92). Having received the ball, the post player can immediately shoot to the basket or bring the ball closer to the backboard. Almost certainly, if the center player takes the ball to the backboard, either one or both opponents (No. 4 and No. 5) will go to him, then he will be able to pass the ball to partners No. 1 or No. 3, running out under the shield from the sidelines (Fig. 93) . This combination requires a long preparation and accurate calculation. Finishing combinations when attacking against a zone defense depend primarily on the capabilities of the team, as well as on how the zone defense is built. 
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Since the distance between the palms holding the ball is extremely small, the ball is knocked out with the edge of the palm. 
In this case, the defender has the only means of fighting against the shot that has been started - this is to cover the ball. In order not to make a gross mistake, the defender is obliged, without reducing the speed of his movement, to determine the direction of his movement and the position of the ball in the hands of the opponent. The defender should not move towards the player, but overtake him somewhat and cover the ball at the moment when it leaves the opponent's hands. A defender who incorrectly determined the direction of his movement and the position of the ball will make a gross personal mistake: he will collide with the opponent or hit him on the hands. 
