How to play lockdown defense in basketball

Ball denial

It is always best to prevent your opponent from getting the ball so that your job will be easier. If you can prevent your opponent from getting the ball in the first place, you do not have to worry about dribbling or shooting.

Play to the weakness of the offense

Try to force your opponents to do things they are not good at. If your opponents are able to play to their strengths, it makes your job as a defender a lot harder. For example, if you know your opponent is stronger when they drive to the right, cut off the right dribble and force them to go left.

Work hard in the gym to be faster, stronger, and more agile.

If you are faster, more agile, and stronger than your opponent, you will have a breeze playing defense. Try to work as much and as hard as you can in the gym. Off-court training is as vital as on-court training. 

Becoming a lockdown defender takes discipline and effort. Practice and do what you practice. Try to work harder than everyone else to be the best when you step on the floor. Defense can be broken down into many categories, such as speed, agility, footwork, discipline, and so on. Try to incorporate all of these into your game, and you will become a better defender.

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Playing defense in basketball

Hello, dear visitors of the website basketball-training. org.ua ! Today I want to share with you my observations and conclusions, which I received as a result of 's desire to improve his game in 's defense.

It so happened that the first few years of playing basketball (mostly on street courts) my defense game consisted of constant attempts to cover the opponent's shot. Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn’t work very well (I ended up either on the opponent’s back or on his head). It's a hell of a defense. A couple of years ago, I reconsidered my vision of playing defense, which I want to share with you.

Basketball Players The first video that gave any hint of developing a basketball player's defensive skills was 's three-minute performance by Bruce Bowen on the TNT Fundamentals series. Then there was a short article on how to play defense against A. Gomelsky. Well, the last, but probably the most important training video was the company's products Better Basketball - Better 1 on 1 Defense . Even after skipping over half of what was said (some because of the language barrier, something because of banal restlessness) and putting even less into practice, I became much better at defending myself.

By the way, in this article everything will be exclusively about personal defense (and not a word about zone defense, although it is also worth writing about). So, I highlight the following stages of defense in basketball:

Stage 1: Defense against a player without the ball.

The essence of defense is to prevent the opponent from getting the ball . This is probably one of the most difficult stages, but also one of the most effective. Agree, it is difficult to attack without having the ball. So, this stage of defense is incredibly difficult, because you have to give a lot of strength, not to be fooled by movements of the body, head and legs. A good result of such a defense is that the player does not receive the ball throughout the attack. Also a good result if the ball is received, but: in an awkward position (far from the ring; in the corner of the court) or in the last seconds of the attack. Shitty result - the ball is received quickly and conveniently.

Stage 2: Defense against the player who received the ball.

When a player receives the ball, he is in the classic "triple threat position". This means that he can shoot the ring, pass or start the dribble. This means that we will have to confront all three threats at the same time. So, the best option is to take a position that will minimize the range of movement of the enemy. First of all, close its strong side from the passage by sitting a little to the side of it. As an option - from the side of his supporting leg; those. You will know the direction of his movement (he will not step with his supporting foot).

Let's conditionally divide the opponent's body into 2 levels: the first zone - to the waist; the second zone is above the belt. So, in order to start dribbling, the ball must be in the first zone. Both zones are suitable for a pass, and for a throw, the ball must go from the first zone to the second. I hope it's clear for now. So, one hand plays with the bottom zone (preventing dribbling and low passing), the second is defending against a shot and a pass from the upper zone. Remember about the legs: with bent legs it is much easier and faster to make a jerk. If the legs are straight, then for a jerk they must first be bent.

And one more piece of advice: pull the player all the time with your movements. Let the probability that these "ritual dances" help to knock out the ball will be small, but you will be able to knock the opponent out of his usual rhythm. And it's worth a lot!

Excellent defense: the ball is knocked out. Good defense - loss on pass, inaccurate pass, throw from an uncomfortable position.

Stage 3: Defense against the dribbler.

Assume that previous attempts to take possession of the ball have failed and the opponent has started to dribble. How to defend yourself then?

Let's not consider those situations in which the opponent is obviously weaker than you. It's just not interesting. The opponent is stronger, faster and jumpier than you - that's a good situation. Like I said, close his strong side. But if you don't know its strengths and weaknesses; you don’t know how to hold: from a throw or from a pass - that is, a good solution. We are trying to make sure that you are the leader. One side is obviously closed - and the player is deliberately skipped to the other. So you can not lose in the starting jerk and not guess the direction of movement: it can only go in one direction. Try to push the opponent with the ball to the end line, from where he can no longer comfortably attack the basket. Clamp into a corner, press to the line.

Again: close one side tightly. Better - if it will be his forte; if you don’t know which one is strong, close your weak side and let defenses under your strong side. And a safety net: sometimes it's better not to let a player throw from an average distance. Allowing him to get under the ring. After all, there will be a safety net in the form of a “big”, which cannot be thrown so easily.

Stage 4: Maintenance completed.

It can be a double step and a throw, a simple throw after a stop, a jump, a pivot (reversal), a series of displays, etc. Let's take a closer look at this.

Double step. Remember: he has 2 steps to complete the attack, and you have 2 steps to hit the ball down, and then another full step to block. I recommend doing this:

• A series of small touches to the ball during a double step (as if you were playing a drum). Thus, you will not knock out the ball, but you will disorientate it accurately. Yes, and in order to keep the ball, you have to make more.
• Trying to hit the ball from below! When hitting from above, there is a very high chance that you will hit your fingers - this is a foul. But from below: few people expect such a blow, few people close the ball from below. And taking the ball up for a throw, he will receive an additional impulse, the push of the ball - throwing it as it was previously thought would not be so easy.

A little tip: after picking up the ball by the opponent, very often the ball goes down, and this is done strongly and abruptly. Just substitute okay from below at the level of the opponent's lower back: he himself will knock the ball against your hand. This is a very cool and often unexpected trick for the opponent.

• If it was a jump stop, or just a stop, then you need to get as close as possible and raise both hands vertically up. Now you can not be afraid of a foul.

Stage 5: Jump Shot.

It's good if you jump high and sharp - then try to block at the moment when the ball leaves the thrower's hand. You can just try to brush it off at the moment when the supporting hand is no longer involved in the throw, and the ball is on the wrist. I will not talk about how to block-shot, this is a topic for a separate article.

Remember that you can block the thrower's view with your hand: just don't poke it in the eyes, just bring it closer to the thrower's face. A good way (if you have not already jumped out for a block shot, and the throw is being made) is to simulate contact with various organs of the opponent (guys, you understand what I mean). Belly, solar plexus, groin - all this interferes with concentration at the time of the throw. Well, and often on street sites there is a clap of hands: at games they can give a foul, but on the street it can bring down that very concentration.

And finally, I suggest watching the old film , about the individual protection of basketball players, filmed in the USSR. There are some really useful things in there (the movie is old - so turn up the volume).

[youtube]9GMNCBu0Kes[/youtube]

Well, that's all, the main points that will help you defend better without any drastic changes in the game. I am sure that each of you found something useful in this article. If you have any questions or comments - write them in the comments, I will be glad to discuss.

And this article is over, I wish you successful training and see you soon on the pages of our site.

general principles of interaction between players in basketball

Cylinder principle

To regulate the correct sports behavior, a fictitious cylinder is presented above each player, the boundaries of which directly depend on the height and size of the athlete. The space within it is called the Cylinder Principle. It is limited to the boundaries of the cylinder of the defender and the attacker without the ball. In front, these include the palms of the player, behind - the buttocks, and on the sides - the outer surfaces of the arms and legs.

Strict requirements are placed on the cylinder principle. For example, a player can put his hands in front of him, but only so that they do not go beyond the boundaries of the position of the feet and knees. At the same time, they must be bent at the elbows so that the forearm and hands are raised in the correct protective stance.

A defender is prohibited from infringing on the offensive player's ball-carrying cylinder during normal basketball movements within his cylinder. Such a violation is equated to improper contact with the enemy.

The boundaries of the attacker's cylinder with the ball are defined by three key points:

• Front - feet, bent knees and hands holding the ball above the level of the hips;
• Behind - buttocks;
• On the sides - the outer surfaces of the elbows and legs.

The attacker with the ball must have enough free space inside his cylinder. Nothing should prevent him from performing the correct basketball actions, which include dribbling, turning, shooting and passing. Violating the boundaries of the attacker's cylinder with the ball is also prohibited for him. That is, he cannot put his arms and legs outside of them in order to capture more space. Such behavior is equated with incorrect contact and is punished in accordance with the rules.

Vertical principle

During the match, players can independently choose a favorable position for themselves. In this case, it is important not to violate the boundaries of the opponent's cylinder. The principle of verticality provides protection for both the floor and airspace of the player. That is, it provides control over the integrity of the boundaries of the players' cylinder during their jumps. If, during a jump, a player violates the boundaries of his cylinder and makes contact with the opponent's body, he is considered responsible for the contact and must be penalized in accordance with the rules.

At the same time, a defender jumping vertically upwards without violating the boundaries of his cylinder, as well as raising his arms upwards strictly above himself, is not a violation. An attacker who is both on the floor and in the air is considered a fouler if he makes contact with a defender in legal guarding position if he:

• Pushes the defender away with his hands in order to gain more space;
• Extends the limbs in front of the body to cause contact both during the game and immediately after the ball is thrown.

Correct guardianship position

To assume a legal guarding position, the defender must:

• To be face to face with one's opponent;
• Stand on the floor with both feet.

When marking, the defender's correct position extends to the vertical space above him. Moreover, there are no height restrictions, that is, the entire space from floor to ceiling is considered permitted, but limited by the boundaries of the defender's cylinder. This means that he is allowed to both jump vertically upwards and raise his arms. The main condition here is to respect the boundaries of your cylinder.

Marking of a player in control of the ball

Marking a player who holds or dribbles the ball does not take into account time and distance factors.

The player with the ball is subject to greater guardianship, so he must always be alert at all times. That is, each time the opponent takes the correct starting position of guardianship over him, he must be ready to stop or change the direction of his movement on the playing field. This does not take into account the time during which this was done.

While in a legal starting marking position, the defender must not make contact with the ball carrier. After taking the correct starting position of guardianship, the defender can move parallel with the guarded opponent, but at the same time he cannot interfere with his movement on the playing field by exposing various parts of his body (arms, legs, shoulders, hips).

The following factors shall be taken into account when the referee makes a decision in a situation where a defender collides or blocks a player in possession of the ball:

1. Defender getting into the correct starting position while marking, standing face to face with the opponent in possession of the ball, and touching him to the floor with both feet at once.
2. The defender is allowed to either stand still or jump vertically upwards or move around the playing field in order to maintain the correct starting position. At the same time, it is important to take into account the fact that he is allowed to move only to the sides or back in relation to the enemy guarded by him.
3. A defensive player is allowed to leave the floor with one or both feet for a moment in order to maintain the correct starting position when guarding, and provided that he moves to the side or back of the opponent he guards. It is strictly forbidden for a defender to move forward towards an opponent in possession of the ball.
4. When a defender collides with the torso of a player being guarded by him, he is considered to be at the contact point first.
5. After taking legal guarding position, the defender must always face the player he is guarding. However, he is allowed to make a turn inside his cylinder in order to avoid injury.

If the defender complied with all of the above, the opponent in possession of the ball is considered the offender and the person responsible for the contact.

Marking of a player not in control of the ball

A player who is not in possession of the ball can freely move around the basketball court, choose and occupy any position convenient for him. The main thing is not to violate the boundaries of another player.

Because time and distance factors are taken into account when marking a player not in possession of the ball, the defender is not allowed to restrict him in choosing his position. That is, he must give him enough time and distance to stop or change direction.

The distance directly depends on the speed of the enemy. It must correspond to or exceed 1 normal step, but in no case should it be less than it.

In the event that a defender first assumes his correct starting position in guarding, while ignoring the important factors of time and distance, which subsequently leads to contact with the opponent, he will be held responsible for him.

After a defender has acquired the correct starting position while marking, he is allowed to move in parallel with the player he is marking. However, at the same time, he cannot prevent his movement by exposing various parts of his body: arms, legs, shoulders and hips. At the same time, he is allowed to turn away from his guarded opponent by turning inside his cylinder in order to avoid injury.

Airborne player

A jumping up player can land on the same spot he jumped from. He can land in another place, but on condition that the position and the direct path to it from the place of the jump were not occupied by other players (opponents) at the time of the jump.

If a player, after landing, cannot stand still, as a result of which he collides with an opponent who has taken the correct starting position for marking, he is considered the culprit of the contact between them. If a player jumps into the air, the opponent must not move in his path from the jump to the landing.

If, while a player is airborne, any movement is made by an opponent below him that results in further contact between them, this will be considered an unsportsmanlike foul. In some cases, it can be equated to a disqualifying foul.

Screen: correct and incorrect

Screening is understood to be an attempt to delay an opponent or prevent him from taking a desired position on the basketball court.

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A screen is legal if the player placing it:

• Was within its cylinder and was immobile at the time of contact.
• At the time of the contact, both feet were on the floor.

In case of an illegal screen, the player placing it:

• At the time of contact is in motion.
• At the time of contact, does not take into account the factors of time and distance in relation to the enemy in motion.
• Doesn't leave enough distance for an immobile opponent. At the same time, he puts a barrier out of sight of his opponent, as a result of which contact occurs.

When in sight of a stationary opponent, the player has the right to place a screen as close to him as he wishes. The main condition for this is to avoid contact with him.

When placing a screen out of sight of a stationary opponent, the player must leave room for him to take 1 normal step towards the screen. Moreover, this step should not lead to their contact.

When an opponent is on the move, the screening player must consider time and distance factors. That is, he must leave enough free space for the enemy so that he can stop or change the direction of his movement at any time. The required distance varies from 1 to 2 normal steps, it must not be less than the minimum and greater than the maximum values.

If contact occurs between a player and an opponent, the one who broke the rule is guilty of it. It means that when the player sets up the correct barrier, the opponent is guilty of the incident, and vice versa. If the contact was due to an incorrect screen, then the player who installed it is to blame.

Collision

Collision refers to the personal contact of a player with the opponent's torso resulting from a push or movement. It doesn't matter if either of them had the ball or not.

Blocking

Blocking refers to incorrect personal contact preventing the opponent from moving across the playing field. It doesn't matter if he owns the ball or not.

A blocking foul is defined as contact between the player attempting to set up a screen and the opponent against whom it was set. In this case, the player must be in motion at the moment of contact, and the opponent must be in a stationary state (or retreat from him).

Any contact that occurs is primarily the responsibility of the player if he is facing the opponent and not paying attention to the ball, but changing his position according to the movement of the opponent. But this rule is valid in the absence of other factors. Other factors include intentional pushes, collisions, or the delay of the screened player.

In some cases, a player is allowed to break the boundaries of his top hat by exposing his arms or elbows. However, at the same time, he must take a certain position on the basketball court, and remove them in case of an attempt by the opponent to get around him. If he does not remove his arms or elbows, resulting in contact, the action will be considered a block or hold.

Half circles without collision fouls

On the basketball court, semi-circles with no collision fouls indicate a special area. It is necessary for the interpretation of collisions and blockages occurring under the basket.

After the attacker has passed into this semicircle, any contact between him and the defender shall not amount to a foul by the attacker. This rule has special requirements: during contact, the attacker must be in the air, and the defender must be in this semicircle. There are also exceptions, which include the misuse of the attacker's body parts: arms, legs and torso as a whole. This rule applies if:

• if the attacker is in possession of the ball and is in the air;
• passes the ball or shoots for a field goal;
• At least one defender's foot is in the semi-circle without collision fouls.

Touching the opponent with the hand or hand

Not every touch of a player with a hand or hand is a foul. Whether such contact is a foul is up to the judges to decide. They evaluate the situation, and if as a result they decide that this contact brought some advantage to the player who made it, they recognize it as a foul. This includes limiting the freedom of movement of the opponent on the playing field.

The action when a player, while in a defensive stance, in order to interfere with the movement of the opponent, touches him with his arms or hands, and remains in contact with him, is equated with their misuse. It does not matter whether the opponent held in this way is in possession of the ball or not.

Repeated touches, as well as poking of the opponent by the player, are considered a foul. Such actions can lead to rough play, so possession of the ball by the opponent is not taken into account. That is, all players who use such actions against opponents are punished.

A foul by an attacker in possession of the ball is considered to be:

1. Grabbing or elbowing a defender to gain a playing advantage.
2. Pushing away from a defender, the purpose of which is to try to play the ball himself, or to interfere with the play of a defender, or to create more space for himself.
3. Exposing the forearm or hand while dribbling for the sole purpose of preventing him from gaining possession of the ball.

A foul by an attacker without the ball is considered to be pushing away from the opponent with the goal:

• Open to receive transmission.
• Preventing an opponent from playing or trying to play the ball himself.
• Creating more space for yourself.

Center game

The principle of verticality, as well as of the cylinder, applies to post play. The rights to the vertical position must be respected both by the attacker, who is in the post position, and by the defensive defender guarding him.

All attempts to push one's opponent out of position using the shoulders or hips are considered a foul. The same applies to obstructing his free movement on the playing field with the help of arms, legs, hips, shoulders and other parts of the body.

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