Basketball Defense

Being fast to defend, or perhaps i mean, quickly retreating and defending plays a crucial role in winning basketball games. Most important is being quick when your attack has finished without your side scoring. Maybe it was an interception, a lost rebound or just mishandling your team has to be trained in reacting to the transition from attack to defense automatically. They need to get back quickly.

From any shooting position when the shot is made you could have at least four players in the rebound position. If your team fails to collect the rebound then the opposition will be aiming to return down the court to score as speedily as they can. You are now the defensive side immediately you lose the ball.

The non-rebound player is the first to get into a good defensive position. His first task is to ensure that any forward opponent is tightly guarded and not positioned to receive a long ball from the back. The man nearest to the one in possession needs close down the player with the ball and delay him making a fast pass. Do not leave him. If he dribbles, harrass him. Should he pass, get back and fill in a position that needs defending. The last three team members need to be sprinting back to their own goal area and getting into position to stop the attack early.

Returning to defense should be practised until it is automatic in your team.it is difficult to coach but one excellent drill which hammers home the principle is to play imaginary basketball, without the ball. I did say, no ball.

Divide your squad into two teams and and make them play a game, with no ball. They dribble and pass and play exactly the same way, but without the ball. You as coach direct the play. If a player releases the ball you permit play to continue, or you blow the whistle and call interception, calling out the players name who now has possession.

When someone has a shot you call out whether it is a score or a miss. If a miss then indicate who has possession. What you want to do remember is see plenty of turnovers. When a side loses the ball you want them drop back quickly. Make sure the nearest to the ball hounds the man in possession.

The coach calls the decisions. When a side is quick and follows the right strategy, positioning themselves and hounding the man in possession then reward them by not allowing the other team to score. If they fail to defend speedily then allow their opponents to score. It is my experience that this training exercise can be very quick and effective at training the mental muscle in the art of reverting to defense mode. You can play this at a fast tempo, with losing the ball being a constant theme of the drill. Have the teams run up and down and tire them out a little. They will find some of it rather humorous for a while. They will definitely learn quickly.

Remember that defending is a crucial part of the game. Everyone can defend and everyone has that responsibility. Whilst defending is not the time to be taking a breather. It is when you should be the most concentrated and at your most aware. Preventing a basket is as importantl to the team as scoring yourself. If your side or you need a little respite from the action, rest when you have the ball, not when the opposition have the ball.

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Basketball Coaching

If you are a new or relatively new coach then you will need to think through how practice sessions will be run. You need to work out methods to train your players that are effective. Coaching sessions do not just fill in time that you have for your team. Coaching and training sessions should concentrate on making your team better.

The minutes spent on a drill, is not a mere time filler, but to improve your players and the team. Training sessions should be fun. All players want to enjoy their basketball, but your coaching should also lead to team improvement.

Here are two effective drills. Practice drills with a high intensity. Fast pace and seriousness are vital to gain any permanent improvement in your squad.

Running with the ball

All players like to dribble so produce a ball for everyone and have them bounce in a marked area, say a half court or whatever suits the numbers. The idea is to get team competent at bouncing in confined areas. When all players are dribbling then blow the whistle and give the signal to tag the other players. If someone gets tagged then they are out. Alternatively you can let them knock the ball of others away.

This drill puts the players under pressure when they are running with the ball. They need eyes that see 360 degrees, to the sides as well as behind and they need speed and agility to get themselves out of the way. You can reward a knocker by giving them 5 or 10 seconds immunity from being eliminated. Develop the game how you feel according to your players. Brilliant way to see your players dribbling the ball whilst busy with pressure.

There and back drill

Great for youth teams and those fairly new to the game. Have them race from one basket to the other and back again. Either singles in pairs or teams. They go down court bouncing with their right hand, and they return with their left hand. Time them, or organise races.

If they lose control of the ball they have to go all the way back to the start again. Change things around as the players become more skilled. Build obstacles, have them go in and out of chairs. Keep them in a very tight lane. This can be a popular drill and it helps a lot with the basics. The fundamentals are crucial in developing their game.

Reward with prizes as motivation. The occasional candy bar for winners or ten press ups for losers can help to motivate and encourage. Some players need to be coaxed along gently, others need handling with a little more aggression. Get to know your squad and you will know how to treat them all as individuals.

Shooting Drill

Shooting drills are always fun and helps improve your players skills. Three misses and off helps to focus attenton and puts the players under pressure. Each player shoots at the basket and if they miss they lose a life. Lose three and you are out. A fun variant is to have all the players shooting at the same time. Blow your whistle and the players have a set time to take their shot. This puts the shooters busy with pressure as they not only have to score, but also time their shot so they do not collide with the balls of others.

Basketball Coaching

It is critical that the players you coach be sent the right messages that what they are doing, and how they are playing is productive for the team. Positve feedbackshould primarily come from the coach..

Whilst playing, the team members, particularly the novices will benefit from your positive reaction. You cannot always stand there yelling so use non-verbal signs. You can clap, hand signals, facial and head movement. Sprint along the touchline and leap in the air if something is really good. More crucially give them loads of encouragement for doing the right thing. Regular affirmation is important for players and their motivation, even more so for younger players.

As trainer, this is your most valuable contribution. You cannot hold their hands, but you can be a strong mental support. Signal your support when you can and over emphasise your approval when you can.

Remember to teach them that their outlook whilst on the court is vital. How they think and how they act is as vital as how they play the game. Always applaud their hard work as for their good skill. Appreciating their efforts is as much a motivator as approving their skillful play.

A positive attitude and approach to their game will come from positive encouragement and above all, from your approval of the effort they are putting into the game. This will help spur them on and they will respond to you, the more they feel that they have your confidence. Send positive signs as coach and you will be helping greatly.