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…defender does this, the offence will easily get past them. Transition from Lateral Movement to Sprinting Lateral defensive footwork is slower than running – it is used for the specific purpose of legally blocking the dribbler and trying to take a charge. However there comes a time when the defender…

…to throw a chest pass, whilst on the run. Coaches should not stop activities to berate players for missing a pass, instead coaches should accept that as the mentality and skills of fast break basketball are developed, there will be mistakes made. These mistakes are an important part of development….

…“back door” cut toward the basket, when the defender is denying the pass. Finally, players must learn to pass while on the move. There are many activities that can be used. A simple activity is to have players in 3 lines, moving up the court passing the ball between each…

There are many situations that will occur during a game where the defence is outnumbered, for example: Defending in “transition” (whether after a turnover, score or a missed shot); After the defence has double teamed a player and the ball has been passed; After a defender has rotated to help…

…are not done all at the one time. Players cut, when the person next to them has the ball. Add defenders so that players now must react to the defender in making a cut. Here, the defender is in the “passing lane”, so that the offensive player steps high, shows…

“Back Cut” The defender may step in the path of the cutter so that they cannot go over the top of the screen. The cutter steps into their defender (as if cutting over the top of the screen) and then changes direction to “back cut” toward the basket….

“Flare Cut” If the defender moves under the screen, in order to beat the cutter to the “other side” of the screen, the cutter should move toward the screen and then move away from the screen, so that the screener is between them and their defender. The screener may also…

…top of the screen. If the defender “locks” to the cutter to run behind them, the cutter curls to cut to the basket. As the defender is behind them, if they made a straight cut, the defender may be able to get to a position to interfere with the pass….

Again, the defender of the cutter starts low, forcing the cutter to use the screen. The defender then goes on the other side of the screen, moving quickly to intercept the cutter. The defender of the screener has stepped into the screener, so that their team mate will cut behind…

The defender of the screener steps to the ball, creating a gap between them and the screener, which their team mate can move through. The defender of the cutter starts low, forcing the cutter to use the screen and then goes on the other side of the screen, moving quickly…

…a “big to big” screen), although particularly late in the shot clock a team may switch all screens. In switching, the defender initially guarding the screener must move aggressively to deny the cutter the ball. The other defender must similarly move quickly to establish a position to defend the screener….

…which places the offensive player in an advantageous situation. Often the defence will move assuming that the offence is going to reverse the ball and pass it to the other side of the court. This can provide an opportunity for a player at the top of the key to penetrate….

…get the ball to 2. “If the Driving Lane is not defended – Drive” If the defender does not commit to guarding the dribbler, the dribbler should attack the basket. The role of the defender is to make the dribbler believe that the defender has committed to one action but…

Screener Movement After the cut, the screener should also move. The general principle is “one high, one low”. So that if the cutter makes a straight cut, the screener would roll to the basket. Similarly, if the cutter made a curl cut, the screener would “pop” high….

…starting the break: Outlet Pass – The Defensive Rebounder The defensive rebounder must land with the ball at least at shoulder height – moving it away from any offensive rebounders. The defensive rebounder must turn to the nearest sideline, facing the baseline corner on that side. They may turn slightly…

…a team’s overall defensive scheme. However, it can be introduced initially without reference to the overall scheme: When the ball is on one side of the court, players that are guarding an opponent who is on the opposite side to the ball (x3 and x4) can be instructed to move…

Advantage / Disadvantage – 3×2 Another common advantage / disadvantage situation in fast break basketball is 3 offensive players against 2 defensive players. The goal of the offence is to get one of the defenders to commit to guarding the ball, and then passing the ball to a 2×1 situation….

…lay-up or shoot a jump shot. If the shot is made, the offence must pass in from the baseline and the defender may deny this pass if they wish. If the defender steals the ball, they must go for another lay-up (or jump shot) without being defended. “2×1 plus 1”…

…means the defender is now on their side, which can also be an advantage to the dribbler. Beating “Man-to-Man” Defence Full court defence often starts when the offence are passing the ball in from out of court, either after a basket or foul / violation by their opponent. When denied…

…second defender at the basket. This defender must be outside the “no charge” circle. Their primary goal should be to not allow any lay-up, forcing an outside shot or delaying the offence until more defenders recover. Generally, as the ball is passed to the wing, the basket defender will move…

…hand and the other. Specific post movements The position of the defender’s feet will give a low player an indication of what to do: If the defender’s feet are higher than the post player (as shown) – go baseline! Similarly, if the defender’s feet are low – go to the…

“Moving on the Pass” A common mistake made by defenders of all ages is being slow to move in response to the offensive play, or not moving to the correct position. Every time the ball is passed, all defenders must move, even if only a subtle adjustment of position (e.g….

Stance – Denial or Open Players need to be instructed in the two types of stance that may be utilized in defence. A “denial” stance is where the defender’s back is to the ball and they are very actively stopping a pass being made to their opponent. A “floating” or…

…played either 2×2 or 3×3. The low post receives the ball (defenders cannot intercept the pass) and then has to decide between passing back to perimeter players and playing to score. Initially, have defenders decide whether to “crowd” the post player or stay out on a perimeter player. Then introduce…

…to shoot over a taller defender. However, when first developing the technique, players should begin with a small jump. Players may lose balance when jumping (particularly when they jump high), which can affect their shot even if it is only a moderate loss of balance. A good way to improve…