Learn to love playing basketball defense!
Everybody likes to score baskets when they participate in a basketball game.
But the joy of scoring a basketball is not only on offense.
It is also the effort the player makes in the defense in order to eliminate scoring opportunities for opposite team.
So, let’s take a quick look at the basic characteristics of a basketball player who wants to improve the individual level of defensive play:
Learn, to do the right steps, in order to stop a driver shot effectively without undergoing physical contact that will give you another foul.
Learn, to read your opponents’ aggressive habits in order to defeat each shoot.
Learn, to be proud to mark the best player of the opponents and ask your coach how to limit his aggressive qualities.
Learn, how to correct place your legs in the defensive close out, reading the movement of the opponent, so as to increase the chances of committing a travelling violation.
Learn, how to effectively perform the blockout technique on every shot, both to the shooting player and to a player without the ball.
Learn, not just to talk about defense but to be understood by your teammates.
Learn, to control the distance from the ball correctly when you control a player away from it, so that you can move effectively based on the aggressive teamwork plan.
Learn, to offer defensive spins, by “buying” time on your teamates movements to make the spins effective for everyone.
Learn, to perform in defense in order to confuse your opponent.
Learn, to read the angles on the air flight effectively on the missed shoots, so that you are always being a step ahead on the defensive rebound.
Learn, to defend with all your passion and physical condition and to inform your coach immediately when you feel that you need to rest on the bench.
Learn, to Love Defense in basketball!
Coach John Tsoumpris
May 2017
