Defensive Strategies

Introduction: In basketball, having a strong defensive stance is essential to effectively guard your opponent and prevent them from scoring. The defensive stance drill helps players develop the proper footwork and positioning needed to become better defenders on the court.

Instructions: Complete the following defensive stance examples by filling in the blanks with the correct answers. Start with the easier examples and work your way to more challenging ones.

Examples:

• Example 1: In a defensive stance, your feet should be shoulder-width apart and your knees ___________.
• Example 2: When guarding an opponent, it is important to keep your ___________ between your opponent and the basket.
• Example 3: To move quickly in a defensive stance, you should stay on the balls of your ___________.
• Example 4: When your opponent tries to drive past you, you should move your feet and ___________ to stay in front of them.
• Example 5: In a real game situation, if your opponent is a strong shooter, you should focus on ___________ to contest their shots effectively.
• Example 6: When defending against a fast player, it is important to ___________ your movements to keep up with their speed.

Real World Problems:

• Problem 1: You are guarding a player who is known for their quick first step. How can you adjust your defensive stance to counter their speed?
• Problem 2: Your team is down by 2 points with 10 seconds left in the game, and the opposing team has possession of the ball. How can you use your defensive stance to force a turnover and give your team a chance to win?

Answers:

Example 1: Bent
Example 2: Body
Example 3: Feet
Example 4: Slide
Example 5: Close out
Example 6: Anticipate