Expert: Michael Muro - 3/6/2005

Question
What is the best type of full court team defense for a highschool girls basketball program?

Answer
Hi Kimberly,

I am not a big fan of full court defense for girl's basketball because the benefit is minimal because there is not ten-second rule in the girl/women's game. In my opinion I would run a zone press and try to bait the ball handler to the side of the court just pass the half court line and trap there, as there is a backcourt violation.  Another thing you can do is pick-up man full court and make it hard for your opponent to inbound the ball. We man press full court denying the inbounds pass and encouraging over the top passes. So we do not get beat deep, whoever's man is taking the ball out has deep responsibilities and can go for the steal when they pass over the top. When the ball is in bounded, we just play man defense full court turning the ball handler as many times as possible. Our philosophy is to try and force a turnover on the inbound pass and once it is in bounded then make it hard for them to get into there offensive flow. I hope this helps and good luck.