Expert: Bob Anagnostou - 8/19/2007

Question
Hi Bob,
I am going into freshman basketball without much confidence because of what happened in my basketball camp. I was sick with the flu but i still went because i wanted the coach to know me before the fall tryouts so i went.  I did not do good because i was sick and did poorly.  Now for tryouts he is probably going to compare my performance in that camp with the one in tryouts.  I am alot better than before but i am worried that he will not see this.  Do you think that he will think of wat i did in camp? (btw i didn't make the 8th grade team, before all i could do was drive, now i'm a spot up shooter and a pretty good defender) Also i am a good defender but i want to be a great defender.  I am 5'8" but i have a 6' 2" wingspan which makes it easier for me to get rebounds.  I also have a decent vertical about 23 inches standing 29 inches with a running start which makes me about 1 inch shy of the rim.  Because of my long arms i can get steals better.  But i want to be a shutdown defender, i take pride in my hustle and my hard work because it makes it easier for me and my teammates to score.  Can you give me some general tips to become a better defender?  Now my offensive game.  I used to be a driver until i realized that after 8th grade tryouts that i would not be able to make the team if i could not shoot.  I am now a pretty good spot up shooter.  My problem is that i cannot create a shot for myself and i do not have alot of moves.  What can i do to change this.  If i get the ball i do not know what to do in a 5 on 5 situation because usually in 1 on 1 or 2 on 2 even 3 on 3 i could drive because i was explosive and i could jump but in 5 on 5 there are too many people to go past and i do not have good moves to get past people.  Lastly i have never been in a real game in my life.  I have never played 5 on 5 with officials.  This lack of experience puts me at a disadvantage.  How can i get more experience before tryouts?  If you have an answer to any of my questions that would be greatly apreciated thank you in advance.

Answer
Dear Luke,

First of all, don't worry about your camp performance. Coach will understand your situation and judge your performance at the tryouts.

Now, every good defender takes these into account.

When defending, you should follow these 9 golden rules.

1) Bend your knees so that you are in balance. Try drills that will challenge your ability to change directions quickly. Legs explosiveness is very important.

2) You should always lead the offender to the sidelines. Never let him drive through the center.

3) You should always force the offender to dribble with his weak hand. Close the path to his strong leg and dribble.

4)Providing the offender is right handed let's say, you will have your left hand always "checking" that is constant touching and other times harassing the offender trying to steal the ball at times. The right hand will be on constant moving trying to block any pass. That's its role.

5) If the offender attempts to cross you, make a step backward and explode in the direction that he goes, trying to get your leg close his way.

6) If the offender is going to release a shot, have your right hand if he's right handed in his face in consatnt moving. Try to hinder his sight to the basket and make some noise.

7) If the offender releases the shot, always block and box him out. It's your first priority to turn and see where he is and block his way to the rebound. Don't just sit, look at the rim and wait for the ball to hit there. Also, foresee where the ball is going to hit and take a good position as soon as it hits the rim.

8) It's important to defend when your offender moves off the ball. "Deny" the ball by playing the known overplay defence. Always have your outside hand trying to block a potential feed.

9) To end, when the offender receives the ball from a split out and you were on a help (because basketball is a team sport, don't forget that) take big qick steps on the start to get closer and in the last feet approach with "rock" steps with your hands dening the shot, always giving him a path to the base or sideline. That's really important and is called "close out"

These things make you a top defender. And here in Greece, we work seriously on that, and we have some Euroleague titles from clubs like Panathinaikos and Olympiacos to show that. In national level, we are the European champions and the silver World champions.
I had also the honour to work with Dimitris Diamantidis who is regarded as the best point guard in Europe and by far the best defensive player.

Now, your 5 on 5 game is not a big problem. What you should remember all the time is to keep head up in order to see the best option for the pass. I, as a coach, am more satisfied if i see a great assist rather than a fancy lay-up.
Pass is everything in the 5 on 5 game. Try driving to get some defenders on you and make the pass to your free teamate.

Sincerely Yours,
Coach B.Anagnostou
Olympiacos Coaching stuff
(Euroleague, HEBA)