Expert: Bob Anagnostou - 3/25/2007

Question
i wanted to know the fundamentals for defense. i am quick on offense but on defense when i play people or are even a little quick i let them get by me. ive got little tidbits ive collected over the years such as stay lower than the person your defending or watch thier belly button but i was jus wondering if you could give me some more tips to help me be a better defender and apply my quickness on that end of the floor. thank you very much for your help


Answer
Dear Cameron,
The following advice is of high value. 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 Dimitrios Diamantidis who is regarded as the best point guard in Europe and by far the best defensive player.

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