Expert: Michael Muro - 1/23/2007

Question
now in when do you do swipe the basketball in defense then? Also in basketball offence when I get the ball I get all these hands everywhere around me and I dont know what to do. They all gang up on me and I cant see anyone to pass to so it ethier leads to losing the ball or taveling. Do you have any tips for handling all this pressure? Also I dont get passed to alot and most of the time I am open I raise my hand but rarely people pass me the ball, so how do you get passed to?
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The text above is a follow-up to ...

-----Question-----
Do you have any drills that can devolpe a good defense player? Also how in the world do you really block the person from being able to and pass. I want to stop this at all costs becase when they cant drive on me they ethier shoot or pass. Also when they are shooting I think its easy on them becase all I do is put my hand up in the air.
-----Answer-----
Hi Chris,

Man-to-Man Defense Tips
1. Most of the time, you should keep between your man and basket (but sometimes post players, will have to "front" a strong post-up player).

2. Guards get into a low position with your weight evenly balanced, on the balls of your feet, nearer your toes. Don't be flat-footed. Keep your weight off your heels. The key to good defense is you must move your feet and stay between the player and the hoop. Do not reach in a take a quick swipe with your hand. You will either get a foul, or the offensive player will go right around you.

3. Guards out front can play back off your man a couple steps if the offensive player is very quick, and outside his/her normal shooting range. This space will give you time to react, so that the offensive player will not get around you. If your opponent is a good outside shooter, then you must play tighter.

4. This brings us to the next point...know your opponent! Know his/her strengths and weaknesses. If he/she is a good shooter, stay close. If he/she can't dribble very well, stay up close and keep the pressure on. If he/she is quick and a good dribbler then stay back a couple steps. If he/she is right-handed and always goes to the right, over-guard the right side and force him/her to the left.

5. Watch the offensive player’s eyes when passing... this will often tell you where the pass is going.

6. Watch the offensive player’s belly-button, especially if he/she is quick and hard to stay with. The offensive player can fake you with a head fake, eye fake, arm or shoulder fake, or a jab-step, but the belly-button will always go only in the direction that he/she is going.

7. When the shot goes up, yell "shot!" and all defenders should box-out their men, and go for the rebound, and get the fast-break going.

8. Hustle! Hustle! Hustle! You gotta love playing tough, hard defense. Your good defense will win many games for you, especially those games when your offense is "off". It's not so bad if your shots aren't falling, if the other team can't score either. Your defense will keep you in the game until your offense finally gets going. When you are behind, the best way to catch up is by playing great defense and getting those rebounds. Who said, "Good offense wins games, but good defense wins championships"? Believe it. Much of good defense is inspiration and perspiration.


Answer
Hi Chris,

The best way to handle pressure is to stay calm and do not panic. If you panic you most likely will turn the ball over with a travel or bad pass. Protect the ball and pivot creating a passing lane. Know where your teammates should be and make a ball fake before actually passing the ball. If you are going to make a bounce pass fake high and then make bounce pass and just the opposite if you are going to pass high. The best way to beat the pressure is to pass the ball before the pressure gets to you. I would guess that you aren't getting the ball passed to you is because your teammates don't have confidence in you. Keep practicing and improving your game and have confidence in yourself. Once you believe in yourself others will start to also if you are working hard and improving your game.

Good luck!