Chapter 13 - Tactical Defense

Most of us have a tendency to think of tactical situations in terms of offense. The jump ball, out-of-bounds, and free throw line-ups are generally considered to be excellent scoring opportunities. Unfortunately, only one team will have an opportunity to score: the one that gets the ball. One team will be required to take the defensive. Generally each team will have the same number of scoring and defensive chances during the course of a game. It will be necessary to "defense" these situations just as often as we attempt to score from them. Often there is hesitation among players when these plays occur, indicating little practice time has been given to them.

A specific approach should be developed for each tactical opportunity. Although there may be many ways of "de-fensing" an out-of-bounds play, the fact that you have one method rehearsed and practiced gives your boys an air of confidence.

Out-of-Bounds Defense

Out-of-bounds plays run with the ball taken out directly under or near the throw-in team's goal have proved notably successful. The percentage of success on this play must be the highest of all attempted set plays in basketball. There are good reasons for this success. The throw-in team forces the defensive team to turn around and defend almost facing the goal instead of with their backs to the goal. This is strange and in itself creates lack of confidence on the part of a defensive player. The tight screen and subsequent roll to goal is possibly the toughest play in basketball to stop under normal circumstances. In this unique situation, it becomes doubly difficult. The ball handler is virtually a free passer. It is impossible to put the same amount of pressure on him that could be applied if he were in bounds where the defensive player becomes a threat to get his hands on the ball. In view of these advantages, it is not surprising that out-of-bounds plays under the goal are quite successful.

The defense must first of all realize that it is at a disadvantage, that this is a tough play to stop. The defense must make a decision to stop the lay-up or the jump shot. Surely the good, aggressive defensive team will set as its goal the defense of any attempted shot. Still, all teams would rather have the opponent take a jump shot rather than a lay-up.
One approach to "defending" this play is a collapse to some sort of zone defense every time it occurs in a game. The zone would be used until that particular play is over. There are teams that do not use the zone in any situation so this would not be the answer for them. They would prefer using their regular man-for-man defense.

The man-for-man defense should show the ball handler some perimeter receivers. They should sag a great deal. They should sag so much that a pass to a cutter or potential scorer directly under the goal would be impossible. They should sag so much that their defense looks like a zone. The man guarding the passer should get between his man and the goal and use vigorous arm-waving tactics to prevent a direct pass to the goal area. Do not allow the offense to spread your team. Jam tightly in a knot of defensive men in the critical scoring area.  If the offense spreads you they get an easy screen and roll play. If they don't spread you, they may pass directly to a receiver on the perimeter for a quick jump shot. The choice of these lesser of two evils doesn't present a difficult choice for us. Here is the basis for nearly all out-of-bounds plays against man-for-man defenses. It may not look like this and it may be somewhat different, but the great majority of teams will use some version of the screen and roll.

Fig. 184

If you jam this play before the ball is thrown in bounds, the next move is to defend against other plays when the ball is in bounds. Once the ball hits the hands of a receiver that man should receive immediate attention. Since we are sagging a great deal to make sure the middle or goal area is jammed, the receiver may be looking for the quick jump.

Our first effort is to make him hurry his shot. It is doubtful if we can stop it if the correct amount of sag is taken. We can make him hurry. If the rush to defend the receiver is too quick, we are vulnerable to the fake and drive.

Until the ball is thrown in bounds, all man-for-man defense should be non-switching. A deep sag is used to jam the middle. Sliding is much easier to execute from a sagging defense. The switch is capitalized on by most teams in setting up their out-of-bounds plays. They rely on the fact that you must switch and usually look for the roll-off man who sets a screen forcing the switch. Do not switch as long as the ball is out-of-bounds. The danger of having the roll man beat his man to the goal is multiplied because of the angles created by the ball being behind the boards. The problem is completely different from that presented by a switch situation when the ball is out front. Slide on all cuts. Slide until the ball is thrown in bounds. Then use whatever you normally use. If you are a sliding team, continue to slide. If you are a switching team, revert to your switching tactics. Once the ball is in bounds and normal defensive play is in progress, all actions become just as if the opponent had brought the ball down the floor for a regular play. As long as the ball is out-of-bounds in the hands of an unrestricted passer, there is nothing normal about the defensive situation.

Defensive men should take a position so that they can see potential screeners behind them. This is not always possible. If they take a quick look at the ball when the referee hands the ball to the passer, they need not worry about ball position since that man cannot move after the official gives it to him. The primary vision should be applied to one's own man. The secondary vision should be utilized to spot potential screeners. One of the hands should be behind to feel for screeners. Each team member should be a committee of one to spot and warn teammates of screeners. Defense of this difficult situation requires the highest degree of team work. In nearly every case, one of the in-bounds men is going to get screened before the ball is thrown in bounds. In some cases, more than one screen will be set. Each man should be alert to warn the men being screened. The men being screened should have a deep sag and be feeling for the screeners. Every out-of-bounds defensive play should be a challenge. Every time the defensive team stops it they should feel a glow of team pride. Every time they can make this difficult play they should develop more confidence. Team unity should be just a little bit better, for real team work is required to handle this assignment.

Here is another possible approach to defending against out-of-bounds plays. Let the player guarding the throw-in man drop off and stand directly under the goal to insure the fact that no lay-ups will be gained. As soon as the ball is thrown in bounds, he should recover to a normal position on his man.

Side line out-of-bounds defense presents an altogether different challenge. The offense should be pushed hard to get the ball in bounds. The man guarding the passer or out-of-bounds man should sag. Most side line plays will result in the throw-in getting the shot. Here is a typical out-of-bounds play from the side line throw-in (Fig. 185).

If the man guarding the passer pushes too hard, he might get screened and be unable to recover in time.

All defensive men guarding potential receivers should overplay their men. Give the opposition no free throw-ins from the side line position. Most offensive teams prepare for just such a situation. Most of them will bring their center up to receive the throw-in since they feel that the average defensive post man will not be as fast as other defensive men.

If you can push receivers hard, it causes the man throwing the ball in bounds to get nervous. He might lob one or throw a slow pass that can be intercepted. He might throw it away completely.

Fig. 185

There is not the danger involved with out-of-bounds plays under the goal. All defensive men are able to play in their regular back-to-the-goal positions. The ball is thrown from the front much as if the opposition were bringing it down court for a normal play. The biggest danger is to the man guarding the passer.

Jump-Ball Defense

It is to be hoped that jump-ball defense will become less of a problem in the future. It is certainly to be desired, for this is a part of basketball that holds little appeal for the fans. Still, jump-ball situations will occur several times each game, usually from 10 to 15 times.  The jump ball occurs at center line, on the offensive end of the court and on the defensive end of the court. Actually, there are many times the jump ball may be considered an offensive play, no matter where it occurs. There are times when it will be considered defensive no matter where it happens. Whether it be offense or defense depends on who is jumping.

We will look at the jump-ball setup from the defensive standpoint only.

The center court jump is traditionally "defensed" with the tandem formation. This is the ultimate in conservative play. Even so, it is good defense for that particular play. The tandem requires two men to drop back and play in such a way that they can stop a quick tap and fast-break play from achieving a lay-up. This is basically a lay-up defense. It offers some hope of interception by the other men playing on the center circle perimeter, but the real value of the tandem is in stopping the lay-up.

Fig. 186

This formation can be adjusted to varying degrees of conservatism. The tandem can be deep or fairly close to the center court circle.  The amount of caution depends on the situation.

Another good defense that is cautious but almost sure to prevent a quick basket requires every defensive man to get between his man and the opponent's goal. This assures the opposition ball possession, but there is always the possibility that the tapper won't take advantage of the sure back tap between his men. In this case, the defense has a very good chance for interception.

Fig. 187

Here is a system that combines some of the ideas of both systems already described. It offers concealed defense in that the defense doesn't develop until the ball is tossed. It is not quite as sure since movement is involved and an attempt at intercepting is made. It is more daring and offers the possibility of ball possession without a great deal of danger being involved.

When the ball is tossed, number 2 breaks to the free throw line of the opposition for safety's sake, in case the gamble doesn't result in an interception. This gives you assurance that the offense will not get a lay-up. Numbers 1, 3 and 4 move as indicated.

Fig. 188

This is the sort of play that might well be utilized by short teams when they are fairly sure they won't get many center lineup taps during the normal jump situation.

Jump-ball defense at the opponent's goal is the most dangerous. Proximity to the goal gives them added incentive to receive well. Do not give them an opening to the goal after they receive. Do not gamble in this jump-ball circle. Line up inside out or with one man in between every offensive pair. This assures them the ball, but closes all gates to the goal after they receive (Figs. 189, 190).

When jump-ball situations occur under your own goal, the opposition is 73 feet from its own goal. This means you can gamble here more than in any other jumping circle. You have time to recover before the opposition can score, if you prepare for that eventuality.

One of the oldest and best ways to play this is to have each man line up with his own man. Let the offense believe it is going to get a sure tap. Once the ball is touched by a jumper, let every defensive man attempt the interception. Try this as a five-on-five drill and you will be amazed at how many times the defensive team or the one with the shortest jumper will come up with the ball.

Another way is to use the rotation to a tandem after after the ball is tossed. Here is one more rotation system that is a calculated risk. It leaves one man completely free. In this case it is the right rear man. We will assume in this case that a right hander is jumping and tapping with his right hand. The best man to leave open is number 3. The taper would have an awkward move to make if he successfully tapped to that man. We will put one and one-quarter men on every other potential receiver. This offers pretty good chances of interception and gives us good defensive alignment to stop the fast break if our gamble doesn't work for an interception (See also Fig. 192).

Fig. 189

Fig. 190

Free-Throw Formation Defense

Preparing for this situation involves only two possible plays.   The opponent shoots or your team shoots.   The first thought is to stop the fast break when your team shoots, if the shot is missed and ball possession is lost. To accomplish this, follow one simple rule. Match the opponent in manpower. Some teams will line up in some very unusual formations to try for the fast break. You must match them in manpower and floor position. If they put two men down court for the possible long pass, you must put two men down court with them. If they put two men back on either side of the key hole for possible tap outs, you must put two men there to cover them. The guiding rule is to match them. Here are some situations that you may have to match at some time (See pp. 238, 239).

Fig. 191

Fig. 192

When the opponent shoots, you can play one of two ways. You can play for the fast break or you can play for ball possession. We will concern ourselves with the defensive play of this situation.
 
The strongest re-bounder  on your team always takes the position to the right of the goal. Studies have indicated that most missed shots will rebound to the right.

Therefore, it seems to be the best place for the strongest re-bounder . Most teams will try to tap the ball back to the shooter if the shot is missed unless ideal tipping position can be gained. Since you have two men under the goal, it will be difficult for the opponent to get ideal tipping position. They will probably tip back to their shooter in most cases. The shooter should be covered by two men. One should move in front and one should move behind him.

Fig. 195

Fig. 196

Fig.  197

The other deep man underneath must buff out and make sure that the man on his right does not get the ball. The new floor marking creating a 12-inch neutral zone makes this task a bit easier. The number 4 man can play in one of two ways. He may move straight into the front of the rim around the defensive man on his right.  This move would pinch the defensive man tightly and almost insures that he will not get the ball.

Fig. 198

Or, he can run around the defensive man and cover the small area immediately to the side of the goal on the right (See Fig. 199, next page).

We recommend that number 4 mix his moves and keep the opposition guessing on this play. This tactic is employed on the right side since most missed shots rebound that way.

Teaching Hints

1. Be specific in your explanation of tactical defense.

2. Select one approach and make your players believe it is best.

Fig. 199

3. Time spent on defending against the out-of-bounds situation under the goal is well spent.

4. Sell your players on the idea that all is not lost if your opponent is taller in the jump-ball situation.

5. When your team shoots a free throw, always match your opponent in man-for-man strength and floor balance.

6. When your opponent shoots, be sure the shooter is covever and your best re-bounder  is lined up to the right of the goal.

Conclusion

Defensive excellence is more than efficient execution of fundamental defensive skills. Some players achieve a yeoman's degree of efficiency and consider that adequate. The yeoman's approach is adequate, but is far from being the championship approach.   The "I did my job" approach will not bring home the big trophies.
Before defensive excellence can be achieved, each player must get a really solid thrill out of performing his individual defensive skills within the framework of the team defense. He must be lifted by a great play performed by a teammate. He must be quick to commend teammates for good defensive application.

Duty defense is often performed by the outstanding offensive player who knows he must do the yeoman's job in order to play. Duty defense or the "I've got to do it" attitude will not bring the spirited play in the clutch that is the trade mark of the champion.

The first and most important task of the coach who wants defensive spirit and pride among his team members is the selling of defense to each individual and to the whole group. First, you will get lip service to defense. If you give a trophy for the best defensive player you will get a spirited performance by those boys who don't have much of a chance to win the offensive trophies. If you keep team defensive statistics, new space engendered by outstanding defensive performances will help a great deal. If you can hold a fine team to a low team point total, it will cause team defensive pride to begin to take shape. Selling defense takes time. Once accomplished, it will literally carry itself after that. Each successive squad of men will strive to out-perform the preceding team. A defensive tradition will have been set that cannot be broken. A winning spirit will have been defined. An outspoken disgust for lazy performances by anyone (teammate or opponent) will become evident among your team.

Let each player rate himself defensively before the season starts. While each player is rating himself, the coach should be rating the entire team. Compare the results and discuss the status of each boy with the individual team members in private conversation. Use some sort of guide in making your ratings.

1. The novice defensive player is probably striving to "defense" the man with the ball.   However, if that's all he can do he is still a novice.

2. The intermediate defensive man can defend against his man—with the ball and without the ball. He can handle his man in any situation, whether he has ball possession or not.

3. The good defensive player can also handle his man with or without the ball and switch or slide properly. He can switch if that is the system the coach uses.  He can slide if that is the system the coach uses. He can switch and slide if that is the system being taught.  He can do these things as well as defend against his individual opponent with or without ball possession.

4. The great defensive player can guard his man with or without the ball. He can switch or slide, according to the system used. In addition to these skills, he knows when to double team; when to help with the pivot man; when to talk and pep up the team, and when to push the dribbler out front.  In short, he is the epitome of defensive excel lence. He is the man you assign to the opposing "hot shot." Just because you assign a man to the opposing "hot shot" does not make him a great defensive player.  Few teams have one.  Most teams do not have all five men as high as the novice category.  Few have intermediate defensive players and only rarely do we find a good defensive man. A team that has one great defensive man is fortunate in deed.

Challenge each man to move up one notch during the course of a season. Give verbal plaudits for good defensive play in practice and in games. Seek press notice for outstanding defensive play.

Most observers will say that the soundly drilled defensive team is a well coached team. I shall not argue with them. Surely it is easier to sell offensive play to basketball players. Surely defensive excellence is achieved only after much thought, work and salesmanship. Display your coaching excellence by displaying a fine defensive basketball team. It cannot be done in the dressing room at hah* time. It cannot be done by giving 10 minutes a day to defensive drills. It cannot be done by pre-game oratory. It must be done in detailed day-to-day practice of fundamentals.

Be sure your team is knowledgeable concerning defense. How many players have ever tried to define the defensive fundamentals? They all know the offensive fundamentals. If you don't like the categories we have used in this book, define your own and make sure your players know them. When you run a drill, make sure they know which fundamental you are practicing.

Take pride in the basketball skills requiring courage, stamina, persistence and character. They are defense and rebounding. Sell the game of basketball at its best. At its best, it is not a sissy sport. Put these skills constantly before the public and basketball esteem will rise.

Develop outstanding defense and you will get the finest coaching thrill of your career. There is no sense of achievement quite like it. You can originate a basketball offense. You can become "Coach of the Year" for your region every year. Still, there is no thrill compared with the one you will experience when your boys play an inspired, courageous defensive game to win the one they were not supposed to win.