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Last One Holding The Chalk...Usually Wins!(October 2007)Assortment of plays, drills and ideas to help your program improve.
Part ONE on our series using the DOUBLE STACK SET to begin your set plays. From Coach Jay Monahan at HoopChamps.com COACHING INFORMATIONfrom LET'S TALK DEFENSE by Herb Brown (McGraw-Hill Publishers). * You must begin to teach and preach defense from the first moment you meet with your team...Defense is not simply a last resort to get you back in the game; it is the solid foundation of a winning program. * Defense requires discipline; if a coach is firm initially, he will set the tone early and never have to emphasize the importance of defense later on in the season. * The aim of every great defensive team is to take something away from their opponents. Our goals are always to limit the opposition to one bad or ill-advised shot and no offensive rebounds. * The more frequently the players are reminded of the importance of defense and the more they preactice and work at it, the more quickly they will understand how necessary it is to the team's overall success. * We think you should always emphasize putting pressure on the ball and having your hands up and active to contest all shots and passes. * The primary goals of our defense are to always extend and pressure up the court to force the dribbler to turn and change direction, to body up and guard all cutters whether they be straight basket or weak-side cuts, to body up and go over weak-side flares, and to pressure the ball to prevent the skip passes, which help our opponents post the ball when we are fronting the post. * Demands of our Defensive Philosophy: Play
94 feet of defense after all made shots. Emphasize
playing great transition defense after all misses, steals, defensive rebounds
and turnovers. In
defensive transition we continually emphasize the need to protect the goal, quickly
change ends, locate and stop the ball, and get all defenders level with the ball.
Exert
maximum ball pressure and make all passers drivers if the dribble has not been
used. Our
players are taught to get their bodies up and into the passing lanes. We also
make it a point to front or three-quarter all post players depending on the position
of the ball and where the player is posting up on the court. Challenge
and contest all shots. We
always emphasize blocking out. Establish
and execute great help and support defense. Develop
weak-side rotation and help schemes and constantly emphasize the importance of
not permitting our help to get beat. Limit
ball reversal and channel/influence the direction of the ball. Develop half- and full-court zone and combination, man-to-man, match-up, or hybrid defenses. * During shooting practices, develop and utilize drills that encourage your players to follow up every miss and successfully complete each shot or possession. * When correcting players or evaluating performance do so in a positive and constructive manner. (Ed. Note: It is amazing how many coaches do so in a negative manner.) * When making corrections it is a good idea to say one or two positive things to the players before you make your correction. * You want your players to be confident; therefore you must always exude confidence. * We think it is a good idea to have our big men, wings, and point guards meet in separate groups before each game for two or three minutes to discuss what they want to accomplish that night. (Ed. Note: This is the first time I have heard this idea, but I feel it has great merit!) * I have always found it a good idea to meet with the point guards and the team captains on a regular basis throughout the season. * Always emphasize conditioning. Your goal should be to have your team in better physical shape than your opponents. * Conclude practice with running and conditioning drills that have a purpose and are not construed as punishment. |
