Winning Basketball Defense Tips
It should be obvious how important beginner basketball defense is. Like offense, it is one word associated with the game that is a topic all its own. It is so crucial that fans scream it all the time when their team doesn’t have ball possession. Despite the enduring presence of this word, not all novice players and coaches focus on it.
It’s possible that the idea is not given enough stress because of the encompassing attention given to scoring as many points as possible. Indeed, the player who gets the ball in the basket the most is the one who ultimately enjoys popular status. Analysts may contribute a bit to hyping shooters by commenting the most about them. This makes it easier for everyone to neglect defense.
It is through defensive basketball strategies that a team gets to limit the points of an opposing team. This means, a team doesn’t need to score more than a hundred points to win, they just need to make sure the other team doesn’t score at all. Here are three tips that can help put teams on top of the game.
#1- Put stance and balance as priorities.
The secret to great defense is the proper form and stance. These are what players need to stop opponents from shooting and to keep body balance. Furthermore, a good stance is ideal for ball stealing when the opportunity arises. The fundamental appearance in basketball defense is bended knees that levels a player’s head with the opponent’s chest. Both feet should be places firmly apart, ideally a shoulder’s width apart. With this stance, players are not likely to tip over even with contact. In addition, it would help to plant the foot and hand facing the dominant part of an opponent forward. This will permit an easy steal when possible.
#2- Defend against other players not handling the ball.
It’s easy not to see what’s going on with other players when so much action surrounds the ball handler. Not paying attention to each member of a team however is a big error on the part of a defending team. Defensive basketball is not all about stopping the current ball handler. It is also about making sure that the ball doesn’t eventually make it to other open players.
#3- Put pressure on the opponent.
It’s normal to get tired near the end of a game. Because of exhaustion, players may show weariness in their expressions and stances. Teams on defense however, should try to mask these from the other camp. From the very beginning to the end, strong pressure should be placed on the offensive group. Pressure can be shown in different ways. Players can show mildly threatening expressions. Proper hand, foot and body positioning can also indicate pressure because it limits the movement of an opponent and prevents shooting.
These fundamental tips for basketball for beginners defense are enough to get beginners started on mastering the true key to winning. There are however, other more advanced tips that need to be mastered. There is no better way to winning than by making sure opponents don’t get anywhere close to making good shots.
Critical Basketball Instruction For Players
One of the primary concerns of every coach is the development of a tall player. This is a key element in beginners basketball instruction. By much individual coaching and special drills, the tall, awkward player often can be developed into a smooth, coordinated big man that can wreak havoc with the opposition. Most championship teams have at least one tall player to control rebounds and present a dangerous scoring threat.
Where to Begin
The beginning point for developing a tall player should be in the lower grades. Because of rapid growth by many beginners basketball players, it often is difficult to tell early enough whether or not a boy will grow into a tall player. Therefore, it is necessary for the coach to select several players whose build indicates considerable future growth and begin fundamental work with these. As they enter high school, the more promising individuals may be singled out and given a great deal of individual attention.
Developing Strength, Jumping Ability, and Agility
Weight training can be an important factor in developing strength and jumping ability in the tall player. A program of weight training is more important in the development of the tall player than in any other. It is the tall player that needs a good amount of strength in his upper body, particularly his shoulders, arms, and hands, for the rugged rebounding work. The increase in leg strength brought about by work with weights can add inches to his vertical jump and improve his speed.
The ability to move well is important if he is to develop his offensive and defensive capabilities. Rope skipping is one of the better drills for developing this agility. Wind-sprints and footwork drills should also be included in the development program.
Developing Shooting Ability
Basketball instruction includes developing shooting ability. Most good offensive centers use the following shots:
1. Lay-up.
2. Jump shot.
3. Hook shot.
4. Tip shot.
5. Free-throw.
Lay-up. The “George Mikan” drill is an excellent beginning point for developing the beginners basketball player’s shooting ability. He stands under the basket and shoots a lay-up shot with his right hand. The shot is taken off his left foot. As the ball comes through the net, he steps onto his right foot and shoots a left-handed lay-up shot from the other side of the goal. This procedure is repeated over and over for several minutes and should be used daily.
Jump Shot. In developing the jump shot, the tall player should start close to the basket and gradually move away as his shooting proficiency increases. A minimum of fifty shots daily is absolutely essential. Keeping a record of the number of shots attempted and made daily will enable the beginner basketball player to check his progress and will add incentive for additional work.
Hook Shot. The hook shot should be developed with both hands. Again, work should begin close to the basket. With his back to the basket, the player should step onto his left foot and hook the ball with his right hand. After a number of shots with his right hand, he should move to the other side of the goal and shoot the left-handed hook shot off his right foot. At least fifty shots daily with each hand should be a minimum program. As his ability to shoot the shot improves, he should move further away from the basket.
Tip Shot. The the team mate will be in offensive rebounding position on most offensive plays. The perfection of the tip shot will enable him to increase his scoring effectiveness. A variety of tipping drills are available and at least one tipping drill should be used daily. As the fundamental technique is learned, a defensive rebounder should be added to the drills to contest the tall player for the rebound and simulate game conditions.
Free-throw. The free-throw must not be neglected. Since the tall player receives the ball in the highly dangerous area around the basket, he often will receive more free-throws than any other player on his team. Therefore, he must develop his free-throw technique to reach maximum effectiveness. However, no special free-throw program is necessary. The tall player should follow the same free-throw practice plan as the other members of the squad.
Good basketball instruction involves, among other things, taking care to develop your tall player.
Basketball Fundamentals For Effective Basketball Learning
The work of the basketball coach will be made more effective if he keeps charts of each game. This is one of the beginners basketball fundamentals. Rebound charts and miscellaneous charts are discussed in this article.
Rebound Charts
Rebound charts provide the following information:
1. Number of offensive and defensive rebounds by each team.
2. Number of offensive and defensive rebounds by each individual.
Insufficient offensive or defensive rebounds can suggest areas of rebounding work in practice. If the number of defensive rebounds is not in close proximity to the number of missed shots by the opponents, stress should be placed on block-outs and other defensive rebounding techniques.
The reverse would be true if a team is falling down on the offensive boards. The knowledge of which beginners basketball players on a team are getting the most rebounds can suggest individuals who need additional work in this area and can act as an incentive to future rebounding performances by allowing competition among individuals on the team.
An accurate knowledge of the leading rebounders on the opposing team may suggest play direction. For example, if the left forward on the opponents is their best rebounder, initiating plays in his defensive area may result in shots being taken while he is out on the floor and away from the board.
Keeping the Rebound Chart
Rebounds may be recorded on the same composite chart with shots and mistakes. Simply writing the number of the rebounder in the appropriate offensive or defensive rebounding column is sufficient.
Miscellaneous Charts
One of the important beginners basketball fundamentals is to make sure you have all essential charts.A number of other types of charts are used by many coaches. Among them are:
1. Player Combination Charts. This chart records each combination of players throughout the game, the time played by each player and combination, and gives a view as to the combination of players achieving the best results. When a beginner basketball player enters the game, his initial is placed on the line under the name of the player he is replacing along with the score and time remaining.
2. Officiating Charts. Recording the type of officiating calls made by each official can suggest the type of game to be played. If blocking calls are excessive, players can be instructed to drive a great deal. On the other hand, if charging calls predominate, defensive players can be instructed to jump freely in front of drivers. Few fouls called under the basket may indicate a rougher type of rebounding play.
3. Jump-ball Charts. An accurate record of jump-ball situations may be obtained by the use of this chart. The chart records the players involved in the jump situation, who controls the tap, and who gains ball possession. The numbers of the players jumping are recorded. If your player gets control of the tap at the height of the ball toss, a plus is recorded. If he does not get the tap, a minus is recorded. A plus or minus is again used to chart the team that gains ball possession.
4. Offensive Options. Many teams keep charts that indicate play options that result in shots and scoring and evaluate the effectiveness of their offensive plays on these results.
5. Defensive Mistakes. A record of mistakes made both by the team defense and by individual defensive players is useful and can aid in determining areas needed for work in practice. The type of mistakes to be charted will depend on the type of team defense played and must be ascertained by the individual coach.
6. Center-line Advancement. These charts record the number of times ball possession is gained in backcourt but the ball is lost before crossing the center-line. Added information may be provided by charting the number of times the offense advances the ball into front-court and fails to obtain a shot.
General Suggestions
1. Make a thorough study of the information desired and arrive at a sound program of charting to obtain this information.
2. Obtain interested personnel and train them in accurate charting techniques.
3. Study the charts diligently after each game and make the results available to the entire squad.
4. Keep cumulative statistics on all charts and file charts for future reference.
Good basketball fundamentals means effective charting will improve the performance of the team.
Coaching Basketball Fundamentals – A Coach’s Manual
The opponent may have superior talent available but both teams possess the same opportunities for “getting into shape.” One of the crucial coaching basketball fundamentals is ensuring that the team is fit mentally and physically.
Few players will reach peak physical condition unless expertly guided by the coach. Thus, plans for an upcoming basketball season must include proper drills and procedures for assuring maximum squad conditioning.
Mental Condition
Much of the success of a basketball team certainly depends on the overall mental condition of the team. An overwhelming desire to win, a sense of pride in conditioning, and a burning love for the game can inspire players to efforts far greater than their bodies would be able to produce otherwise.
Though physical condition must go jointly with mental condition, the importance of the proper frame of mind to overall team conditioning cannot be minimized. The body can do more physically when the beginners basketball player believes it can and desires for it to do more. The four-minute mile barrier is a superb example of what can be done when athletes recognize mentally that the body is capable of greater things.
Players must be convinced of the need for giving that extra effort and must develop the desire to give this extra effort willingly.
Mental conditioning requires more than confidence and desire to excel. It requires an attitude from each player that will contribute to the success of the team. Team play is never enhanced by petty jealousies and bickering among players. Nor does team or individual play improve when attitudes toward the coach and his criticisms are faulty. The team with high morale, genuine friendship among players and the coach, and a confidence in their ability to succeed is destined for championship play.
Physical Conditioning
One of the coaching beginner basketball fundamentals is to ensure your team knows how to keep physically fit. The body must be conditioned for exerting maximum effort throughout the long basketball season. Prime physical condition not only enables players to give their best efforts all of the time but improves their ability to perform individual and team fundamentals and reduces injuries.
Pre-practice Conditioning. A program of conditioning prior to the opening of practice sessions can be very beneficial. Activities conducted outside the gymnasium can ready the body gradually for the rigorous work in the gymnasium. The feet can gradually be toughened on a surface less hard than the gymnasium floor thereby reducing the occurrence of blisters. The outdoor surface can aid in conditioning the legs for work on the hardwood and reduce shin splints.
Activities that may be used in a pre-practice conditioning program for beginner basketball players are:
1. Calisthenics.
2. Cross-country running.
3. Speedball.
4. Volleyball.
5. Two-man Volleyball (Two players on each side. Regular volley ball rules apply.)
6. Weight training.
Preseason Conditioning. Most teams practice six weeks before their opening game. During this practice period, drills must be used to allow players to attain a top condition level prior to the opening game. Full-court running drills, pressing defensive drills, and drills incorporating quick starts and stops are excellent conditioners.
It usually is better to start out relatively light during the first few practice sessions and progress toward harder practice sessions as the legs and feet become conditioned to the hardwood. Many coaches like to think of themselves as tough conditioners and try to “pour it on” their beginner basketball players during the first few days of practice.
If the coach is making the unfortunate mistake of inflating his ego through acquisition of the “tough” label, he well may do his players more harm than good. It is far better to postpone the harder practice sessions until players are physically ready to participate in them.
Your beginner basketball coaching fundamentals must be in place.
Beginners Basketball – A Coach’s Guide
With so much basketball information today, rare is the coach in the present-day game who does not use some type of chart to furnish objective data every time his team plays.
Types of Charts
The types of charts in use today may be grouped as follows:
1. Shot charts.
2. Mistake charts.
3. Rebound charts.
4. Miscellaneous charts.
Shot Charts
The shot chart is the most common chart used. It furnishes the following information:
1. Number of shots taken by both teams.
2. Type of shots taken by both teams.
3. Location of shots taken by both teams.
4. Shooting percentage of both teams.
5. Shooting percentage of individuals on both teams.
A knowledge of the number of shots taken by both beginner basketball teams can point to specific offensive or defensive weaknesses that must be corrected. If a team is taking too few shots, concentration on offensive practice may increase the number taken. If the opponent is taking too many shots, added emphasis on defense in practice may reduce this number.
The type of shots taken by both teams may indicate the type of shots to be practiced or defensive adjustments needed. Needless to say, if the opponents are getting too many lay-up shots, the team defense must be improved. If the opponents are getting an excessive number of rebound shots, stress must be placed on defensive rebounding.
The location of shots taken will point out areas for offensive improvement and defensive adjustment. If a team is shooting too many outside shots, practice plans may stress work on plays designed to get closer shots. If the opponents are shooting a number of outside shots unsuccessfully, a sagging type of man-for-man defense or a type of zone defense may be in order.
Beginner basketball information should include the shooting percentage of the team and of individuals. This is very important in planning practices and preparing for games. A knowledge of individual shooting percentage on a team can indicate the individuals that should be doing much of the shooting, can suggest line-up changes, and can reduce the number of bad shots taken. Coaching emphasis on good shooting percentage can spur individuals and the team into working for better shots. A knowledge of the high percentage shooters on opposing teams can allow for defensive concentration on these individuals.
Keeping the Shot Chart
A shot chart on both teams can easily be kept by one individual. When a player attempts a shot, his number is written on the chart at the approximate location the shot was taken. The type of shot taken may be included by adding a symbol after the number. For example, 22S would indicate a set shot by number 22. If the number and symbol are circled, the shot was made. If it is not circled, the shot was missed.
Mistake Charts
What type of information may be recorded by mistake charts?
1. Bad passes.
2. Double-dribbling.
3. Walking.
4. Fumbles.
5. Other violations causing loss of ball.
A knowledge of the mistakes being committed by a beginner basketball team and the individuals committing these mistakes can be an excellent guide in planning practice sessions. If an excessive number of bad passes are being made, passing drills should be emphasized. If walking and dribble violations are being committed, drills stressing correct pivoting and dribbling should receive emphasis.
The knowledge of the type of mistakes being committed and the individuals committing them can be useful in skull sessions when reviewing games. Cautioning the players about these mistakes and the simple knowledge that they are being committed can contribute toward their reduction.
Keeping the Mistake Chart
Mistakes may be recorded simply by writing the number of the individual committing the mistake in the appropriate mistake column. One individual may record both shots and mistakes.
Accurate charting of beginners basketball information will make the job of the coach easier.
Beginner Basketball Tips For All
There is a wide difference of opinion among coaches when caching basketball fundamentals as to the kind and amount of team rules and regulations needed. Some establish a large number of rules and demand strict adherence while others limit rules to a very minimum. Generally, as few rules as possible should be established but those absolutely necessary should never be omitted. Discipline is an important lesson that all of us need learn and that learned as a member of an athletic team can be very long-lasting.
Rules should be practical, but firm for beginners basketball players. They are never made to be broken. Victory in no game is important enough to allow players to violate team rules and go unpunished.
Victory achieved when using unpunished rule violators will lead to many future defeats. Once the coach has established the fact that the team rules were not made to be broken and has demonstrated that he will punish offenders, he will have little trouble in the future, better basketball players, and higher team morale.
Suggested Rules and Regulations
Rules for Body Conditioning:
1. Get plenty of sleep. (The coach may like to establish a specific bed time for his players.)
2. Absolutely no drinking of alcoholic beverages. (Violation should mean suspension from the team.)
3. Absolutely no smoking.
4. Avoid excessive sweets particularly between meals.
5. Wear adequate clothing to provide for warmth and prevent colds. (This is a rule that should never be necessary if players would realize its importance. Unfortunately, they seldom do.)
Rules for Practice Sessions when Coaching Basketball Fundamentals:
1. Never miss practice sessions unless excused by the coach prior to practice.
2. No tardiness to practice sessions.
3. Hustle through drills. When the coach blows the whistle, activity should stop immediately.
The coach should never have to compete with other conversations for attention.
5. Practice is serious. foolishness or boisterous conduct will be permitted.
Rules for Games:
1. Exert your best effort at all times.
2. No talking during time-outs except when requested by the coach.
5. No bickering with opposing players.
6. No arguing with officials.
Accept defeat humbly and with out excuse.
8. When not in the game, all players on the bench must give their attention and loyalty to those players in the game.
General Rules of Conduct:
1. Absolutely no profanity.
3. Maintain personal cleanliness at all times.
4. Wear coats and ties on trips particularly when traveling by public conveyance.
When you are coaching basketball fundamentals, if your beginner basketball players are instructed in rules such as these, you will have a much happier and better disciplined team. On and off the field it will benefit your players if you enforce your rules.