Q&A for How to Play Defense in Basketball

If the attacker is very good at shooting, then do not give them much space. If the attacker cannot shoot well, then they only have two options: to pass or go straight at you with a drive.

Great offensive players will be fast and difficult to guard, but you've got to train to be faster. If there is no other choice, a little dirty hit here and there can go a long way. That was the main tenet of the "Bad Boy Pistons" (one of the biggest contenders Jordan and Pippen ever had to face). A little shove or tap is a good way to slow a man down, but if you aren't down to play a little dirty, then I suggest you just work harder.

Get low and keep your hands out. Do not fully commit reach, as he will go past you. Try to poke the ball out, and apply pressure.

This depends on the coverage. A seven cut (corner) is very difficult to cover. Cover to a quick fade between the corner covering the flats and a safety covering deep half is very difficult to cover.

As James Naismith originally had it, one team tries to get the ball in the basket, and the other has to stop them from doing so. So, the last part of the quote is fairly much what defense is. You just have to stop the other team from scoring.

Play low and pressure the player by constantly blocking his way. When he changes his direction, hit the ball in the opposite direction, but not so hard that it goes flying.

If the ball has gotten by you, go for a chasedown block. If not, just try to jump with your hand in his face.

No. That would be a double dribble. Even if you were to recover it with one hand, unless you keep your hand above the 'equator' of the ball, it's a carry.

Study your opponent and see how he or she plays. If you are playing against a fast person, keep your distance from the opponent to make sure they cannot drive. If it is a big but slow guy, try to steal the ball, and if he/she posts. get in front of them and try to steal the ball.

The whole team should, each player marking their own man. But a switch can occur, which is when two players change the man they are marking for tactical reasons, such as when players get caught up in a screen and lose coverage of the player they're marking.

You can jump in front of him to slow him down if he is near the rim but not near enough to do a lay-up shot. But you can also attempt a chasedown block, which means blocking the ball towards the backboard when chasing the player with possession.

Make a three while getting fouled. Make the free throw, and there you have it. I don't think this counts, but you can also make one of the two/three free throws, get the rebound/have someone pass it to you, and then make the three.

Every defense is good, it's just how you apply it. My team uses a 2-1-2 defense and it works quite well.

Know your surroundings or, in this case, the referees. If they are simply calling every little thing, then you probably need to just play a little off your man. If they are barely calling anything, then press your man. A good defensive stance is alway key to avoiding fouls, so the best advice would be to simply practice playing without fouling.

A screen/pick is when an offensive player is standing still, clasps their hands together, and stands where the pick-and-roll ball handler's defender is going to run. Then, they stands in the way to stop them from guarding the pick-and-roll ball handler (and to get an easy jumpshot/cut to the basket).

Yes, it is legal unless you are pushing them without them posting up on you. However, this scenario would never happen with a PG since the forwards and center control the post and the perimeter.

Watch their feet. While doing this, put one hand up to block the shooter’s vision. As the shooter’s feet leave the ground, jump with him and block the ball.

It depends on the ref, to be honest. Some refs see barely a touch of the arm or so, and they call it a foul. Some are less sensitive and they let you have a little contact. I would try to not touch the player while he or she shoots the basketball. If the offensive player runs into you, just set your feet and keep them still for a charge.

Examples include: when you try to block a shot and you hit the shooter's hand and also when you try to steal the ball and you hit the dribblers arm or hand. A foul is basically when you make unnecessary contact.

Simply practice shooting. If you get good shooting without pressure, then spice up your training by having a teammate guard you, so you can improve "pressure shooting". The best thing you can do is practice your shots so it becomes muscle memory.

Your coach or teammates will explain all that to you. Generally, teams will play either man-to-man or zone defense (or perhaps a combination of the two). In man-to-man, you guard one specific player through the whole game. In zone, you guard an area rather than a player. Always be ready to help your teammates on defense when their opponents drive toward the basket.

Yes, this is called a deflection, and it is a good thing. It gives your team an opportunity to steal the ball from the opponent.