EXS 237
8/15/2012

BASIC DEFENSE Basic stance is one of basketball defense fundamental which the feet is position as wide as the player shoulder with weight balanced on the balls of his feet. This is the best position however if the foot is flatted, back on heels or legs closing together then it’s hard to move causing the dribbling of offensive player around the other. So it’s always better to keep their knees bent slightly with your back low and then making sure that one hand is extended high to guard shots and passes while the other hand extended low on the ball. Then next defense is focusing on the waist where you avoid getting faked out but rather focus on the part of the offensive player’s body that doesn’t move. Focusing on the eyes, head and legs of the opponents is not right and can be easily failed to do the defense. While the other player focus on the ball the offender will then do a fake pass, fake shot or fake going one way and go the other way therefore this is not suggested to be happened because some player may end up sucking air as the offensive player goes in for the lay-up. Also remembering to watch the mid-section of the opponent because they can’t go anywhere without it thus making it hard for them to fake their pass or shot because you know which side they really intend to go. Positioning and footwork are very important principles in playing good basketball defense. So to avoid the legs crossing, moving from side to side is suggested and when doing slides then maintaining the balance is needed where both feet is keeping close to the width of the shoulders as possible. Not only that but to avoid letting both feet from touching when moving.
In addition, Shot blocking is important as well in which the defensive player is suggested to always use the hand closest to the basket when blocking a shot. Some offensive player drives in from the right side of the basket which the other player is needed to use his left hand to block. By doing this it then allow them to use the hand that farthest from the offensive player’s reducing the chance of carrying out a foul.
Guarding the offender is another thing all players needed to be careful with. In guarding players without the ball there are two important fundamentals; staying between the player and the basket and trying not to turn your back to the ball. When the player you’re guarding is on the right side of the floor and the ball is on the left, then your left hand should raise while dropping your right foot back a bit.
Lastly is the Low-Post Defense where in the low post area is the left or the right of the basket is where the offensive players stand waiting for ball. They try to keep their defender behind them by spreading their legs wide and raising an arm looking for the pass. However, the defensive player should prevent this pass and don’t try to get in front of the player. Their body should be about three- quarters of the way in front with the arm farthest from the basket in the passing lane. When the pass is in the air defensive player should drop back behind and get into good position to play defense.