Beating Full Court Pressure Defense
One of the things that can’t be taught to a young player is poise. They can learn poise, but typically it comes with experience. Whenever you watch a game of junior high players both teams usually play some sort of press and that is why. Poise is something that is acquired through experience.
I get a lot of coaches asking about how they can teach their guards to beat a full court pressure defense. I have to say that this is something that must be practiced like crazy. Kids simply don’t grow up and get taught ball handling against pressure defense and it shows.
I grew up as a shooting guard who never really brought the ball up the court. I could handle the ball with either hand but I never experienced man to man ball pressure until I was moved to a point guard. In fact, I remember as a sophomore I was being trained as a point guard and a guy went to guard me full court. I simply dribbled past him as fast I could and attacked the basket because I didn’t see it for what was really happening. The coach called a timeout and he said “you know they aren’t in a full court press, he’s just guarding you man to man so stay in the offense.” It was eye opening for me as I grew into that role.
There are a number of strategies for beating full court defense but getting past your man and into the front court is the best way to go. I mean, if you can simply make a move and dribble quickly past your defender you have done your job. Too often players believe that between the legs and behind the back are what get the job done but that is rarely the case. Some simple moves can be practiced such as:
Backing the ball off: When the defender cuts you off you simply take two hard dribbles backward to create space before you push forward again. Push off hard with your front foot and create the space before the defense adjusts. A simple burst of speed will then get you past your man.
Use the court: Players need to understand that they aren’t confined to a small space on the court to use. There is nothing stopping you from going from sideline to sideline so understand where you are and what you can do.
Relax: Players stress sometimes over the whole task of getting the inbounds pass and trying to get rid of it before the pressure comes. In reality just get the ball and analyze the situation. No defensive player should be able to stop the offense without fouling them and I honestly believe that. If I want to get past someone then he’s going to have to foul me to stop me so relax and see the game as it really is. The game is simply about getting your team the best shot possible to give your team the best chance to score more than the other team. Don’t panic and treat it one possession at a time.
Involve Teammates: if you are really struggling against the pressure let one of your posts or call one of your post players down the floor to set a pick on your man. If you get jumped by another player then back the ball off to create space and find the player who set the pick for you. Again, have a plan for each situation that can come up so that nothing surprises you.
These things only improve when you practice and get comfortable in these situations. It isn’t something that can be read and accomplished. It isn’t fun to practice this because someone has to play pressure defense while the other works on ball handling but if there is anything a coach looks for it is someone who is willing and able to do both; so work on it.
