Tip for Playing Better Defense
During the NCAA tournament it is always important to keep your eyes open and learn how coaches teach their players. Some coaches teach defense differently than others. For example, some teams funnel the offense to the baseline while others always try to funnel the offense to the middle. Each has it’s reasons but it is always interesting to me nonetheless.
Big Ten teams get a lot of flack for being all about defense and ugly basketball and I see where the country is coming from on it sometimes. Then I watch Louisville get dismantled by Michigan St and i thought it was a thing of beauty. Michigan st matched their physicality and then some and played excellent man to man defense the entire game.
I’ve talked in the past about how defenders should use 1 arm up and 1 arm down while defending the ball handler. Most refs will allow the arm/forearm to be on the ballhandler as long as the arm doesn’t extend out. This can be used to slow down the offense and is a great strategy. What Michigan St was ‘chest’ the offense to get them to go where they wanted. When Louisville would drive Michigan st players would use their chest to get Louisville out of position or make the shots more difficult. It’s a strategy that can be used in addition to the forearm but is easier to hide.
You ever watched a game and see the offense go baseline but get chested by the defense only to knock them slowly off their path? Ever wondered why players stick their hands straight up but the offense still moves? It’s the chest. By sticking your chest into the offense while maintaining defensive position, you will be able to quietly control where the offensive player goes. The minute both hands go down and make contact with the players body, the ref will call a foul. One hand is ok, two hands off is even better. So don’t forget, chest to body.
