| Offense wins a game with numbers, but if an | | | | Reading an opponent is key. Many players can |
| offensive powerhouse lacks the training to defend | | | | become flustered fast, so it's important to work on |
| the basket, it means nothing. Anyone can score, but | | | | this important. Defensive footwork can get you in |
| it takes a certain amount of discipline to maintain a | | | | front of a player, but reading the opponent is going |
| good lead without losing it for lack of defense. One | | | | to make sure that you're one step ahead of them |
| of the most important things that a young player can | | | | mentally. A rule of thumb here is not to follow the |
| learn is how to defend no matter what the situation | | | | ball but to follow the players head and eyes. If you |
| is. Regardless of the position of the player, there are | | | | can mach their eyes you'll know where the ball is. If |
| some key factors to defense. | | | | you focus too much on the ball, you'll see it fly away |
| A key point we are going to touch on is defensive | | | | from you into the hands of another player. Make |
| footwork. You can rack up the points all day but if | | | | sure that your arms are not stationary, they need to |
| you do not know how to play defense, you're going | | | | be moving and causing the opponent to second |
| to lose fast. Defense is where a good team and a | | | | guess his next step. |
| bad team separate. Youth basketball fundamentals | | | | The best thing you can do in regards to defensive |
| should always have defensive footwork as a major | | | | footwork is to force the opponent into one direction. |
| stepping stone to development. A defensive player | | | | If you can force the player to move one way, the |
| must be able to not only think fast without fouling | | | | defense can close in and attack to regain possession |
| another player, but being one step ahead of the | | | | of the ball. Without this breakdown, a defense can |
| offense. This sometimes involves being able to move | | | | not win. The defense must force a player to a direct |
| backwards, and defend the basket by working on | | | | line where more than one defender can get in the |
| vertical leap to block shots. The footwork needs to | | | | way without causing a foul. This means a player must |
| be natural, because if a player is focusing too much | | | | be able to move side to side quickly without tripping |
| on their footwork or looking at another players body, | | | | and be ready to jump straight up in case of a jump |
| they can stumble and lose focus of defending the | | | | shot defense, but also be well aware of where they |
| basket, and therefore lose. It's extremely important | | | | are in case they need to get a defensive rebound. |
| to make sure no matter where you are on the court | | | | Fundamentals fail without defensive footwork. It's |
| you're alert of your right, left, and space in front of | | | | very important to be a balance player whether |
| you, or you'll be blocked out and lose focus. The | | | | young or old. Hard work, combined with a |
| correct stance is important, and a player should be | | | | championship mentality and sacrifice are imperative. |
| poised with knees bent and arms out, ready to | | | | Without all three balanced out, a player and a team |
| shuffle side to side, and keep another player from | | | | will never get to the next level. |
| progressing forward. | | | | |