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Defensive Stance
Description

To defend a player in basketball a good defensive stance is the key. Players who are balanced, low to the ground, and able to change direction quickly without crossing their feet are well on their way to becoming good defenders. The information below covers the basics of a good defensive stance.

A Good Defensive Stance
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  • Get in a balanced, athletic position.
  • Your weight is on the balls of your feet with your knees bent and your feet about shoulder-width apart. By staying low to the ground and up on your toes, you are able to react more quickly and change direction quicker because your center of gravity is lower.
  • How low is low? A good rule of thumb is, always be at least lower than the player you are guarding.
  • Don't cross your feet as you move with your man.
  • As you move on defense, your feet should never cross. This action is actually referred to as a "defensive slide" because you are moving in a step-and-slide manner, keeping your feet low to the ground. By not crossing your feet, you always maintain your balance and the ability to change direction quickly.
  • The time to break the "don't cross your feet" rule is when you need to sprint back into position if your man has gone past you.
  • See the ball.
  • Always know where the ball is and be able to see both your man and the ball. If you lose sight of either one, you may be vulnerable to a back-door cut, or the give-and-go.
  • Don't be faked.
  • Don't focus on the offensive player's eyes, hands, or the ball; doing so can easily lead you in the wrong direction. The correct area to focus on is the player's midsection.
  • Keep your hands out.
  • Keep your hands out as you slide with your opponent. Your lead hand should have the palm facing up and your trail hand should be in the passing lane. Avoid reaching in but rather work to stay with your man and playing defense with your feet rather than the lazy method - reaching with your hands.
  • Overplay your opponent to their strong side.
  • If your opponent is right-handed, shade your position on them more to that side. This takes away any easy drives to their strong side and forces them to try and beat you to their weaker side. Also, always try to force your opponent to the baseline where they can be trapped.
  • Many times, when forcing a player to their weaker side they will eventually attempt to crossover the ball back to their strong hand. This is a good time to attempt a steal.
  • Move in on a "dead" ball.
  • When a dribbler has picked up his dribble, they are referred to as "dead" and this is one of the main advantages of playing man-to-man defense. The defender should immediately move in and attempt to smother the ball without reaching in and fouling.