How to Play Effective Weak-Side Defense -by Coach Brian Schofield
http://www.hoopskills.com Winning basketball games is about playing good defense. This article specifically focuses on how to effectively cut off the lanes and how to play effective weak-side defense. Cutter Closure In cutter closure you want to make sure that the passing lane for the cutter is closed off or taken away. When Deron Williams, of the Utah Jazz, makes that first pass and cuts to the basket, the defender jumps to the ball to avoid being picked and to put himself between his man and the basket. If the player didn't jump to the ball he would be easily picked or would find himself behind Williams and that is bad. When you don't get in the cutter's lane you will get beat by any team that can pass the ball. Practice this drill by making sure that each cutter has their lane closed off by staying between the man and the ball. Trust your teammates, who are there to help if needed. Weak-Side Defense I consider weak-side or back-side defense as one of the greatest untrained concepts in youth basketball. Players aren't taught the true purpose of defense and I get so frustrated watching little kids play when they are guarding their man out at half-court while the ball is at the foul line. That is pointless. Weak-side defense is really when your man is 2 or more passes away. How do you react when the ball is on one side and your man is on the opposite side? Don't hug him or get to close because he isn't a threat. When a coach can teach his players to help on defense they will win games. It's that simple. Your job while playing help defense is to stop the ball and force a pass to someone else.
1 How to Play Effective Weak-Side Defense-hoopskills.com