We hear a lot of talk these days about "lock down" defenders - those defenders who have both the desire and the skill necessary to keep their man from scoring once he has the basketball. However, what isn't talked about nearly enough is the importance of individual defense BEFORE an offensive player gets the ball. Instead, many coaches and even television analysts choose to emphasize the importance of "team defense" where every defender (except the one guarding the ball) is dropped off in help position in an attempt to close off all potential driving lanes. Now don't get me wrong - this is an excellent strategy in most cases but it does have a couple of possible flaws.

1. 1
Do Your Work Early on Defense to Lock Down Your Opponent-hoopskills.com
Do Your Work Early on Defense to Lock
Down Your Opponent
-by Coach Dave Stricklin
http://www.hoopskills.com
We hear a lot of talk these days about "lock
down" defenders - those defenders who have
both the desire and the skill necessary to keep
their man from scoring once he has the ball.
However, what isn't talked about nearly
enough is the importance of individual
defense BEFORE an offensive player gets the
ball.
Instead, many coaches and even television
analysts choose to emphasize the importance
of "team defense" where every defender
(except the one guarding the ball) is dropped
off in help position in an attempt to close off
all potential driving lanes. Now don't get me
wrong - this is an excellent strategy in most cases but it does have a couple of
possible flaws.
First of all, defensive help has a tendency to break down as the possession unfolds.
I'm willing to be that on the defensive end your coach is telling you to drop off to
the pack line but on the offensive end he is telling you to swing or reverse the ball
from side to side. Why? Because after a couple of ball reversals against most teams
the weak side help seems to disappear!
Secondly, some offensive players are so good today at handling the ball that it's
nearly impossible to keep them from getting off a shot. Look at Kobe Bryant,
LeBron James, and Kevin Durrant - they are a threat to score every time they have
the ball in their hands, regardless of how much "help" is available.

2. 2
Do Your Work Early on Defense to Lock Down Your Opponent-hoopskills.com
So if you want to be a lock down defender, one of the biggest secrets is to do the
bulk of your work early and keep your man from catching the ball in scoring
position. Now even though there are some specific techniques to accomplish this
depending on whether or not you are defending a post or perimeter player, here
are some general ideas that apply to all players:
1. Keep both your man and the player with the ball in sight at all times and have
one hand pointing at each. This will keep you from being surprised if he flashes to
the ball or tries to slide towards the basket.
2. If you are guarding your opponent's "go to" player you may want to face guard
him nose to nose during the last few minutes of the game if the score is close.
3. When your man breaks to the ball from the weak side chest him up and stay
between him and the passer. You only have to deny this cut for a couple seconds
before the passer will start looking somewhere else to throw the ball.
4. Whenever your man is only one pass away from the ball when it is at the top of
the key or on the wing, completely overplay the passing lane. Force your man to
catch the ball going away from the basket and as high and wide as possible.
5. Give maximum effort in preventing your man from catching the ball in a
comfortable scoring position. Study him beforehand as much as possible. Does he
like the ball on the right side? Then don't let him catch it there. Does he like the
ball on the low block? Then meet him at the free throw line as he comes down the
floor and block his path to the block. Don't ever let him get comfortable and if he is
going to get shots then make sure they are shots taken out of his comfort zone.
In theory your man will only have the ball in his hands less than 20% of the time his
team is on offense. (5 players x 20% = 100%) If you can cut that time in half or
more by doing your work early, you will be well on your way to a successful
defensive night!