Basketball Defense

The ability to execute effective basketball defense is a lot more valuable than many players assume. Excellent defensive techniques will not just enable you to be on the team, they will allow you to get inside the starting line-up.

Not to say that scoring isn't a necessity; you can't win a game without any points on the board, so you don't want to neglect your offensive skills development. There is nothing undesirable about wanting to become decent - or better, excellent - shooters as well as good, dependable basketball handlers. The better your offensive skills, the more you will be able to contribute to the team.

My point is, don't neglect defense. For any team to consistently win, good defense is as important as good offense. Teams need to have strong defenders as well as strong shooters, dribblers, rebounders, etc.

A first-rate coach seeks good quality defensive players in tryouts, and devotes ample energy at the outset of preseason practices working on improving the team's defensive capabilities. Hence even when your offensive skill sets are simply so-so, very good defensive skills can get you recognized. And when you are actually a top notch shooter or ball handler, having inadequate defensive skills could make you a liability for your team.

So, exactly how do you boost your defensive proficiency? You will have to build up:

1. Your basic defensive fundamentals. Especially man to man defense, since you use these skills even when you play a zone - you need to be able to play your man, but also to see what else is happening on the floor so you can help out.

2. Your agility and quickness. So important for defense as well as offense. If you can improve your agility, your speed, your quickness, then you will improve your ability to stop you defensive assignment as well as streak past the defense on your way to the hoop.

3. Your hunger for the ball. Your level of aggression - controlled, of course - will probably be the biggest factor that determines how well you do and how far you go in this game. You have to go for the ball, steal the pass, get to the rebound - in short, you have to show heart.

If you can make improvements to each of these 3 factors, you'll experience a noticeable difference in your defensive game. Your team along with your coach will definitely be thankful.

Find out more on just what you could possibly do to help make yourself a considerably better basketball player by visiting the defensive basketball skills page of my website.

Fitz has been playing and coaching the game of basketball for over twenty five years. Beside the skills specific to the game, his interests lie in developing the athletic skills that transfer across all sports - like speed, quickness, and a good vertical jump. You can read more of his advice on how to improve your game on his website, Smart Basketball Training.com.