If you’ve ever wondered about to how to improve at defense in basketball, the great thing about it is that a lot of it relies on intangibles and effort. As I talked about with Draymond Green, you don’t have to be the tallest athlete to be a great defender. It’s often your willpower and effort that determine this. But it’s crucial to being a well rounded player. Even though a lot of it is instinct, there a few fundamentals that will improve your ability. Let’s discuss these further.
Stance:
The first key to improve at defense in basketball is making your stance is always on point. This means making sure your body is square to the defender at all times. You want to keep your legs slightly bent to maintain agility, so your always in good position to move with your opponent, as shown in the image below.
Eyes:
Another key part is where you’re looking. You want to make sure your eyes are focused on the ball, not the person. This way wherever the ball is, you are. By looking at the ball you ensure you’re never lost on the court and you’re always aware of where it is.
Overall Position:
This point ties in the two above. When playing defense, you want ensure you maintain good position at all times, even if your opponent doesn’t have the ball. This means you want make sure your body always is squared at all times. Keep your vision focused on the ball and your opponent at the same time. If your body is only facing your opponent you will lose sight of the ball, and vice versa. Maintaining good defensive position ensures you never get lost on the court.
Even if you’re not a great offensive player, being a great defender will always ensure you’re on the court and not the bench.
Master these fundamentals and along with maximizing your effort, and you’ll be well on your way to becoming a great defender.