On-ball: the four rules
- Stay in stance — hips below knees, always
- One arm's length off, never lunge
- Force to your help side (usually the sideline)
- Beat the offense to the spot, don't chase
Off-ball: see ball, see man
The single biggest mistake off-ball defenders make is losing sight of one or the other. Sit in a stance where you can see your man and the ball in the same field of view. If you can't, you're out of position.
Help defense: be early, not late
A late rotation gives up a layup and a foul. An early rotation forces a pass. Read the drive two seconds before it happens — commit to help the instant the ball-handler turns the corner.
Contest, don't foul
Straight-up hands. Vertical body. Meet the shooter at the peak, not on the way up. Every foul is a free two points for the offense. Every clean contest is a chance at a rebound.