Aggie Defense Part 1

The following post comes from Bob Starkey at hoopthoughts.blogspot.com.  He is an assistant coach at Texas A&M University.

Aggie Defense Part 1

Over the next few weeks, we will take a look at some the thoughts, principles, and guidelines for our defense.  We'll start with some basic concepts (our why) that guide what and how we do what we do:

WE WANT TO TAKE AWAY THE PAINT AT ALL TIMES

When the ball gets to the paint it creates easy shot opportunities in the paint

When the ball gets to the paint it creates easy perimeter shots

When the ball gets to the paint it creates help and recover situations

When the ball gets to the paint it creates closeout situations

When the ball gets to the paint it creates fouling situations

...taking away the paint starts with transition defense

...stance, head, eyes and footwork are critically important

…team defense — having the ability to help early — is a necessity

WE WANT A HAND ON THE BALL

When the ball handler has the ball and has not dribbled…

...we want to have a hand on the ball — constantly mirroring the ball!

When the ball handler is dribbling…

...we want the defender to have a hand on the ball as it is dribbled!

When the ball handler is attempting to pass…

...we want a hand on the ball as it is passed with the goal of deflecting it!

When the ball handler is attempting to shoot…

...we want a hand on the ball to block or alter the shot!

WE WANT TO TAKE AWAY THE OPPONENT’S STRENGTH

This will come from scouting and game preparation

WE WANT TO HAVE A COMMUNICATIVE DEFENSE

We want to be constantly talking at all times

This will increase out concentration and execution

WE WANT TO DO ALL THE ABOVE WITHOUT FOULING

Do not give your opponent’s easy scores and free throws are easy scores

Don’t bail out bad shots or bad plays

Make our opponent’s make plays

WE WANT TO FINISH WITH A BLOCKOUT AND A REBOUND

Grabbing the rebound is like picking up your paycheck at the end of the work week.