UConn Women's Basketball 1-on-1 Defense

In season, we work on guarding the ball 1 on 1 everyday.  We do it from different spots, angles and positions.  We switch up between guarding the ball in full court, half-court and in the post.  

We mix up between starting from a closeout position, from a girls coming downhill at us, and from a check-ball situation.

Over time, our athletes get better both offensively and defensively in 1 on 1 situations this way.  Basketball is a team game with full of individual battles.  Players have to be able to win their 1 on 1 battles for the team to have success.

The video above is how we teach 1 on 1.  Active hands and active feet, stay square to your defender to prevent blow-bus,  contest the shoot and rebound.

UConn Defensive Keys

- Arms length away to provide pressure and to keep the 5 second count going

- Low stance and square to his body - force baseline, but don't open up and give free driving lanes to the basket

- Hand up to contest the pass and the shot

- Active feet so that you are ready to react and move

- Contest the shot, box out and rebound

- Use your length to contest the ball

- Know who you are guarding - give or take up space as needed