How to Learn a Basketball Man To Man Defense

Step 1

When playing man to man defense there are several important things to keep in mind. Making sure that your defensive "fundamentals" are solid, will ensure that you are a defensive difference maker on the court.

Step 2

First, make sure to stay in a low defensive stance at all times. A defensive stance involves the player getting down into a semi-squat so that they have a low center of gravity. The better leverage a player has, the better they are able to stay on balance and the quicker they can move laterally.

Step 3

Second, a good defensive player will not fall for shoulder or head fakes because they are focusing on a fixed point on the midsection of the offensive player. If the defensive player focuses their eyes on the shoulders or head of the offensive player, they can be easily fooled with a variety of fakes. But, if the defensive player focuses on the midsection of their opponent, they will be sure to stay in front of the offensive player - since of course a player can not move anywhere without their midsection!

Step 4

Third, all good defensive players slide laterally from spot to spot. The tendency when playing defense is to open up your hips so that you start running alongside the offensive player. Although, there are times when this is necessary (for example when you are guarding a player in the full court and he starts to dribble past you, then you might need to turn and run in order to return to your defensive stance), it is always best to stay in a defensive stance and slide from spot to spot.

Step 5

Fourth, great defensive players always contest jump shots without fouling. It is important that the defensive player jumps up to contest the shot,but only after the offensive player has jumped off the ground to shoot the ball. If you are too eager to try and block a jump shot, you will often fall victim to a good offensive players pump fake. In short, you leave the ground when they do!