Utilizing selective traps provides one of the major weapons of disruption in pressure man-to-man defense. Here are four scenarios for selective trapping. One of the major weapons of pressure man-to-man defense is the double team or trap. Trapping the ball can disrupt offensive flow by creating a disadvantage situation for the ball handler. An effective…
2-3 Zone: Forward Play
There are 2-3 zones and then there is the Syracuse 2-3 Zone. Coach Jim Boeheim and his Syracuse Orange have been befuddling opponents for decades with their brand of zone defense. Syracuse recruits great players blessed with the length and athleticism to be effective in the zone, but aside from that, the forward play is what…
Breakdown: Kermit Davis Morphing 1-3-1 Zone Defense
Go inside the action of coach Kermit Davis’ morphing 1-3-1 Zone Defense that has led to multiple NCAA Tournament runs. First-year Ole Miss Head Coach Kermit Davis is famous for using an aggressive style of 1-3-1 Zone Defense that helped his Middle Tennessee State squads to multiple NCAA Tournament appearances. This post outlines the principles of…
Buying In to Defense: Four Tips for Your Team
Most young players naturally enjoy offense more than defense, but these simple tips and drills will have your team excited to defend. Coming off our 2017-18 Virginia state title, I have reflected on some of the things we did defensively that helped us achieve our success. Coaching in this era, where so much emphasis is…
Buying in to Defense: 8 Drills to Guard the Basketball Better
Sure, a huge part of playing defense is mindset and attitude, but these eight drills will teach skill and technique. Oftentimes, when coaches talk about focusing on skill development in practice, they are referring to working on offensive skills like shooting, passing, ball handling, and finishing. Being a successful defender is almost always considered an…
NBA Finals: Game 3 Preview – How Cleveland Can Win Home At Home
Down 0-2 for the second straight series, the Cleveland Cavaliers can even the series at home by making a few adjustments – but it won’t be easy. As Game 3 approaches, the Cleveland Cavaliers are in a familiar position. They are down 0-2, heading back home, and must defend their home court. This was also the case in the…
Eastern Conference Finals: Video Breakdown – Celtics-Cavs Game 1
Kevin Bruinsma analyzes the offensive and defensive strategies the Boston Celtics used to handle the Cleveland Cavaliers in Game 1. The Boston Celtics took a 1-0 series lead over the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon with an impressive 108-83 victory at TD Garden in Boston. Let’s take a look at how the Celtics controlled the game from the…
Utah Jazz Defensive Adjustments vs Houston Rockets
Making adjustments is crucial in a playoff series. Here’s a look inside the Utah Jazz defensive tweaks vs the Houston Rockets. The talk of the Western Conference playoffs at this point has been the Utah Jazz and the job Quin Snyder and his staff have done. After winning the first round series 4-2 over the…
Boston Celtics Defense: Keys to Stopping Ben Simmons
Team defense was key for the Boston Celtics in Game 1 vs the Philadelphia 76ers. The strategy focused on stopping playmaker Ben Simmons. With Game 2 looming tonight, May 3rd at 8:30 PM on TNT between the Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers, I thought a short recap of what Brad Stevens and staff incorporated into the Philadelphia game plan…
The Wright Way: How Villanova Won the 2018 National Championship
Versatile players and a free flowing offensive system helped the Villanova Wildcats capture the 2018 men’s NCAA National Championship. The story of the night was Donte DiVincenzo, who came off of the bench and sparked a huge run for Villanova, which continued to hit big shot after big shot throughout the game. Early on it was Michigan…