Whenever the opposing team has the ball, your team is defending and every player on your team has a part to play, no matter how near or far they are to the player with the ball.
You need to work together as a team to slow down the pace of the attack, limit passing options, force errors and create opportunities to regain possession of the ball.
Let’s start by looking at the basic principles of defending.
Firstly you need to restrict the space and movement options available to attacking players by positioning yourself correctly, on the ball side, and applying pressure by constantly responding and adjusting to their attempts to get free.
Secondly you should try to take the momentum out of the attack by working hard to reduce the passing options available for the player with the ball. If the opposing team uses their full 3 seconds to release each pass then it gives your team the maximum available time to get into the best defending position for every pass.
Finally, you need to use defending skills and techniques – like interceptions and tips - to create opportunities to regain the ball.
In this guide we’re going to look at the essential skills you’ll need to defend well. You can find out about other skills like intercepting, defending a shot and competing for rebounds in other guides in this academy.
Watch this free online video to find out more!