Defense

Wins
Championships
 Table of Contents
Florida Gator Defensive Philosophy............................................................................................. 1

Florida Gator Daily “Super Seven” .............................................................................................. 2

Florida Gator Daily Clichés and Principles to Follow................................................................. 3

Specific Concepts and Situations .................................................................................................. 6

1. Defending Post Feeds ......................................................................................................... 6

2. Defending Ball Screens....................................................................................................... 7

3. Defending off the ball screens ............................................................................................ 9

4. Defending Crosses ............................................................................................................ 13

5. Scramble Situations .......................................................................................................... 14

6. Under Out of Bounds ........................................................................................................ 14

General Areas of Team Defense.................................................................................................. 15

A. Transition .......................................................................................................................... 15

B. Fullcourt Defense.............................................................................................................. 16

C. Halfcourt Defense ............................................................................................................. 17

D. Help Defense..................................................................................................................... 19

E. Defending the Low Post.................................................................................................... 21

F Rebounding ....................................................................................................................... 22

Defensive Individual #3 ............................................................................................................... 23

Preseason Defensive Syllabus ..................................................................................................... 25

Opening Defensive Talk....................................................................Error! Bookmark not defined.

HUSTLE STATS.......................................................................................................................... 27

Hustle Stats Chart ........................................................................................................................ 28

 Florida Gator Defensive
Philosophy
Our defensive philosophy is developed around our style of play. We are a running,
pressing, up-tempo team. We want our defense to be an AGGRESSIVE, DISRUPTIVE,
& DISCIPLINED style of defense. Our goal is to force our opponent to ‘Make a play’
vs. being allowed to ‘Run a play.’ We are a defense that creates deflections, turnovers
and transition opportunities through constant pressure. We make our opponent “React.”

This will be accomplished through full-court pressure and aggressive half-court defense.
Our goal is to create a high number of possessions each game by taking teams out of their
comfort zone. Our mentality is to force tempo and fatigue.

Who are We?

Defensive Emphasis

1. We are a ‘hustle stat team!

2. We are a transition defense team!
3. We are a pressing team!
4. We are a ball pressure team!
5. We are a help defense team!
6. We are a gang rebounding team!

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 Florida Gator Daily
“Super Seven”

“We develop the mentality everyday at practice to improve our

conditioning, intelligence, and toughness.”
1. Transition defense
2. Defending and annoying the ball in the open/half court
3. Closing out
4. Help side…recover (seal down to the level of the ball)
5. Post defense
6. Affecting shots of all kind without fouling
7. Block outs and grabbing the ball

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 Florida Gator Daily Clichés
and Principles to Follow
“Pressure opponents and be willing to give up nothing easy early or late,
especially 2nd shots.”
1. “Win all defensive hustle plays.”
• Charges, loose ball grabs, first player to the floor, and fighting over screens.
2. “Communicate with your teammates.”
• This must always occur at both ends of the floor.
• The players who are inside or on the helpside have especially good vantage points
and must help the players who are defending the ball outside by being verbal.
3. “Sprinting back to defense with vision”
• See the ball and get back to eliminate anything easy for the opponent.
• Pressure the ball immediately and contain the dribbler.
• Find the correct position on the floor.
4. “Build a wall every possession.”
• We must use our early body-up techniques and find the best angles the moment
there is a change of possession.
• Sprint back and eliminate easy baskets first.
• Then, quickly match up with the nearest man loading to the ball.
• Sometimes you will be matched up with a different player – “Just Dig In.”
5. “Closeout to affect the shot and anticipate dribble drives.”
• Sprint first half and squeak your way out to the shooter.
• Keep your head back to enable better balance.
• Place inside hand and foot slightly up keeping hips down.
• “Ball, You, Rim” staying between your man and the rim.
• Use the “Big Step” to “Close the Door” to contain the dribbler.
• Know your opponent. Run shooters off shots and closeout to drivers.
1. “Keep a balanced stance and alert footwork.”
• Know your point of pickup (heels on the 3 pt. line).
• Pressure the ball without fouling.
• On closeouts, sprint halfway with a sense of urgency and arrive the last half in a
stance using short squeaks and keeping weight back.
• Don’t give opponent room to be comfortable.
• Don’t worry about getting a steal from your own man. Just try to make him pass
under hand pressure. If you deflect, a teammate can get the ball.

7. “Jump to the ball when it is passed seeing ball and man. Once your man gives it up you
are now supporting your teammates.”
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 • Help stop teammate’s driver ONLY if he is beaten, with early stunting and
recover to your man. Use your head and out think and out work the offense.
• Use foot-fakes and bluffs instead of over helping.
• Use hands to deflect, and place inside hand on the imaginary rope.
8. “Help side defenders must know their purpose.”
• Vision – find the midpoint between the ball and your man and rely on peripheral
vision with occasional head turning finding both.
• Pistols – use a slightly closed stance pointing to your man and the ball constantly
with active feet (place inside hand on the imaginary rope).
• Take away all cutters flashing towards the basketball.

9. “Keep the ball out of the post box on feeds.”

• The best post defense is pressure on the ball.
• Win your battle of space and know your post defensive positioning rules.
• Trust your defensive teammates’ ball pressure and helpside.
• Always be aggressive up the line, on the line.

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 If post man receives the ball:
• Stay down in a stance with bent knees.
• Pressure with torso if he puts it on the deck or turns to shoot; hands are up – “X”
and turned back.
• Stay between the ball and rim.
• Do not foul.
10. “Affect all shots and take it personal.”
• Make the shooter hurry or change his rhythm without fouling.
• All jump shots must be affected by high jumping only after the shooter has left
the floor. Do not take yourself out of rebounding position after a shot – high
jump rater than long jump. Block out and quickly go and jump for the ball and
grab it!
11. “Every player without exception block out and go grab the ball.”
• Never give the opponent an opportunity to get the ball (eliminate space).
• Make the initial contact with the offensive player facing him; stay balanced and
eliminate your man.
• As quickly as possible – Biggest Key – go jump for the ball and grab it as soon as
possible.

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 Specific Concepts
and Situations
1. Defending Post Feeds
• Post to Post Trap
o On the pass, post defender must get immediately behind the post player
taking away the baseline.
o Opposite forward springs big to the inside of the post player to
double…do not allow post player to turn inside! (Unless double on
dribble)
o Guard on strong side must lock up with perimeter player…if they cut the
feeder through, take the next offensive player filling behind.
o Form an “I” on the help side to protect the rim, especially on a dive by the
other post.
o Stay with the double until passed out or dribbled away from the
post…closest man must closeout on inside/out pass to affect the shot.
o There is no need to trap if the ball is not fed in the scoring area!...But
maintain help position!

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 • Fake Trap
o On the feed, post defender jumps to the low side of the post player
keeping himself between the ball and the rim.
o Other forward sprints towards the ball as if he was going to trap the post
but stops at the white line.
o All players on the perimeter jump toward the pass in a help position to
bluff…must be close enough to help and not get split, if the post player
makes a move in either direction.
o Strong side perimeter player must keep his butt to the baseline allowing
him to see the ball and his man on a basket cut.
o Stay with the fake trap until passed out or dribbled away from the
post…must closeout on inside/out pass to affect the shot.

NOTE: You can post trap with the highest perimeter player or highest player perimeter/post if
you choose. The slides and rotations would be the same as above.

2. Defending Ball Screens – “Alertness and Loud Communication are a Must”

• Blitz
o Defender on the dribbler must make the dribbler use the screen and should
quickly try to fight over the top by getting his lead foot over the top of the
screen, getting thin to fight over the screener.
o Defender on the screener must quickly get to his high side acting as an
“extension of his body”…use inside arm to body up the screener and
outside arm to impede and force the ballhandler backwards and into a trap.
Stay in the trap until the pass is made.

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• ½ Blitz
o Defender on the screener must quickly get to his high side acting as an
“extension of his body”…use inside arm to body up the screener and
outside arm to impede and slow down the ball handler…release when ball
defender gets back in front…should be prepared for a slip to the basket or
pop if guarding a shooter
o Defender on the dribbler must make the dribbler use the screen and should
quickly try to fight over the top by getting his lead foot over the top of the
screen, getting thing to fight over the screener…if the defender can
quickly dodge and recover going behind the screen, he can occasionally
choose that path…force the dribbler to go wide and not get in the paint.
o The team must be ready to help, bluff, or anticipate playing 5 vs. 2 in
concept.

• Jam
o Defender on the screener must quickly get between the basket and the
screener getting body on body with the screener in a low and wide
stance…defender on the screener tries to lift the screener higher than he
wants and prevent him from cutting towards the rim…this allows the ball
defender to first make the dribbler use the screen and recover a without
going deep, so he can get around quicker to cut off the dribbler
o Defender on the dribbler should go underneath the screener and his
defender as quickly as possible…goal is to beat dribbler where he wants to
go and prevent him from getting in the paint and
drawing help.
• Switch
o The key teaching point is for the defender on the dribbler and the defender
on the screener to come together and physically remove any quick slips to
the rim.

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 • Flat
o The defender on the ball goes over or under the screen as quick as
possible. The defender on the screener takes a couple steps back towards
the rim and must contain the dribble and remove any open jump shots.

3. Defending off the ball screens – “Communication is a Must.”

GOAL: “Eliminate offensive players in the lane and pressure on the catch.”
• Down Screens (When the ballhandler is inside or outside the middle tunnel)
o Defender on the screener jumps to the ball to prevent a face cut…then, he
must open up and “Show” (staying on his string) and allow the defender on
the cutter to slide through ball side of the screen.
o Defender on the cutter must get low and narrow to slide through the ball side
gap created by his teammate…do not allow back to get screened by having a
wide stance with fists out…must deny all cuts to the middle, only allowing
fades

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 o Defender on the screener must stay tight on the screener and act as an
“extension of his body”… must be on the line up the line to:
a. Stand up the cutter using his forearm as a protector on a curl, if the
cutter’s man gets beat.
b. To prevent the pass on a pop or slip after the screen takes place.
o Defender on the cutter should try to get between the screener and the
cutter, possibly by use of a swim move…must force the cutter to curl and
go wider than he wants.

• Back Screens
o Defender on the screener must open up and “zone the basket” for a
moment to give help until the man on the cutter gets back into the
play…must be ready to closeout quickly to the screener on shot or get
back to string position.
o Defender on the cutter should jump to the ball and then, go ball side of the
screen whenever possible…if he is too close to the cutter, he should get
into his body and force him wide, whichever way he goes.

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• Fade Screens
o Defender on the screener must “zone the basket” to give help on a curl or
drive to the basket.
o Defender on the cutter should try to get between the screener and the
cutter…should go over the top of the screen forcing the cutter to curl of
fade away from the basket.

• Block to Block Screens

o Defender on the screener must open up with his butt to the baseline in a
closed stance and “show” to give help for a second, until defender on the
cutter can get back to his man. The defender also has ball help
responsibilities.
o Once the screen is called out by his teammate, the defender on the cutter
must get into the body of his man in a closed stance to force him high and
stay right with his body…Do not allow back to get screened by having a
wide stance with fists out!
o If the cutter goes low or defender on the cutter gets screened, switch
players quickly.

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• Single-Double Screens
o Defender on the cutter must get on one side of the cutter forcing him to
have only one direction to select…try to get between screener and cutter
and then, ride him to force him to curl wide.
o Defenders on screener must stay on the line up the line in a “show”
position acting as an extension of the screener’s body.
o If the cutter uses the single screen, X4 should “show” to stand up the
cutter on a curl and prevent him from getting to the paint.
o If the cutter uses the double screen, X5 should “show” to stand up the
cutter on a curl and prevent him from getting in the paint.

• Stagger Screens
o X5 must stay up the line on the line in a “show” position and act as an
“extension of the screener’s body” to stand up the cutter on a curl and
prevent him from getting in the paint…must help long enough for
defender on the cutter to get back in front.
o X3 is in a “help the helper” position to take the 5 man on a slip to the
basket.
o Defender on the cutter should try to get between the screener and the
cutter and then ride him to force him to curl wider and must fight to regain
defensive position if he is chasing the cutter.
o If the ball is outside the tunnel, the defender should travel ballside of the
screen.

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4. Defending Crosses (Handoffs, weaves, Xing off the hi-post)
• In diagrams A, B, and D, defensive “like” players would switch to the offensive
man entering their zone after calling out “switch”…purpose is to contain and
prevent penetration into the lane.
• In diagram C, the defender on the post player should space off and create a gap
for the defender on the cutter to get through…the post defender should quickly
close the gap after his teammate gets through…if the defender on the cutter can
quickly go over the top of the screen to dodge it and beat the dribbler to the spot,
he can occasionally take that path.

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5. Scramble Situations
• We must have defensive players in the following positions:
o 2 on the ball – can’t get split on the trap – body’s together – hands out and
up.
o 2 in the passing lanes looking to shoot the gap and intercept the direct pass
out.
o 1 responsible for the basket and reading the passers eyes.

6. Under Out of Bounds

• Chase all screens wedging between the screener and cutter and then, forcing the
cutter to curl and go wider than he wants.
• Help side defenders must be close enough to their man so they can make contact
before the screen comes and ride him off the screen.
• Defender on the inbounder acts as an “interceptor”…he must see all of the action
and be there to take away curls or slips into the paint.

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 General Areas of
Team Defense
A. Transition
1. Balance and ball containment
When a shot is taken, it is the responsibility of the point guard and 2 guard to
balance the floor. The 1st guard back sprints to the paint to protect the rim. The
2nd guard is responsible for ball containment and directing it to the nearest
sideline. The point of pickup should be no later than ½ court. We will send 3, 4,
and 5 to the glass for offensive rebounding on every shot. If the defense secures
the rebound, 3, 4, and 5 must sprint back with vision of the ball.
2. Load to the Ball
When converting back in transition, all players must have vision of the ball and
begin to shade to the ball side. This creates a wall of defenders and discourages
the offense from getting a “piece of the paint” with a pass or dribble.
3. Bigs up with trailer for hi-low or P&R’s
Trailing big must be ready to contest and pressure hi-low passes or defend P&R’s
out of transition.
4. Defending the post starts in transition
We should pride ourselves on having the best running bigs in the league. Get
back and meet bigs at free throw line and contest the post-up.
5. Back tip
If the ball is ahead of you sprint to the middle of the floor and look to run thru the
ball and deflect to a teammate do not chase the ball to the sidelines.
6. Made FG vs. missed FG
After a made basket find your assigned man and know your press.
After misses, sprint to the paint on ball side, talk and matchup with a player of
similar size – smalls on smalls and bigs on bigs. If not possible, communicate a
switch as soon as possible.
7. Loading on made FG’s
Most teams inbound with a big. Versus teams that run hard, we will take the
trailing bigs defender and soft trap the ball. The point guard must influence the
ball middle. Once the trailing big gets to level of ball. We yell ‘square’ and
match-up.

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B. Fullcourt Defense
1. Defensive position
• Stance – ½ squat, nose to chest, get lower than offense.
• Wide base – feet outside shoulders.
• Back straight, boxer’s stance, good balance.
• Heel-toe concept, feet slightly staggered
• Hands-inside armbar; outside deflector
2. Step Slide or Run Recover
• Maintain width – feet don’t touch
• Both feet on the floor – don’t hop
• Stay low, turn, run ahead, recover
3. Goal: 2-3 turns before ½ court
4. Identity
We are a pressing team. We will utilize the press to wear down and discourage
our opponents. By pressing, we can create tempo, cause turnovers, increase our
number of possessions, create fast break opportunities; influence poor shot
selection by our opponents and cause fatigue. Our press intimidates our4
opponents and allows us to take teams out of their comfort zones. Our style of
play is unique and it allows us to utilize our depth. Our strength is in our
numbers.
5. Commitment
Pressing requires that we get out of our comfort zones each and every day! In
order to be effective with our press, we must have all five guys on the floor
willing to sell-out and sacrifice for the team. Their must be a total commitment.
Pressing requires tremendous effort and can take time to show its affect on the
competition. You must believe in it and be committed to giving great effort
consistently.
6. Gator Presses
• White Press
o 4 man pressures and harasses inbounder.
o 2 man and 3 man sprint to elbows and match up with closest man in their
area.
o 1 man is back ballside and 5 man is back opposite matched up.
o We trap passes to the coffin corner, the speed dribble, or at designated
spots on the floor.
o Used after made FG’s, FT’s, or deadball situations.
• 3 White
o 3 man pressures and harasses inbounder.
o 1 man and 2 man sprint to elbows and match up with closest man in their
area.
o 3 man is back ballside and 5 man is opposite ball, matched up.
o Same principles as regular white.
• Blue Press / 3 Blue
o Double team on point guard to force alternate handler.
o If inbounded to 1 man, immediate trap.
o If inbounded to secondary handler, we deny the ball back to 1 man.
o Primarily used after FT’s or deadballs.
• Double Fist
o 1-2-2 Three-quarter court press.

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 o 3 man at point applies varying degrees of pressure.
o Trap speed dribble and designated spots.
o Primarily used to force east-west attack and a time line decision.
• 55
o Fullcourt man to man defense. Stunt, bluff, and fake traps.
o Trap only a speed dribble with closest man.
C. Halfcourt Defense
1. Goal is different than backcourt
• Pressure and contain
o Make offense react to defense
• Direct the dribble without getting beat
o Keep ball out of the middle 1/3
o Influence vs. turn
o Adjust to quickness advantage/disadvantage
NOTE: Point of pick-up is ½ line or higher in 5 defense on a make or miss.
• Scoring area ball pressure
(A step above the 3pt line in scoring area)
• Stance is same as fullcourt
• From the point our stance is weak to no paint
o Influence player to weak hand
o Fingers stay up, hand at level of ball
o Stay square and contain
o Squeak back/squeak up
• At the wing our stance is no middle to no paint
o Inside hand and inside foot are up
o Stay square and contain
o Squeak back/squeak up
o Pressure without getting blown by
• At the corners we take a square stance
• We want opponent shots in short corner area
NOTE: Emphasis on hand positioning to affect shots and passes.
2. Guarding the ball
• Force the offense to react to the defense. Force the offense to put it on the
floor and direct it to the proper area without t getting beat. Maintain constant
ball pressure. Adjust body position according to quickness
advantage/disadvantage. Maintain a cushion of one arms length away from
offensive player.
3. “Hands” – Defense is played primarily with the feet, but the hands can make a
defender more active and bigger. Hand closest to the ball is the hand that
pressures it. This brings the foot closest to the ball forward. This allows the
defense to influence the ball while maintaining proper balance.
4. Scoring Area
The area one step above the three point line. Our rule is that our heels must be on
the three point line when guarding a three point shooter and to disrupt the offense.
We defend the ball in this area. Our PG’s pick up at halfcourt or higher after
made FG’s when not pressing.

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5. Stance
• Establish a wide base. Feet positioned outside of shoulder.
• Back straight; sit down in boxer’s stance, good balance
• Heel-toe concept; Toe of back foot matched up with heel of lead foot. Do not
open the gate and allow direct line drives. Put butt in the rim.
6. Active Hands
• Ball above the head
• Swarm – Both hands up, you must stay in stance (knees bent) and feet on the
floor while maintaining proper balance. Bigs vs. Hi-low action!
7. When guarding the ball on the perimeter we will put pressure on the ball one of
two ways:
• Vs. Driver
o Dig at the ball from under (palm-up). Dig hand under the ball is the lead
hand.
• Vs. Shooter in range
o Hand over the ball to prevent jump shot. Do not allow shooter to open the
‘shot window’ to get his shot off.

The hand closest to the ball is the hand that pressures it. This brings the foot closest to
the ball forward. This allows the defense to influence the ball while maintaining proper
balance.
8. Closeout
• Sprint ½ of the distance in a ‘no middle’ stance. Utilize high hand to take
away the quick post pass and to be ready to contest the sot. Transfer weight
back and squeak your feet out to shooter with inside hand and inside feet
slightly forward. The closeout is based on personnel and their strengths and
weaknesses based on our scouting reports. Run shooters off their shots and
closeout short to drivers – No middle.
9. Defending the dribble
• Scoring area
o The area one step above the 3-pt line. We contest every pass, dribble and
shot in this area from all 5 positions. Our heels must be on the 3-pt. line
when guarding a 3-pt. shooter. Our goal is to force teams to run their
offense away from the scoring area.
10. Scoring area ball pressure
• No Middle into no paint (wing area)
o Influence the ball to the baseline. No direct line drives to the rim-butt in
the rim. Allow no drives to the middle of the floor and do not allow
dribbler to enter the paint.
o Once the offensive player moves the ball, pivots, or dribbles, we are
constantly adjusting our stance (hands and feet) to keep the ball out of the
paint.

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 11. Run-recover-run concept
• When behind or trailing the ball, we will open up without getting out of our
stance and spring to get ahead of the ball and back into a step-slide position.
When we open up, we want to rotate our head, shoulders, and hips. We must
stay low and explode on the first step, spring and beat the offensive player to
the next spot. Try to spring along side to prevent the change of direction
dribble.
12. Beat off the dribble = Never stop
• If you get beat off the dribble, never stop! Pursue back to the paint or find an
open man.
D. Help Defense
1. Defensive positioning
We want the offense to see a wall of defenders ready to help on any
penetration action toward the rim. We should always be thinking help.
• One Pass Away
o We will play slightly up the line and on the line. We want every pass
contested and every catch pressured. We must also be ready to provide
help o dribble penetration (Hand on your rope).

• Two Passes Away

o Be in the lane, ballside. Get to the level of the ball. See the ball and see
your man (Pistols and have your hand on the rope). Be ready to make the
proper rotation on baseline drives or dribble penetration.

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2. No splits of gaps
• On dribble penetration the ball never gets by the 1st help man…”We are a help
team”…”We help with the first man.” We recover as the ball is being picked
up. Our team should always have active hands and feet while stunting. We
should never leave a wide open shooter unless we are in position to take a
charge.

3. Methods of help defense

• Stunting
o 1st help defender (1 pass away) makes an aggressive move toward the ball
on dribble penetration to influence ball handler to pause or pass allowing
initial defender time to recover. Attack the dribble in an attempt to deflect
the ball.
o Stunt on any penetrating drive from the top key area and wing
penetration to the middle of the floor. Stunts should be early as not to
give up uncontested drive and kicks.
4. Stepping up
• Providing help on dribble penetration on any baseline drive or from opposite
low defender if the 1st help defender is beat from the top or to the middle of
the floor.
• Step-ups are high and hard. Don’t wait for the ball to come to you. We want
to attack the dribbler and force a trap, bad pass, or charge.

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 5. Baseline drives
• Our post man or weakside defender must trap the ball outside the lane on
baseline drives. We must attack the dribbler hard and early.
• The second part of the step up trap is that the guards must rotate down to sink
and fill. Sink and fill man must be ready to face guard block out.

E. Defending the Low Post

1. Defense before the catch
• Do your work early
• Post defense starts before the ball in caught in the low post. We must have great
pressure on the entry passer. We must fight for space and position in the low post
to limit the offenses effectiveness.
2. We will defend the post in 3 ways:
• Constant changing of position to use quickness not allowing offense to lock into
position or the passer to easily enter the ball.
• King of the block. Rooting the offensive player into and off the block post up.
We play ¾ on the high side to discourage post entry.
• Butt front the post in full denial. Similar to king in that we must push the
offensive player to the baseline or under the rum. We cannot allow ourselves to
be pushed up the lane for lob passes or hi-low action on reversal.
All 3 methods require us to be the aggressor. We must be physical and
confrontational in the low post!
3. Defending the post on the catch
• Once the ball is thrown in to the post, we must immediately establish position
between the offensive player and the basket. Be ½ step away from the offense in
a wide and balanced defensive stance.
• No rip throughs. Maintain a good defensive stance. Direct the offense toward
your help. Do not allow offensive player to turn the corner on the baseline.
• “Chest Up” / hold ground. Do not allow offense to use ‘rhythm dribble.’ Use
chest to bump the offense in order to disrupt timing and balance. Be ready to
adjust hands and feet quickly to play the second move.

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 4. Defending shots in the post (Affect shots, chest up and strip balls)
• Use size, length, and athleticism to alter or block shots in the post.
• Stay on your feet and chest up to the offensive player. Force the offense to score
over outstretched hands. Maintain verticality.
• Be active with your hands and feet. Deny angles and slap down hard on the ball
as the offense gathers to rise up for shot. No bail outs or 3-pt plays!
F Rebounding
We are a block out team. We are committed to finishing our defense with a blockout and a
defensive rebound!

1. Every shot is affected and we yell ‘Shot’ to alert teammates!

2. Establish visual and physical contact with your man. Do not run to the rim. Make
the first hit!
3. We will faceguard blockout on any small on big blockouts when overmatched. The
defender turns and faces the offensive rebounder and engages him as he attempts to
offensive rebound.
4. We defensive rebound with all 5 players! We secure then convert!

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September 4, 2008

Defensive Individual #3

5 min Stance and slides, bounces, run recover

5 min Closeouts – 1 line then perfecte then live

3min Stunts on the run

Deny Flash & Back-cut

5 min 1 – 1 Off Catch or Roll

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10 min 2-2 Helpside exchange with rotation
Then live on pass out

2-2 Double Contest with Flash and get out

5 min Defeat screen drill

10 min Review Hedge

Teach Blitz with X

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Preseason Defensive Syllabus

October 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18 (8 Practices)

Press = white, 3 white

½ court = “5” post feeds “rotate”, “fake trap”

Ball screens – blitz, ½ blitz, flat
“50, 51” scramble
“10” switching all perimeter screens + likes
3 1-1-3

Situations = Review down, back, flashes, staggers, baseline drives

Big on big cross screens

Special = UOB “5”, FTH

October 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 (5 practices)

Press = No additions

½ court = 2nd Zone Def

Situations = Zipper to BS (Little on Big), Diagonal, America’s play, UCLA to double

Special = 2nd, UOB “#3”/SOB “White”

October 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 (6 practices)

Press = Double fist?

½ court = 5 post feeds 3rd post feed?

Situations = Princeton (Samford)

GA Double hi screen
1-4 Low

Special = Late game switches, foul up 3?

November 1, G2, 3, 4, G5 (3 practices)

Press =

½ court = Show Black Match “10”

Situations = Review All

Special = Game day review

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 Team Defensive Talk August 28, 2008
VIDEO ROOM
GATORS – aggressive, disruptive, disciplined

Communication (ELC, selfish vs. unselfish)

“Ball” 5 in a stance
“Basket” Consecutive stops
“Help” No middle, no gaps
“Name” Build wall
“Blitz” Piece of the paint
“Trap” Squeaky feet, fingers up, high hands, effect shots, block out

Super Seven Daily

Transition defense (misses)

Ball defense (Full court, ½ court)
Closeouts (sprint half way, squeak, fingers up, gd, yd)
Helpside rotations (Closest, loudest man)
Post defense (No middle, piece of paint)
Block out & grab (make 1st hit, go get ball)

ON FLOOR

1. Ball Defense (after misses)

• Stance (footwork, hands, mouth)
• Point of pickup (keep a count, contain in middle, deflect)
• Where we want the ball & where we don’t
• Types of shots we permit, and don’t
2. Team defensive positioning (5 in a stance, no middle, piece of paint)
• 5 managers (ropes & white line)
o 1 pass away (up line, off line, remove gaps, fingers)
o 2 passes away (jump to ball)
o Baseline drive
o Post defense without ball, with ball (belly up)
o Post feeds (Trap – Tandem)
3. Closeouts – affecting shots – block out and rebound
4. Screening situations (ball-side & middle tunnel vs. help-side)
• Downscreen (follow, absorb curl)
• Backscreen, flairs (chase, follow, zone basket)
• Stagger screens (chase, help helper, show)
5. Transition Defense
• Sprint ball side with vision (contain ball over 1/2, guard basket, prevent strongside 3pt,
build wall)
• No Man until ball declared
6. Full court pressure (after makes and dead balls)
• Where we want ball

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 HUSTLE STATS
Coaches Focus at Practice:
Affected shots/passes – Grant
Blockouts – Shyatt
Going to the glass – Jones
Hustle Stats – Hertz

Keeping Stats: Hertz (Compilation Daily)

Unaffected shots/passes – Gilreath
No blockout – Weinar
Not going to off. glass – King
Hustle Stats/other negative (not ready, etc.) – Hertz
Assists/Turnovers, no floor balance – McCall

• Any unaffected shot/pass, no blockout attempt, no attempt to go to the

offensive glass or no floor balance, results in a minus.

• Any hustle play: deflection, loose ball, forced turnover, steal, offensive rebound,
charge taken, charge attempted, blocked shot, or 1st to the floor results in a plus.

• Coaches Wildcard: Player can receive a plus or a minus at the coaches’

discretion (ex: negative – poor closeout, dive by, poor communication; ex:
positive – great step-up, great communication).

• Assist/Turnover Ratio:
• PG’s (Lucas, Calathes, Walker) must be at least 2 to 1
• G’s / F’s (Hodge, Allen, Parsons, Werner , Shipman, Fricke, McClanahan)
must be better than 1 to 1
• C’s (Tyus, Macklin, Kadji, Vargas, Chaney) must be at least 1 to 1

• If your ratio is achieved, you receive a +2 for the day to be added to your
score.
• If your ratio is not achieved, you receive a -2 to be added to your score.

• Players must be in the positive at the end of practice. If they are in the negative
they have sprints (10’s/Suicides/etc.) to run based on whatever negative number
they finish with.

• Sprints will be completed the day after practice/game.

• Every 7-10 days, we will have the “Hustle Award” winner for that week(s). The
guard & interior player with the best score will receive an “F” on their shorts.

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 Hustle Stats Chart Date:

No Not
Unaffected
Coaches' No Floor Going
Assists / Turnovers Shots /
Wildcard Balance Block- to Off
Hustle Stats Total
Passes Out Glass

1 Vargas
3 Shipman
4 McClanahan
11 Walker
14 Allen
15 Hodge
21 Werner
23 Tyus
24 Chaney
25 Parsons
30 Kadji
32 Macklin
33 Calathes
40 Fricke
TEAM
Hustle Stats
=
- Loose Ball (LB) - Steal (S)
- Deflection (D) - Charge (C)
- Forced Turnover (FT) - Charge Attempt (A)
- Offensive Rebound (OR) - Block Shot (B)
- 1st to the Floor (1st)

28