"Pillars To A Great Defensive Team": PhD Hoops Virtual Coaches Roundtable Notes (July 17, 2020)
| 1.What are the Defensive “Staples”/”Pillars” for your team? |
| *Communication – develop a language that the program can effectively communicate in practice/game |
| *Aggressive – attack opponents, make them work for buckets, impose will on offense, dictate the tempo |
| *Take Away Opponent Strengths – scout, game plan, execute the game plan |
*Contest Shots/Limit to One & Done – lower shot % when contested and boxing/closing out after 1st shot
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| 2. DETAILS: What are the details you will never compromise on (non-negotiables)? |
| *Deny One Pass Away/Help Side on Two Passes – make it difficult to get the ball to closest man |
| *Help Side/Line Defense – make sure players understand help defense, gap help (help the helper) |
| *No Reaching – need balance on defense with hands in passing lane/active hands, limit bad fouls |
*Limit Paint Touches – when teams get into the paint they create more opportunites/higher percentages
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| 3. How do you instill, establish, and teach your team’s defensive philosophy? How much do you work on Defense in practice (% wise)? Do you use a chart/stats to achieve particular goals? |
| *Consistency – stay consistent as a coaching staff and program, reinforce each day in practice, trust |
| *Defense consists of (40-50%) of practice… more during pre-season, early in the season (60-70%) |
| *Assign Assistant Coaches to evaluate and break down team defense (put emphasis and accountability) |
*Chart Practices/Games (Off/Def Rebounding, Blocks, Deflections, Second Chances, Charges, Reversals)
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| 4. COMMUNICATION: What emphasis do you place on communication and how do you ensure team accountability? (Everyone held to the same standard?) How do you sustain communication in pratice and games? What/how do you communicate on: Switches, Screens, Cutters, Helpside, Transition, stopping ball, shot clock, etc.? |
| *Set Tone – best player to the last player on the bench has same accountability (best player – be a leader) |
| *Practice What You Preach – demonstrate your philosophies on each component of defense |
*Defensive Perfection Drill – play to 7… get points only on defense, emphisize your pillars/standards, defensive team has to execute all aspects of team defense (Spurs Drill)
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| 5. What is your philosophy gurading: |
| A. Ball Screens? Hedge with 5 man, switch 1-4 man, isolate on the wing |
| B. Off-Ball Screens? Go under screens, get through screens and play the 3 point line, not over top/trail |
| C. In the Post? – ball, you, man… 3/4 deny, full deny/backside help, no inside out 3’s, trap post opposite |
| D. Force Middle or Baseline? – force baseline, use as a defender, make ball stay outside of arc |
E. Help/Rotation? Help side, ball side, one pass away is deny, two passes away is help side, help/helper
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| 6. Do you use scouting reports (what details do you put in them)? |
| *Identify Opp Team Defenses – heavy zone or man, trapping, made vs missed shot, tendencies, etc. |
| *Identify Shooters – always aware of the opponents best shooters and make others beat you from 3pt |
*Identify Opponent Strengths – make the other team do what makes them uncomfortable
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| *EXTRA STUFF |
| *Keep the main thing, the main thing…. What are you trying to do with your defense? |
| *Less is More… If you play 6 zones, you’re not good at any of them. |
| *There are a lot of ways to be good… Know your personnel/pillars and reinforce, make them habit |
| *Be good at the things you do a lot.”-Pete Carril… “Confrontation is meeting the truth, head on.”-Coach K |
| *What are your KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATORS (KPI’s)? |
| *”Guard Your Yard.” Be accountable, have energy, show enthusiasm. |
