Any defensive system is an adaptation of its principles plus the personnel’s level of effort, communication, and connectivity.
For the 1st time in my career – player or coach – the defense of choice will be built around preventing the ball to puncture the middle of the floor.
10 Pre-Season Takeaways Installing “No-Middle Defense”
- Number one priority is the angle of closeouts & on-ball defense: force sideline
- Biggest breakdowns happen during scrambles
- Ball pressure is paramount (should be universal for any defense)
- On-ball defense is expected to absorb the drive as much as possible
- Have to win the lane-line battle – make drive finish outside the paint!
- Off-ball principles depend on coaching preference on-the-line or off-the-line
- Weakside help must confront drives outside the lane line
- Strong side stunt must be early in recovery to takeaway corner 3
- NBA trickle-down concept, but really it’s just a common overhelp
- There are a lot of rotations required & a step slow costs points
- Same side post drops to stop baseline drive
- Empty post depends on opposite low-man
- Quick help-the-help & active hands for deflections
- Zone opposite to take 1st pass & scramble!
- Post defense is 3/4 to deny reading the location of the ball for positioning
- If the ball is 1st hash or below, then fight for the baseline angle to help on drive
- If the ball is above the 1st hash, then 3/4 to deny on the top side
- “Ice or Down” ballscreens on the side are consistent with principles
Coach's Climb 