Without a doubt, the best time for young athletes to learn the fundamentals of playing any sport is when they are young. If a young player can develop good fundamentals and playing habits before the bad ones become second nature, they have a realistic chance of becoming the best player they can possibly be.
In basketball, the most overlooked aspect of the game is defense. Kids love to watch their basketball heroes put the ball in the basket, essentially ignoring any efforts to keep them from doing so. Great offensive players like Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Kareen Abdul Jabbar and Stephen Curry will tell anyone who will listen that they most fear great defensive players like Larry Bird, Bill Walton, Gary Payton and Hakeen Olajawon. What these great defensive players have in …show more content…
Offensive player steps forward - Defensive player holds position with hands directly up to prevent shot or overhead pass
2. Zig-Zag Drill - This drill is used to perfect a defensive players foot movement as the offensive player dribbles the ball down the court. With the coach lined up at half-court, players line up at the base line. Using the ball, the coach will motion left or right. The player's task is to use a slide step and move in the direction of the ball, keeping their hands in the proper defensive position at all times.
3. One-on-One Drill - This drill is designed to teach a defensive player how to react when guarding an offensive player who has the ball. The drill starts with the defensive player passing the ball to the offensive player and then engaging them on defense with the proper defensive stance. As the offensive players makes a decision to dribble, pass or shoot, the defensive player takes the proper defensive position to prevent such
In basketball, the most overlooked aspect of the game is defense. Kids love to watch their basketball heroes put the ball in the basket, essentially ignoring any efforts to keep them from doing so. Great offensive players like Michael Jordan, Clyde Drexler, Kareen Abdul Jabbar and Stephen Curry will tell anyone who will listen that they most fear great defensive players like Larry Bird, Bill Walton, Gary Payton and Hakeen Olajawon. What these great defensive players have in …show more content…
Offensive player steps forward - Defensive player holds position with hands directly up to prevent shot or overhead pass
2. Zig-Zag Drill - This drill is used to perfect a defensive players foot movement as the offensive player dribbles the ball down the court. With the coach lined up at half-court, players line up at the base line. Using the ball, the coach will motion left or right. The player's task is to use a slide step and move in the direction of the ball, keeping their hands in the proper defensive position at all times.
3. One-on-One Drill - This drill is designed to teach a defensive player how to react when guarding an offensive player who has the ball. The drill starts with the defensive player passing the ball to the offensive player and then engaging them on defense with the proper defensive stance. As the offensive players makes a decision to dribble, pass or shoot, the defensive player takes the proper defensive position to prevent such