How do you play defense?

If you can, play extremely physical and set the tone early.

 

first thing i look for is whether they are left or right handed. alot of players use only one hand and i play that side hard, making them go to their weaker side. this truly disrupts the way they play.

 

Always keep your eye on the ball and tell the guy your defending to keep his mamma off your ball(s).

 

Thats how you play defense.....................

 

Seems like you listed the best advice. Watch his waist, he has to go in that direction, beat him to the spot he wants, get physical early and the wussy player will back down, stay in his face and pester him, most people won't pass him the ball if you play denial defense, and then play his strong hand, that is the best defense, because most players are not equally gifted with both hands.

 

dude man... i hate it when little guys play ultra aggresive. that's a pet peev of mine. be agressive, but don't be dirty.

 

Nice advice. I would add this: Make your opponent play defense on you. If you are a smaller player, get accustomed to running as much as you can on offense, whether it be off of picks or running the baseline or whatever. Your advantage has to be endurance. If the other guy is not in shape or can't move as well, he will tire easily and not have as much energy for offense.

 

If you are shorter and smaller, but faster...

Forget about your opponents' shots - take his dribble away. Most people are just not very good ball-handlers and are succeptable when they dribble. Throw your hands into his dribble area a lot. Fake a steal attempt often. As he dribbles, when the ball hits the ground, put your hand under his to try to disrupt or steal. Don't play too close on him - he could pivot and drive past you. Practice your lateral movement.

By doing the above, it makes it very difficult for your opponent to get a look at the hoop or the floor to find an open man, and increases the chances of a sloppy shot or a turnover. That should be your goal.

-- droxford

 

Do you mean you're smaller and quicker or the guy you're guarding is?

 

I've unfortunately had to guard lots of players taller than me on the perimeter, and this is good advice. If he can beat you over the top, so be it, but a layup is always a higher percentage shot than a jumper. Make him shoot the outside shot.

Other than that, everyone has made the key points already. Just don't go for the steal at the expense of not moving your feet. A lot of people reach for the steal, but are static. Move laterally, and deny your opposite number the spot he wants on the floor. By all means, play him to his weaker side, but you can still get burned doing that.

 

I would say:
- Watch your opponent's belt buckle, not his upper body. No matter what upper body fakes he gives you, his waist will tell you what direction he is going.
- Check out if he can handle or shoot with either or just one hand. Don't let an ambidextrous guy (like me) take you by surprise because he showed you only his right-handed moves.
- The most fundamental and important rule: Always keep yourself between the guy you are guarding and the basket and never give him a free lane to said basket. Except if you're me and you want to block his shot from behind. But I'm 6-5....

 

Everybody pretty much gave you some good advice. Watch his waist, he can't go nowhere without it.

 

And except if you are me, you want to block his shot from behind... but i am 5-8.

 

constantly harrass them and mention how many times you engaged in intercourse the previous night with any random female member of their family.

 

I go for the big rejection. Nothing makes me happier than blocking shots.

I hate, hate, hate being matched up with defenders who don't go for the block, but instead constantly reach in and try to grab at you. It's not my fault you can't jump. Keep your damn grabby hands to yourself.

 

I'll take credit for that idea

I tell ya... if you mess up his dribble, prevent him from getting looks, keep him focused on you, and force the ball out of his hands, you'll accomplish one more important thing - you'll frustrate the hell out of him. That's the best part of it all!

I don't like smack talk. I don't like to say it. I don't like to hear it. I guess I'm too 'old school' but I'd just rather beat my opponent some other way.

-- droxford