They can’t win if they can’t score. In basketball, it’s much easier said than done. But it must be the goal for every team’s defense. The common misconception is that basketball is determined in the final minutes of a game, but there are 32 minutes for a reason. A good defense plays all of them.
Get aggressive
Foul trouble can end your game early, but don’t be afraid to set a physical tone early. Be careful not to injure yourself and your opponent, of course. However, good offenses will immediately recognize and dissect a passive defense. So you and your teammates must be active and play with high effort. That can intimidate even the best high school offenses.
Communicate Constantly
When you talk to your teammates, the opponents hear it too. So when you say, “I’ve got your back,” the opponent knows exactly who they are going to run into if they get past their man. Good communication is key to designating shifts and slides in the defense, and the result can stymie the opponent physically and mentally.
Stay Alert
Your head must be on a swivel. If you get caught ball-watching, your mark will blow by you. If you get caught staring at your mark, you’ll fail to help your teammates when they need it. Learn to anticipate when you might be needed to help a teammate and when to give your undivided attention to a particular player.
Pride
The San Antonio Spurs take pride in their defense. The result? Championships — many of them. If players don’t care about the defense, then the game is over before you step on the court. Get motivated for defense. Recognize what you and other players on the team enjoy about defense and strive towards getting steals, blocks and missed shots.
Defense is half the game, so make sure you’re putting just as much effort into it as offense.