Basic man-to-man is a solid defense that can have unpredictable results, often vulnerable to effective offenses with good screens, mismatches, and isolations. But, teams must use a man-to-man matchup defense to put pressure on players, assist with assignments for blockouts/defensive rebounding, and deter the three-point shot.
To make the results of the man-to-man more favorable, players can integrate some additional measures into their defense to improve its effectiveness.
Make The Offense Uncomfortable
Read what the offense wants to do and make them do something else. A typical “between-the-man-and-the-basket” defense doesn’t force offensive players out of their comfort zone. The typical defense simply follows the offensive players as they execute their will and their offensive plays/sets. For everything the offensive player wants to do, the defensive player should make the player do something else. This works best for the on-ball defender. When the dribbler attempts to go one way, the defender can disrupt the dribbler who is typically attempting to run a plan, and make the defender go the other way. Or, minimally, the defender can make the dribbler consistently go to his weak hand. Those off-ball defenders can use body-bumps and other methods to disrupt the offensive players from executing their plays.
Be Unpredictable
Be unpredictable in your defense. Simply being in the defensive position and watching the offensive player offers no uncertainty to the offense. Unpredictable foot jabs, hand swipes, yelling, and sudden movements can distract the offensive player from focusing on his plays.
Collapsing with the Drives
Follow the lateral during offensive drives. The most dangerous moment in a man-to-man is during an offensive drive to the basket. As the dribbler passes through the players positioned higher on the court, the lower defenders (typically the bigs) have to leave their men to assist. This provides easy dishes and layups for the offense. This can be disrupted by ensuring that all defensive players are always no higher in the court as the dribbler when a drive begins. This ensures that as the bigs move over to help, there are other defenders coming in to prevent the dish or at least defend the player who receives the dish.
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Good defense requires sound basic fundamentals. An outstanding defense that gives you an edge must not abandon those fundamentals, but can incorporate some additional measures that further disrupt the offense. Besides – isn’t that what defense is all about?
