Mater Dei Catholic Basketball
OUR DEFENSE
What Makes Us Unique on Defense
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Part 1 of 5
DISRUPT THEIR OFFENSE
We want the offense reacting to us and struggling to run what it came to run.
1.1Section
Make Them React to Us
We make the handler put his head down so he’s reacting to us instead of organizing his offense.
1.2Section
Control the Tempo
We use pressure and aggressive rotations to control the tempo and flow of the game.
1.3Section
Something They Haven’t Practiced Against
We make teams play against rules and rotations they haven’t spent all week practicing against.
1.4Section
Anticipation
On defense, we see the next action coming and get there before it hurts us.
Next
- 1.4.1See It Coming
- 1.4.2Head Start
1.4.1Topic
See It Coming
We expect the pass from top to wing to corner and move like we know it’s coming.
1.4.2Topic
Head Start
When we see it coming, we have a head start and certainty.We disrupt the play because we anticipate it.
Part 2 of 5
INDIVIDUAL MOVES
Moves every player owns.
2.1Section
Measure
Stick your arm out like a measuring stick.If your fingers touch him, you’re too close.Measure out so you’re not.
2.2Section
Stick and Move
We keep the handler under pressure and disrupt what he’s trying to run.
2.3Section
Jab and Melt
We fake the trap and make the handler react.We cause the pickup.We melt back into the passing lane, ready to steal or force a bad decision.
2.4Section
Wall and Block
We cut off the drive.
2.5Section
Pop Back
Close out tight and make him put his head down.Then pop your feet back so he can’t blow by.
2.6Section
Sprint Our Cuts
We sprint every step of every rotation.Hurry up and wait: get there early and be ready.
2.7Section
Don’t Wrestle
When we front the post, we don’t run into his side and wrestle.We run straight into the passing lane without touching him.
Part 3 of 5
TEAM CONCEPTS
Rules all five play by.
3.1Section
No Baseline
We take away the baseline drive and send the ball toward our help.
3.2Section
No Middle
We take away the direct middle drive and keep the ball out of the paint.
3.3Section
The Funnel
Baseline and middle are gone, so the ball goes where our help is.The banana closeout takes away baseline in the corner.We know where the first help comes from and who helps the helper.
3.4Section
Front the Post
We front the high post and the low post.We post up like we want the ball.We track how many entries we allow.
Next
- 3.4.1Why We Front
- 3.4.2Free to Rotate
- 3.4.3Free to Help
3.4.1Topic
Why We Front
Deny the entry.Show help.Rotate.
3.4.2Topic
Free to Rotate
We front so we’re free to leave and make the next rotation.
3.4.3Topic
Free to Help
We front so we can show help without being stuck behind a player.
3.5Section
Finishing the Possession
We get the rebound and secure the ball.
Next
- 3.5.1Locate, Hit, and Go Get
- 3.5.2Chin and Pivot
- 3.5.3Coaching the Finish
3.5.1Topic
Locate, Hit, and Go Get
We locate our man, hit to box out, and go get the rebound.
3.5.2Topic
Chin and Pivot
We chin the ball and pivot to finish the possession with control.
3.5.3Topic
Coaching the Finish
“What are you supposed to do right there?”“Did you locate?Did you hit?Did you go get?”
Part 4 of 5
TEAM DEFENSES
Six defenses, each one a project.
4.1Section
How Our Matchup Works
We guard the man in our area, hand him off as he moves, and keep seeing the ball.
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- 4.1.1Guard the Man in Your Area
- 4.1.2Hand Him Off
- 4.1.3Keep Seeing the Ball
4.1.1Topic
Guard the Man in Your Area
We guard the player in our area and take responsibility for him while he’s there.
4.1.2Topic
Hand Him Off
We hand the player off as he moves into a teammate’s area.
4.1.3Topic
Keep Seeing the Ball
We keep seeing the ball while keeping our rebounders near the rim and our perimeter players outside.
4.2Section
X-Ray
Project 1-2-2 matchup.
Next
- 4.2.1Our Number-One Defense
- 4.2.2Skip Pass: Show and Recover
4.2.1Topic
Our Number-One Defense
X-Ray is our number-one defense in this family.
4.2.2Topic
Skip Pass: Show and Recover
On an X-Ray skip pass the weak-side bottom sprints up, shows a hand, and immediately sprints back down.He does not wait for the B guard bump, because waiting exposes post entry.
4.3Section
Shark
Project 1-1-2-1 matchup.
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- 4.3.1What Shark Takes Away
4.3.1Topic
What Shark Takes Away
Shark is good at taking away the cross-court pass, stopping drives, and stopping entries.
4.4Section
Point
Project 3-2 matchup.
4.5Section
Caveman
Project 2-2-1 matchup.
4.6Section
Pistol
Project Pack line man.
4.7Section
Soldier
Project No middle man.
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- 4.7.1Soldier Changes the Rules
4.7.1Topic
Soldier Changes the Rules
Soldier changes the rules.We're pressuring off the ball and we're soft on the ball.Don't get beaten.
4.8Section
The Sprint Package
X-Ray and Caveman are in the sprint, and the rest of the required package still needs to be confirmed.
Part 5 of 5
CHANGING DEFENSES
We change defenses when opponents start figuring us out and take away the opening they expect next.
5.1Section
They’re Starting to Figure It Out
We watch for the moment they start seeing the passes and shots our defense can give up.
5.2Section
Change Before They Get Comfortable
We change before they get comfortable, before they hit their first three.
5.3Section
Take Away the Next Pass
We switch to a defense that takes away the pass they just learned to look for.
5.4Section
Every Defense Has a Weakness
X-Ray: the skip wing three.Shark: the corner three.Point: the high post.Caveman: the high post.Pistol: the swing three.Soldier: the driving skip three.
Next
- 5.4.1X-Ray and the Skip Wing Three
- 5.4.2Shark and the Corner Three
5.4.1Topic
X-Ray and the Skip Wing Three
X-Ray can leave a brief opening for the skip wing three, so we anticipate it and can switch to take that pass away.
5.4.2Topic
Shark and the Corner Three
Shark can give up the corner three on a skip or drive-and-kick, so we have to see it coming and get there.