Coaching can be discouraging at times, but far more often it is deeply satisfying and rewarding. Youngsters are naïve, variable and sometimes obstinate and incomprehensible, but they are also warm, flexible, loyal and very optimistic. They lift us when we are down, defy us all when all of our peers know we have feet of clay. No matter how much we give them, we can never match by half what they give us in return. We tend to bellyache and despair at times – some of us are petty and belittling of fellow coaches, and all of us are by necessity a little insane, but we should count our blessings, for we are among the luckiest people on the face of the earth. Your reaction to adversity is the true test of your manhood in games or life itself. When he faces it, the man “sucks up his gut;” the “candy tail” throws in the towel.

Determined Player

A. Never gets discouraged no matter how many times his man scores on him
B. Must be aggressive
C. Tough players overcome weaknesses and have intensity

Sound Defenders cannot be passive –

They must give body, blood, and guts to their defensive assignment.

A. Aggressive Players
      (1) Take a charge
      (2) Get over top of the screen
      (3) Get on the floor
      (4) Get back and stop break

B. Conditioning Players
      (1) Great mental, physical, and emotional condition
      (2) Suffer physical pain and overcome it

D. Self-Pride Players
      (1) Feeling you get from being aggressive and being in condition
      (2) Develops team pride
      (3) Self-satisfaction of an all out effort

Off Ball Defense (most important of all)

A. Close out – get there quickly with balance
B. 5 things a weak side forward must do
      (1) Contest cross court pass
      (2) Stop back cut
      (3) Stop post cut
      (4) Support over top pass to post
      (5) You are the final man on defense…take a charge

Your Obligations (In order of importance)
1-God
2-Family
3-Yourself
4-School
5-Friends

Point Ball – Disturb Shooter
1- Shadow dummy drill – move ball and go with him with hands
2- Reverse slide – strong foot up
3- Lateral quickness – across lane
4- Attack guys who make negative steps – retreats - attack rocker steppers
5- Put knee in ass when a player backs into you

Cardinal Sins of Defense
1- Don’t reach
2- Don’t go behind and slap the ball