chapter 2
One-on-One On-Ball Pressure
Setting the Stage for On-Ball Actions
One of Newton's laws of physics states that for every
action there is a corresponding reaction. This
principle is more than obvious in the fast-moving
game of basketball. The ballhandler and the
defender, the off-ball "supporting cast," all mix and
mingle in a series of miniplots, actions, and reactions,
all directed toward a "happy ending" for the winning
team. Hard-nosed and tenacious defense "thickens
the plot," adds to the suspense, and often provides a
surprise ending to what might otherwise be a
predictable script. For all concerned it's part of the
drama of great modern-day basketball.
For a pressure defense system to be effective and
influential to game outcome, the defender must act
first rather than react to the actions of the ballhandler
by following a definite and well-rehearsed scenario of
skills. SET, ON and SMOTHER are the basic individual
on-ball actions that defenders are taught for maximum
SOS pressure success. In fact, no matter what
system of defense is employed, these SOS basics
can enhance and strengthen any defensive program
employed.
Teaching SET Action
•
The opponent has the ball, the assignment is
obvious: "Take the ball to the hoop!" The
offensive player has but a few seconds to decide
the most expedient action--whether to pass, to
shoot, or to dribble! In SOS defense, the
defender acts first, coercing his opponent to
dribble, rather than to pass or shoot, for the
score.
2-1
"
Position one hand just inches from the ball,
tracing its every move; position other hand
behind and slightly below the on-ball hand, at
opponent eye level, moving it from left to right to
agitate and cut off the passing lane. (See Photo
2-2.)
•
Position feet in a wide stance, with one foot
closer to the ball, slightly in front of the other, in
toe-to heel alignment.
•
Move feet in a constant patter-step cadence to
facilitate a quicker start from SET to ON actions.
SET action by the on-ball defender refers to the
specific body stance and movement required to force
the ballhandler to put the ball on the floor rather than
to shoot or pass.
SET action requires the defender to follow these
steps:
•
Assume semiflexed posture, like a boxer,
bending the knees and setting the feet firmly in
place, both extended toward opponent. (See
Photo 2-1.)
6
Chaoter 2
Teaching ON Action
Assume that the SET strategy has been successful,
that the opponent has been forced to dribble rather
than pass or shoot. This positive situation triggers the
second, or ON stage of action. Once again, the
defender knows the script well and assumes the
initiative as in prior SET strategy. He will not allow the
dribbler a carte blanche drive to the basket, but will
"dog" the opponent incessantly, forcing him toward
•
Move from SET action to ON, at that point, by
taking one full backward slide and assuming
nose-ON-chest posture, as previously described.
•
Maintain arm's distance between self and
opponent of average speed and quickness;
increase distance against the quick, agile
ballhandler and decrease accordingly.
•
In ON position, push ballhandler to nearest court
checkpoint by moving feet in quick minislides,
maintaining toe-heel alignment, until ballhandler
stops dribble.
2-2
Special Note: If the ballhandler beats the defender on
the dribble, the defender sprints until he is one stride
ahead of the ballhandler, then reassumes his nose0 N-chest posture, forcing the dribbler to the next
nearest checkpoint. This action is referred to in the
drills to follow as the Sprint Recovery technique. (See
Photo 2-3.)
2-3
specific checkpoint areas. (Refer to the "Checkpoint
Chart," on page 7, which illustrates the lowpercentage shooting areas on the court.)
If this defensive "force to checkpoint" is successful,
then the defender is, once again, clearly dictating the
situation. The checkpoints are all beyond the highpercentage shooting range, and the ballhandler's
chances of penetrating for a close-in shot or a surefire lay-in are definitely minimized as a result of such
predetermined action.
ON position, then, refers to a body position in which
the defender's nose is even with the ballhandler's
mid-chest (nose ON chest), allowing him to keep body
weight low to expedite quickness and agility while
guarding and forcefully "guiding" the ballhandler to
the checkpoint area appropriate to the action of the
moment.
0 N action requires the defender to follow these
steps:
•
Stalk offensive player via SET action until the
ballhandler commits to the dribble drive.
Teaching SMOTHER Action
Forced into a low-percentage shot checkpoint area
by a tenacious defender, the dribbler is clearly
frustrated. Already huffing and puffing from working
so hard against s ET and o N strategies, the
ballhandler's options are going from bad to worse. As
if being trapped in no-man's land is not enough, he is
about to face the SMOTHER, which is relentless in its
One-on-One On-Ball Pressure
7
intent to force the hurried, erratic pass or the lowpercentage shot at the basket.
SMOTHER action is the final "S" of S-0-S on ball
pressure, the last nail in the coffin, insuring maximum
pressure on the ballhandler until the final buzzer.
CHART LEGEND
DIRECTIONAL PUSH
CHECKPOINT CHART
SMOTHER action, then, is a body stance and
movement designed to put maximum pressure on
the ballhandler attempting to shoot or pass.
SMOTHER action requires the defender to follow
these steps:
"
\
Assume SMOTHER posture, with feet parallel and
slightly outside offensive player's feet as soon as
ballhandler picks up dribble and attempts to
shoot or pass. (See Photo 2-4.)
,
"
1. SIDE PUSH. Backcourt area, baseline to freethrow line extended: Defender pushes offensive
player to #1 checkpoint, located on the near side
boundary, free-throw line extended.
2-4
2.
SIDE PUSH. Backcourt area, free-throw line
extended to nearest hash mark: Defender
pushes offensive player toward #2 checkpoint
located on the backcourt hash mark.
3.
SIDE PUSH. Backcourt area, hash mark to the
midcourt line: Defender pushes offensive player
toward #3 checkpoint on side boundary on
midcourt line.
4. SIDE PUSH. Frontcourt area, midcourt line to
hash mark: Defender pushes offensive player
toward #4 checkpoint located on the hash mark.
5. SIDE PUSH. Frontcourt area, hash mark to freethrow line extended: Defender pushes offensive
player toward #5 checkpoint located on side
boundary, free-throw line extended.
6. CORNER PUSH. Frontcourt area, middle of freethrow line extended twelve feet out from side of
key boundary to baseline: Defender pushes
offensive player toward #6 checkpoint located on
side boundary, three feet from baseline.
7.
BASE PUSH. Frontcourt area, wing area to
baseline: Defender pushes offensive player
toward #7 checkpoint located on baseline,
seventeen feet from basket.
8.
MID PUSH. Frontcourt area, area below the freethrow line extended outside key boundary to
near side line: Defender pushes offensive player
toward #8 checkpoint located at the top of the
key.
•
Same directional push checkpoints used on
opposite side of the court.
Chaoter 2
8
..
..
..
Extend arms above head full length, moving
hands from side to side in lateral motion, a hand's
distance from ballhandler, to rush release and
disrupt the shot.
Exert extreme pressure on any attempted pass
by assuming the SMOTHER position, disrupting
and minimizing passing vision.
"Box out" defender when a shot is attempted.
Special Note: It is important to note the need for a
quick transition from the ON stage to the SMOTHER
stage of action, so as not to negate the positive
results achieved by the effective execution of SET
and ON action. It is possible to execute the ON stage
well, forcing the offensive player to the appropriate
no-man's land checkpoint, and then to sacrifice the
effort because of faulty execution of the SMOTHER
stage. Such a lapse can allow a basket to be scored
"over the top" from the exact areas of the court where
the SET and ON stages demand that pickup of the ball
occurs. If such pickup of the ball is inside the 15-foot
radius due to breakdown in the SET or ON stages, an
aggressive SMOTHER action can still salvage the
situation for the hard-nosed defender.
Building Attitude
As Well As Aptitude
Skill comes with drill, be it multiplication tables in the
elementary classroom or one on one on the court.
The need for drill, practice, and more drill and
practice, is not new to the athlete or mentor. Skillful
execution of skills and second-nature response to
any given game situation cannot be achieved in any
other way. Mastering man-to-man pressure does
require "over and above" time, energy, and all-out
commitment to tough, hard-nosed defense. The
rewards are real and immediate, however--a worthy
sacrifice for all the blood, sweat, and tears invested.
There is no minimizing the fact that drills are
methodical, repetitive, and often demanding. The
key to softening this fact of life and building player
acceptance and support is, of course, your attitude as
teacher-coach. Initially, the player must be made
aware of the potential power of the end result. Once
the season begins and the defender experiences
success in the live game situation, it's all downhill from
there. Fired up by these positive results, the player's
enthusiasm builds in momentum and a true-believer
is born.
You are also the catalyst in making practice sessions
powerful and positive group encounters rather than
dull, tedious and mundane sessions. If drills are
approached with enthusiasm and intensity and are
reinforced by consistent, positive, and encouraging
feedback, tedium gives way to tenacity! Pride in
holding the individual opponent below their average
scoring level can become as important as individual
scoring stats, if defense is given equal credibility and
priority. Such a defensive climate is no accident but is
the result of a conscious and concentrated effort by
you and your staff to communicate the importance of
the defensive dimension of the game. I have seen
"tigers" on the practice floor, spurred on by a coach
whose intensity, enthusiasm and spirit for the job at
hand were contagious. If you thrive on such a
challenge, then teaching SOS will not be work-it will
actually be fun!
Establishing Positive Practice
And Drill Routines
The following teaching generalizations and practices
are applicable to all SOS drills throughout this book.
..
Select a teaching station where you can be highly
visible and audible. Demonstration and
pantomiming of the desired action and reaction
must be clearly seen and heard.
•
The purpose of each SOS drill should be clearly
communicated and demonstrated prior to any
required group response.
"
Both the demonstrator and the response group
should walk through all action in slow motion two
or more times before the movements are meshed
together in normal tempo.
•
In terms of teaching tempo, as each drill is
introduced the speed progression should be (1)
slow motion, (2) half-speed motion, (3) full-speed
motion.
•
Each drill, whether mass drill, individual, or oneon-one, should be repeated several times at
each speed to achieve reasonable mastery.
"
Immediate, nonthreatening, and supportive onthe-spot correction and encouragement should
be given to those needing additional help.
•
Positive feedback and reinforcement should be
continuous and consistent part of every practice
session.
..
Intensity and enthusiasm should be maintained
throughout the practice session to keep interest
and performance at the highest possible level.
chapter 3
One-on-One Off. . Ball Pressure
Setting the Stage for Off-Ball Actions
Teaching SNUGGLE Action
Off-ball pressure defense is the other side of the
SOS coin. It is as important in breaking down
opponent tempo and execution as is the on-ball
element of the system. On- and off-ball strategies
should not be perceived as merely compatible, but as
totally dependent and complementary to each other
for maximum SOS success.
The guard moves the ball past the midcourt, looking
for the strongside forward and poised for the pass.
The passing lane is blocked! On to the center playing
the high post. Again-frustration-as the ballhandler
finds that passing lane unavailable. With options
diminished, a pass to the other guard is considered,
in order to re-initiate the offense from the other side.
It, too, is thwarted. There is only one last possibility
remaining-a pass to the weakside forward breaking
into the key. The ballhandler is now so stymied that
any number of errors is inevitable-an erratic pass, an
off-balance shot, a tied-up ball.
For example, the defender can execute the SET, ON,
SMOTHER actions to perfection, stifling the
ballhandler and any consequent scoring. An off-ball
teammate, however, can negate all efforts by allowing
the easy pass and a possible two points that should
never have made the scoreboard. On the other hand,
the off-ball defender can vigorously deny all passing
lanes, and it's "down the drain" if the on-ball defender
allows an opponent to penetrate the key for the easy
lay-in or draws the foul that breaks a tie and wins the
game.
Each off-ball defender has a specific role to play as
each game-drama unfolds. The off-ball defender is
most concerned with denying his opponent the ball,
thus cutting off a possible basket or foul. This action
also forces the opponent's overall team offense out
of its normal movement patterns, harassing them to
the point where shots are forced and passes go
astray. Thus, opponent turnovers increase and
shooting percentages decrease, a very satisfying
scenario for the five defenders, each complementing
the other, each an important cog in the wheel,
moving to a positive conclusion.
As in the on-ball actions, the letters S-0-S also have
significance in reminding both coach and player of
the three words designed to trigger specific actions
relative to the stance, positioning, and movements of
the off-ball defenders. These words both streamline
and simplify the system in terms of initial instruction
and consistent implementation over the course of a
long season.
SNUGGLE, OFF, and STRIKE are the key sos trigger
words that make it happen in the off-ball phase of the
system.
Such tenacious denial of all passing lanes is not the
result of any supernatural happening. It's a feat
accomplished by real people, not trusting to chance,
but executing a premeditated pulverizing off-ball
action identified by the keyword SNUGGLE. As if the
ballhandler wasn't agitated enough with SET, ON, and
SMOTHER, the remaining four on the floor are facing a
crisis of their own. The SNUGGLE is less than friendly
and refers to the specific stance and positioning
assumed by the fired-up defender whose major
mission is to deny all first passing lanes.
The SNUGGLE specifics are as follows:
"
Defender assumes low stalking stance with
knees bent, feet set wide apart, ear close to
opponent's chest, head and eyes focused
straight ahead to insure vision of both the
ballhandler and off-ball opponent. (See
Photo 3-1.)
"
One of defender's arms should be fully
extended in front of body, at shoulder level,
to deflect a pass to offensive player.
Defender's opposite arm is positioned at right
angle to body, allowing the back of the hand
to brush the opponent's hip, thus
maintaining close body contact.
"
Defender uses quick minislides to precisely
"shadow" movement and direction of
opponent.
Chaoter 3
16
3-1
3-2
Teaching OFF Action
•
When and if defender is beaten to the
basket, he pivots to face the ball to better
deflect or intercept any attempted pass and
prevent the possible lay-in.
Special Note: In the /ow-post situation, SNUGGLE
strategy gives way to a full-front position on the part
of the off-ball defender, if the passer is located in the
wing area. A full-front position is one in which the
entire body "fronts" the offensive player in a full
upright position, the outside hand raised and rotating
to disrupt passing vision, the lower hand extended
down in contact with the opponent's lower body. The
rear foot should be locked around the opponent's
rear foot. (See Photo 3-2.)
The clock is ticking ... ten seconds from game's end.
The opponent has the ball and the chance to win by
one, if their give-and-go strategy works. A quick pass,
a swift agile move to the basket, and swish! Jubilation
for the victors, frustration for the defenders who
"almost" had the win.
The give-and-go, a commonly used offensive
maneuver, is all too consistent in its success and all
too traumatic in its effect. Its sting can be minimized,
however, with one decisive and clear-cut action
labeled OFF, the "O" of the "S-0-S" off-ball strategies.
OFF action, then, is a defensive move designed to
vigorously deny the passing lanes to any and all
opponents attempting to cut to the basket in a giveand-go maneuver.
One-on-One Off-Ball Pressure
3-3
17
3-4
The specifics of the OFF action are as follows:
•
Defender moves one stride OFF and away
from the offensive player, placing
himself/herself between ball and opponent.
Some coaches refer to this action as
"jumping toward the ball." (See Photo 3-3.)
•
One ballside position is achieved, defender
assumes SNUGGLE stance and movement
once again, "sticking like glue" to deny the
pass all the way to the basket. (See Photo 34.)
•
Upon any attempted pass, it is important to
note that the OFF slide strategy is executed
from any of the three on-ball SOS actions:
SET, ON, or SMOTHER.
Teaching STRIKE Action
The coach has reason to be excited about team
performance. So far, the opposition has been
stymied in terms of their usually successful run-andgu n offense. SNUGGLE and o FF tactics has
consistently closed first passing lanes. Even the
remaining option left in such a situation, the weakside
offensive player moving swiftly into the key for the
pass, has been consistently thwarted by the
tenacious defender assigned to halt such a move.
An action termed $TRIKE is what cut them off "at the
pass." This term fits the action like a scuba diver's wet
suit, since it refers to a swift snakelike movement
initiated by the weakside defender to severely
impede the opponent's path to the key. It is an
essential action of pressure defense, preventing
rather than treating an unhealthy situation.
This SOS weakside help strategy decrees that the
defender not lag back and trail the offense in his
attempts to move across the key to receive the pass.
On the contrary, the defender must beat the offense
to the side boundary line or contact point. With the
ballhandler's final pass option removed, the offensive
choices are grim-a forced shot, a bad pass, a
turnover.
The specifics of the STRIKE tactic are as follows:
"
Defender positions self approximately
halfway between the assigned offensive
player and the ball, an arm's distance behind
an imaginary line separating him from the
ballhandler. (See Photo 3-5.)
Chaoter 3
18
3-6
3-5
Executing "closeout" maneuver against
opponent when crosscourt pass is made.
•
Defender assumes "point" stance which
refers to the pointing position of his hands,
one pointing toward the ball, one toward the
player cutting to the basket.
•
Defender assumes semiflexed body
position, head and eyes focused straight
ahead, insuring that both the passer and
weakside offensive player are within vision.
•
Defender executes final STRIKE action by
moving toward the weakside offensive player
as he moves toward the key for the pass.
•
Defender assumes SNUGGLE position,
denying any direct pass to the basket. (See
Photo 3-6).
"
Defender assumes a variety of other
weakside help responsibilities including:
Coverage of the low-post lob pass.
Helping a teammate who has been beaten to
the basket by taking the charge.
Blocking attempted lay-in with the hand
nearest the ball.
Special Note: When the weakside offensive player
receives a crosscourt pass, the defender executes a
closeout maneuver, which requires him to move from
the point-stance position, sprint toward the
ballhandler two-thirds of the distance between them,
then continue to move in a series of minislides with
arms raised in high SET position until reaching an
arm's distance from the opponent. He then assumes
SET position one on one against the ballhandler.
STRENGTHENING SKILLS THROUGH DRILLS
In the drills that follow, the words "out" and "back" are
frequently used to describe the movement of players
in respect to the basket area. "Out" refers to
movement out and away from the basket; "back"
refers to the movement back to the basket area.
Drill #1: SNUGGLE Action
Purpose of Drill
•
To teach SNUGGLE action, strongside denial; to
teach full-front stance and position when and if
the offensive player reaches low-post areas.
(Refer to SNUGGLE action, pages 15-16.) Special
Note: Drills 1-3 are three-line mass action drills
with the total group reacting to actions of coach;
players face each other in pairs, one on offense,