Funnel the
Ball
Ball Side or
Strong Side
2
1
Midline
Help Side or
Weak Side
Funnel the
Ball
Wing
Trapping Areas
Defensively
Midline
Ball Side or Strong Side
Help Side or Weak Side
Contain Area
Wing
Funnel the Ball
Triangle
Trapping Areas
Verbals
Defensive Stance
Dead Call
Pressure Defense
Playing Defense
Close Out
The imaginary line that divides the basketball floor in half from rim to rim
This where the basketball is at on the floor being guarded by the on ball defender. Usually teams want
to force the basketball to the sideline and toward the baseline corner.
This is where the help defense is ready to help and respond to the basketball first and their own man
second. (See # 2 on the diagram) A player wants to play in help in the following circumstances if the
ball is free throw line and above two feet in the lane. (See # 1 on the diagram) The second reason is if
the ball is below the free throw line extended the player should have two feet on the midline ready to
help on the ball first if driven to the basket.
This is the area from the division line to the 3 point arc that we want to pressure but more importantly
contain and not let the dribbler advance to the lane area.
This is the area on the side of the 3 point arc
This is a particular lane that a player wants to funnel the ball defensively and keep the ball there.
The help defender wants to form a triangle from his man and see the basketball at all times. In order to
see ball –u- man a player must keep active feet and your head on a swivel at all times.
The corners of the sideline and baseline. Also the corners of the division lines. Short Corner behind
the back board.
Teammates Name, Ball, Help, Dead, Deny, Get through, Get over, Go Under, Switch, Stay,
The Life Blood of Defense – Arms length, Knees bent, Active hands and feet, back straight, attack.
“No Stance, No Chance.” – Steve Lavin
When the ball is picked up after pressure
Making life very uncomfortable for the offensive player
Hard, VERY, VERY, VERY, Hard!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
When the ball is pass on a reversal or skip the defense closes out to the ball very quickly. The defense
will sprint 2/3 the distance and chop there feet into the offense by throwing back there weight and
throwing there hands in the air.