Man Defense
We will use man as our primary defense this season.
Our man defense has two looks - base (a.k.a. pack line) and pressure (pass deny). A few guidlines for man defense:
- The first rule of any defense: STOP THE BALL.
- The second rule of any defense: Communicate (I've got ball, Help, Switch).
- Use your feet - do not reach for the ball.
- Rebounding is about attitude and desire. Go get it.
- Be ready for immediate pressure after a rebound this year (no more full court restrictions).
The following pictures show player positioning as the ball moves from side to side for both pack line (base) and pressure.
Pack Line (Base)
Our pack line (base) defense is about staying in good help position. To be in the pack line, defenders should always have at least one foot touching the box. Only the player directly guarding the ball should ever be outside the pack line. The pictures below show how players should guard their man based on where the ball is located. Next to each picture is a matching one showing the triange (help) or dashed line (deny) positioning.
At Top
In this case, the ball is with the purple X at the top. A few things to note:
- Everyone is in the pack line (touching the box) except Player 1 (yellow).
- Player 1 is applying pressure on the ball.
- Player 5 (black) is denying the pass (dashed line) - we always deny any player in the box area.
- All other players are in help (solid line) position. They are in the box, aligned in a triange between the ball an their man.
At Side
Here, the ball is passed to the left wing, and the players reposition:
- The 2 and 4 players shift a little closer to the ball and down a bit towards the basket. Still in their trianges.
- Player 1 drops back into the box and into a triange.
- Player 3 is applying pressure on the ball.
- Player 5 (black) is still denying the pass (dashed line) by sliding in front of this man.
In Corner
When the ball is passed down to the corner:
- The 5 player is out guarding his man with pressure.
- Player 4 is denying the pass into his man in the box.
- Players 1, 2, and 3 are in the box using their triangles to be ready to help.
Man (Pressure)
Our pure man (pressure) defense is about creating turnovers. The big difference between true man (pressure) and pack line (base) defense is that in pressure, the players guarding a man 1-pass-away will deny the pass. They are trying to create a turnover with a bad pass, or force a bad shot. If your player is more than 1-pass-away, then you are still playing in the box (like pack line).
At Top
The difference here is the 2 and 3 players. Notice how they are out of the box, denying the ball.
At Side
The 1 player is denying the pass back up top, with other players in the same positions as pack line.
In Corner
When the ball is passed down to the corner
