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Coach Mike
Oct 6, 20233 min read
Training Defensive Capabilities vs Skills
I believe there are two big domains to player development when we talk about defense. One of which as a basketball community we are...
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Coach Mike
Jul 17, 20232 min read
Stealing Second Base - Closeout Drill
Basketball drills come in all shapes and sizes, but sometimes the most effective ones are those that draw inspiration from other sports....
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Coach Mike
Jun 28, 20232 min read
Rounding First Base : Off Ball Screens
Sometimes the fastest path is not a straight line. Base runners in baseball have understood this for decades. The quickest and most...
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Coach Mike
Jun 12, 20232 min read
From Behind the Play: The Rearview Contest Defense
When it comes to defense, staying in front of your opponent is crucial. But what happens when you find yourself trailing the offensive...
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Coach Mike
Jun 8, 20232 min read
Secrets of the Pippen Front: Post Defense Steals
Undersized players need to be active in post defense. Sometimes battling and fronting just isn't enough. Pippen was the all time best at...
248 views0 comments
Coach Mike
May 30, 20233 min read
Mastering the Upward Stance: Embracing the Defensive Equalizer
Defense is often seen as a skill that is all about effort and heart, however that myth has held many players back from unlocking their...
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Coach Mike
May 23, 20234 min read
Mastering the Forward Stance: A New Basketball Defensive Stance Fundamental
In the world of basketball, offensive techniques are constantly evolving, with players and coaches seeking new ways to gain an edge over...
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Coach Mike
May 20, 20232 min read
Unleash The Silent Count - Effective On-Ball Steals
Defense is often seen as a reactive endeavor. Players anticipate offensive moves and react accordingly. And what about, "you reach, I...
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Coach Mike
May 19, 20233 min read
The Shell Drill: 3 Tips to Boost Defensive Training
Many elite defensive coaches refer to the shell drill as the holy grail to defensive coaching. Although there has been some pushback in...
1,203 views0 comments
Coach Mike
Dec 16, 20222 min read
The Peel Switch - Avoid the Mismatch Part 4
The Peel switch is an important concept when going against an elite ball handler who is hunting your poor defenders. In part 1 and part 2...
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Coach Mike
Dec 15, 20222 min read
The Triple Switch - Avoiding the Mismatch Part 3
In Part 1 and Part 2 of Switching week we discussed ways to avoid mismatch switches - by adjusting initial matchups and Fly switching...
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Coach Mike
Dec 14, 20222 min read
Avoid the Mismatch : Switching Part 2
As any switching coach knows, we need to be prepared when teams start hunting specific matchups. Yesterday we broken an adjustment to...
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Coach Mike
Dec 13, 20222 min read
Avoid the Mismatch : Switching Part 1
If you are a coach who uses a switching defense scheme you need to be prepared for teams that hunt for mismatches and who’s set plays...
126 views0 comments
Coach Mike
Nov 29, 20222 min read
O.G. Anunoby Steals Leader Breakdown
With the NBA a quarter of the way into the season we take a look at the current steals leader, O.G. Anunoby, and breakdown how he’s been...
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Coach Mike
Nov 11, 20222 min read
Last Shot Traps - Winning the Possession Battle
So far this week we’ve discussed winning the possession battle. We’ve done this with toughness: diving for loose balls and taking...
198 views0 comments
Coach Mike
Nov 9, 20222 min read
Limiting TOs - Winning the Possession Battle
At the end of the day, limiting turnovers on the offensive side of the floor will have a huge impact on our defense. Turnovers lead to...
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Coach Mike
Nov 8, 20224 min read
The Art of the Charge - Winning the Possession Battle
Day 2 of the extra possession battle. Yesterday we covered the battle for 50/50 loose balls, which you can read here: Winning the 50/50...
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Coach Mike
Nov 7, 20222 min read
Loose Balls - Winning the 50/50 Battle
How can we secure extra possessions in a game? Winning the 50/50 battles, winning the hidden possessions. These hidden possessions are...
125 views0 comments
Coach Mike
Oct 28, 20221 min read
Brad Stevens Match Up BLOB Defense
This special situation defense is invaluable for stopping any easy baskets from happening during baseline out of bounds. It is a defense...
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Coach Mike
Oct 27, 20223 min read
Disruptive Control - On Ball Defense
Disruptive Control is one of the essential keys for an elite pressure defender. It is the ability to control and disrupt an offensive...
305 views0 comments
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