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THE LOCKDOWN
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Coach Mike
Aug 12, 20222 min read
The Evade Steal
This is perhaps the hardest concept to explain, especially on paper. However this technique will be important for a defender facing a...
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Coach Mike
Aug 11, 20222 min read
The Swipe Steal
The Swipe Steal is a steal technique used primarily near the rim to dislodge an exposed ball. Best used by containment defenders who find...
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Coach Mike
Aug 10, 20221 min read
The Run Through Steal or Chase Down Steal
This steal technique is not precisely an on-ball concepts but a recovery tool to use when no one is on-ball. It can also be called the...
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Coach Mike
Aug 9, 20221 min read
The Wide Steal
It’s called the wide steal because the steal occurs at the width of the defender’s wingspan. Typically used by defenders who stand more...
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Coach Mike
Aug 8, 20223 min read
The Forward Steal
Before we get going on steals this week, here are three philosophical points on the subject. I do teach steals to my players. Just like...
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Coach Mike
Jul 29, 20222 min read
The Chase Down Block
The Chase Down Block is not a tool only used by the ultra-athletic. I’ve seen it used by far less athletic athletes, now they may not be...
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Coach Mike
Jul 26, 20222 min read
No Comfy QBs - Tracing the Ball
The No Comfy QBs is an important concept and phrase for our players. It refers to quarterbacks in the NFL and that we like to imagine any...
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Coach Mike
Jul 25, 20222 min read
Tip Rebounding - Rodman
I posed this question on Twitter: Would you ever let your player rebound like Dennis Rodman? Which at first glance, seems somewhat...
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Coach Mike
Jul 22, 20222 min read
Walling Up - 3 Keys
This is a popular technique that first started becoming wide spread I believe 5-7 years ago. It is a necessary skill for a containment...
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Coach Mike
Jul 21, 20222 min read
Rebounding - Anchor the Weakside
It has been said many times, defense is nothing without rebounding. Unless your team plans on stealing the ball every time, or getting it...
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Coach Mike
Jul 20, 20221 min read
Gary Payton II - Lockdown Breakdown
Gary Payton II has quickly become one of my favorite defenders to watch in the NBA. He brought my attention to several defensive...
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Coach Mike
Jul 18, 20222 min read
On-Ball Charge
The on-ball charge is perhaps one of the most underrated and/or underused defensive techniques for good defenders. Obviously you have the...
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Coach Mike
Jul 8, 20222 min read
Stealing the Catch, Not the Pass?
One of my favorite players to study when I first started analyzing defenders was Kawhi Leonard. He showed me the beauty behind one of my...
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Coach Mike
Jul 7, 20221 min read
Early Hand - Closeout
This concept has perhaps the biggest impact on limiting shooting volume - besides of course arriving on the catch. The main emphasis...
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Coach Mike
Jul 5, 20222 min read
Challenge at Point of Release - Closeouts
I believe this closeout concept has shown the greatest effect on impacting a shot. Not only does it challenge shooters but it also gives...
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Coach Mike
Jul 3, 20223 min read
Stride Stop Closeout
One important question I always come back to is; which technique is used the most in a defensive possession? This helps narrow in on what...
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Coach Mike
Jul 2, 20222 min read
Weakside Goalkeeper
This will be a concept many coaches have skepticism about. I don’t blame you, the first time I heard of the concept was from Stu...
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Coach Mike
Jun 30, 20222 min read
Kill the Pivot
This is a technique used when covering a dead dribble or a pivoting offensive player. It is often seen in traps as an offensive player...
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Coach Mike
Jun 28, 20223 min read
Toughness
There is a myth in coaching about toughness, I hear it all the time: “tough players are found, not made.” It is a belief that personality...
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Coach Mike
Jun 24, 20224 min read
Questioning a Games-Based Approach
I have been an advocate and user of a games-based approach in coaching since I first heard of it in 2016. As a basketball coach I have...
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