Coach ,

As we are getting closer and closer to our season, we need to make sure our players are starting to grasp our important defensive habits that will help us fight height or athleticism disadvantages. 

Today, Xavier Associate Head Coach Adam Cohen will be going over 3 concepts that can help us to eliminate disadvantage situations and mismatches when executed properly. 

1 on 1 Defense is a Team Effort

Coach Cohen breaks down how to turn mismatches on 1 on 1 defense into an advantage. The most important thing is to make the paint look crowded and be ‘High In The Gaps”. If you are guarding the ball as a team and you can really fill in the gap, the disadvantage is no longer going to be there. Watch the video of Coach Cohen breaking down how to turn 1 on 1 Defense into team effort. 

1 on 1 Defense is a Team Effort

Verticality and Stunting

Verticality is a great way to limit advantages after we get beat. Verticality is not about jumping really high and blocking shots. It means to stay in our position with our hands high to challenge shots and build a wall. It is something that our players need to be taught against the bad habits of trying to block every single shot. 

Stunting, when done well, can help eliminate the danger of on-ball screens, however, it is something that needs to be constantly worked on. The stunner needs to be able to recover fast and communicate with the on-ball defender. Watch Coach Cohen break down Verticality and Stunning:  

Verticality and Stunting

Multiple Efforts

Now we need to tie it all together. Great spacing on defense, filling the gaps, anticipating the drive/finish. Coach Cohen breaks down examples on game film of how effective these techniques can be when they are put together:

Multiple Efforts

Once we get down Verticality, Stunning and proper Filling the gaps, that itself can take our defense to the next level and helps us get more stops.

It is important we practice and emphasize these fundamentals as much as possible during our preseason and in-season practice.

Thank You Rising Star in the coaching world Coach Adam Cohen for sharing from your clinic Defending In Disadvantaged Situations

Never get out-coached, 

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