Basketball Defense Tip #1: DEFENSIVE POST POSITION
If a defender is posting you up (having his back to the basket looking for the ball) try to get in front and deny him the ball. If you canīt, get a good wide base and donīt let him back you in any deeper. Any contact with his elbows on your chest should be a foul on him.
Basketball Defense Tip #2: HIGH POST DEFENSE
The basic rule for guarding the high post(post player at the free throw line) is to deny the pass in from the side. This is a position where the defensive player is at the ball side of the post player, with the forward arm denying the pass into the post. Use the back of your other hand to maintain contact with your man. When the ball moves to the other side, go on the basket side of your man and assume the side denial position on the other side.
Basketball Defense Tip #3: LOW POST DEFENSE-BALL ABOVE THE FREE THROW LINE
If the ball is above the free throw line extended (imaginary line extending from the free throw line to the sideline), then you should deny on the high side. You should be chest to chest with the post player with your arm closest to the ball in the passing lane.
Basketball Defense Tip #4: LOW POST DEFENSE-BALL IS BELOW THE FREE THROW LINE
If the ball is below the free throw line try to get around the post player and "Full Front". Your teammates will need to help you on any lob pass. The post player probably is not going to want you in this position, so it is a constant fight for position between the post player and defender. Be active and try to AVOID contact. The post player will have more trouble "pinning" you in a position where they can receive the ball.
Basketball Defense Tip #5: LOW POST DEFENSE-HE'S PUSHED YOU OUT
The low post player might try to push you out after you "full front". If you get out too far you can release and get behind so that your feet are OUTSIDE of the key. Now you are between him and the basket and have him 12ī-15ī away. This makes it a tough shot for the offense and you have rebounding position.
