POST DEFENSE

Last issue we talked about how to dominate the game offensively from the post. This month we will complete our discussion of post play by moving to the other end of the floor and covering post defense.

It's often been said that, on any level, offense wins games, but defense wins championships. Offensive players usually get most of the hype. Turn on Sports Center on any given night, and the highlights are filled with gravity-defying dunks, incredible no-look passes and 3-point jumpers softly falling through the net.

While it's great to be an outstanding offensive player, it still is important to be able to defend. Any player that scores 20 points but gives up 30 on the other end is a liability to her team.

There are a number of ways to play effective post defense. The method employed will usually be determined by how talented and aggressive the offensive player is. Carol Owens, associate head coach at the University of Notre Dame, was again consulted for insight on post defense. According to Owens, there are three basic ways to play post defense: straight behind, full front and the three-quarter defense.

STRAIGHT BEHIND

The first option for post defense is to play straight behind. This defense can be used when playing against a bigger opponent. The idea is to try to be physical with the offensive player, forcing her off the block and out of her shooting range. Now when she receives the ball, she will be forced to take a bad shot, if she shoots at all. She may opt to pass the ball out to a teammate instead of shooting it.

Playing behind is also a good option for tall post players. Playing behind allows you to stay in between your man and the basket; it is an ideal strategy for taller post players because it automatically puts them in a good shot-blocking position.

The key to playing behind is maintaining a good defensive stance. Feet should be shoulder length apart with knees slightly bent. You want to be on the balls of your feet, ready to move. It is also important to keep a bit of space between yourself and the offensive. If you give the offense too much contact, she may be able to pin you behind her and then spin off you, going around you for an easy shot.

You don't want to give the offense an opportunity to create contact and draw a foul. Although you want to keep your body away, you still want to have some contact. Placing your forearm on the side of the offensive player's body will help maintain contact while at the same time keeping enough distance so the offense can't go around you.

THREE-QUARTERING

A second option for defending in the post is the three-quarter technique. This method is ideal for a quick, active defender who utilizes good footwork to make the offensive player use a lot of energy working for position on the block.

The defense stands on one side of the offensive player's body, so that the two players form the letter T. In addition, the defensive player sticks an arm in front of the offensive player's body, discouraging her teammates from passing the ball in. The defensive player must use good footwork and keep moving to avoid being pinned for a layup.

If the defense is active and moves from one side of the offense to the other quickly, it can be confusing to the offensive players teammates. They won't know where to pass the ball. If the defender can anticipate passes well, this defense is a good way to steal.

FULL FRONTING

This defense is used when you don't want the offensive player to get the ball at all. The defense simply stands right in front of the defender, making a wall between her player and the ball. This will force the offensive player's teammates to lob the ball in to the post - if they get it in at all - which can be a difficult pass to complete. Often, the ball will sail right over the post player's head and land out of bounds.

Fronting should be used only when the offensive player is on the low block. Defenders should never front when their player is high up the lane. Fronting also requires good help defense, just in case the ball is lobbed inside successfully. You want a defender there to contest the shot.

Using any of these techniques properly will help any post player improve defensively and become a complete player. After all, if you don't improve your play on the defensive end, you might wind up in someone else's Sports Center highlight. And that's no fun at all.

Coquese Washington is a point guard with the WNBA's Indiana Fever and an assistant coach at Notre Dame University. Send your questions for her to [email protected].

Copyright Ashton International Media, Inc. Feb 2004
Provided by ProQuest Information and Learning Company. All rights Reserved