World Wide Epidemic- STOP DRIBBLE PENETRATION

I had a chance to watch the replay of the Pheonix Suns vs Orlando Magic game last night. All commentary was geared toward the Shaq- Dwight Howard battle both on and off of the court. What escaped the anouncers was the combined 31 uncontested shots taken by both teams. That is 31 shots taken without a hand up to challenge the shot. I am not a genius but I do understand that if I am given a clear window to shoot, as opposed to an obstructed window, I am going to shoot a higher percentage. It takes very little talent to contest a shot ... only repition and it must be emphasized as a team or program. It one of the first defensive questions I ask coaches when they start complaining about another team "getting hot"- as a defensive team you can contribute to that if shots go uncontested.

Working backwards there is a larger epidemic that contributes to this issue... THE CLOSEOUT. The mechanics for the closeout in the US game and the international game are the same. The only thing that is different is the demensions on the court. The international game has the wider lane and the shorter three point line than the pro game in the NBA ... but a longer three point linethan the college game.

I received a ton of questions asking what I would identify as the most important aspect on defense. Tough question but in gearing up for March Maddness I am anticipating alot of dribble penetration and 20 plus open three point shots in each game I see. Stopping dribble penetration has become a worldwide issue according to my readers ... so I would say that if I have to pick one thing it would be the close out.

Dribble pentration has replaced pivot play as a strategy for collapsing a defense. If you can apply the following techniques on a daily basis you'll put your defense in a postion to have success vs dribble penetration and ultimately defending the three and eliminating second shots due to over rotation.

1. Vs a non shooter you want to sprint half of the distance and breakdown using short choppy steps. Always show high hands to deter the three pointer and the lob and it helps keep your weight back. You should approach the offense directly at their belly button (do not present them a driving angle early). The mind set should be -Play the shot but think the drive.
2. Vs a 3 point threat you want to sprint 3/4 the distance and breakdown in the same manner mention above.
3. Vs a dead on three point shooter (rare) you want to fly by. The idea of the fly by is to sprint half the distance and leave your feet. You want to force the dead on three to put it to the floor inside the three point line or shoot out of rhythm. You can tell who these guys are by the looking at their percentage obviously and checking out the FTA (usually have very few). Once you fly by, you plant ... turn around and try to tip from behind. I got this froma buddy in spain.

You can adjust your team closeout drill based on the situations you see in your season--- post kick outs, penetrate and pitch, pentrate and follow, etc (write if you want situations to put your team in).

Once you get your guys to close out properly use this additional thought to keep the handler out of the paint. As you square up to the offensive player you have to read the ball. As it drops below the chest of the offense start anticipating the drop of the ball to the floor. In watching film last week, I was shocked at how so many guys were finally closing out and did not react the offense until after the ball hit the floor. This spanned from China to Sweden to NY to Australia. This bad habit just forces the next guy to have to rotate and close out the right way ... causing all sorts of rebounding issues.

Hope this helps cure this worldwide epidemic. If you want to watch a multitude of close out opportunities watch the teams that play Villanova and Memphis ... these two offenses constantly put pressure on the defense to close out properly.

Tomorrow we'll hit on defending and utilizing the 3 point shot. It's been in college basketball for 22 years and we still haven't figured it out.

DD