5 POINTERS FOR DEFENDING GREAT SHOOTERS

You will often find your team going up against another team who has a deadly accurate shooter. He may not only be accurate, but he may understand how to move without the basketball, how to read the defense, and how to catch in a position to shoot quickly.

A good shooter can be difficult to defend because the shooter knows when he is going to shoot ... the defensive player does not. The defender must also be to jump as the shooter jumps and go up as high as the shooter. Throw in a few head and shoulder fakes and it is almost impossible to defend the great shooter.

The smart basketball coach, however, understands that there are techniques and strategies for defending the great shooter. Below, we will discuss 5 strategies you can employ and should teach your players. These tips will be especially relevant when you are playing a team with a great shooter.

The following pointers are offered as strategies to defending the great shooter.

1. Prevent the shooter from getting the basketball. Put your best defender on the shooter and work on completely denying him the basketball. If he doesn't have the basketball, he can't score!
2. When the shooter does get the basketball, chase him off his spot. Run at him to force him into a less favorable shot.
3. Guard him so close and tight that he will be forced to put the ball on the floor to get past the defender. Harass and pressure while forcing toward your help.
4. Run a second defender in order to doubleteam. This is done to get the ball out of his hands. Once he is without the ball, you're back to full denial. Make sure the double comes from a spot that won't necessarily hurt the defense. For example, you might not want to run a defender from the lane, thereby leaving an opponent wide open in the lane.
5. Fake the shooter out by jabbing at him and harassing him (without contacting, of course ... worst thing is putting a great shooter on the free throw line!). Once he has committed to the shot, get a hand up and shout at him. Harass and distract as last options!

Defending the great shooter requires hard work and special techniques.

Want more plays, drills, coaching tips & strategies? Become a Hoops U. Insider today!