How to Play Denial Defense in Basketball

Defense wins basketball games. If you want to push the tempo of the game and force your opponent to make mistakes, denial defense can be very effective. The goal of denial defense is to not allow any passes to be made. This article focuses on how to properly play denial defense.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine if you should be in full denial position. If your player is one pass away from the ball (20 feet or closer) you should be in full denial position.

    • 2

      See the ball and your player at all times. This can be done with peripheral vision or by imagining your head is on a swivel and you are constantly rotating it to see both.

    • 3

      Determine the passing lane that the ball would be delivered to your opponent from the ball handler. The passing lane is constantly changing as your player and the opponent with the ball are moving.

    • 4

      Position yourself between the ball handler and the player you are guarding. You should be within 2 to 3 feet of him/her.

    • 5

      Have one foot closer to the lane than your opponent and the other foot in the middle of their body. You should be in a strong defensive position--in balance, being able to move in any direction.

    • 6

      Extend your arm so your hand is in the passing lane.

    • 7

      Position your hand so your palm is facing towards the ball. This will allow you to quickly knock a ball away if it comes into the passing lane.

    • 8

      If a pass is attempted to your player, focus on just getting a hand on it, and then go get it.