It’s an area that is under taught and grossly overlooked.
I’m talking about going out on an outside shooter; closing out! Stepping up. Rotation on defense.
Stepping up when your teammate is screened and the offensive player pulls up for a jumper off of one or two dribbles. Last night I watched North Dakota State and Oakland in the Summit Championship game and NDSU guard Ben Woodside used a high ball screen, drove to the left and pulled up. Oakland’s defender Johnny Jones was screened but Keith Benson failed to step up and contest the shot.
Keep an eye out at the 2:15 mark of this video thanks to ESPN Sportscenter.
You see it often – big men play too far back.
Step up, close out with high hands!
For the next few weeks you’ll see guys close out well and those who don’t.
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Saw a great piece in the Chicago Tribune on Michael Jordan’s son Jeff who plays backup for the Illinois.
“I don’t want to get into rushing shots,” the Illinois sophomore said. “You have to be in the game for only a few minutes. And this year I’ve come in for defensive purposes only for a few minutes, little short stretches. You don’t get warmed up enough to shoot.”
Spoken like a true team player and a guy who plays the right way.
“Defense is what has gotten me on the floor from the beginning,” Jordan said. “I’ve been looking at Chester Frazier, watching him as he guards the top players, and it has been helpful.
“He’s around the coaches more than anyone else. He knows the game so well. I get tips from him, like my father.”
Here’s a player that knows his role. Part of playing the right way is doing what you do best to help the team.
-Coach Finamore
Hoops135@hotmail.com
PLAY THE RIGHT WAY!
