Are you tough enough to play D?

3 seconds left, down by 1, the ball is in your hands, 3…2…1…the shot’s up…nothin’ but net!  Since you were a kid on the playground, you have been dreaming of hitting the game-winning shot to win the game.  Shooting is fun.  Scoring points is fun.  Offense is fun. But have you ever dreamed about making the game-winning stop on defense? 

Think about it.  Everyone wants to score, not everyone wants to play defense.  Why?  Because defense is HARD WORK.  It takes a tough competitor to play defense.  It takes a man to play defense. There is something special about standing in front of your opponent, man-to-man, mano-e-mano, and having the mindset: “I will shut you down.  I will force you any direction I want. 

I am going to get up in your comfort zone, distract you, and annoy you until you make a mistake.  I know your moves before you make them and I will stop every one of them.  I am going to be physical and outwork you every second of the game.  You are on lock-down.  It’s going to be a long night for you.”  Is this your mentality when you play defense?  Having an aggressive defensive mentality is a majority of the battle.  Every great defensive player has to have a competitive edge.  You have to dig down deep inside yourself and find it. 

Because once you lose your edge, you’re beat.

Here are 6 keys to being a great defensive player: 

1.  Heart.  Play with passion and enthusiasm.  LOVE to play defense!

2.  Get in a stance.  Butt down, hands up, wide stance, active feet, active hands, annoy, distract, get in their bubble, talk, yell, scream. 

3.  Be aware.  On-ball defense, ball-side, help-side, screeners, cutters.

4.  REBOUND.  Find-Hit-Get.  Check out hard and hunt for the ball.  Rebounds win championships.  Period.

5. Don’t foul.  Fouls are mistakes that hurt your team.  Slapping, trying to block shots, etc.  Play physical, but no dumb fouls.  Play defense with your FEET!  Distract you opponent until they make a mistake – then exploit it and take advantage.

6. Study your man.  Know EVERYTHING about your opponent - tendencies, strengths, weaknesses.  Take away one thing.  Take away their strength and force them to do something they don’t want to do.  Dictate their moves and shots.  Be proactive.  Make things happen.

Now, imagine this scenario:  You’re up 1…3 seconds left…you are guarding the other team’s best player…3…2…1…make the play.  LOCK HIM UP, SHUT HIM DOWN.  Are you tough enough?