Man-to-Man Defense in Youth Basketball

Summary: Basketball, b-ball, hoops—these are all names for one of the most popular games in America. Whether it’s professional play in the NBA, college games, the local high school team, a friendly round of one-on-one round, or an outdoor street game at the playground court, basketball is exciting and fast-paced, pitting player against player and skill against skill. Having strong fundamentals like dribbling, passing, and shooting is the key to the success of any aspiring player or team. Though flashy dunks, trick shots, and off the wall dribbling antics are fun to watch and have their place, they often create a “superstar” mentality that ultimately hurts the team if not put in check. What makes basketball great is the combination of individual talent and team strategy, ultimately producing a match that’s sure to keep you on the edge of your seat.

In this free video basketball lesson, an experienced coach will tell you how to set up and play man-to-man defense. This defensive strategy is typically used by teams with athletic players that are a good match-up for the opponent. In man defense, the defender guards the same player all over the court, with occasional switches to double-team a star on the other team. You will learn how to play out various scenarios in this series, such as what to do when the player next to the one you are guarding catches a pass. The coach also includes tips on trapping, rebounding and taking a charge.