Transition Defense

Do you incorporate defensive transition in your practices or do you just give it lip service and just remind them not to run back on defense with their backs to the ball after they have been burnt by an over the top pass and easy lay up?

When teams walk the ball up the court, they are much easier to defend because the defense is able to get its players back into positions near the basket where they can execute pressure denials and traps. However, when teams continuously push the ball up the court and flow into early offense, it can prevent or hinder the best of pre-planned defensive disruption scenarios by forcing the defense to "react" rather than "act or attack."

Off season and pick-up games create bad defensive transition habits. In these unorganized games, players have a tendency to hang back on offense (“Cherry Pick”) rather than hustle back on defense. As a result, during the season, coaches have their work cut out in establishing good defensive transition habits.

Good transition defense really starts with good offense. When players take good care of the ball and take good shots along with strong offensive rebounding and defensive balance, it makes it difficult for the opponent to push the ball. However, do not do not leave defensive transition up to chance.

Defensive Transition Situations to Address

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  Preventing and limiting Fast Break Opportunities

  Maintaining Defensive Balance

  Defending Out Numbered Situations

  Missed Shot Transition

  Missed Free Throw Transition.

  Turnover Recovery and Making a Defensive Stop

  Blocked Shot Recovery