4 Tips to Become a Better On-Ball Defender

Is your on-ball defense up to snuff? These 4 tips from our trainers will get you where you need to go.

Defense is taken for granted by many players of all ages.  Sure, you can score 20 points per game but if you allow the person you're guarding to put up 20 points as well, your efficiency is 0. 

Kawhi Leonard is a two-time Defensive Player of the Year in the NBA with little doubt or argument. The lengthy, two-way, small forward can shut down the best scorers in the NBA as well as create offense of his own.  The best scorers in the league have to change the way they play, and adjust to Leonard's tenacious defense in order to be successful.

In order to be a reliable teammate, and a positive contributor on the court, defense needs to be of equal priority as offense.

To get you on the right track to being a feared defender like Kawhi Leonard, UH trainers Tim Wojcik, Jonathan Underwood, and Michael McClendon, and UH National Manager John Thomas give some of their tips on how to become a better on-ball defender. 

Timothy Wojcik - Berkeley Heights, NJ

"You need to remain in an athletic position (the standard defensive stance we are all taught) and remain on the balls of your feet.  Sit back like you're going to sit in a chair, chest up.  Not legs locked with your back bent over.  The key, however, is to keep your eyes on your opponent’s waist.  Do not follow his head, hand, feet, or worse, the ball. Eyes on the waist is the biggest key to success."

Jonathan Underwood - Sugarland, TX

"Understanding your opponents strengths and taking them away will force them to make moves they're uncomfortable with and cause them to make poor decisions." 

Michael McClendon - Montvale, NJ

"Resistant bands and/or weights for the lower body will help with quickness on defense.  Ladder and cone agility drills will also help with having a quicker lateral change of direction."