How to Play Man-to-Man Defense in Youth Basketball

When the youth basketball team you're coaching is ready to practice a more aggressive defense or you'd like to give the players individualized instruction, opt for man-to-man instead of zone. Use these tips to help teach the kids to create an impenetrable wall around the basket and prevent the opposition from taking easy shots.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

1. Assign each player a man to guard and let him know that it's his responsibility to cover him without expecting help from the other defenders. If his man has the ball, the player on defense should try to drive him away from the best play or force him to go in a specific direction, make a bad pass or take a bad shot.
2. Teach each defensive player to stand between his man and the ball when he doesn't have possession of it. Encourage each defender to stay low, within touching distance of his opponent and be ready to pivot, slide and move to stay with his man. He must keep the opposition from becoming an easy target for a pass or even intercept or deflect an incoming pass.
3. Stress how important it is to know where the ball is at all times. Although each player is concentrating on his "man," he should be shifting whenever a player passes the ball. This will also allow him to assist another defender who gets beat on his weak side and be prepared for rebound opportunities.
4. Tell the kids to communicate and cooperate with each other when they're on the court. As they're hustling back to play defense, each player should be indicating which person they'll be guarding. They should also be able to let a smaller player know that they can help cover their weak side, for example.
5. Encourage aggressive play (like taking the charge or diving for a loose ball), but also let the kids know that they need to be in control rather than reaching in or grabbing at the other player and receiving unnecessary fowls.