Shut Down/Slow Down

Several times a season you may run into a team that has a player who is a dominant offensive player. You realize he/she is the key to their offense. You also know you need to find a way to shut down or slow down this person. If you play this player straight up as if he/she is just another player, you may well regret the results.

As you develop your defensive game plan, there are a number of ways you can adjust your defensive approach to slow down the dominant opponent. It will impact your approach depending on where the outstanding scorer

plays. Is the player a point guard, a wing, or a post?

"Why does the Superintendent always show up at practice?"

Some Adjustments to consider:

1) Deny .... Try to prevent the "star" player from catching the ball. I know its obvious, but the "star" can't score without it (the ball)! When the "star" does give the ball up, the defender assigned to the "star" plays in what we called a

"no help" position. The defender's responsibility is to limit the number of times the "star" touches the ball. Ideally, the defender you assign to defend the "star" player has a short memory and does not either foul foolishly, or

becomes frustrated when the "star" scores. The defender's job is to make it more difficult than normal for the dominant offensive player to score. Force

them to take more difficult shots. Frustrate them. Make them exert more

energy than normal. This may affect the star late in the game.

2) Limit easy scores .... Sending the "star" opponent to the free throw line early and often can allow him to get his confidence. Keep the "star" off the offensive board. The "star" is going to score but make sure they have to

work as hard as possible. A side affect to all of this is when the "star" player forces their game and tries to do more than they should. If they show panic, it will more than likely negatively impact their teammates and benefit your

team.

3) Draw an Offensive foul .... Part of your game plan is to frustrate the "star" player. If you can draw a charge, or frustrate the opponent to push off to get open, etc. You are winning the battle. Teammates can be critical to this approach if they will focus on the "star" scorer and are willing to help if you get beat, especially on drives.

4) Junk Approach .... a) Random trapping for example, you always trap the "star" if he uses a ball screen. Also, any time he drives baseline you trap him. Trap him on the catch, etc. b) Go box & 1 or triangle & 2 (Both of these

junk defenses require accurate scouting so you can decide which junk defense you want to use or not.)

5) Make them play defense .... Some of the "star" offensive players are not great defenders and may have the attitude that defense is the time for them to rest. If you can attack them, and force them to use up some energy

on the defensive end they may become less effective on the offensive end!

Other points to consider are changing defenders on the "star" player. Don't let your opponent clear out a side and run "iso" offense. If they do, it might be a good time to randomly trap the "star." We won several important

games using what I call "junk" defenses (box & 1 or triangle & 2). I knew they could be affective because of them being used against us. The oddness of the defense caused our players to become hesitant and confused. The "junk" defenses also can put more pressure on the other offensive players who suddenly feel like they have to score and that is exactly what you want to see happen if you are the team playing the defense.