There are many special situations that we will encounter in games that will require us to adjust accordingly. Below are some examples of common special situations we will see, though there are many other adjustments we may make that will not be detailed here.
We will often adjust our closeout points based on our scouting reports. An opposing player's shooting and/or driving ability will dictate how far away from the basket we close out to them.
Red Light: Closeout out with two feet inside the three point line.
Yellow Light: Closeout with your heels on the three point line.
Red Light: Closeout all the way to the ball, regardless of where it is caught.
Based on the needs of our game plan, we may utilize tag and monster rules on defense. If there is a player we feel we need to tag, we will almost always pair them with a monster so that we have greater protection in the lane vs. drives and cuts.
Tag: We will tag players that are major offensive threats. When we tag, the defender must deny that offensive player everywhere on the floor. They can't let them receive a pass. The defender must also go "man side" on all screens and they will not have off the ball help responsibilities. If there are multiple tags, the taggers will switch with each other when their men set screens for each other.
Monster: A monster should always have two feet in the lane when their player does not have the ball. They have to be active in the lane and must protect the lane against all cuts and drives. They should help on drives and "bump" all cutters. When their match-up catches the ball, they should follow whatever closeout coverage has been assigned to that player. While we normally only utilize one monster at a time, we can have multiple monsters based on opponent scouting reports.
While we have specific coverages against screen actions in our defensive package, we may adjust to green coverage when necessary. In our defense, green means switch. Here are some points for an effective switch:
Talk It: Make sure you communicate the need for the switch loud and clear
Touch It: Players need to come together, shoulder to shoulder, on all switches to avoid a slip
Switch It: Players then switch onto their new assignment. Oftentimes, we will emphasize switching up to ball handlers and shooters.Â
In late game situations, we will often be in Duke Defense. Duke defense is usually applied when we are in the lead late in a game and we want to avoid allowing a made three point shot. The rules to Duke Defense are:
We are in man-to-man, with some adjustments.
We will switch all screens (green)
We will not help off the ball (tag everyone)
We will play behind the post to avoid allowing an offensive rebound
We have a number of pressure defense and stunt options, all of which are detailed throughout our digital playbook. We may utilize these to confuse the opposing team, force needed turnovers, or change the speed of the game.
In most situations, we will be in man-to-man vs. baseline out of bounds plays. Below are the rules:
The zinger is the player guarding the inbounder. They must angle their feet in an open position facing the ball, but need to see everything coming down the lane. They must be active in the lane and take away all cuts to the lane. If a baseline pin screen is set for the inbounder, they should "tail" it (go man side).
Players do not switch screens, nor do they help on screens.
All defenders should go man side on all screens.
Once the ball is inbounded, regular defensive rules apply.
There will be times we go into our 2-3 zone on baseline out of bounds situations as well.
In most situations, we will play sideline out of bounds plays in our man-to-man defense. All regular defensive rules apply. The default position the zinger should play is with their back to the basket and their heels on the three point line. We may adjust the position of the zinger based on game adjustments and scouting reports (i.e. they can be all the way up on the ball or sit in the lane).