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THE LOCKDOWN BLOG
THE LEADER IN BASKETBALL DEFENSE DEVELOPMENT
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From Behind the Play: The Rearview Contest Defense
When it comes to defense, staying in front of your opponent is crucial. But what happens when you find yourself trailing the offensive...
Coach Mike
Jun 12, 20232 min read


Mastering the Forward Stance: A New Basketball Defensive Stance Fundamental
In the world of basketball, offensive techniques are constantly evolving, with players and coaches seeking new ways to gain an edge over...
Coach Mike
May 23, 20234 min read


Disruptive Control - On Ball Defense
Disruptive Control is one of the essential keys for an elite pressure defender. It is the ability to control and disrupt an offensive...
Coach Mike
Oct 27, 20223 min read


Chest It - Stop Dribble Penetration
On this platform we’ve talked a lot about cushion slides, staying square and keeping the offensive player in front. However, defensive...
Coach Mike
Oct 21, 20221 min read


Defensive Warmup Routine - On Ball Defense
When we craft a defensive warmup, we should think of doing so the same way we craft a ball handling warmup. We don’t simply stick to one...
Coach Mike
Oct 12, 20223 min read


Pressure Box 1v1 Drill - Disruptive Control
This is one of my favorite pressure developing drills. It allows players to experiment with different techniques and get exposure to the...
Coach Mike
Oct 4, 20222 min read


Defending Ball Screens - On Ball - Forearm
This technique is credited to the first coach I saw teaching the concept, Coach Calipari and his staff at the University of Kentucky. It...
Coach Mike
Sep 26, 20221 min read


Reaction Defense Drill : The Mirror
Not only is defense a movement skill but past that it is also a reaction and anticipation skill. Having explosive movements does little...
Coach Mike
Sep 8, 20222 min read


Corrective Drill - No Flat Feet
This next drill is one that falls under the corrective category. Sometimes the use of this drill is unnecessary because the athlete...
Coach Mike
Sep 7, 20222 min read


The Evade Steal
This is perhaps the hardest concept to explain, especially on paper. However this technique will be important for a defender facing a...
Coach Mike
Aug 12, 20222 min read


The Swipe Steal
The Swipe Steal is a steal technique used primarily near the rim to dislodge an exposed ball. Best used by containment defenders who find...
Coach Mike
Aug 11, 20222 min read


The Run Through Steal or Chase Down Steal
This steal technique is not precisely an on-ball concepts but a recovery tool to use when no one is on-ball. It can also be called the...
Coach Mike
Aug 10, 20221 min read


The Wide Steal
It’s called the wide steal because the steal occurs at the width of the defender’s wingspan. Typically used by defenders who stand more...
Coach Mike
Aug 9, 20221 min read


The Forward Steal
Before we get going on steals this week, here are three philosophical points on the subject. I do teach steals to my players. Just like...
Coach Mike
Aug 8, 20223 min read


No Comfy QBs - Tracing the Ball
The No Comfy QBs is an important concept and phrase for our players. It refers to quarterbacks in the NFL and that we like to imagine any...
Coach Mike
Jul 26, 20222 min read


Walling Up - 3 Keys
This is a popular technique that first started becoming wide spread I believe 5-7 years ago. It is a necessary skill for a containment...
Coach Mike
Jul 22, 20222 min read


On-Ball Charge
The on-ball charge is perhaps one of the most underrated and/or underused defensive techniques for good defenders. Obviously you have the...
Coach Mike
Jul 18, 20222 min read


Kill the Pivot
This is a technique used when covering a dead dribble or a pivoting offensive player. It is often seen in traps as an offensive player...
Coach Mike
Jun 30, 20222 min read


The Touch Slide : Defensive Footwork Series 5
So far we have covered 5 types on of ball footwork: the Cushion Slide, the Cross Step, the Two Touch Slide, the Contact Slide and now...
Coach Mike
Jun 22, 20222 min read


The Contact Slide - Defensive Footwork Series 4
This next technique is more common in Europe and yields itself to a more physical style of play. But even in the NBA, players have used...
Coach Mike
Jun 20, 20222 min read


The Two Touch Slide : Defensive Footwork Series 3
Earlier this week we discussed the technique of the cross step, today we will be breaking another myth in defensive technique, “Never...
Coach Mike
Jun 17, 20222 min read


The Cross Step - Defensive Footwork Series 2
“Never Cross Your Feet” We have all heard the phrase when it comes to defense. Many of us have probably even said. I’m guilty too. But...
Coach Mike
Jun 14, 20222 min read


The Cushion Slide - Defensive Footwork Series 1
This week we will be diving into specific defensive techniques for on-ball footwork. Of course we all know the classic lateral slide, but...
Coach Mike
Jun 10, 20223 min read
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