Contents > 2. Defense > 2.1. Player-to-Player, 1/4 Court Defense > 2.1.2. Deny Defense >

2.1.2.3. Ball Threat Deny: Stunt/Dig

(1) Q:  How do we accomplish proper deny defense when the ball-handler is becoming a threat to score in your direction? 

A: This will first depend on who is trying to score, a guard or a post. If it is a guard, you will stunt and recover. If it is a post, you will dig.

(2) Q: How do we stunt and recover on a guard? 

A:  As the ball-handler is dribble-driving in your direction, you will want to briefly step into their lane, forcing them to stop dribbling. You will then immediately get back into proper default deny position on your assigned player.

(3) Q: How do we dig in the post? 

A: If the offensive post player has the ball in your area, very quickly drop down and swipe up at the ball. If they haven’t dribbled yet, force them to make a pass. If they have begun dribbling, force them to stop dribbling.

(4) Q: After stunting or digging, what if my assigned player gets passed the ball? 

A: You will then proceed to “on-ball” defense. We will work more on the transition between deny and on-ball defense later.

(5) Q: What if my assigned player is a very good shooter? Should I risk leaving them open? 

A: If your assigned player is not a skilled shooter, you can dig/stunt more. If your assigned player is a good shooter, you have to dig/stunt less and be able to contest the shot if they get passed the ball.

Skills Drills

Skills Drill #1: Stunt Positioning (Stationary)

O1 has the ball at the top of the key. 

X1 will play light on-ball defense. 

O2 will stay stationary at the right wing. 

X2 will be in default deny position. 

O1 will dribble drive in the direction of O2/X2 towards the hoop. 

X2 must stunt to make O1 pick up their dribble, then recover to their default deny position. 

Do this at three speeds: slow, medium, and fast. 

Rotate all players. Then repeat with O2/X2 at the left wing. 

Skills Drill #2: Dig Positioning

O5 has the ball in the post. 

X5 will play light on-ball post defense. 

O2 will stay stationary at the right low wing. 

X2 will be in default deny position. 

O5 will hold the ball for one second, then begin dribbling. 

X2 must dig to make Offense 5 stop dribbling, then recover to their default deny position. 

Do this at three speeds: slow, medium, and fast. 

Rotate all players. Then repeat with O2/X2 at the left wing. 

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