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2.1.3.3. Baseline Help & Help the Helper

(1) Q: Since our defense is forcing the offense to the baseline, what happens in help defense on a baseline drive?

A: On a baseline drive, it is best to use baseline help. This involves the baseline help defender (in this situation, X3) meeting the ball-handler (O4) at the block, stopping them from entering the key. The original on-ball defender (X4) will also continue defending the ball-handler, creating a double-team.

(2) Q: What should the double-teaming defenders do?

A: There are several steps:

Prevent the ball-handler from getting inside the key. This is accomplished by leaving no space in between the two defenders, and utilizing the baseline as another defender.
Make the ball-handler pick up their dribble, forcing them to make a difficult pass. This is accomplished by keeping your hands in the passing lanes.
If they don’t pick up their dribble, force the ball-handler to retreat dribble in the only direction available to them (backwards). The original on-ball defender will stay with them, and the baseline help defender returns to their original default help position (in some situations, the baseline help defender may stay with the ball-handler, continuing the double-team into the corner, forcing a trap; this will be discussed in more advanced settings).

(3) Q: What if the ball-handler is going fast down the baseline, with no intention of slowing down (looking “out of control”)?

A: In this situation, the baseline help defender can also take a charge.

(4) Q: What about the other defenders? What will they do during baseline help?

A: Since O1 is still one pass away from the ball-handler (O4), X1 will still be in deny defense. The other help defender (X2) will continue playing help defense, however they are now responsible for two offensive players (O2, O3), so will move in a position where they can help on both, and be able to defend either offensive players on-ball if they happen to get passed the ball.

(5) Q: In baseline help, what if there is another post player or an offensive player close to the hoop?

A: In this situation, the other help defender (X2) must “help the helper”. Since X3 went to help X4, X2 must drop down and play deny defense on O3 since O3 is now one pass away from the ball-handler. Since O2 is not defended by anyone, X4 and X3 now must make the pass very difficult to O2 by putting their hands in the passing lane.

(6) What if the pass does make it out, for instance to O2?

A: All defensive players will rotate based on whoever is closest to the next most immediate offensive threat, starting with the ball-handler. This sometimes may mean picking up new offensive players. The defensive players will all transition into new defensive positions (example: help to on-ball) which we will talk about next.

SKILLS DRILLS

Skills Drill #1: Baseline Help

O4 and O3 will start in the corners; O4 with the ball. Coach (C) will start on the same wing as O4; O2 will start on the opposite wing.

X4 will start on-ball defense; X3 and X2 in help.

O4 has the choice of either a) holding onto the ball, b) passing to C, or c) driving the baseline. O2 and O3 will be stationary.

The defense must rotate appropriately when O4 is in each position (a, b, c).

Position A: