Fundamentals of Basketball Defense: How to Guard a Taller Player

In basketball defense, using the man-to-man strategy is only effective if all defensive players can contain the ones they are guarding in a one-on-one basis. However, no matter how good a defensive player is when playing man-to-man, he will inevitably be pitted against a taller player, which can pose a lot of problems to a defending team.

Coaches must understand that instances of smaller players defending against taller players happen every now and then during the course of a basketball game. Running basketball defense drills simulating such situations is a good move to better a player’s defensive skills. While the height advantage is a definitive factor, small guys can still check and contain taller guys. Here’s how:

1. Small players like point guards are innately faster than most forwards and centers. When big men lead a fast break, either the small guy can come up from behind and go for the steal, or outrun the taller guy to a position which is still far from his effective shooting range, forcing him to slow down and let up the break and pass the ball. If the taller player decides to ram it home, the smaller guy who already established his base must brace to take a charge.

2. Because of the height disparity, small players who try to block taller forwards or centers are fishing for fouls. Note that most tall basketball players do not have excellent dribbling skills. Instead of attempting to block shots, small players should harass taller guys when they are dribbling. Harassing creates opportunities for steals and traps (if a second defender comes along to double).

3. Despite the height advantage, bulky guards with tremendous upper body strength can out-muscle their way into getting defensive rebounds or helping their taller teammates to grab those boards against most forwards and centers. Aggressively boxing out a taller player disrupts his base, which can alter his jump and focus.

4. This tactic may be a no-go for most coaches, but some guards are able to pull this trick off when defending against taller players - letting them slide through the defense and go for a steal or block from behind. If the tall guy goes for a jump shot, this strategy might still be plausible. Blocking a dunk, however, requires a miracle.

5. Don’t fall for pump fakes.

Coaches should instill to their players that there will be times that they have to hold their own against players who are vertically superior, especially when its man-to-man basketball defense. And when that time comes, smaller players should remember important points to keep the odds in their favor:

• Small players are quicker and faster than most forwards and centers;
• As much as possible, force the taller player from the low post, an area where taller guys are most effective;
• Small players are adept in making successful steals than blocks;
• Small players should keep their hands down and moving to distract any ball handling movements by the taller player. Remember that defending a taller player is a tough job, but a doable one.

Jeff Haefner is the founder of BreakthroughBasketball.com.