In the last 3 seasons, NBA teams have averaged the following points per game:

• 2022-2023 - 114.7

• 2023-2024 - 114.2

• 2024-2025 - 113.8

Those are the 3 highest scoring seasons in the last 50 years.

You might look at that & think that the game has changed and offense is more important than defense. . . and you’d be mistaken.

Defense still wins championships. Case in point - the Oklahoma City Thunder. They ranked as the #1 defensive team in the NBA during the 2024-2025 season on their way to the title.

And while their team defense was excellent, it was their ability to guard the ball 1 on 1 that made them elite.

The following players rank as some of the best individual defenders in the NBA.

• Lou Dort

• Alex caruso

• Chet Holmgren

• Cason Wallace

• Jalen Williams

When those guys are playing major minutes, your defense is going to be exceptional.

And why does that lockdown on the ball defense matter? Because when your team is filled with players who can contain the ball, you don’t have to help.

When you don’t have to help, you stay out of rotation. That means less open shots, less offensive rebounds, and less points for your opponents.

The best part? You don’t need elite athletes to play elite defense. With the right stance, footwork, and mindset, any player can become a lockdown defender.

Here are five proven tips from championship coaches to help your players master on-ball defense.

1. Be the Second Jumper on Closeouts

Source: 3v3 Drills For Offense And Defense With Nick LoGalbo

Too many defenders foul or get blown by because they jump first on a shot fake. The key is teaching players to:

• Close out under control with high hands.

• Contest the shot as the second jumper, timing their rise with the shooter.

• Land balanced, ready to hit and get—the rebound or next defensive assignment.

This eliminates rhythm threes, reduces fouls, and keeps your defense solid.

2. Master “Space and Run”

Source: The Relentless Pressure System With Mike Hilmer

Offensive players are experts at creating contact to draw fouls. Great defenders know how to adjust. Teach your players to:

• Absorb initial contact, then create space by getting their hands high.

• Quickly sprint ahead of the dribbler—what we call “space and run.”

• Cut off driving lanes, even if it means riding the ball handler a step before releasing.

This habit builds discipline and reduces cheap fouls while training defenders to stay in front.

You can drill it like this:

• 1 is on offense, x1 is on defense

• 2 and x2 are waiting in line

• 1 initially goes left and makes contact with x1

• x1 “spaces” away from 1 and has to sprint back to cut off 1’s dribble

• The drill ends shortly past half court and then the next group goes

3. Dictate with Defensive Stance

Source: Don Kelbick’s Matchup Zone Defense

Defense isn’t just reaction—it’s dictation. In their stance, players should:

• Stagger their feet to influence the ball handler in one direction.

• Use angles to force the offense into help or toward the sideline.

• Communicate confidence through body position—dictating what the offensive player can and can’t do.

When players realize they control the terms of the drive, everything changes.

4. Quick Turn and Crossover Step

Source: The Youth Coaching System With Jim Huber

Every player will get beat at some point. The difference between a great defender and an average one is how quickly they recover.

Traditionally, players are taught they should never cross their feet. That is unrealistic & outdated! Work on:

• Quick turns into a crossover step (like a step-through move on offense).

• Sprinting to where the ball handler is going, not where they are.

• Keeping eyes up to maintain vision in case of a sudden change of direction.

This simple footwork sequence prevents fouls and keeps defenders in the play.

5. Chest and Contest + Defensive First Step

Source: The Outer Third Defense With Nick LoGalbo

Finally, your players need to master the art of contesting without fouling. Key teaching points:

• Hands up and active, but use the chest to absorb drives.

• Contest at angles to prevent straight-line drives.

• Train the defensive first step—reacting to offensive jabs or crossovers with immediate movement into the proper angle.

When players take pride in that first defensive step, they consistently win the battle to keep the ball out of the paint.

The Keys To Elite D That Will Unlock Your Team’s Potential

If you can instill these five tips, you’ll see immediate improvement in your team’s defense. They’ll foul less, contest more, and most importantly—they’ll believe they can guard anyone.

The best teams aren’t always the most talented—but they are almost always the toughest on defense. Start with these tips, and watch your team transform into a defensive force.

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