Texas Tech Defense

jbhtexas

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2006
14,321
4,370
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Arlington, TX
Just from what I’ve seen, we tend to overcommit to help, when often all you need to do is be in the vicinity.

I see this often too. On the post double-team for example, ISU sometimes seems to make the "hard commit" too early. By hard-commit, I mean the helper has dropped down far enough into the lane to take a driving lane away from the post, but leaving no opportunity for the helper to get back to his man, and necessitating a rotation. But ISU often does this right after the post has received the ball and hasn't really made or indicated any kind of move, and as such, is still in a excellent position to kick the ball back out to an unguarded man.

Another approach is for helper to sag back in a bit, so the post is not sure of the helper's intentions. Get the post to start his move or give up the ball. In general, college posts aren't speed demons, so the sagging guard should still be able to drop in to clog the lane, or take a swipe at the ball. Once the post has started his move, it is not as easy to gather up the ball, spot an open man, and kick the ball out.

Of course, the other defenders have to adjust as well depending on what the helper decides to do. If you are a guy that might have to make a rotation, you need to have feel for what the helper is going to eventually do.

This is a skill/art that the guys have to learn. Playing good defense is not an easy deal, or something that just happens. It takes practice and familiarity with how your teammates are going to defend a particular situation. I don't know what ISU's double-team strategy is, but it does seem at times that ISU giving up a hard double team when it really isn't necessary.
 
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  • Agree
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huntt26

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2006
10,603
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po' dUnk
I think some of our biggest defensive issues are that Jacobsen is too slow to rotate & not bulky or tall enough to play post. Then we put in Lard and he's too aggressive to block shots and gets out of position. Lots of offensive rebounds happen because he goes for the block, ends up behind the player he was trying to block. Rebound, layup - or worse... rebound, layup, foul and-one.

Another issue is the team doesn't really communicate. They're all quiet and seem to all be doing their own thing instead of being a collective unit. To be great defensively, everyone needs to be on the same page.
 
  • Disagree
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