How to Become Successful on Defense

You always hear the saying, "Offense wins you games . Defense wins you championships ." You hear it, and you groan, because you would rather be an amazing offensive player instead of an amazing defensive player. Of course this basketball true for most people, because you don't dream of making amazing steals or in-your-face blocks, you dream of making impossible fadeaways, sky-soaring dunks and ankle-breaking crossovers.

But defense is essential for being a great basketball player. Also, as a team, you have to have great defense in order to have a good offense. A lot of great defensive NBA players, for example Bruce Bowen, can play great defense. You watch him play and think to yourself, "Wow, it's like he was born with defensive talent given to him." But defense doesn't come in a box and is handed to you when you come out of your mother's womb. You have to work hard and practice to have good defense.

These basketball tips will let you know what you need to know to become successful while playing defense.

Know the Basics
Without the basics, you can't do anything right on defense. Know how to properly stand on defense so you can shuffle easily and move quickly. When playing man-to-man against somebody, stay approximately an arm's length away so he can't get by you easily or just step back and shoot a quick jumper. The basics is the cornerstone for your defensive skills.

Read What the Offensive Player is Doing
This is quite possibly the reason how Bruce Bowen and other great defensive players are so great on defense. On defense, you have to get inside the opponent's mind and try to read what he or she will do next. If you notice your opponent has no left hand when driving, force him left so it will be tougher for him, and easier for you. Predict where the ball will be next so you can get an easy steal. And always trust your first instinct because 99.9% of the time, your instinct is right.

Use Your Eyes
Try your hardest to use your peripheral vision to get a clear image of what's going on in the court. When you're not guarding the ball, deny the pass and see where the ball is at the same time. When you are guarding the ball try to look at your opponent's eyes to see what he might do next. Sometimes this may not work because if he is smart enough, he can look one way, but go the other way. Also, when you are guarding the ball, use your peripheral vision to see if there's someone wide open. That's when you can cut off that pass and go down the court for a layup.

You Gotta Want That Ball!
Imagine there's 20 seconds on the clock and your on defense. You are down by 1 point. I'm pretty sure everybody on your team wants to grab that ball and go down for the layup and win it for the team. You have to imagine this every second of the game. You have to be determined to want that ball. basketball is important, because if you have no passion to have the ball, then you won't be able to succeed on defense.

These basketball tips will hopefully help you as a basketball player. Next time you have a game or practice, keep these basketball tips in mind and next thing you know, you will be a better defensive player in no time! If you liked these basketball tips, subscribe to my RSS feed, bookmark, comment or just visit my blog again!

James Manguba is a basketball blogger that blogs about the latest NBA rumors, news and basketball tips at his blog http://www.jmnbasource.com

How to Teach Kids Basketball

Do you want to teach kids basketball? If you have been recruited to be a coach or if you just want to teach your own kids how to play basketball, you can learn the following tips on how you can not only teach kids this fun game, but also how everyone can benefit from these lessons. Here are some tips that you can follow when you want to teach kids basketball.

Build team spirit

Kids need to know that basketball is a team sport and not one that one person is the "star." while it is inevitable that one kid will stand out above the rest, it is up to the team to pull for victory each time. One way that some coaches basketball a team together to build team spirit is to have get togethers with the kids that do not involve basketball. This enables the kids to form a bond with one another and learn that they are all valuable when it comes to the team. .

Instill confidence

Instill confidence in the kids as well. You can do this by finding the strong points of each player and praising them when they do something right. Do not over praise as this basketball not build confidence. You should praise when they do something good and give constructive criticism when they do something wrong. Teach them to overcome their problem plays as much as you can and build up their confidence with their regular playing.

Know the rules

Of course, it is imperative that you know the rules of basketball so that you can teach your kids how to play the game and follow the same rules. Be a stickler on the rules. The referees will certainly be watching. You will not do your kids any favors if you let some rules slide when you are teaching them to play basketball. You have to teach them the rules.

Have practice sessions

Make sure that you use offensive and defensive drills and teach them every aspect of the game. Unlike other sports, basketball pretty much requires all players to play both defense and offense. All players should know how to shoot, to block and how to do a lay up. When children are younger, you will want to put them in different positions to see what they do well in. As they get older, they will be relegated to positions that they are suited for.

Teach them to be good sports

They are not always going to lose, they are not always going to win. Teach them sportsmanlike conduct. Any other type of conduct is not tolerated in major leagues and looks bad on the kids as well as for you as their coach. Teach your kids how to win with grace and how to lose with dignity and you will be doing them a big service as sportsmen and later as human beings.

You can have a lot of fun teaching young people how to play basketball and instilling team spirit, confidence and sportsmanlike conduct in them. You can have fun, and they can learn quite a bit from you if you are willing to teach them.

Basketball - everything you need to know!
Learn the rules & drills in basketball: Basketball Primer - The Essential Basketball Handbook

Life Direction Coach - Becoming a Coach

What is a Life Direction Coach and Why? The basketball first. Even the best of the best use coaches. Basketball, baseball, hockey, they all need coaches and some even have a personal coach. The reason because we can't do everything and a outside perspective can help.

I had a friend who was a great basketball player, but he couldn't play golf at all. Even after hiring a good golf coach he still was Ok at best. The point is we all get stuck in a routine and at a level we find comfort in. So I ask the question, Why Not if you have the money why not improve your life and others around you.

Here are a few things a Life Coach can help you with.

• encourage you to set and achieve goals important to you (even goals you thought unattainable).
• focus you to produce better and faster results.
• encourage you to do more than you would do on your own to attain your personal best.
• provide you with support, tools and structure to accomplish more.

We don't always have someone we know that has the experience or is bias enough to help us find our way to the next steps.

Is it that life is so complicated that we need a coach, well no it didn't start out that way, but I can say it may basketball that way today. I can tell you from experience and watching others that a problem can hinder your future for years and be a anchor that stops progress until it is solved.

Who know, after you investigate this subject further you might find you would be a candidate yourself to become a Life Direction Coach.

Visit Don Richardo's Solution Hub for more information. Go through the Don's Rolodex to read about this subject and more. Tell Him I sent Ya.