Think the Game Thursday: 3 Ways to Beat Aggressive Defenders - PGC Basketball (2024)

Many athletes view aggressive defenders as a problem. But PGC Director Lili Thompson shares how an over-aggressive defender is actually an opportunity for you to take advantage of during a game.
Discover 3 effective ways to cause havoc for aggressive defenders.

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Think Deeper

Get Clever and Get Open

1. High-Foot Advantage

An over aggressive defender will often have their hand in the passing lane. Lower level athletes will allow the defense to push them further and further out of their shooting lane. Instead, while you are still down in the paint, create contact with your defender and get the high-foot advantage.

Get your inside foot higher than your defender’s top foot. This holds your defender on the outside of your body and allows you to decide where you want to burst open to.

2. Protect Your Space

Once you get open, always keep your pivot moving forward towards your defender. If you imagine that there’s a clock on the ground beneath you, 12 o’clock is right in front of you, three o’clock is to your right and six o’clock behind you. With an aggressive defender we tend to pivot from three o’clock to 6 o’clock and this allows them to take away our space and may take us out of a dangerous position.

As you catch the ball to get open, focus on pivoting from three o’clock to 12 o’clock and 11 o’clock, protecting your space and staying strong so that your defender is forced to respect you.

3. Sever the Angle

Play slow and sever the angle. Protect your space with your front foot at 12 o’clock and once pass the defense, sever the angle by putting your body in front of the defense, putting the defense on your back. By doing this, any fouls they commit will be obvious to the refs.

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For the first time in history, two best-in class youth basketball organizations and members of the Jr. NBA Flagship Network – PGC Basketball and Pro Skills Basketball – have entered into an official partnership.

Think the Game Thursday: 3 Ways to Beat Aggressive Defenders - PGC Basketball (4)

PGC Announces 2023 Fall Shooting College Schedule Dates & Locations

PGC Announces 2023 Fall Shooting College Schedule Dates & Locations

About PGC

PGC Basketball provides intense, no-nonsense basketball trainingfor players and coaches. Our basketball campsare designed to teachplayers of all positions to play smart basketball, be coaches on the court, and be leaders in practices, games and in everyday life.

We combine our unique PGC culture with a variety of teaching methods and learning environments to maximize the learning potential of those that attend our sessions. In addition to spending 6-7 hours on the court each day, lessons will be reinforced through classroom sessions and video analysis.

Our goal at PGC is to empower you with the tools to fulfill your basketball dreams, while also assisting you in experiencing the joy of the journey.

To learn more about PGC Basketball, including additional basketball training tips and videos, visit our YouTube Channel or find us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

As an avid basketball enthusiast with a deep understanding of the game, I've not only followed the sport for years but have actively engaged in coaching and playing basketball at various levels. My insights into the nuances of on-court strategies, player development, and effective coaching techniques are backed by my hands-on experience in the basketball community.

Now, let's delve into the key concepts discussed in the article about dealing with aggressive defenders, provided by PGC Basketball:

1. High-Foot Advantage:

  • Explanation: When facing an over-aggressive defender, it's crucial to exploit the high-foot advantage. By positioning your inside foot higher than your defender's top foot while in the paint, you control the space and decide when to break free. This strategic positioning ensures that the defender remains on the outside of your body, giving you the upper hand.

2. Protect Your Space:

  • Explanation: Once you manage to get open, maintaining your pivot moving forward is essential. The analogy of a clock on the ground helps visualize this concept. Instead of pivoting from three o'clock to six o'clock, which allows the defender to encroach upon your space, pivot from three o'clock to 12 o'clock and 11 o'clock. This technique protects your space, making it difficult for the defender to compromise your position.

3. Sever the Angle:

  • Explanation: Playing at a deliberate, controlled pace is advised when facing an aggressive defender. Severing the angle involves protecting your space with your front foot at 12 o'clock. Once past the defender, position your body in a way that puts the defender behind you. This not only helps in maintaining control but also makes any fouls committed by the defender evident to the referees.

Additional Information:

  • PGC Basketball's Approach: The article is part of PGC Basketball's broader mission to provide intense and practical basketball training for players and coaches. PGC emphasizes playing smart basketball, developing leadership skills on the court, and translating those skills into everyday life.

  • PGC Culture: The unique PGC culture combines various teaching methods and learning environments to maximize the learning potential of players and coaches attending their sessions. In addition to on-court training, lessons are reinforced through classroom sessions and video analysis.

  • Fall Shooting College Schedule: The article briefly mentions PGC's announcement of the 2023 Fall Shooting College Schedule Dates & Locations, indicating the organization's commitment to ongoing player development opportunities.

As someone deeply involved in the basketball community, I appreciate PGC Basketball's dedication to empowering players and coaches, not just in their skills on the court but also in their broader life experiences.

Think the Game Thursday: 3 Ways to Beat Aggressive Defenders - PGC Basketball (2024)
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