S-O-S Pressure Defense
Spells "Help" for Your ProgramMore than at any other time in the evolution of America's game from peach basket to prime-time TV, the past decade had introduced significant and irreversible changes in the way teams play the game. One, in particular, is presenting a major challenge worldwide for coaches on every level of the game. Quicker, stronger, taller athletes, shooting , driving, passing, blocking with awesome skill and consistency, have forced us all to explore that "other" dimension, the art of defense, more seriously and thoroughly than ever before.
Once the passion of a relative few in the profession who had always been avid believers, the need to play both ends of the court is solidly a part of mainstream thinking today. Philosophical debate is now focused upon the kind of defensive strategies that can best confront the escalating power of modern day offense, on how to teach these strategies effectively, and more importantly, on how to motivate players to play "D" with the same enthusiasm and intensity as offense.
Although tough, tenacious pressure defense is not widely embraced as a basic primary strategy at this point in time , it is firmly believed that successful teams of the future will employ pressure strategies more and more to replace and/or reinforce the most commonly used containment defenses of the past. It is already happening in various degrees, among consistent winners on every level, acting as an equalizer in keeping pace with the continuously growing power of the offensive game.
It's important to note that regardless of whether you are disciple of pressure, a zealous advocate of the zone, or philosophically somewhere in between SOS pressure defense has something for you. The individual defensive fundamentals and teaching techniques presented will enhance team defensive performance no matter what basic system you favor. Simple to complex skill development, the introduction of key SOS action words to clarify and communicate both practice and game time "specifics," the stress on pride, desire, and intensity as major ingredients of defensive success - all contribute to an innovative, inspirational, yet truly practical approach to the teaching of any and all systems of defense.
It is my fervent hope that SOS Defense will serve as a practical and potent tool for your added coaching success and career satisfaction.
Bob Kloppenburg
Six Keys to Winning
with SOS Pressure DefenseTo understand what makes SOS pressure defense so potentially successful as an offensive deterrent, it's important to focus early on the concepts and techniques that are the heart and core of the program. Anticipating the route to be traveled before the trip begins is obviously essential to the planning and pacing of any successful journey.
Stated in basketball terms, if your defensive strategies are already working well, you can zero in on those concepts that might reinforce and enhance your already successful program. If, on the other hand, a real change is needed to boost a program that is not getting the job done, the entire "R" "R" (revision and rejuvenation) itinerary is clearly mapped out for you to follow. Wherever you are coming from, the program overview that follows will capsulize what SOS pressure is all about and help you pinpoint any or all areas of the program that are relevant to your own unique coaching situation.
Stated simply and concisely, the key elements in teaching SOS pressure defense are as follows:
KEY NUMBER 1
Fundamental Defensive Skills are Introduced in Logical Simple-to-Complex Progression
Tough, tenacious pressure defense begins with very basic individual one-on-one body positioning and court movement, both on and off the ball. Teaching progresses from the one-on-one stage to two-on-two, and on through five-on-five total team pressure. Fundamentals are precisely and thoroughly taught so that, once mastered, actions become spontaneous and automatic. Reinforcement review continues on a daily basis throughout the season to keep both skills and motivation consistently high. Initial teaching drills are developmental and detailed by design while reinforcement drills are short, snappy reviews of previously learned defensive basics.
KEY NUMBER 2
Key S-O-S Words Identify and Trigger Defensive Actions
Specific key words are used consistently throughout the program as a teaching strategy to clearly identify and trigger all basic On and Off ball actions required of the defender in terms of body stance, positioning, and movement. Each key word begins with one of the S-O-S letters to clarify and simplify communication between coach and player, and player and player. They key words are called out constantly throughout practice and live game situations, providing a common court language to solidify team effort and to keep action crisp and sharp. The S-O-S On-Ball key words are SET, ON, SMOTHER; the S-O-S Off-Ball key words are SNUGGLE, OFF, AND STRIKE. SOS then, not only means HELP in teaching pressure defense, but the letters, S-O-S also have real "action through association" significance in all program basics.
KEY NUMBER 3
Defenders Pressure Opponents to Specific Checkpoint Areas on the Court
"Operation Checkpoint" is a most significant aspect of SOS defensive strategy. Players are taught to identify specific areas, or checkpoints, on the playing floor to which they can aggressively direct their opponent away from a high percentage shot area. It is no accident that these checkpoints are all in "no-man's-land" 18 feet or more away from the hoop. Obviously, if well executed, this adversely affects the opponent's overall shooting percentage. Commitment to the checkpoint concept is a essential element of On-Ball SOS one-on-one pressure defense.
KEY NUMBER 4
Two-on-Two Switching is Encouraged AS an Option in Stifling the Screen
SOS pressure gives credibility to the idea that switching is a viable effective defensive strategy to use against successful screening teams. Switching on both On-Ball and Off-Ball screens can eliminate many of the "Gray areas" of guarding an opponent that so often generate defender hesitation, confusion and indecision. Automatic and aggressive switching can frustrate screening teams to near frenzy and, if sustained, can force an opponent totally out of their set motion originally intended on their game plan. It's a pressure maneuver that should definitely be part of any modern day, all-inclusive system of defense.
KEY NUMBER 5
Stopping the Break Begins in the Backcourt
"Getting back on defense" has been the traditional rallying cry for slowing down and deflating the transition game. However, pressure on the ball must begin in the backcourt the instant the rebound is caught to prevent the initial, quickoutlet pass down court. Each player applies pressure by following specific and clear cut defensive assignments, such as denying the down court passing lanes, putting pressure on the dribbler, or pushing the ballhandler to "no-man's-land" a specific checkpoint where the odds against scoring are much higher. All players are always involved, with clear cut roles to be played when baseline-to-baseline pressure is applied.
KEY NUMBER 6
Each Defender Has a Clear-Cut Specific Pressure Role to Play
Well executed SOS pressure "D" leaves very little to chance. The role of each defender is clear cut and specific, each team member working in support of the together for maximum power in shutting down offensive options to score. The SOS trained defenders are well aware and confident of their potential to dictate offensive action rather than to react to it. The ultimate goal of SOS teaching is to train all five defenders to successfully execute assigned roles like clockwork, each cog in the wheel meshing with the others to make the system work. Well prepared and charged up defenders can be annoyingly consistent and predictably effective against their opponents, creating turnovers, forcing them beyond high percentage range, cutting off passing lanes, crashing the boards, sticking like glue. Tough, tenacious defense is a great on court equalizer, offering hope to teams outclassed in offensive talent, giving an edge to teams of otherwise equal skill, and proving the winning edge to great scoring teams on the coldest of shooting nights.
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