Determining a perfect defense stance helps players move faster to keep the match in front of them and recover if they are defeated. Here are a few tips on how to establish a perfect defense stance. First, always keep your head up. This tip is pretty self-explanatory, but it’s still worth mentioning. When you’re playing basketball, always keep your head up. If you look down at the floor, you’ll have a harder time defending your opponent. It would be best to try not to lean back while dribbling the ball unless you want to lose control of it. Keep your elbows close to your body. When you’re guarding someone, don’t let them get behind you. Instead, make sure they stay in front of you. If you do end up getting beat off the dribble, don’t panic. Just step back and take a breather.

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Limit your commitment. Don’t wait for the guy to pass you the ball if you’re trying to protect someone driving to the basket. Instead, step aside to give the shooter room to fire. Employ your hands. You could believe using your hands will reduce your ability to block shots, but if you use them properly, you won’t even have to consider it. Try to capture the ball before someone shoots it and release it right away once he does.

Understand where the ball is headed. You’d be astonished at how many folks forget something so basic. You should dive out of the path if you see the ball coming in your teammate’s direction. Observe your feet. Never expose yourself to an easy dunk. Keep an eye out for players approaching from the side if you’re standing close to the free throw line. Finally, keep going straight ahead. Do not turn around if you are guarding someone firing from the outside. He wants you to carry out that action. For him to shoot, he wants you to turn away from him.