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A collection of X's and O's, clinic notes, film, and other things I like 

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Thad Matta: Defensive Rules


1. Transition Defense Post Rule: “Get your butt ahead of your opponent’s butt.” Goal: Force at least 2 passes when offense has the numbers. Don’t allow a skip for a 3 or drive in transition. Rule: Deep man never leaves paint until post comes to release


2. Dribble Penetration Toughest thing to defense in the game of basketball Rule on Closeouts: “We don’t force the ball any where — we tell them don’t get beat.” Coach Matta: “If you give up catch and shot too much you’ll lose your scholarship.” Teaching Point: Don’t allow ball to get to shot pocket when defending great shooter. On non-driver, we will defend passing hand (scouting)


3. Post Up OSU Fronts the LP Teaching Point: Want quick feet like a boxer Ball up top, we are up the line, on the line Will front the LP always, even if the low post takes a step off the lane. Show Hands Sit Down Push Him Under The Basket Teaching Point: If your late fronting, don’t front.


4. Off Ball Screens Teaching Point: On jump to the ball, they want the jumper to extend far enough to “swipe” at the ball. Main defensive objective: Get 5 guarding the ball! Down Screen…trail all cutters — no sliding through. First Rule: Don’t get screened! If you are constantly getting screened you are not going to be able to play for us.

Teaching Point: Must start when the ball is in the air. Teaching Point: “If my man is screening, I’m in help.”


5.On Ball Screens Coach Matta wants to know if we are “zone up” — (hole covered on ball screen) Teaching Point: On ball screen you don’t have a man. Coach Matta: “Hard & Hedge” — blitz mentality

Ball Defender Rule: Make him use the screen (don’t let him reverse back)


Ball Defender Rule: Defender must go over the screen (not behind) Want defender on screener to recover “through the ally” (between ball defender and screener)