Choosing “Push” as defensive pick and roll reaction.

Coaching young girls, a coach divides the time during the training between offensive and defensive fundamentals, drills and skills. After teaching basic principles of both sides, it comes the moment that the young player (I believe that 13-14 years old is the correct time) learn about pick and roll cooperation. Having to choose among a variety ways, I choose the “push defense” in early years.

It is known that if the defender pushes the player who screens, it is a foul and 90% of the referees will charge that. But only in a high level! So this is not a disadvantage if you coach young athletes. Our goals, when we try to teach the pick and roll defense, usually are:

1)We don’t want the offense to create a situation 2on1 after the screen. With push defense players are responsible mainly for their opponents. The most important thing is the communication to call/ inform the player who guards the ball player. 

2) The tall player doesn’t cut towards the basket after the screen and there is not an easily breakthrough from the short player. 

3) We enhance the body contact which is a difficult part in women basketball. We insist on the players making a contact without lifting their body. They push the opponent’s body or chest having the hand and the arm at a 90˚ horizontal angle. 

4) We force them to see the defender getting there with the screener not after her.

If you establish the push defense in a young women team, you will also improve their confidence. The body contact during pick and roll is always important for my players’ psychology. In my opinion, the part that is difficult in this kind of defense is the side pick and roll. But I propose it unreservedly for pick and roll on the cap/the top of the key.

I am looking forward to your views, ideas, objections, considerations via my email: kitsoleris@hotmail.com or at twitter @Gkitsoleris.