Why I Teach Man to Man Defense at the Youth Level

I am going to a topic that seems to be a hot topic on many of the basketbal forums today. It is something me and my assistants believe in tremendously, and that is teaching man to man defense at the youth level.

At What Age Level Do You Start Teaching Man to Man Defense?

My answer is immediately. Me and the coaches at our school are blessed to have control over all age groups of kids. They start playing basketball "competitively" (and I use that term loosely) at the 3rd & 4th grade levels. What is the first things the kids learn how to do? Play man to man defense and dribble. Why? Because that is the only thing they can do correctly. There is NO need to spend time shooting when the kids cannot even shoot the ball with correct form. All shooting does is teach bad habits, and the more you do it, the longer it takes you to break them of it later.

No, they do not play great man to man defense. The kids at this age are constantly losing their man and of course most of them do not understand the concept of help-side, shading, defending screens, etc. but they are learning the things in defense that seems to be hardest to teach, and that is matching up, finding your man, and communicating.

Doesn't playing Man to Man Defense at Younger Levels Hurt Your Winning Percentage?

Of course it does! But the last time I checked, they are not giving out gold balls in the 6th grade! YES, it would be much easier to put them in a 2-3 zone for several reasons.
Most players at this age are not great shooters, so a zone IS more effective.
You can spend more time on shooting, dribbling, plays, etc. because a basic 2-3 zone IS easier to teach.

Whoever said the easier way is the best way!

Why I Believe In Man to Man Defense at Youth Levels

If you never learn how to play man to man defense, you never learn how to play defense. You can't play a good zone without first knowing how to play good man to man defense. If all you are teaching is a zone, all you are training your players to do is run to a spot! I hate it! How will your players ever learn what a closeout is? How will your players ever learn great stance, and great on ball defense? How will your players learn not to allow splits? How will your players learn the concept behind TEAM defense? THEY WON'T!

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY…..

Your last possession of the season will come down to how good you play man to man defense or how good you play against man to man defense.

Here is a video from Hubie Brown. I saw this video about 5 years ago, and it is one I live by. Every year before the season, I give all my players this list of 5 Commandments of Basketball Defense. - http://youtu.be/ERH0rPqVKZQ

The Hard Work and Frustrations Will Pay Off in the Long Run

Our program is living proof. We rarely ever win our conference or tournaments with our younger groups. Sometimes we do, but most of the time we don't. Sure, we could have won a lot more if we would settle into a 2-3 zone, but that isn't what we want! We win when it matters. When we get into the Junior High Levels and above we excel, because we can jump into ANY defense the game situation calls for and excel at it because the fundamentals of our man to man defense fit perfectly into any zone!