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Why Defense Wins Championships
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Jordan Green
Chief Experience Officer
Jordan has spent years traveling the globe growing the game of basketball through organizations such as Athletes in Action and Nike. He has had a decorated basketball career as a three-year starter at Texas A&M University, where he was a two-time team captain and left a legacy of excellence with a statue on the university’s campus. He went on playing professionally with the Spurs organization for 3 years, winning a championship in the inaugural year of the G-League in 2018, and gained international playing experience in France for one season. As the CXO, Jordan drives product development and strategic content to grow Ballogy’s overall reach with today’s athletes. He was responsible for leading the research and development of the Ballogy Skills Assessment. Prior to Ballogy, he spent two years in business development at Ernst & Young as a Service Quality Manager. Jordan’s passions lie in leaving the game of basketball better than he found it and spending time with his wife and son.
“Defense wins championships.” This isn’t just a catchy phrase; it’s a proven strategy that has led numerous teams to victory.
The Foundation of Winning Teams
Defense is the cornerstone of any championship team. It’s about more than just preventing points; it’s about setting a tone for the game. Emphasize the importance of constant communication on the court, such as calling out screens, switches, and help-side rotations. Encourage your players to work together as a cohesive unit, supporting and trusting each other’s defensive assignments. Teams that prioritize defense tend to display better teamwork, greater discipline, and a stronger will to win.
Effort + Energy = Edge
A strong defense intimidates opponents. When a team is known for its defensive prowess, it starts to win the psychological battle even before stepping on the court. Effort and energy are two intangibles that you must continue to reinforce with your players. This mental edge can be crucial in tight games and high-pressure situations.
Developing a Defensive Culture
Building a championship-winning team starts with cultivating a culture that values the defensive end. How often do you celebrate defensive possessions? Just as much as a made shot or a dunk, lead the way by celebrating a player who takes charge, is in the right positions for help, or boxes out to reinforce your team’s defensive identity. Players love to be praised and your players will begin to take pride in that.
Success Stories
History is filled with examples of teams that rode their defensive strengths to championships. The Detroit Pistons in the late 1980s and early 1990s, the San Antonio Spurs in the 2000s, and more recently, the Toronto Raptors in 2019, are all testament to the effectiveness of a defense-first approach. Share this Defensive Highlight with your team to inspire them to make plays on the defensive end.
Did you know that Ballogy has defensive drills that you can assign to your players to improve their skills? Set a goal of how many defensive slides your team has to get in under 30 seconds. See how competitive your team gets!