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My coach predicated everything on defense. He always talked about defense, defense, defense. I took it to heart that if you play defense, you can take the heart from an offensive player. - Eric Williams

Lately I've been getting occassional email newsletters from the website Basketball Drills and Plays.com.   Today's email is about defensive positioning.

Like most coaches, I like good defense.  I always tell my players, "If they don't score, we can't lose".   That isn't possible in basketball, but that doesn't mean defense isn't important, just that the goal is different.  Basketball defense is all about making the other guy work harder.  The harder he works for a shot, the fewer good ones he'll take.

It can get demoralizing when your opponent puts in an off balance running one hander.  But if you concentrate on the process of good defense rather than the results of the shot you can get your kids to continue playing good defense.

Let's look at some of the tips from Basketball Drills and Plays.com:

TIP: Keep your eyes on the defender's abs

• No matter what fake the offensive player performs, they can only go where their abs take them.

TIP: Play defense with your feet not your hands

• Don't be lazy, you need to move your feet.  Reaching aimlessly with your hands will only lead to pointless fouls.

TIP: Go for the steal on the up-bounce

• This is when the ball is moving the slowest, and when your player has the least control.

TIP: Get low 

• When in your defensive stance make sure to get low and wide, while staying on the balls of your feet. This will maximize you ability to stay in front of your defender and not let him blow past you.

Good solid advice for anyone playing defense.  I've always liked the one about following your opponents stomach.  When you tell a player that for the first time they think you're nuts.  Then they try it…  You just have to remind them to take their eyes off of their opponents abs when he doesn't have the ball…