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"Diamond 3" Rules for Top or Point Person - ^1 1. Number one priority - no penetration down the middle. 2. Keep pressure on the ball at all times. (Note: Even though the pickup point of the defense might call for the Top or Point to pick up at the free throw line, the Top or Point is allowed a great deal of leeway in picking the ball up early. Remember: we want pressure on the ball even if the Point's position has to be somewhat extended. 3. Push the ball out of the middle. Rules for the Wings - ^2 and ^4 1. Number one priority - do not get beat sideline. 2. Imperative -- to make this defense work, the weakside wing must be aggressive and move to the ball (usually middle or middle forward) taking away either (or preferably both) a pass to a trailer or a pass to the middle. In many respects, play of the weakside wing makes this defense go. 3. Weakside wing does not move to the ball until it is out of the middle/opposite but then must move immediately. |
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4. Ballside wing does not leave to trap until the Top or Point has pushed the ball out of the middle and forced the ballhandler to dribble. Then, ballside wing must move immediately. 5. Read the passer. Rules for the Interceptor or Middle Person - ^3 1. Take the first logical pass away - often a pass vertically downcourt from the ballhandler. 2. In many respects, play of the Middle is similar to the Weakside Wing in reading the passer and playing the passing lanes. 3. Talk to your teammates. You have a good view of the defense. Rules for the Deep or Back Person - ^5 1. Number one priority - you cannot let a pass be completed behind you. 2. Number two priority - do not play too far back. Take away at least one of the potential receivers. (Deep person must at least look as if they are covering one of the potential receivers and they do not go deep unless there is a cutter going deep behind them and Deep or Back is therefore forced deep.) |
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3. Talk to your teammates. You have the best view of the press. "You cannot let a pass be completed behind you. This does not mean that you must play at the defensive basket." 4. The further the ball is from the basket the further you can be from the basket even if there is a person behind you. |
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