Playing basketball takes a lot of energy and focused thought. You want to contain the opposition in a way where you conserve energy and prevent them from moving the ball forward and scoring.

Mastering the defensive slide means controlled movement of the feet and arms and resisting the impulse to gallop.

Galloping happens when players stand upright and click the feet together when they move. A good way to stay in check is to watch that your head stays in a level plane. If you find your head bobbing up and down, refocus on staying down in your defensive stance position while driving and recovering the feet as you slide from side-to-side.

It’s great to drill and practice the stance so your body has a good memory of it, but it’s putting the slide into action in play that really makes the difference. How better to do that but on a home basketball court?

Installing a Goalrilla Basketball Goal system is easy. The Basketball Goal Store provides written instructions as well as an online video that shows exactly how to do it. If you still have questions, you can call us for help. We’re here!

The Basketball Goal Store carries top-of-the-line Goalrilla Goals and is their largest online retailer. That means they can pass on the savings due to their volume purchasing to offer the best prices anywhere. Call them at 800-689-0281 to get the information you need to create a home basketball court for your family.

The Fundamentals of a Defensive Slide

Footwork Position

• Feet should be slightly wider than shoulder width apart
• The entire foot is on the ground, with the weight shifted onto the balls of each foot
• Player drives off the instep of the foot that is the opposite the direction the offensive player is heading while extending the other foot
• After the first step is taken, the player quickly recovers into the proper footwork position by pulling the instep foot back into a balanced stance position

Lower Body Position

• Knees are bent and legs are flexed

Upper Body Position

• Upper body will be slightly forward and the back remains straight
• Shoulders remain square to the offensive player

Head and Eyes Position

• Head is up, centered in the stance and slightly over the feet
• Eyes are focused on the midsection or chest of the offensive player

Arm Position

• Arms are fully extended out to the side

Hand Position

• Hands remain up and out

The outstretched arms fully cover the offensive player and take away his ability to see the floor, covering passing angles and gives the defensive player the potential to deflect pass attempts.

The defensive player wants to stay in control of the offensive player – and contain his movement and the ability to move the ball forward or shoot. That means the defensive player has to stay balanced and in control of his every movement. Every motion matters, so focus on the fundamentals of the defensive stance and slide.

-Pat of the Basketball Goal Store Blog Team