We all have our defensive systems and we all have keys to making our defense successful. Many coaches talk about the technical aspects of defense that create their success, but let me offer three mental components that we feel are critical to our defensive success.
- FOCUS: The ability to maintain our defensive fundamentals every possession of every game, never giving in to fatigue, mistakes we may make, or external situations. In order for us to be aware and alert on the defensive end we must be mentally into the game at all times.
- DISCIPLINE: The ability to execute what we practice every day no matter what conditions the game throws at us that night. Never making stuff up on the run, never gambling, and always having the ability to stay solid every possession of every game.
- RESOLVE: The ability to do what we should do no matter how poorly we may be playing or how many times in a row we may be scored on. The NBA is tough in that there are so many great offensive players; they are going to score whether they run offense or not. We have to be able — and more importantly — willing to come back the next possession and defend with energy again.
We have found that the fundamentals of our defense are what will give us a chance to succeed each night. The mental components of our defense are what will separate us from most every other team we play. They are that important!
