Should We Really Always Be Getting Low on Defense?

Of course, getting into that low position defensively has a lot of benefits. But, we've got to consider it on a situation-by-situation basis. Sometimes, it WILL be more effective for us to be in an upright position! I go into why it IS important to play low, and the exceptions to it.
IG: @ByAnyMeansBasketball
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[@ByAnyMeansBasketball]

Looking to elevate your game? Go check out my new and improved Virtual Academy for programs and more! 🔬 the most detailed, innovative, and productive workouts you'll find, always being updated: www.byanymeansbball.com/virtual-academy

[@luigirox8]

Personally i can control my center of gravity better when i’m lower which ends up improving every other aspect of my defense

[@COOLSAUCE21]

For me, it really depends on the player I'm guarding. If they like using speed, I'd be more upright. If they like using strength, I'd be more low. Also depending on the confidence level of the player... If they're confident, being upright might make them relax a bit too much. If they're kind of nervous, getting low intimidates them more.

[@goofvangoober9297]

Damn thanks

[@mariogv4083]

Good tips

[@yungintellect9953]

Thank you

[@meditationmayham3590]

For a player that is taller who can cover more ground upright like Scottie Pippen being low at all times can actually limit his physical advantages especially when you aren't directly engaged with the defender.

[@VladimirElliot]

Keep debunking outdated thinking Coach. Been watching this channel since freshman year🐐🙏🏾

[@StreetballStrategies]

I never prescribed to the specific idea of getting low. I’ve always thought of it as getting “neutral”. Meaning whatever stance gives you to the most versatile ability of movement, stability, and explosion. Kind of like a center fielder.

[@b-lace]

👏👏👏👏

[@amonre31]

When I was playing in college I would switch my position depending on my assignment's quickness. If they were slower I could play with my feet outside my shoulders/low, because my slide was fast enough to stay in front and or turn them. If the player was quicker than me I would keep my feet at shoulder width, more upright so I could get into a cross step and sprint faster.

[@K_V1_4]

As a shorter player, I just always got low and it worked better than slightly upright and i never knew why, but your explanation makes hella sense, love your vids coach, keep it up 💪🏽

[@Sik3th]

Letsss Gooo he posted, all we need is just these informational vids and workouts and we good🙏🏾

[@amertdogan]

timing of this video is just perfect! I was in dilemma for a week about this issue, thanks for sharing your opinions with us

[@ByAnyMeansBasketball]

Do you like playing lower on defense? Or more upright?

[@Jerm353]

A good defender knows to assess his situation if you have a dribbler you get lower than him if you have a shooter you stay more upright if you have a more roundabout player you watch his hip movement

[@obinnanjokuii775]

@@Jerm353 agreed to situational especially when it comes to a shooter, staying low may prevent him or her from getting past but if one focus on getting low all the time you might as well be doing nothing- you stop a 2 to give them a 3- less contested ? I enjoy low though; for that steal.

[@DiegoMartinez-zu8qw]

Upright

[@mxchael9931]

im not sure when i was praticing i always be low

[@abbyik7357]

Everything is individual to the individual!!

[@obinnanjokuii775]

In short your recommending an adaptive style and an understanding of that style of play when how and why. You have a workout video for how to get low and why as well as when. However theoretically can a shorter athlete be more versatile in both?; since they are already low to the ground. And then what habits or skills would one have to perpetuate to be more lethal up-right

[@Maws92]

I've been playing defense almost exclusively using the upright method thanks to Coach Mike defense and it changed everything. I've always been a solid defender but that mas mostly for just never reaching. Thanks to that position change though, unless I'm tired I'm usually never beat off the dribble now even if the person is faster than me!

[@AlphaTSH]

I just make sure my waist and shoulders are lower than whoever I’m guarding. Just depends

[@Oyi_14]

THIS I guard a lot of explosive players so I need to be able to go and stop as fast as possible

[@626foo]

Man Thanks for all these videos for the past year ive been watching them and alot of other channels practicing every night. In short I was the guy nobody would want on they team for pickup ball to being the complete opposite where everybody at my local gym knows me and want me on their team🤙🏾🤙🏾

[@SPEED--RACER]

This actually makes a lot of sense. I'm somewhat tall at 6'1, but i'm super slim at 160 lbs. I love playing defense, especially on the perimeter. But i'd get blown by kinda often since, me being as skinny as I am, I wasn't able to keep up with the faster defenders since I couldn't propel myself like you described in the video. I'll definitely have to try out playing more stretched out perimeter defense next time i'm hoopin.

[@SuaveSkii]

being skinny doesn’t mean you’re slow

[@Black-vi3zg]

Beings skinny would contribute to you being a faster athlete in general, why are you using that as an excuse?

[@dill185]

@@SuaveSkii lol

[@kuprianovplay8145]

one of the TOP youtube basketball coaches!💪

Obvious reason for not being low is being able to contest a shot. Why a defender raise progressively during an attack is to readapt to natural posture... or just fatigue 😉 (and yes even Lebron). Thanks for your videos

[@ljlong2022]

Honestly and truly it depends on who your guarding for sure. I think moving your feet is the most important thing when it comes to that side of the ball for sure.

[@naitetraore9470]

As a tall player🏀, I love you for this video💯

[@NetanelColish]

Thank you!

[@cameronjones2964]

Shorter players -> shorter joint angles. Love the individuality you focus on. Great content as always 🎯

[@MrJ1S]

As a short player I know I'm not blocking shots and making my self taller is pointless. I'm playing from the floor to ur hip. I wanna rule that area and I'm giving up ground beyond that cuz I likely can't get to the ball beyond that. If u do. I'm never jumping...that's when I'll make my self tall and get to the side of ur shooting hand. Not front because we can all shoot with some1 putting a hand in our face. Or front of the ball which forces u arch ur shot and often shoot better. On the side is not as common and feels more awakward. In the defensive stance i keepmy hands more out than to the side and ALWAYS on my toes. Get your mobility and core strength up and it's harder for taller//heavier players to move u around off ball. Can't do much about a strong big man but in pickup alot of bigs aren't strong and have gotten by by just outweighed little guys Also make those guys post up early. I know I'm dead in the paint. Too many little guys back off bigs who catch on the perimeter. THATS when u get up in their space. They don't wanna dribble face up to u and can't post up that far from the hoop.

[@JayYangInspires]

Keep debunking basketball myths. This channel gonna grow fast!

[@unnwas]

I usually only get low when I'm playing someone shorter or faster than me. Getting low with someone taller than you that can shoot is basically a death sentence

[@SPEED--RACER]

Good tip.

[@vh2712]

If you're short and play someone tall then must get into their space so by leaving them room and playing low of course they will kill you by just shooting over top.

[@dh13king75]

Since basketball is always situational. Could you do a video on what situations are best to be high vs low.

[@iamdifferent1386]

No ads bro fix that get ur money

[@jonmwanda]

Fax

[@Sik3th]

Ig the virtual academy, but I would put ads, I dont mind ads on his channel bcuz he actually posting good content.

[@ByAnyMeansBasketball]

I believe there are ads 😂 maybe you got lucky with no ads

[@Elnovato093]

nice video !! this process stars when you are a baby....functional mobilty and stability

[@firejuggler31]

I’ve been in situations where I couldn’t react in time to someone’s first step unless I was literally bouncing on the balls of my feet. Never knew why before.

[@jameshoops10]

that dear summer instrutmental tho

[@milomilo2479]

Its hard to go low when the person I’m guarding is taller than me, cuz they can just shoot over me & I don’t have time to contest after they give a bump with their shoulder.

[@curiouslymavismade]

Very good video.

[@versatillion15]

Idk if you’re still doing player breakdowns but one for Shai Gilgeous Alexander is needed

[@crablord7934]

Generally speaking when I get lower my thighs are a bit more flexed and ready to spring and react better.

[@abbyik7357]

And, staying a bit more upright conserves energy

[@club6525]

Can you do a video about when to pass and when to score?

[@cameronpalmer401]

Me being taller getting extra low would tire my legs out, I’m already sprinting up and down the court and me just holding the squat position would tire me tf out.

[@mikerozhko]

Make a full Steph, Dame, or Kyrie finishing workout

[@xinonamiiumx]

Can you make a video on how to score on low defenders with their hands out.

[@enioladurosinmi8396]

I would also add that shorter players normally have a better center of gravity which would help them get low

[@markopetrovikk]

can u do a video on how to get stronger legs for basketball ?

[@ethanbrown9032]

You wanna be lifting kinda heavy like when doing squats and deadlifts. You don't have to lift heavy all the time but lifting heavy has personally helped me to get stronger legs and increase my vertical. Make sure to also be resting and not lifting more than 3 times a week

[@humanlettuce7422]

Just do a 1000 quad lifts with weights like Shaq did lmao

[@jaywill94]

@@humanlettuce7422 He said calf raises. But if you squat explosively and do plyometrics it will do wonders for your vertical jump.

[@francisanthonysenal5701]

For me i am comfortable with low, Because the more the lower, The more explosive you are🔥

[@zerdtt761]

I like mj’s defensive stance

[@yungjj2418]

And how do use your body when defense

[@Chandasouk]

*Lil' Jon' and the Eastside Boyz plays*

[@ByAnyMeansBasketball]

If you want to become a lockdown defender... just dropped a full 3-month program covering anything you'll ever need to get there. 60+ workouts, exclusive breakdowns, and more 👀🔒 www.byanymeansbball.com/lockdown-defender-program

[@LuisSilva-we2rd]

I'm 5'7" I love low defense

[@hmingthantluanga184]

Should I snap wrist on shooting floater??

[@dill185]

Do Fred VanFleet breakdown

[@tysonkeller5217]

How can I improve my passing to make it more accurate

[@teamunited2959]

Defense Wins Games!!!

[@zaedaone]

Where can I get them shorts from

[@sirhoopalot1125]

If I know the player may be quicker than me i play up because of my wingspan. If the guy is taller I know im faster so im getting up in him and sitting down.

[@markopetrovikk]

letssssssssssssss goooooooo

[@finneganwalsh8937]

I've noticed Lonzo Ball plays defense almost straight up

[@qleeson]

im 6'1, and usually in the middle, slightly low, slightly upright

[@BriasRocks]

Feel you, im 5'11

[@xinonamiiumx]

I'm short but play better defense standing. I only go low in the paint

[@jashardwallington]

theres scenarios were its not the case

[@humanlettuce7422]

Well I mean if covers more ground tho. But idk

[@ByAnyMeansBasketball]

Video is 8 minutes... the video dropped 4 minutes ago. You didn't even watch it 😂

[@humanlettuce7422]

@@ByAnyMeansBasketball that’s why I said idk. That’s just my thought. That’s just something I learned a long time ago. But ur videos help and I watch.

[@ByAnyMeansBasketball]

Human Lettuce respect ✊🏻 misunderstood you!!

[@humanlettuce7422]

@@ByAnyMeansBasketball I probably should’ve worded it better my bad

[@julienarmond9682]

Man hardly see any vids on defense 🙏🏽

[@jendanism]

How his pants so tight, defense, dats the trick

[@matan7]

early gang?

[@eToroBoT]

tony allen had no defensive stance, always an upright defender

[@jonmwanda]

Yea I’m first 💀

[@chuckElegend]

*2nd

[@lovre7317]

Any excersises that can help getting lower in defensive stance?

[@tojimmichaelg.6889]

Lateral lunges

[@garyfiasco1]

*looks at title* .... Not against KD lmao