1. Have a great transition from offense to defense. Don't give up fast breaks with quick, easy, offensive shots. Make the opponent score five-on-five against a set defense most of the time, not two-on-one or three-on-two.
2. Push the ball to a sideline in order to establish a good weakside defense as early possible. A good weakside helps fortify the entry side, puts them in positions to attack penetration, and makes better defenders out of the players on the strong side.
3. Keep the ball from reversing easily from side to side. To allow the ball to swing easily creates defensive problems for the weakside people, preventing them from giving adequate help angles.
4. Concentrate on stopping penetration via the dribble and pass. Setting the defense early helps accommodate this.
5. Prevent a consistent low post attack. Do early work to prevent good positioning inside; challenge cutters and post up people. If the ball does get to a good position inside, it is vital to have a system of attack in terms of helping, trapping and rotating to reduce the damage.
6. Rotate to assist a teammate who has gotten into trouble by getting beat on a drive, cut, post-up or by losing a man.
7. Rebound and pick up loose balls.
