Some Tips for Guarding a Stronger Player

Strength is an important part of the game. But there will be lots of times when you end up playing against players that are a lot stronger than you are.

The good thing about the game of basketball is that strength is important, but it's not the only factor that determines who will be successful in a particular matchup. There were plenty of time I ended up guarding, and being guarded, by players who were a lot stronger than I was.

The key was to use my strength, positioning, footwork, technique, and smarts to outplay them.

Here are a few tips on how to guard a player that is stronger than you.

Every player has weaknesses. So even if a playe is physically stronger than you are, they have other weak point. Try to take away the best parts of your opponent's game and make them do things they'd rather not do.

First off, establish a very strong base for yourself. This applies when guarding a player in the post, boxing a player off the boards, or holding your own while a player jockeys for position anywhere on the floor.

How do you do this? Get into an athletic stance (feet shoulder with or slightly wider apart, knees bent, using your lower body for strength and balance). Much of your strength will come from your lower body and from a good, on-balance stance.

Another technique to guarding a stronger player is to keep them farther away from the basket than they want to be.

If you keep a post player off the block, keep an offensive rebounder far away from the basket, you can limit their strength advantage. If a post player can over-power you on the block, push them further out on the floor where their strength advantage won't do them nearly as much good. For

You can also try this trick: get to their favorite spot first, and force them to move you out of thaat spot. A good ref will not allow them to just push your shove you out of the way. So if you get to a spot on the floor first, establish good position, you'll force your opponent to either push you out of the way (and get a foul called on them), or make them move to another spot on the floor they're not as happy with.

Basketball is all about positioning. So when you're guarding a stronger player, maintain good defensive positioning at all times. Stay between your man and the ball when you're playing help-side defense, be sure to make a strong block-out when the shot goes up.

No matter how strong a player is, they are not allowed to push you out of the way, or go over your back for a rebound. If you position yourself well and maintain a strong base, you should be well on your way to taking away some of their strength advantage.

Strength is an important part of the game, but don't be intimidated by a player that is bigger or stronger than you are. If you play smart and use balance and positioning correctly, you can neutralize the strength advantage the other player might have.

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