Dead-Ball Transition Defense

What it is

• Dead-ball transition refers to the transition situation after a made basket — where the ball is inbounded from under the basket.

How it works

• - After a made basket, the offensive team has the ball under the basket.
• After a made basket, the offensive team has the ball under the basket. Every defensive player must immediately find their man before the inbound pass is made.
• "Match up" is the call — defenders scan the floor, locate their man, and establish position before the inbounder slaps the ball.
• The defensive team is most vulnerable during the three to four seconds after the made basket when everyone is recovering position and the offense can sprint into advantageous positions.
• By the time the defense recognizes the transition is live, the offense has an advantage.

Reads and counters

• As the ball drops, locate your man first, then sprint to match and deny him before the inbound pass leaves the baseline.
• If your man leaks out early, forget matching him and sprint back to wall off the rim, not chase the ball.
• If the offense has numbers, the first man back stops the ball at the top of the key while teammates protect the rim.
• Read the inbounder's eyes; if he runs it up himself, deny the outlet so the guard cannot catch in stride.
• If you cannot find your man in the scramble, take the most dangerous man and sort assignments once the ball crosses half.

Teaching cues

• Match up before the inbound
• Find your man
• Ball, you've got the ball
• Safety back, protect the rim
• Pressure the inbounder

Bilingual terms

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