Defending Dribble Handoffs (DHO Defense)
The set of coverages a defense uses to guard a dribble handoff — top-locking the receiver, switching the exchange, blitzing/hedging the new ball-handler, or treating it like a ball screen
Team Defense
Defending Specific Actions
Modern offenses are built on specific movement patterns (called actions) designed to create advantages.
Direct answer
What is Defending Specific Actions?
Modern offenses are built on specific movement patterns (called actions) designed to create advantages.
Quick facts
| Category | Team Defense |
|---|---|
| Source volume | BASKETBALL_PLAY_VAULT.md |
What it is
- Modern offenses are built on specific movement patterns (called actions) designed to create advantages.
How it works
- Best used against non-shooters or when the spacing doesn't threaten a three-pointer. - Fight over: The defender squeezes between the screener and the receiver, staying connected to the receiver's hip and contesting the catch without giving up separation.
- Go under: The defender on the DHO receiver slides behind the dribbling screener and the receiver, conceding the catch but taking away the drive.
- Fight over: The defender squeezes between the screener and the receiver, staying connected to the receiver's hip and contesting the catch without giving up separation.
- Switch: The on-ball defender (guarding the dribbling screener) and the off-ball defender (guarding the receiver) switch assignments.
- ICE / Push: Force the DHO receiver to go in a predetermined direction (baseline, for example). See ball screen defense for the full ICE explanation.
Bilingual terms
| English | Defending Specific Actions |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 特定战术动作的防守 |
| Traditional Chinese | 防守具體戰術動作 |
Related concepts
Iverson Actions
A wing-to-wing cut across high screens that moves a scorer before the catch and flows into handoffs, post entries, or ball screens.
Press Break vs. Specific Presses
Hit the middle man immediately — the gap between the two middle interceptors
Disguise Plays & Decoy Actions
The Problem: Ja Morant is not a good shooter.
Early Offense Actions
Early offense refers to specific actions run immediately after the defense recovers but before they are fully comfortable — catching the defense in the transition between their sprint-back mode and their settled…
DHO (Dribble Handoff) Actions
The receiver's defender must navigate the handoff like a screen.