Help and Recover (Play Library)
Help and recover is the two-phase sequence that every help-side defender executes when the ball penetrates the defense.
Team Defense
Help and Recover
Help and recover is a tactic used when a ball handler beats their defender.
Direct answer
What is Help and Recover?
Help and recover is a tactic used when a ball handler beats their defender.
Quick facts
| Category | Team Defense |
|---|---|
| Source volume | Basketball Knowledge Vault/vol3_high_school_team_basketball.md |
What it is
- Help and recover is a tactic used when a ball handler beats their defender.
Why it matters
- If a weak shooter is left open, help is acceptable because the threat is minimal.
How it works
- A defender from an adjacent position "helps" by sliding over to defend the penetrating ball handler.
- But defending that ball handler leaves their original assignment open.
- The "recover" is when the helping defender returns to their original assignment or the original on-ball defender recovers.
- The decision to help or stay home depends on how dangerous the now-open player is.
- If an elite shooter is left open, help and recover might not be the right choice.
Bilingual terms
| English | Help and Recover |
|---|---|
| Simplified Chinese | 协防与回位 |
| Traditional Chinese | 幫助和回防 |
Related concepts
Two-Passes-Away Positioning: Help
Two-passes-away defense is the defense of a player who is unlikely to receive the next pass.
Help-Heavy vs. Matchup-Heavy Philosophy
Help-heavy defense prioritizes collapsing on the ball.
Spacing as Leverage Over Help-Defense
The core principle: spacing weakens the opponent's ability to help.
Help-Side Defense
Help-side defense is the organization of off-ball defenders who are two or more passes away from the ball.
Help Defense Calls
Help defense communication is distinct from screen communication.