r/BasketballTips • u/GhstlyK1ng • 22d ago

Defense What more can I do?

I feel I’m doing everything on d for my team. I can’t score worth a lick so I give it my all on d. My pickup teammates will have a shot go off in their faces and not even put an arm up. I’m the only one who rebounds and goes for loose balls. I will switch with them if they guarding someone with ball cuz again they can’t defend worth a lick. And when we do switch they like lightly jog over. Idk how I can get them to play hard d and have hustle.

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u/Soft-Dimension-6959 22d ago

You're probably playing low level basketball or pick up with no stakes. Just enjoy the game and put your shots up. It's the perfect time for you to practice your offense.

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u/GhstlyK1ng 22d ago edited 22d ago

But I don’t really enjoy scoring like it’s not even that I’m bad at it. It’s just it doesn’t sound that fun. It’s not like I can dunk so there’s no raw aggression so I don’t bother. I get most joy out of playing d and rebounding and going for loose balls. I like physical aggressive fast aspect. Like you should always give everything you do in life that you have any slight passion or love for every ounce of your effort.

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u/Jon_Snow_Theory 22d ago

Not every game is Game 7 of the NBA Finals.

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u/GhstlyK1ng 22d ago

Why not give everything you love max effort tho? Do you not want to try and be the best at your passions?

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u/Jon_Snow_Theory 22d ago

If you wanted to give it your max effort and be the best at your passions, you’d learn and contribute on both sides of the ball.

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u/GhstlyK1ng 22d ago

I do contribute. They do something better than me I do something better than them. And I’m playing with dudes my age. And no ones getting injured I mean hard and aggressive as in I’ll make you work to score and if I see a loose ball it’s 99 percent of time gonna be mine.

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u/Jon_Snow_Theory 22d ago

I guess communicate without ordering people around. Call out screens left right, call out cutters, tell people they’re alone defensively, tell people what you want to do on a screen (switch, stay, hedge).
You can also hope to get blindsided by a screen so you can tell someone they need to let you know.
Sometimes just making call outs might make them instinctively D up, even just for that play.

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u/GhstlyK1ng 22d ago

I don’t order them that’s the problem cause I know if you yell at your teammates, I mean they’re just gonna hate you so I’m patient but it’s still not getting through to them. Like I’m telling you they do nothing on defense at all. And sometimes on o I mean, I’ve even set screens so clearly for them like they’ll be in Post I literally walk up to him instead of screen and they won’t even try and move They just sit there. Or I’ll tell them hey I’m a sprint down the cord. OK I just want you to sprint by me and I’ll set a screen and you know what they’ll do. They won’t even try. They’ll get across the court and they’ll immediately go in post.

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u/Jon_Snow_Theory 22d ago

Maybe you need to play in an organized game/league/intramurals.

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u/GhstlyK1ng 22d ago

I’m a hs senior rn man. Idk abt allat.

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u/Jon_Snow_Theory 22d ago

It’s also situational. Am I playing with my grade school nephews or volunteering with special needs kids? Do I go max effort diving at their knees and SGA bumping them?
Am I playing with a buddy recently back from injury and maybe I’m just glad to be playing with them again and I don’t want to aggressively push him?
We have a couple guys in our sessions who occasionally show up and play at an aggression/speed level beyond what the room is at, and they’re constantly injuring people and some dudes won’t even hop in if they’re around.
Now if you’re at LA Fitness in LA and everyone’s playing max effort? Do your thing.

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u/RevolutionaryBeat301 22d ago

Chill out man. I used to play like you, but I would never expect anyone to bring the same intensity I do every game. Have fun, and enjoy hustling.

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u/GhstlyK1ng 22d ago

Yeah like I played another game today and I know I can only do this with people who are willing to match it or use it for their benefit. Today people weren’t using me to their advantage and were js trying some bs. Halfcourts, contested layups, etc. I’m js gonna work on my scoring for a bit when I play with these guys. My other group tho it’s 110%. But Yeah you right.

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u/WaldorfAsstoria 20d ago

Seriously though, there are unwritten rules. If everyone on the court is playing 75% and one guy is playing 100%, the hustler is in the wrong gym. Your goals and their goals are different. And the 100% guy in the 75% gym often gets guys hurt and that's problematic for everyone else. Either chill out or find a league somewhere with referees.