Open Practice with T.J. Otzelberger: Defense

with T.J. Otzelberger,
Iowa State University Head Coach;
2024 Big XII Tournament Champions;
UNLV Head Men's Basketball Coach 2019 to 2021;
South Dakota State University Head Coach 2016 to 2019;
2018 Summit League Coach of the Year;
2x Summit League Regular Season Champions (2018, 2019);
2x Summit League Tournament Champions (2017, 2018);
Iowa State Assistant Coach from 2015 to 2016;
University of Washington Assistant Coach 2013 to 2015;
Iowa State Associate Head Coach from 2010 to 2013;
Iowa State Assistant Coach from 2006 to 2010;
Chipola College (FL) Assistant Coach from 2004 to 2005;
Burlington Catholic Central HS (WI) Head Coach from 2001 to 2004;
played college basketball for Wisconsin-Whitewater (point guard)

T.J. Otzelberger, a rising star in college basketball coaching, shares an inside look into how he teaches his defensive system. Everything about Otzelberger's defense is designed to force opponents into tough shots and then rebound the basketball to quickly transition into offense and score easy buckets. Once you're done watching this video, you will understand why his teams are consistently ranked in the top 10 in the country for defensive rebounding.

Stance, Slides, and Closeouts

Defense begins with the basics: stance, slide, and closing out. Coach Otzelberger demonstrates how his team uses low, wide, and active stances. Keeping active hands allows players to use their hands as weapons to deflect passes, but avoid fouling. High, early hands on a closeout ensures your players attack the shooter as they prepare to load for a shot. This defensive style will help your team disrupt any offensive action.

Ball Screen Defense

In today's game, having lock-down ball screen defense is a must. Your team must be prepared with multiple ways to defend a ball screen while also having a go-to defense that can disrupt even the best ball handlers. In his side ball screen defense segment, Otzelberger teaches his players to have a wide, open stance and wall up/chest up the driver as they come off the ball screen.

Alley Drill

Continuing to build 1-on-1 defense, the Alley Drill pushes players to their limits. In this competitive drill, each team sends their athletes through the "alley." Defensive players work to keep their opponent in front of them in the lane line alley. They have to use good angles to cut off offensive players and force them to turn.

Coach Otzleberger demonstrates how to build a defensive philosophy from the ground up to ensure your team uses constant ball pressure and active hands. This is a great video for any coach looking to pick up a few new defensive drills or add to their own defensive philosophy.

186 minutes. 2018.