Robert Jones: Solutions to Guarding the Pick & Roll (Man or Zone)

with Robert Jones,
2024 CollegeInsider.com (CIT) Postseason Tournament Champions;
2025 Norfolk State Athletics Hall of Fame Inductee;
4x MEAC Regular Season Champions (2019, 2022, 2024, 2025);
3x MEAC Tournament Champions / NCAA Tournament Qualifiers (2021, 2022, 2025);
3x MEAC Coach of the Year (2019, 2022, 2024);
2022 Hugh Durham National Coach of the Year Award;
2019 Skip Prosser Man of the Year Award;
2021 Northern Division Co-Champs Regular Season;
.750 Win Percentage in MEAC (5th in the nation among coaches with at least 100 games coached);
played college basketball for SUNY New Paltz

Defensive Mindset and Foundation
Norfolk State's newest Hall of Fame inductee, decorated head coach Robert Jones, reveals the strategies and teaching methods that have made his defenses some of the toughest to score on. In this on-court video, Coach Jones breaks down how to guard the pick and roll with multiple coverages, drills, and detailed communication habits designed to frustrate opposing offenses.

Building Toughness and Communication
Jones begins by emphasizing defensive toughness and the mindset required to guard the basketball. Players must "body up, body in, and body over" the ball screen while teammates communicate early, loud and often. This attention to detail sets the foundation for every coverage that follows.

Multiple Coverage Solutions
Coach Jones teaches several defensive solutions including Red (trap), Blue (ice), Short, Drop, and Switch coverages. Each solution features step-by-step teaching points for both the on-ball defender and help-side players. Jones also demonstrates how to adjust when defending pick and rolls in zone defense, ensuring that your team can apply pressure and control any alignment.

Drills and On-Court Application
With live 5-on-5 demonstrations, you'll see drills that reinforce positioning, tagging, and communication to master pick and roll defense. Coach Jones shows how to defend both middle and side ball screens, how to tag the roller effectively, and how to recover to shooters while keeping pressure on the ball.

Complete Defensive Blueprint
This video gives coaches every tool they need to teach, drill, and execute pick and roll defense against any opponent. Learn from one of the best and equip your team with the toughness and confidence to control the game defensively!

69 minutes. 2025.