On keeping the arms down on defense...

[Ima Alien]

I have seen many posts complaining that our players always defend with arms down. I thought that this was due to Pope's coaching mandate in order to increase lateral speed on defense.

 

[LmdCat]

I have seen many posts complaining that our players always defend with arms down. I thought that this was due to Pope's coaching mandate in order to increase lateral speed on defense.

Have you ever played basketball? Of course not because if you had, you would understand when hands should be raised and when they shouldn't.

 

[Fox2monk]

I have seen many posts complaining that our players always defend with arms down. I thought that this was due to Pope's coaching mandate in order to increase lateral speed on defense.

I hope he didn’t teach that because it’s not good. Hand out keeps the defender honest with a hand in the face. It also keeps the defender balanced in a good stance square to the offensive player to guard them better. We need to really focus on guarding as a unit. These guys should know how to talk by now and guard in a stance. We also need to get about 2 feet closer on the ball. Too many open 3’s. I don’t care if they beat us off the dribble because we can do it as of now. I’d rather beat them making 2’s all game rather than 3’s. We can outscore teams if we hold them to 2’s and don’t foul much.

 

[sportspm]

Have you ever played basketball? Of course not because if you had, you would understand when hands should be raised and when they shouldn't.

I just got a funny visual of players running around with their arms straight up 🤣

 

[Ima Alien]

Have you ever played basketball? Of course not because if you had, you would understand when hands should be raised and when they shouldn't.

Yes, I have played basketball. You obviously did not read or get the point of my message.

I too, have always been taught that the hands should be up in the traditional way. The point was that I thought I remembered someone asking Pope about this and he replied that is the way he taught defense - that it helped increase lateeral speed. If so it does no good to complain if that is the way the coach is teaching it.

I could be wrong or mis-remembering this. I am really old.

 

[ukwazoo]

Could you imagine the 96 Cats defending with their arms down lol

 

[khole]

I remember seeing Garrison step out to guard Ole Miss's tiny guard. Garrison's hands were completely at his side. The guy just shot a jump shot right over him with a clear line of sight. I was like, that's a text book way to negate a 8 inch height advantage. No wonder we give up 100 a game.

 

[Creed Bratton]

I remember seeing Garrison step out to guard Ole Miss's tiny guard. Garrison's hands were completely at his side. The guy just shot a jump shot right over him with a clear line of sight. I was like, that's a text book way to negate a 8 inch height advantage. No wonder we give up 100 a game.

I remember the play on the baseline that you are talking about. Garrison had about an 18 inch height advantage and negated it all because he had his hands literally at his knees as the PG rose up for the shot. By the time he reacted and got his hands up to defend the shot the ball had already left the hands of the shooter. Brea had done the exact same thing a few moments earlier and both times we were closing the gap and the shot killed our momentum.

 

[RunninRichie]

If true, that is awful coaching.