To further underscore what Phi, Fish and staff bring to the table here are the 7 Principles they go by:
7 DEFENSIVE PRINCIPLESDetermination to outplay your opponent, to shut him down, get rebounds, hustle down the ball and to do your part towards team defense brings out the best in a player.
1. "WORK." Defense is a matter of hard work, period ..Transition defense relies on hard work. "Tear Ass Back" Don't be on the defensive when you play defense--anticipate the opponent, i.e., be ready to play defense before your man has the ball, anticipate the post up or penetration.
"Footwork and conditioning are to defense what passing and shooting are to offense. "
2. "PRESSURE THE BALL." Good defense finds a way to challenge ball control. It prevents the offense from doing what they want.
3. "STOP PENETRATION." The ball must be stopped. We will push sideline and baseline (outside).
4. "FRONT THE POST." Every time the ball is on the wing-sidelines, front the post.
5. "SEAL THE LANE." Weak side defenders are responsible for lane penetration. STOP the ball either on the dribble or on the pass.
"TEAM DEFENSE can only be as strong as its Weakest Individual. "
6. "CONTEST THE SHOT." We will challenge every shot we can get a hand-up.
7. "BOX OUT." A team cannot beat you if you give them 1 shot per possession. Get a body on somebody. Big men cup the board. Guards get to the elbows. Let's get that ball and go!
A strong defense is the place teamwork starts. Everyone has their weaknesses at that end of the court and therefore everyone must compensate to help their teammates. Defense stabilizes a team's effort, it keeps us in a game when the offense sputters and prevents disorganization. Simply put DEFENSE WINS!