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2.2. Transition Defense

 

(1) Q: What is transition defense?

A: Transition defense is the period of time when switching from offense to defense; specifically from when you lose possession of the ball on offense (after a score, miss, or turnover) to when the opponent’s offense starts their 1/2-court or 1/4-court offense.

(2) Q: Why is transition defense important? 

A: Transition defense is important because this is a vulnerable time when:

  • the defense is not set up yet

  • the offense is gaining forward momentum with speed and the defense is running backwards

  • the basket is not protected with defensive players (e.g. no defensive players in deny or help position)

  • the offense might have more players closer to the basket than the defense

All of these may allow the offense to attempt higher percentage shots.

(3) Q: What types of transition defense situations are there? 

A: There are three main types of transition defense situations:

  • Equalized: all defensive players are between their assigned player and the basket, though collectively both the offensive and defensive players are approximately the same distance to the basket.

  • Advantage: all defensive players are between their assigned player and the basket, and collectively the defensive players are much closer to the basket than offensive players.

  • Disadvantage: not all defensive players are in between their assigned player and the basket

We will talk more about each in the next sections.