What is blitz defense in basketball
Blitz defense in basketball is a tactic that occurs when two defensive players involved in on-ball screening action apply a certain amount of defensive pressure towards an offensive player who would use that screen, ultimately to limit potential scoring opportunities.
In other words, blitz defense effectively happens when a primary on-ball defender, who is guarding the offensive player in possession of the basketball, applies defensive pressure alongside a secondary off-ball defender, who is initially guarding the offensive player setting the screen.
Essentially, blitz defense utilizes the double team defensive tactic to hinder an offensive on-ball screen and any subsequent possible scoring opportunities that could be generated via that screening action.
Also, it should be noted that the offensive player setting the screen is generally known as the screener while the defender guarding that same offensive player is generally known as the screener’s defender.
What are basic examples of blitz defense
These are basic diagram examples that demonstrate blitz defense within 2 on 2 action to keep things simple.
However, it should also be noted that within standard 5 on 5 play, the implementation of blitz defense should generally be considered by teams that feature versatile defenders with sufficient athleticism who are capable of providing adequate help defense if necessary.
Basic diagram examples of off-ball help defense actions are showcased in another section as well.
Moreover, on the diagram below in addition to other subsequent diagrams afterwards, numbers indicate common basketball positions for offensive players and their defensive counterparts.
In essence, 1 would be the offensive point guard while X1 would be the defensive point guard.
2 would be the offensive shooting guard while X2 would be the defensive shooting guard.
3 would be the offensive small forward while X3 would be the defensive small forward.
4 would be the offensive power forward while X4 would be the defensive power forward.
5 would be the offensive center while X5 would be the defensive center.
Basic blitz defense example: Screener’s defender moves slightly above the screen
For this basic example, let’s say that 1 wants to utilize the on-ball screen set by 5 to potentially attack the rim and create a scoring opportunity.
However, as 1 begins to dribble, indicated by the arrow with the wavy line, and as the screening action occurs, X5 moves slightly above the screen to eventually converge on 1.
Furthermore, X5 also begins to implement defensive pressure while containing the ball.
As that happens, X1 initially fights over the top of the screen and afterwards, X1 also puts defensive pressure on 1.
In this simple scenario, the primary objective of the two blitzing defenders is to diminish the effectiveness of the on-ball screen, which would essentially be a success in this case as 1 cannot use it effectively to drive towards the basket and/or create a scoring opportunity.
Basic blitz defense example: Screener’s defender moves slightly below the screen
This is another example of basic blitz defense within 2 on 2 action. This time, as 1 attempts to attack the rim via the on-ball screen set by 5, the screener’s defender, who is X5, is somewhat less aggressive and moves slightly below the screen as opposed to above it.
Nevertheless, the result would still be the same in terms of X1 and X5 executing the blitz, which would lead to double team action with 1 as the main target.
Moreover, 1 would not be able to achieve the objective of attacking the rim for a possible scoring opportunity as well.
What are possible advantages of the blitz defense
Disrupt overall offensive flow
One possible advantage of using the blitz defense is that it could potentially disrupt the overall flow of the offensive team, especially as it relates to generating scoring opportunities via the on-ball screen action.
For example, let’s say that an offensive player in possession of the ball is blitzed by two defenders while attempting to use an on-ball screen.
As a result of that defensive blitz action, the offensive player most likely would not be able to effectively use the on-ball screen.
Moreover, there would probably be at least a moderate chance that the offensive player would have to pass the ball in such a manner that further disrupts offensive execution.
The diagram below attempts to demonstrate this concept.
Blitz defense influences offensive player to dribble away from screening action, diminishing its effectiveness
On the example diagram, 1 attempts to use the on-ball screen set by 5 out of a Horns set play with the main intention of dribbling the ball towards the lane while 5 rolls to the basket.
However, X5 moves slightly above the screen to execute blitz defense alongside X1, who fights over the top of the screen.
This essentially forces 1 to dribble away from the screening action, diminishing its effectiveness, while X1 and X5 continue to pursue and put pressure on the ball.
Also, as 5 rolls to the basket, X3, who is currently on the weak side, can provide help by stepping into the lane as a temporary tagging defender while still keeping an eye on the original assignment of 3.
It should be stated as well that the defensive tag by X3, which is also shown with the gray arrow, is basically utilized as a safety action so that 5 is not wide open under the basket.
Meanwhile, X2, who is currently on the strong side, can play denial defense by placing one hand and foot in the passing lane near 2. This is also represented by a gray arrow near the right side corner area.
By doing that, it would generally be more challenging for 2 to quickly receive the ball from 1, which would also serve as a pressure release of the blitz action being imposed on 1.
From there, 4 could pop out towards the top from the left side high post area, shown with a gray arrow, as another potential passing option for 1 to release the defensive pressure of the blitz.
Overall though, even if 4 were to receive the ball from 1, that most likely would not be very beneficial for the offensive team as the original action of getting to the basket was hindered by the blitz action.
Potentially cause turnover
Another particular advantage of implementing the blitz defense is that it could possibly lead to a turnover, which also reduces offensive scoring opportunities.
Basically, a turnover may occur when an offensive player in possession of the ball is not expecting the blitz defense in the process of using the on-ball screen.
What’s more, if the offensive player who is the target of the blitz has sub-par dribbling skills, passing skills, and/or less than average court vision, then those factors could potentially increase the chances of a turnover occurring as well, which would be very beneficial for the defense.
The example diagram below seeks to showcase an example of a turnover caused by the blitz defense.
Blitz defense causes offensive player to turn the ball over
To start the action, which is initiated from a 1-4 low set, 3 intends to use the on-ball screen set by 5, mainly to create a scoring opportunity via dribble penetration.
Even so, X5 hinders that offensive plan by executing the blitz defense alongside X3, who initially fights over the top of the screen.
This also forces 3 to dribble away from the on-ball screen and more towards the adjacent sideline.
Let’s also assume that 3 panics, at least to a degree, as a result of the blitz pressure, mainly because 3 is not the team’s primary play initiator or ball handler.
When that happens, 3 intends to alleviate the pressure by passing the ball to a teammate, preferably one who is close to 3 as opposed to further away.
The issue though is that the closest teammate, who is 1 in the right corner, is currently being denied by X1, shown with the gray arrow.
At the same time, 2 and 4, who are currently on the weak side, are further away from 3, so throwing a pass to those players is a bit risky.
Therefore, 3 decides it is best to pass the ball to 5 who is currently rolling towards the basket.
Nonetheless, 3 does not immediately realize that 5 is actually being tagged by X4 who is essentially providing help, primarily by splitting the difference between both 4 and 5.
Afterwards, when 3 throws the pass to 5, X4 is able to step into the passing lane and attempt to intercept the pass while X2 slides into the lane to temporarily guard against 4, shown with gray arrows.
It should also be noted that even if 2 were to lift up towards the wing or top of the court as an alternative passing option for 3, indicated by the gray arrow, that would still be typically favorable for the defense. X2 could also follow 2 in that scenario, shown with the gray arrow as opposed to dropping into the lane.
The main reasons for that is because the offensive team was not able to use the on-ball screen in the manner that they desired and an offensive player such as 2 receiving the ball near a perimeter area of the court is generally better for the defense than offensive players such as 4 or 5 receiving the ball near the basket.
What are examples of offensive counters that could be utilized to attack the blitz defense
Short roll
One notable offensive counter that could potentially put the blitz defense at a disadvantage is short roll action by the offensive player who initially set the on-ball screen.
In a basic sense, the screener can perform a short roll that is in the general direction of the basket.
Nevertheless, at the same time, the screener remains within the vicinity of the player in possession of the ball as opposed to rolling all the way to the basket.
Afterwards, the screener can receive the ball from the player in possession of it, most notably via a pocket pass or perhaps a jump pass in certain instances, which also alleviates pressure and mitigates the potency of the blitz action.
The diagram below seeks to demonstrate this concept.
Screener performs short roll as an offensive counter to attack the blitz defense
To begin the action, 1 dribbles toward the right side of the court via the on-ball screen set by 5.
As that occurs, X1 and X5 implement blitz defense to hinder the effectiveness of the ball screen as well as a method to push 1 away from the screen.
Yet, as an offensive counter to beat the blitz defense, 5 can short roll to the high post area instead of rolling all the way to the basket.
As a side note, even if 5 rolled all the way to the basket, 5 would not necessarily have an easy scoring opportunity as X4 is there as a safety.
Furthermore, this even assumes that 5 would be able to receive the ball in the first place as 1 would need to make the more difficult pass over the outstretched arms of X1 and X5 during the blitzing action.
At any rate, once 5 gets in position near the high post area, 1 can immediately throw a quick pass between X1 and X5.
Most of the time, 1 should usually consider throwing a pocket pass between those defenders.
Although in some instances, 1 may be able to throw a jump pass over the top of the defenders, although that particular pass is usually more risky than the pocket pass.
Generally speaking, 1 could potentially throw the pocket pass when the defenders’ hands are high or 1 could possibly throw the jump pass when the defenders’ hands are low.
Following that, 5 could receive the ball and take the open jump shot.
It is also noteworthy to mention that if X3 attempts to slide over to take away the potential open jump shot, shown with the gray arrow, then 3 could receive the ball from 5 and take the open jump shot.
Short pop
In certain cases, particularly as it relates to an on-ball screen that occurs near a sideline, also simply known as a side ball screen, the screener can execute a short pop to a perimeter area away from the ball as opposed to a short roll to counter the blitz defense.
The diagram below attempts to display an example of this concept.
Screener performs short pop as an offensive counter to attack the blitz defense
At the start, 1 has possession of the basketball near the left side wing and adjacent sideline.
From there, 1 attempts to dribble towards the basket via the on-ball screen set by 4.
Unfortunately for 1, X1 and X4 perform blitz action in an attempt to mitigate the overall effectiveness of the screen while also pushing 1 away from the screen.
At that moment, instead of short rolling towards the basket, 4 can turn and pop, essentially filling the wing area where 1 and X1 were initially located.
Afterwards, 4 can receive the ball, most notably via a pocket pass or perhaps even more suitably for this scenario, a jump pass, from 1.
Following that, 4 could take the open jump shot while X1 and X4 are too far away to contest that shot.
It should be mentioned as well that even if X5 were able to closeout on 4 and X2 or X3 essentially sunk down into the lane from the weak side, that would still be favorable for the offensive team because 5 would have a size advantage over either of those weak side defenders.