"Providing Strong Backside Defensive Help"

Pressuring the ball to a sideline checkpoint will enable defensive players on the side opposite the ball to get away from their opponents, and establish Helpside I positions. Players assuming Helpside I  positions are ready to either trap or rotate to the nearest player if/when a trap occurs. Helpside I players should also be alert to deny (BLOCK) any weakside cut by their opponent into the paint (3 sec area). If/when the ball is passed out of a trap, helpside players must quickly close out, on balance, to the nearest player.

The Double "I"

Diagram 1. Helpside Double "I"

When the offensive teams deploys three players on the ball side of the court, a Double I Helpside defensive alignment is created . From this alignment two defensive players provide for strong defensive by forming a Low/High alignment.

• X1 prevents ball reversal by assuming a SNUGGLE contact pass denial position against O1.
  

• X2 assumes a helpside High I position against O2 ready to rotate to O4 if a trap occurs.
  

• X3 assumes an on ball SET position against O3, attempting to push O3 to baseline checkpoint.
  

• X4 assumes a helpside Low I STRIKE position against O4 ready to rotate to O5 if an over the top post pass occurs or a trap occurs.
  

• X5 assumes a post FRONT position against O5, ready to deny O5 or rotate to trap O1 on dribble penetration.

NOTE: Whenever possible, players in the Helpside I positions should recognize and INVERT (switch positions) any time a big player is in a Top I position and a smaller player is in the Low I position.

The Triple "I"

Diagram 2. Helpside Triple "I"

If/when the offensive utililizes only two players on the ballside of the court, it allows the three helpside defenders to create a Helpside Triple I (Low/Mid/Top) defensive alignment.

• X1 prevents ball reversal by assuming a SNUGGLE contact pass denial position against O1.
  

• X2 assumes a helpside High I position against O2 ready to trap or rotate.
  

• X3 assumes an on ball SET position against O3, attempting to push O3 to baseline checkpoint.
  

• X4 assumes a helpside Mid I position against O4 ready to trap or rotate.
  

• X5 assumes a helpside Low I STRIKE position against O5 ready to trap or rotate.

The Triangle "I"(Sideline Trap)

Diagram 3. Triangle "I" (Sideline Trap)

If/when the defense traps, the three players not involved in the trap create a helpside Triangle I defensive alignment. Helpside I defenders must utilize all of the SOS Strike fundamentals.

• X1 assumes an ON positon forcing dribbler O1 toward sideline and traps O1 with X3.
  

• X2 assumes a Top I helpside position anticipating O1's pass out of the trap.
  

• X3 traps O1 with X1.
  

• X4 assumes a Low I helpside STRIKE position.
  

• X5 assumes a Low I strongside POST denial position.

Near Player Rule: On pass out of trap, players close out to nearest opponent. Defenders must anticipate and rotate as soon as ball leaves passer's hands.

The Triangle "I" (Baseline Trap)

Diagram 4. Triangle "I" (Baseline Trap)

If/when the defense traps on the baseline, the three players not involved in the trap create a helpside Triangle I defensive alignment.

• X1 assumes a High I position anticipating O1's pass out of the trap.
  

• X2 drops to a Low I helpside STRIKE position.
  

• X3 takes an ON position and forces dribbler O3 to baseline checkpoint and traps O3 with X5.
  

• X4 rotates over and assumes a Low I strong side POST denial position against O5.
  

• X5 traps the dribble O3 with X3.

Note: On the pass out of the trap players rotate and close out using the near player rule.