Low Post Defense – 3/4 Denial

3/4 Denial

• Three quarter denial is the most common and widespread way to defend the low post.

• When the ball is on the wing (free throw line extended, we are denying the low post on the high side with the outside arm and leg (x2′s left arm and left leg in the picture on the right) in the passing lane.

• A pass from the wing to corner improves the passing angle to the low post, so the defender must deny the defender on the low side (baseline side) by executing an X-step.

• x2 steps in front of the 02 with his inside foot (right foot in this diagram) so that he is facing away from
  his man and towards the ball momentarily.

• X2 then reverse pivots on his outside (right) foot so that he is again in 3/4 denial position, but now on the low side of the defender to take away the passing angle.

Advantages

• 3/4 denial is a compromise between playing behind and fronting:

• The defense discourages passes into the low post – which is a critical piece of a successful defensive game plan.

• Positioning rarely leaves a defender out of position for a defensive rebound

• Defenders will rarely give up the easy pass and wide open layup that occasionally occurs against fronting, pressure defense.

Disadvantages

• You’re going to have to contend with the ball in the low post more than with full-fronting.

• More Difficult – more adjustments to make against good ball movement.

• More difficult to give good help defense, particularly against baseline penetration.