When I played, coaches taught a step-slide motion to move laterally, a drop step to change directions and a sprint to catch up when the step-slide was not fast enough. The cardinal sin of defense was crossing your feet.
In reality, this instruction is a waste of time, as athletes do not move in this way. The video features Sandra Sinclair, a Swedish player, who is the best individual defender that I have coached against. In the video, she crosses her feet, using a crossover step to stay in front of the dribbler. When changing directions, she uses a hip turn, which is a small hop and turn.
Brian McCormick is the Performance Director for Train for Hoops.
