(English) An inbounds pass is the most common opportunity that a defensive team has to force the ball info the hands of someone other than the preferred player.

Instead of guarding the inbound passer, the defender (x4) can aggressively deny a pass to the preferred player (1). This also enables x4 to step away from the baseline to be in a better position to defend them if they do receive the ball.

In this example, x3 is in position to deny a pass to 3 in the middle of the court, but would allow a pass toward the sideline.

(English) Teams may also have x3 step off , so that x3 is in a position to help defend any dribble if 1 does get the ball. A strong “hedge” may cause 1 to pass the ball, which achieves the defensive objective of having another player with the ball.

(English) Another tactic is to have x3 double team 1 as soon as they receive the pass. This double team must happen quickly, so that x3 arrives as the pass is caught.

On the pass, x4 can rotate to defend x3, which allows an easy pass for 1 to make, which again achieves the defensive objective.

x3 is used to double team 1, as they come from a position that can stop 1’s dribble x4 is not in a position to stop this dribble as they are above the line of the ball.