The "Commando Defense"

Фото: The Dayton Flyers

This is his seventh year as Dayton's head coach. Gregory started his career in 1990 at Michigan State University as assistant coach of Jud Heathcote and then of Tom Izzo. After six years he leaves the Spartans for Toledo University (Ohio). After Toledo he goes to Northwestern Univerity. He comes back to Michigan State in 1999 and remains, as assistant, until 2003 when he becomes the Dayton Flyers head coach. As Flyers head coach, he led the team to the 2004 NCAA tournament and the 2009 NCAA tournament as well as the 2008 NIT.

Overview

The Dayton Flyers "Commando Defense" is 40 minutes of constant mental and physical pressure. It designed to slow down an opponent's break and make other players, other than their primary ball handler, bring the ball up the floor. The "Commando Defense" is not a gambling defense intent on getting lots of steals and easy, transition baskets; it's 28 metres of solid, consistent pressure for 40 minutes. More than a style, it's a mentality; an undeniable determination to impose our will, and wear down an opponent. "Wear them down, and then break them down."

Goal

The goal of our Commando Defense is to wear down our opponents over the course of 40 minutes. It is not designed to beat a team in the first ten minutes or first half, or even the first 30 minutes, but in the last five to ten minutes of the game, the opponent will be so tired physically, that they will begin to make mental mistakes. This will translate into defensive stops at the end of the game as well as easy baskets for the offense.

Technique

In most systems, it is the job of the point guard to get back on defense when the offense attempts a shot. In the "Commando Defense", the 2 has this responsibility. When our offense shoots (diagr. 1), the point guard finds and sprints to cover the opposing point guard, while the ball is in the air. It is important for the point guard not to rest during this "dead time." This is when he needs to work the hardest, to get himself into great position to pressure the ball. The 3, 4, and 5 crash the glass for the offensive rebound (diagr. 2). The goal of our point guard is to make the opposing point guard catch the ball with his back to his basket and as close to the baseline (as far away from his basket) as possible. He does not deny the pass! Our point guard must be able to "tag" the opponent on the catch, meaning when the opposing guard catches the pass, our point guard literally should be able to touch him. This is why it is vital for the point guard to find the opposing point guard while the shot is in the air. Otherwise, he will not be able to tag him on the catch; the 3, 4 and 5 sprint back to our half court (diagr 3). Upon the catch, the point guard pressures the ball much like he would in the half court; solid, consistent pressure, arms length away. The point guard keeps his chest between his man and the basket; nose on the ball.

5 Defense

The other four players on the court follow our defensive principles. They are in the shallow triangle position - in between man and ball, 1 step off the line of the ball. Each player is as far up the line of the ball as possible while still being able to recover back to their own man on the catch (diagr. 4).

Conclusion

Although the "Commando Defense" takes a team that is in top physical condition, it is very effective in wearing down opponents, allowing us to break them down during the final rounds of the game. It has really helped us become a better team, and our players have really bought into playing with the relentless fury needed to execute this defense - 28 metres of solid, consistent pressure for 40 minutes, the Dayton Flyers' "Commando Defense."