Defense!

M: Stay low and bend your knees! Come over here. B : Yes, Coach? M: Jackson, when you’re playing defense, keep your knees bent and your body low. It helps you keep your balance. And it allows you to move more quickly in every direction. B : Like this? M: That’s right. You should attempt to stay on the balls of your feet. It’s like you are getting ready to pounce. Athletes never rest on their heels. B : Should I stand with my legs close together or far apart? M: It is best to keep them about shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and keep your back straight. Spread your arms straight out at your sides. B : This seems almost like I’m getting ready to attack the ball. M: It is a little bit like that. Your stance looks much better than before. B : Coach, how do I move forward and backward on defense? I feel like my stance is fine, but when I try to dart toward my opponent, I keep tripping over my feet. M: When you move forward, put your right foot in front of you, with your toes pointing in the direction you want to go. When you move backward, just reverse it: follow the direction of your left foot. How are you feeling? B : My legs are tired and my back aches. M: Playing defense is hard work. Take a break, then we’ll try it again.