man defense
Guard your assignment
Man defense is a defensive strategy in basketball and other team sports where each defender is assigned to guard a specific opponent rather than a zone or area of the court.
The defender follows their assigned player wherever they move: We're playing man defense tonight—stick to your guy.
Also called man-to-man defense.
Contrast with zone defense, where players guard areas rather than individuals.
- pressApply force downward
- basketballTeam sport with hoops
- full court pressDefense covering entire playing area
- guardWatchful defensive attention
- coverageExtent of inclusion
switch · matchup · one on one · stay home · face guard · block · screen · pick · box out · court · hustle · deny · pressure · stick · shadow · contain · closeout · close out