You might have watched a basketball game and heard the announcers mention a 'hedge' on a ball screen. Perhaps you've coached a game and used 'hedge' as part of your defensive strategy. But maybe you still aren't quite clear on what a hedge is in basketball.
It's a vital defensive tactic in today’s game. Understanding hedging can significantly improve a team's defensive capabilities.
It is especially useful for those playing at a higher level. It is one that’s definitely worth exploring for those new to and learning basketball.
Table of Contents:
- Understanding the Hedge in Basketball
- Variations of What is Hedge in Basketball
- Keys to an Effective Hedge in Basketball Defense
- FAQs about what is hedge in basketball
- Conclusion
Understanding the Hedge in Basketball
A hedge is a defensive tactic used primarily against ball screens, also known as pick-and-rolls (PNRs). In simple terms, the screener's defender briefly steps into the path of the ball handler after the screen is set.
This forces the ball-handler to alter their course. The hedge allows the original on-ball defender time to recover.
Why Use a Hedge?
The main goal is to slow down dribble penetration, one of the most dangerous threats in basketball. By temporarily stepping in front of the ball handler, this stops that player.
Hedging also throws off the timing of the offensive play. This buys the on-ball defender precious time to fight over or around the screen and get back in front of their original assignment.
A well-executed hedge can also disrupt the passing lane to the screener, who often performs a screener roll to the basket. Hedging seeks to prevent easy points.
The Basic Steps of Hedging
Hedging, at its core, is a two-player defensive maneuver within a team concept. Let's go over these details.
Here’s how a basic hedge works:
- Anticipation: As the offensive player sets the ball screen, the screener’s defender prepares to hedge. They keep a close eye on both the ball-handler and the screener.
- The Step Out: Once the screen set, the screener’s defender steps out towards the ball-handler. They get in an athletic defensive stance.
- Angle and Containment: The defender hedges not just straight out. Instead, they angle their body to influence the ball-handler's direction, often trying to force them towards the sideline.
- Recovery: As the on-ball defender works to get back in front of the ball-handler, the hedge defender recovers back to the screener. It is vital that the defender do this.
Communication is very important between these two defensive teammates. Without effective communication, the pick and roll can create scoring opportunities.
Variations of What is Hedge in Basketball
There are various different hedging tactics that slightly alter the goal in preventing scores. Below you can find these, and more explanation on what the goal is.
Hard Hedge
A 'hard hedge' is a very aggressive hedge. The screener's defender steps out forcefully and stays in the ball-handler’s path for a longer time.
A well timed hard hedge can lead to turnovers from the ball-handler. This aggressive move can slow down the speed of a dangerous scorer that may be using the ball screen.
Hard hedging runs the risk of giving up open looks to the roll man. This happens most when the team doesn’t stay connected when defender guarding the offensive players.
Soft Hedge
This defensive tactic is very similar to the hard hedge. The screener's defender will still step out, but in a more controlled way.
They focus on guiding the offensive player to an area of their choice. They do it without having to move so far out to where they can't get back to the roll area.
Show Hedge
This form of hedging ball screens can help give players more help in screen coverage to guard faster, more skilled players. This defensive action helps players avoid switches, so slower defenders won't need to try and keep up with the ball handler retreat.
Flat Hedge
With a 'flat hedge,' the screener's defender positions their body parallel to the baseline. They form a 'wall,' not allowing the ball-handler to use the on-ball screen.
This technique is useful for keeping the ball on one side. It's also useful for denying middle dribble penetration.
Keys to an Effective Hedge in Basketball Defense
A hedge defensive tactic has key parts that allow it to happen well. Below are the best of them for players.
| Key | Description |
|---|---|
| Communication | The on-ball defender and the screener's defender must communicate constantly. It will require verbal and non-verbal cues. |
| Timing | The hedge must occur at the precise moment when the ball screen set. Hedging ball a little too late won't have nearly the affect. |
| Angles | The hedging ball defender must use proper defensive angles. Doing so will help them to steer the ball-handler without fouling them. |
| Recovery | Quick defender recover back to the screener is essential. You must be sure to keep defenders on those you were assigned to. |
The hedge defender needs to have high hands to make any potential lob pass or skip pass over the top more difficult.
When and When Not to Hedge
Knowing what is hedge in basketball coverage doesn’t always mean to go for it at all times. For example, a hard hedge won't always be the best defensive tactic when a play goes towards the baseline.
If you hard hedging ball screens too aggressively against a skilled ball-handler, they might split the hedge. This move would create an advantageous situation for the other team and might cause a teammate to help. That would then leave an offensive player open for easy points.
Some factors in hedging choice may depend on many things. How quick is the ball-handler? Does the screener slip screens? Does the defensive big man have great outside shooting capability? These must be taken into consideration.
All of these must be accounted for, and knowing different plays will assist this. A good coverage team with a good hedge defensive helps. But knowing when to not deploy a certain move can limit dribble and scoring opportunities too.
An effective hedge can be the difference in close team plays. The defense susceptible parts can be covered more easily by being great at this pnr defense strategy.
FAQs about what is hedge in basketball
What does it mean to hedge basketball?
Hedging in basketball refers to a specific defensive tactic used mainly when facing screens set on the player with the ball.
What does 'hedge hard' mean?
A 'hard hedge' in basketball is a very aggressive style of screen coverages. In this pnr coverage, a player goes all-out when in ball screen coverages.
What is the meaning of hedge position?
In basketball, a hedge position refers to placing a player on defense. Their goal is to briefly step in to contest the opposing team as they dribble the basketball. The defender force applied here can disrupt their rhythm and prevent them from getting to their spots easily. Depending on where the ball screen is set and how the defender takes the angle, a pocket pass to the short roll could be the next option if the timing is off.
Conclusion
Knowing the strategy behind what is hedge in basketball is critical, not only defensive. All high-level hoopers recognize that this basketball defensive maneuver seeks to limit dribble penetration, force turnovers, or cause fewer offensive threats for passing to their teammate.
Understanding a defensive scheme against on-ball screens needs players who can anticipate where the screener may perform their roll action, or the ball-handler's movement. As a team plays more together and can communicate these defensive details, their defense will only become better.
