Hands Up!

[bags27]

Not a robbery, except maybe of UConn's opponents.

Last couple of games, I've been struck by the intensive defensive posture (literally) of the Huskies. Even when a Husky is defending way off the ball, her hands are high up. 5 sets of hands up or out--interfering with the passing lanes or sight lines. Watching the OK St-MissSt game right now, I don't see a single pair of hands up except (maybe) the ball defender.

Hands up creates maybe a couple of tips or prevents a couple of passes per game. But that's a margin. And with hands extended, Huskies are also on their toes, meaning greater explosion in the other direction on a change of possession.

Do you know how hard it is to convince a group of kids to keep their hands up even when they up by 2o or more points? Hours and hours and hours of practice...and not a little bit of yelling.....

What a team; what a coaching staff.

 

[RockyMTblue2]

The secret to no yelling? I understand during practice this is played:



Now, you know I couldn't help myself @bags27.

 

[RSHERMVIKES]

Not a robbery, except maybe of UConn's opponents.

Last couple of games, I've been struck by the intensive defensive posture (literally) of the Huskies. Even when a Husky is defending way off the ball, her hands are high up. 5 sets of hands up or out--interfering with the passing lanes or sight lines. Watching the OK St-MissSt game right now, I don't see a single pair of hands up except (maybe) the ball defender.

Hands up creates maybe a couple of tips or prevents a couple of passes per game. But that's a margin. And with hands extended, Huskies are also on their toes, meaning greater explosion in the other direction on a change of possession.

Do you know how hard it is to convince a group of kids to keep their hands up even when they up by 2o or more points? Hours and hours and hours of practice...and not a little bit of yelling.....

What a team; what a coaching staff.

bags27- - - It's just another aspect of digging deep into "coaching the right way" that makes UCONN's coaching staff the best in the USA!

 

[OldAlum]

I saw Geno get really upset during the Q game. Z was closing out on a player in the corner. And she didnt put her hands up! Player hit the three and Geno was stomping around on the sideline!

 

[Centerstream]

Not a robbery, except maybe of UConn's opponents.

Last couple of games, I've been struck by the intensive defensive posture (literally) of the Huskies. Even when a Husky is defending way off the ball, her hands are high up. 5 sets of hands up or out--interfering with the passing lanes or sight lines. Watching the OK St-MissSt game right now, I don't see a single pair of hands up except (maybe) the ball defender.

Hands up creates maybe a couple of tips or prevents a couple of passes per game. But that's a margin. And with hands extended, Huskies are also on their toes, meaning greater explosion in the other direction on a change of possession.

Do you know how hard it is to convince a group of kids to keep their hands up even when they up by 2o or more points? Hours and hours and hours of practice...and not a little bit of yelling.....

What a team; what a coaching staff.

Great observation. Over the weekend I was tempted to start a similar thread but was just the opposite...while watching the other games, I was in awe of the number of teams who played defense with their hands down, unless their person was attempting a shot. I guess I am spoiled by watching our kids play "D".

 

[Bronx23]

Not a robbery, except maybe of UConn's opponents.

Last couple of games, I've been struck by the intensive defensive posture (literally) of the Huskies. Even when a Husky is defending way off the ball, her hands are high up. 5 sets of hands up or out--interfering with the passing lanes or sight lines. Watching the OK St-MissSt game right now, I don't see a single pair of hands up except (maybe) the ball defender.

Hands up creates maybe a couple of tips or prevents a couple of passes per game. But that's a margin. And with hands extended, Huskies are also on their toes, meaning greater explosion in the other direction on a change of possession.

Do you know how hard it is to convince a group of kids to keep their hands up even when they up by 2o or more points? Hours and hours and hours of practice...and not a little bit of yelling.....

What a team; what a coaching staff.

Great post!
So darn important and so hard to make happen especially with big leads. BUT, it's part of the expectations and culture of U Conn. Part of why some play and some don't or how much you play and when!
High expectations and accountability lead to these results!
Bronx23