Face guarding in basketball is a defensive tactic where a player closely guards their opponent by staying directly in front of them, often maintaining eye contact or positioning themselves in a way that blocks the offensive player’s line of sight. The primary goal of face guarding is to prevent the offensive player from receiving the ball, especially during an inbound pass or when they’re attempting to get open for a shot. The defender typically keeps their body between the offensive player and the ball, making it difficult for the offensive player to make effective cuts or get open.
This tactic can be particularly useful when the offensive player is a primary scorer or is known for their ability to create scoring opportunities off the ball. Face guarding can also be a way to disrupt the rhythm of an opponent’s play by denying them easy access to the ball. However, it is a high-risk strategy since it can leave the defender vulnerable to backdoor cuts or screen plays if not executed properly.
