how to be a defensive stopper in basketball

One way to break into the starting lineup, get more playing time, and have a successful playing career is to become a big-time defensive player.
We talk a lot about offense and scoring, but defense is just as important. Playing good defense helps your team win games, and being a really good defender can get you more playing time.
Coaches like players that can score, but coaches also give lots of playing time to players that are defensive stoppers.
A lot of defense comes down to desire and effort. Most people have the ability to get out on the floor and play good defense. But being a good defender isn't easy. It takes hard work. Not everyone is willing to dig down and play tough defense. You can separate yourself from everyone else by taking on the challenge of becoming a tough, hard nosed defender.
How do you become a great defender? Let's cover four key areas.
Take away your opponent's strengths
Taking away your opponent's strengths is probably one of the most important ways to become a good defender and stand out on the defensive end of the floor. It's a simple, but effective concept: make your opponent do things they don't like to do, or aren't good at. If your opponent like posting up on the right block, over guard them and force them to post up on the left block. If the person you're guarding likes to catch the ball around the free throw line, guard them closely and don't let them get the ball there. Force them to catch the ball out on the wing, where they aren't so comfortable. If the person you are guarding likes to drive to their left, force them to drive to their right. Whatever you need to do to take away your opponent's first choice, their strengths, do it. It'll make your job easier, and you'll be a better defender and get more playing time.
Stop your opponent from getting on a roll
Basketball is a game of momentum and runs. A player will get hot and hit a bunch of shots in a row. A team will make a steal, get an easy layup, then gain lots of momentum and hit every shot they take for the next 5 or 6 possessions. As a defender, your job is to make sure the other team, the player you are guarding does not get on a roll. Here's how to do it: say the person you are guarding hits a jump shot. The next time down the floor, don't let them get the ball. Over play them so they can't receive a pass. If they do get the ball, crowd them so they can't take a shot. If they do take a shot, play them closely and make sure they take a tough shot. In short, do whatever it takes so that that one jumper they hit doesn't turn into 2 baskets, then 4 baskets. If a player you guard hits a shot, play extra hard to make sure they don't get hot, get on a roll, and start hitting shot after shot.
Do on defense what you wouldn't like to face as an offensive player
This is another simple, but effective way to become a good defender: think about what you hate to face as an offensive player, then go out and play defense that way. For example, as an offensive player, you probably like playing against opponent's that stand up straight on defense and aren't really ready to guard you when you cut to the basket. You probably like playing against players that aren't aggressive, that allow you to cut across the floor, that allow you to catch the ball pretty much when and wherever you want to, that often forget to box you out when the shot goes up, and who are lazy and don't run back down the floor on defense. Well, guess what? If you do the opposite of those things I just described, you'll be a pretty darn good defender.
Don't ever stand straight up on the defensive end of the floor: always stay low, in good athletic and defensive positions. Be aggressive. Check cutters across the lane. Force your opponent to catch the ball way out on the floor, or in a spot that wasn't their first choice. Box out every single time the shot goes up, and do it aggressively. In other words, play tough, hard defense and do the things that will frustrate your opponent. If your opponent gets frustrated, that means you're doing your job.
Work, work, work
Like we've said before, being a good defensive player is all about being tough and working hard. Everyone wants to score the basketball. That's where all the glory is. But most victories are made on the defensive end of the floor. Good defensive teams tend to be good teams, which win lots of games, and go far in the playoffs. The defensive end of the floor isn't necessarily where the glory is, but it's where games are won or lost.
So you have to make a decision: are you willing to do the hard work that is necessary to be a good defender? If you aren't, then you are going to have to accept the fact that you probably won't play as much as you would if you were a good defender. Coaches and teams need players that can play both ends of the floor. And playing good defense means working hard at being focused, staying low and ready to move at all times, seeing your man and the ball, checking cutters across the lane, playing good help side defense, closing out on shooters, getting a hand up on shooters, and blocking out on every single shot.
Playing good defense can be tiring. But if you're in good shape, focus on working hard on that end of the floor, you'll play a lot of minutes, and you'll help your team win games.