Basketball · Level 5: Upper-Intermediate · Sub-level 5.2

Defending the Last Shot

10 tests · 100 facts · updated 22 October 2026 · markdown

Switching late, denying the star, the inbounder's defender, contesting without fouling, defending a 2-point and a 3-point lead, pump fakes, the last rebound, defensive time-outs and scouting late-game plays.

Each test below is ten questions on Insporta. The list under a test is what the questions check: one fact per question, with the source it was written from. Read it before the test, or come back from a wrong answer.

Test 1Switching lateTake a test

Slipping before the switch beats it.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A small defender may end up on a big scorer.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Every switch must be called.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Like-for-like switches are safe.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Help covers the mismatch.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A switched centre leaves the paint empty.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A same-size switch takes away the shot.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
See, call, swap, stay.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
The bigger the size gap, the riskier.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
So nobody gets left open by a screen.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 2Denying the starTake a test

The best defender takes the biggest threat.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Face-guarding watches only him.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A defender who only watches him cannot see the ball.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Taking the star away moves the shot elsewhere.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Contest without fouling.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
The sideline is an extra defender.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Keep the ball away from the only scorer.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Deny, watch, stay, contest.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
From double to normal.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Deny him the catch.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 3Guarding the inbounderTake a test

The extra defender can double the star.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Nobody blocks his passing view.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
The extra man helps on the biggest threat.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Length makes passing over him hard.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Active arms bother the pass.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Defenders stay off the inbounder.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A shooter who inbounds can step in, take a return pass and shoot.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Leave, move, double, force another catch.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Tall and active is most pressure.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
The inbounder's man drops to double the star.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 4Contesting without foulingTake a test

Free throws are easy points with no time used.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Landing on a defender's foot can injure the shooter.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A foul on a three-point attempt gives more free throws.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A swipe can draw the foul the shooter wants.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Visible hands show there was no foul.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Reaching from behind often fouls.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Swiping late often fouls the shooter.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Close, stop, hands up, land clean.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
The foul on a three hurts most.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Hands straight up, no contact.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 5Up by twoTake a test

Free throws for a three can tie or win it.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A two ties the game.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A contested two at worst ties.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A three from their best shooter would lose the game.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A lay-up still ties the game.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
The margin decides what each shot means.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
The three would lose; the two would tie.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
A three loses, a lay-up ties, a contested two may miss.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Know, arc, contest, box out.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Up by 2, a three loses the game.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 6Up by threeTake a test

Only a three can tie the game.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A two still leaves them behind.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Even if they score, they still trail with little time.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Hugging the arc takes away threes.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A foul on a three could tie the game at the line.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Top-locking keeps them inside the arc.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
The lay-up only cuts it to one.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Know, attach, give only two, box out.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Only a three can tie.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Run shooters off the arc.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 7Pump fakes lateTake a test

A defender in the air is easy to beat or foul.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A defender in the air is easy to beat.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
It tries to draw contact on the arms.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Hands down invite the rip-through.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
He jumps after the shooter, not before.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Landing on him is a foul.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A flying defender cannot recover.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Close, fake, stay down, contest.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Staying down is best.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Stay down with a hand up.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 8The last reboundTake a test

A long miss can bounce out to the guards.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Time may remain for a put-back.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Players watching the ball leave him free.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A put-back can still count.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Long rebounds go to guards who can shoot.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Size helps on the last board.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
An unboxed crasher can tip it in.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Contest, find, box, secure.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Shot, rebound, buzzer.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Find a body and box out.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 9Defensive time-outsTake a test

It sets the defence before the last play.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Matchups can be set for the last play.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
It allows a reply to their plan.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Both coaches get to plan.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
There is no time to sort it out on court.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Without a pause, the attack must run in a hurry.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
A time-out would let them set up.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Call, set, repeat, find.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
From full plan to none.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
To set the matchups and plan.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Test 10Scouting late playsTake a test

Knowing the play helps stop it.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
It names the go-to player and his favourite actions.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Coaches tend to trust a few actions.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Seeing it helps recognise it.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Spoil the main option and force a second choice.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Late fouls go to the worst shooter.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · recall
Doubling the catch takes away their favourite late option.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Study, watch, practise, spoil.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Video shows the plays themselves.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied
Take away their favourite late shot.
Source: FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence · applied

Sources

FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3 and general coaching references; original questions authored, nothing reproduced. Numbered FIBA rules belong to the Rules category.

FIBA/WABC Coaches Manual Level 3, late-game defence100