One afternoon, after completing a workout with one of his players, trainer Durwood McCoy was feeling uneasy.
He had spent a significant portion of the workout coaching Allen on the technical aspects of some post moves and was now defending as Allen attempted to execute them. The arsenal of moves included left and right hooks, turnaround jumpers, step throughs and a few counters. Durwood would communicate the move he wanted Allen to execute and then proceed to defend him.
Standing at 5’10”, however, Durwood just wasn’t making things challenging enough for Allen, who was 6’ 8”, athletic and physically imposing. Plus, Durwood felt that telling Allen what move to execute in advance was counterproductive in helping Allen develop his basketball instincts, increase his basketball IQ and improve his overall feel for the game.
For a long time Durwood had used a blocking pad, which he felt was effective in adding resistance and making it difficult for players like Allen to establish deep positioning before rising up for a hook shoot or a turnaround jumper. The physicality he brought with the pad was a welcomed addition but after a series of bumps, Allen would simply elevate for an uncontested finish. This method of training was inadequate in preparing Allen to be effective against players who were just as tall if not taller, just as strong if not stronger, and equally, if not more, athletic.
Durwood knew that great defenders work to limit particular options and give offensive players different looks to keep them guessing and disrupt their rhythm. He wanted Allen to become more adept at reading and reacting so he would be ready for whatever a defender might throw at him.
Frustrated that he wasn’t doing enough to help Allen improve, Durwood knew something had to be done. And so he spent a significant amount time brainstorming ways to address these challenges. It was in these very moments that the Elite Defender was born.
Eventually Durwood conceptualized a product that would combine the physical component of the blocking pad with an element that could obstruct an offensive player's vision and challenge shot attempts in much of the same way active defenders do using their length, athleticism and anticipation. He called it “Elite Defender”.
With the Elite Defender, Durwood could now defend Allen in a manner that forced him to adjust to the way he was being played and employ the most effective moves and finishes at the right time. Now at 5’10” he could simulate the presence of a physically imposing and athletic player who was 6’ 3”, 6’6” or 7’0” for that matter.
Over time Durwood realized that he could use the Elite Defender to assist guards and forwards on the perimeter as well. He began using Elite Defender to simulate defense on tough drives and for late contests of shot attempts as his players worked on pull-up jumpers, step backs dribbles, and drives to the basket.
Simply put, the Elite Defender was built out of Durwood’s genuine desire to become a more impactful trainer and to help his athletes improve as much as possible. Suffice to say, Durwood was able to accomplish just that. We look forward to sharing the Elite Defender with countless others so that they may grow as coaches and players for years to come.
