What is critical, however, is how well a team denies preferences, exploits weaknesses, and protects the basket. Intelligent players identify such preferences and make it difficult for individual opponents or teams to do what they like. When, for example, a player feels more comfortable dribbling with the right hand, an opponent should overplay that hand, forcing the player to dribble with the left one.
Some teams use only one entry to begin play in a particular part of the court.
For example, a team may begin play in their front court with a pass from the guard to a forward. Recognizing this, opponents should deny or disrupt that entry. When players or teams have deficiencies, opponents should look for every opportunity to exploit those weaknesses. When passing to a teammate, inept or inexperienced players, for example, watch the receiver without seeing the defense. Consequently, perceptive defensive players can have a field day intercepting passes.