In football, a team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game.  Turnover margin is a good indicator of successful teams.  Every possession counts and with a limited amount of chances in a football game keeping possession of the ball is critical.  However, what many fail to realize is that winning the turnover battle is just as important in basketball as well.  Turnover margin gets largely overlooked in basketball because of the number of offensive possessions for a team but it is just as important.

One of the fastest collegiate basketball teams in the nation last year was North Carolina.  Fast doesn’t necessarily mean speed.  Fast in this instance refers to the average number of offensive possessions in a particular game.  The Tar Heels averaged just about 74 offensive possessions a game.  That number is astounding considering these facts: there are two 20-minute halves in college basketball and the shot clock is 35 seconds.  Using UNC’s possession average the math works out to almost two possessions every minute.  Now factor in the 35 seconds to shoot and you realize that averaging nearly two possessions a minute is mind-boggling.  But it’s not overly impossible because North Carolina turned the ball over less than their opponents.  Carolina won the turnover battle and in turn had more offensive possessions, which lead to an average scoring margin of 17.1 points (according to the official UNC Athletics website).  So, as you can see, if you win the turnover battle in basketball it can pay huge dividends offensively.  A turnover in basketball can lead to a score in seconds.  Several turnovers in a row can lead to more easy baskets and a lead that was once two points has increased to 10.  That’s how important taking care of the basketball has become.   

There are several approaches to winning the turnover battle in basketball.  One way to win the battle is to have a team that is adept at handling the ball and making smart decisions.  The men’s basketball team at Butler University is a prime example of this.  According to the NCAA website, Butler lead the nation last year in fewest turnovers per game at 9.5.  The Bulldogs were a disciplined bunch and a smart bunch too.  They just didn’t make mental mistakes that lead to turnovers.   

Another way to win the turnover battle is to force turnovers.  Virginia Military Institute led the nation last year in steals per game at 14.8.  Combine that number with other turnovers committed by their opponents and VMI probably forced over 20 turnovers per game.  If you are going to employ this option then you must focus your efforts on the defensive end of the floor.  A good trapping defense or full-court pressure can lead to errors by the opposing team and easy baskets for your team.   

Let’s examine how the previously mentioned options can work for a particular team.  First, taking care of the basketball means that your players cannot force passes.  Good passing angles are required to make good passes.  Dribblers must be strong and protect the ball.  Passes must be crisp and concise.  This is why it is of utmost importance for your players to know the plays.  In the virtual world, College Hoops 2K8 allows the user to see the play diagram while the play is being run.  Becoming familiar with the plays helps prevent turning the ball over. 

Defensively, a team can utilize a good trapping defense or use full-court pressure to force turnovers.  Think back to Nolan Richardson and his Arkansas Razorbacks in the early 90’s.  They coined the phrase, “40 Minutes of Hell” because they played fast and they pressured their opponents all over the basketball floor.  This led to turnovers which became points by the bunches for the Hogs.  A good trapping defense will lull dribblers into bad spots on the floor such as the corners.  Good corners to trap in are the spot where the baseline and sideline meet.  A 1-3-1 defense usually has people trapping the ball in this spot because if one defender can prevent the offensive player from driving along the baseline then the other defender can prevent the player from dribbling back toward the wing area.  This means the offensive player is “trapped” in that spot and will usually panic and turn the ball over.  Another good trapping spot is the corner where the sideline and half court line meet.  An offensive player is trapped there because he cannot cross over the half court line again.   

If you master the art of taking care of the basketball and forcing turnovers with your defense then your chances of success are greater.  Three of the past five NCAA National Championship winners have had a positive turnover margin.  The other two winners were in the negative by one turnover or less.  Taking care of the basketball and forcing more turnovers than you commit is a good indicator of success.  Making winning the turnover battle one of your team’s goals this season.