How do you “cover” a person without the ball?

Anonymous: How do you “cover” a person without the ball?
I am starting to play basketball again and I am having trouble playing covering a player without the ball. Are there any tips for “covering” the person with the ball? Also, would if I am covering someone, would I be looking at the ball or the player or waving my arms or something?

Answers and Views:

Answer by lastminute girl
Be in their way so no one can pass it to them.

Answer by Ryan (NFL fan)
Watch their eyes

Answer by Kevin
You can keep one hand slightly on them to make sure they don’t get away from you.

Answer by Bobby Don (Pistons 16-31)
Don’t look at the ball just look at your guy. Even when he passes the ball don’t follow it. The only time you should move off your man is if it is on a fast break or if one of your teammates is calling help.

Answer by One With The Rubik’s Cube
you should look at the ball and keep a hand on the player, not grabbing, but just making sure you know where they are. If you are trying to deny the pass, make sure to have your arm out and stay in between him and the ball. If he’s not a big scoring threat, just try to keep good positioning, knowing where he and the ball is, and be ready to defend if a pass is thrown at him. Good Luck with playing basketball again, it’s a great great sport.

Answer by whoismichaeljordan?
hold his chest w/out fingering him o

Answer by call911now
Okay im a pointguard so im always guarding someone on the wing, not in the post, so i know what its like trying to deny and “cover’ a person without the ball.

Don’t look at whoever has the ball that much, look at ur man, let him get the ball to find out if hes a shooter or not.

Im a shooter so i would catch and shoot right away, so if u were to guard me, ud have 2 pick up on this, say from me taking afew jumpers, and start to defend me more by looking at me.
If i was an attacker and drove alot, u want to deny the ball, but ultimately since its not pro ball your playing, ud wait till i get the ball.

Playing defence is all about being committted and not getting lazy. I don’t mind if someone scores, cuz i think its good defence, better offence. Really don’t go for the block unless in post, if outside, just try to get ur hand close to their eyes, without hitting them ofcourse