PROPER DEFENSIVE STANCE. NBA veteran, Mark Strickland, show the proper defensive stance for basketball. You want to sit down in a balanced, athletic stance. This means that your feet are shoulder width apart. Make sure you have your hands active, meaning one hand is close to the player and one hand is out into the passing lane. As the offensive player starts to move you want to make sure you slide into the direction the offensive player, all the while having active hands and not crossing your feet. The key is to keep the butt down, in your athletic, balanced stance, your head on the ball and to have active hands.