The Art of a Blocked Shot

Imagine coming to Guilford College as a freshman to play on the women’s basketball team.

When first-year athletes join a college athletic team, the transition takes time. The student needs to learn the coach’s complicated schemes, gel with new teammates, and get acclimated to the increased pace and physicality of college sports.

Usually, this translates into first-years sitting the bench and playing junior varsity to hone their skills. This builds confidence and also provides experience before tasting Division III competition at its finest. Every once in a while, however, a first-year really impresses the coaching staff and team wins a varsity team spot with talent and determination.

This year however, Guilford has turned this logic on its head. On the current roster, the Quakers have five first-years who play on a regular basis. 

Forward Gabby Oglesby is a first-year gem. Not only does she have a spot on the team, she has played in all of the Quakers’ 22 games this year. At the season’s midpoint, she worked her way into the starting lineup. “The pace of the game is fast, you have to bring it every game, you have to play your best game every night,” said Oglesby.

More importantly, she is a focal point and impact player for the team on both sides of the ball this season. “Gabby's strengths are her ability to coach and heart,” said head women’s basketball coach Stephanie Flamini. “If she sets her mind to something, she gets it done.”

Offensively, Oglesby is averaging just under 11 points and seven rebounds through her first 23 games. Her consistent scoring ranks third on the team and her rebounds are first on the list. Being a reliable scoring option has helped the Quakers find their identity in 2011.

While her offensive numbers are more than respectable, it’s her defensive play that has made headlines. Defense is hardly talked about in sports because it is not the glamorous, high-flying action part of the game.

Yet, Oglesby is making shot blocking an art form. “The keys to shot blocking are being tall and having a long arm length. She (Gabby) keeps her arms straight up so she doesn't get a foul called and then just takes away the shot,” said Flamini.

At the close of the season, Oglesby has a new school-record 58 blocked shots this season, which ranks second in the Old Dominion Athletic Conference and 43^rd in NCAA Division III. She rejects almost three shots a game, which could equate to six points removed from the opponent. “You can’t try to block a shot or else you foul,” said Oglesby. “It’s a determination thing. You have to mentally say she is not going to get the shot off.”

Gabby attributes her shot blocking success to her work off the court. “I like to watch a lot of film to break down my opponent,” said Oglesby. “When I’m on the court I like to keep in mind their tendencies.”

Oglesby notes the importance of maintaining the proper defensive position, which allows her to keep pace with her opponents and get around screens. Defensive positioning sets up her shot- blocking ability in the post. “She gets into defensive position so well because she is making the opponent work hard and not giving good position up to the offensive player,” said Flamini.

I then asked Gabby for the fast-track guide to shot blocking. She gave me three important tips to remember. Number one, know your opponent. Take the time to do your film study to find out tendencies. Number two, set up your body position. Don’t stand straight up, get low in your defensive stance. Number three, don’t swat. Swatting always leads to fouls. Be in control as you go up for the block.

“Coming out of my defensive stance, I go up with my right hand to create separation with the shooter. Next, I put up my left hand towards the shooter’s face and ball to not create contact. Then instinct kicks in and I block the shot,” said Oglesby.

Heading into the ODAC tournament this Thursday Oglesby’s opponents will be looking to score early and often, if they can get the shot off first.