The Island Sag
Your defender backs off a full arm's reach — he's conceding the jumper to wall off the drive.
THE TRIGGER — ONE LOOK
Look at the gap: if you can take one full step forward without touching him, he's sagging. His feet are behind the catch line and his weight is back.
YOUR JOB, BY WHERE YOU'RE STANDING
Attacker
Walk into the gap and take the shot he's giving you — or attack the foot that steps up.
A sag is a bet that you won't shoot. Punish it once and the whole possession changes: he has to press up, and then the drive opens.
Defender
Keep your back foot out of the paint and shade the middle — make him beat you baseline.
Sagging only works if it takes away the middle drive. Squared up and too deep, you're giving up the shot AND the lane.
THE NEXT BEAT
The instant you walk forward into range, he has to step up — and a defender moving forward is a defender you can drive past. The sag never survives your first confident dribble at it.
GOES DEEPER