Given the current trend toward positionless basketball, I am interested in discussing the most effective ways to mitigate the impact of high-volume slashers who rely on explosive first steps. In your experience, is a sagging man-to-man defense still viable, or is a more aggressive hedge at the perimeter necessary to prevent the drive? I have noticed that at the amateur and semi-professional levels, lateral quickness often compensates for a lack of verticality, yet many players still struggle with the timing of the gather step. I would appreciate some technical insights into how defenders can better anticipate these transitions without drawing excessive shooting fouls