Larry Brown's Transition Offense Rules

From the latest Xavier Newsletter, this is Larry Brown's Transition Offense explained. I really like the concept of transition offense as a way to counteract an opponent that is overly aggressive on the offensive glass. Make them pay the other way by creating a numbers advantage. Here are his rules,

Larry Brown - Offensive Concepts:

1. I tried to program our players in South America during the Olympic qualifying tournament to play as a team. We emphasized the advance pass and hit the open guy alot.

2. The old NBA would have teams shoot 120 times per game because of ball movement and passing. Today's NBA shoots 70 times a game.

3. Crossing guys in transition to make them run the floor makes sense. Players love to say they want to run but then they don't run. (SEE: Diagram #1)


4. The main objective of the transition game is to flatten the defense by reversing the ball.

5. When you pitch it ahead in transition, the advance passer must replace himself to be a part of ball reversal. Be selective on who you throw the ball ahead to. Can he make a play if he catches the ball? (SEE: Diagram #2)


6. Quick-shoot in transition only when the offense has numbers for rebounding purposes.

7. Teams must be able to strike in transition offense to prevent the other team from sending 4 and 5 guys to the glass on offense.

8. I want to push the ball up the floor on every possession because the defense must worry about getting back and it lessens their offensive rebounding aggressiveness. I'll also have more time to utilize the 24 sec. shot clock. I also fear being pressed, so pushing the ball helps attack full court pressure.

9. The nearest big guy for us takes the ball out on our opponent's made field goals. Coach (Dean) Smith designated one big guy to inbound. I like the first big guy down the floor running to the rim and "button hooking".

10. Secondary break is good for coaches, not players. I want to get the ball down the floor in transition and then reverse it.

11. Early offense is effective off of a 3 on 2 or 4 on 3 advantage. Flatten the defense in transition offense, run hard for lay ups, then get ball reversal and good things will happen. Early offense isn't effective versus a
set defense.

12. Don't over-emphasize turnovers or your players will play not to make a mistake. Try and get 10 more shots than your opponent does.

13. Your number one priority in transition is to get layups.

14. "Mumbo jumbo" into a sideline ballscreen takes away the defense's ability to "down" the ballscreen. Mumbo jumbo is defined as purposeful action away from the ball.

Summary:

I really like both concepts of crossing the wings, though I would be concerned at the lower levels if they can get to the opposite wings in time, you don't want the ball to sit dead waiting for the wings to clear through. Also, I love the ball reversal. Every time you reverse the ball, you'll get a better look. Watching Duke play this year, with their new spread offense, they did a lot of ball reversal in their early offense.

I have a great deal of respect for Larry Brown the tactician. I've read a lot about him being the relationship killer, though I'm clearly not in a position to judge him for that. But I just think he's got some great ideas on offense having coached under and with some of the best minds of all time.

If you're a Larry Brown fan like me, then you'll want to take a look at Larry Brown's DVD on Mastering the Secondary Break. I'm really looking forward to watching Larry Brown back on the bench again, this time teamed up with Michael Jordan in Charlotte. Join the many coaches already talking about their favorite basketball topics at the X's and O's Basketball Forum.