What a great game the Trailblazers played tonight. The Bulls do look a lot better, but the Blazers really showed some heart, winning in 2OT on the road. I switched to the Suns game against the Sonics and it was good (because I'm a Steve Nash guy) to see the Suns come from a 20 point deficit to beat the Sonics. From a coaching perspective, what amazed me the most was the inability for Sonics coach PJ Carlesimo to change defenses. The Sonics stayed in their 2-3 zone the entire game. It worked for the first quarter (I'm guessing because I didn't see it), but when the Suns came back to almost tie by half, I was almost certain that the Sonics would change defenses. But they didn't.
The Suns just picked apart the Sonics 2-3 zone with 3-point shooting, ball reversal, offensive rebounding, underneath, penetrating the gaps. You name it, they did it. It was beautiful to watch, take a look for yourself and then you can read my thoughts below.
As I mentioned above, the Suns did all the things you need to do to beat zones. I won't show all of them but this sequence is perhaps one of my favorite ways to beat the zone because it combines at least 3 of the fundamental zone concepts:
1. Ball reversals and skip passes force the zone to shift and morph
2. Penetrate the gaps to force the defense to collapse
3. Run a player or 2 underneath the zone where they can't see
Skip, Penetrate, Underneath:
Very simple here. The Suns spread the floor with 4-out 1-in. The 1-in is Grant Hill and is behind the baseline where the zone defense cannot see him.
Nash has the ball on the wing. He skips it directly to Barbosa. This forces X4 to come up to defend him. Barbosa quickly reverses it again to Shawn Marion in the corner. Now the Sonics are actually in a matchup zone, so X3 closes out from the opposite side while X5 maintains the center.
O3, Shawn Marion could've shot the 3-pointer, but even better, he penetrates the gap along the baseline. This forces X5 to step up and protect the paint. Grant Hill slips underneath and receives the pass from Shawn for the easy layup. X2 comes down from the top to help but is late.
Summary:
It was clear to me what PJ Carlesimo's defensive gameplan was, we'll play zone defense and make em shoot over top all night. And that worked for a time, but as I've said before, on defense you must be adaptable. You can't be married to 1 principle. For example, if you're a pressing team, don't fall in love with your press, there will always come a time when it won't work. Same with zones, don't live and die with your 1-3-1, always have different defenses that you can easily switch to. The Sonics failed to adjust defensively and got blasted as a result.
A great video with a lot of the zone offense concepts I talk about are in Coach Mike Krzyzewski's Zone Offense DVD. Coach K needs to introduction, he is one of the finest basketball minds to have ever lived. The discussions are heating up at the X's and O's Basketball Forum so be sure to stop by and join in.
Conference play started for many college teams today and one of the early games I caught on ESPN was between Notre Dame and West Virginia. I thought the reasons why Notre Dame won were twofold. First, they play a combination of solid M2M defense with some pack-line, and they execute extremely well in transition.
Contrary to traditional thinking, you don't necessarily need a ton of speed to be a good transition basketball team. Well executed early offense can be just as effective if not more than a break-neck transition that is prone to turnovers. Notre Dame isn't your typical run and gun team per-se, but they like to score early in the possession using a combination of their forwards and 3-point shooting guards. You don't necessarily need to be a Phoenix Suns run and gun team to have a good transition game. Here's what one of their early offense plays looked like in a key point early in the game that swung the momentum to the Irish (NOTE, unlike most of my clips, this one actually has sound),
One of the things that works really well in early offense concepts is the quick ball reversal for the 3-pointer. By overloading one side temporarily, then reversing the ball, often times the defense does not have a chance to react because they are still getting set. You can use that momentary lapse in position to your team's advantage.
Reversal 3-pointer Early Offense:
In case some of you are still new, early offense is defined as quick hitters off of made baskets. The idea being to look for a quick hitter, and when not there, settle into your half court offense.
It's a very simple concept here, O1 dribbles the ball on one side of the court. You can't see O2 in the video, but he starts out at the ball-side corner. O5 sets the first screen, then O3 goes down to set the second screen.
O1 passes the ball to O4 who pops out to receive the ball. Then quickly reverses it to O2 for the open 3-pointer. O4 does a great job of really sticking the pick. I like physical basketball and so I'm a guy that likes my players to set tough picks and always bump cutters (must be my football coaching background).
Summary:
Hopefully, this has some of you coaches thinking of a few new wrinkles as school gets back into session with respect to your early offense. As I mentioned, you don't necessarily need great speed (though speed is always better), to be a good transition team, execution is far more important. The prerequisite for sure is that all of your players hustle down the court. Get there when the defense is still backpedaling, then execute your play.
I showed the 3-pointer here, but the Irish probably had about 4 or 5 early offense plays that went straight to a forward who had established early position. This also helped setup the 3-pointers like this play here. As for the Irish chances this year in the Big East, I think Mike Brey has done an outstanding job with this group. They were a 20-plus win team last year and should be very competitive all year, I've watched them a few times this year and have been impressed with their execution, a sign of a very well coached team.
Anyone interested in more transition offense ideas should take a look at Roy Williams DVD, secrets of the UNC secondary break. Don't forget to check out the X's and O's Basketball Forum to discuss this and any of your favorite basketball topics.
By far, the best game I saw today was between Dayton and Akron. I knew going in that Dayton was a good team, but was very surprised to see Akron take them to 2OT. I read that they won a lot of games going in, but against mostly weaker teams. Akron is a very good team, especially when their 3-pointers are dropping. As for the Dayton Flyers, they are playing as good as anyone I've seen so far this season. The A10 is going to be very interesting with Rhode Island, UMass, Xavier, Dayton and Duquesne all playing extremely well, I haven't seen RI but they all deserve to go the NCAAs in my opinion.
I posted earlier on a SLOB play from Dayton, but tonight I decided to break down a few of Dayton's half-court offensive sets. Dayton runs a lot of hi-lo so I chose 2 plays from the game that Dayton ran on more than a couple of occasions.
Stack High-Low:
Dayton occasionally will use the stack set to start. They use a double stack to begin. Once the PG dribbles to one side, the stack will break and the bottom guards will break to the corners. 1 forward will break to the top of the 3-point line and 1 forward will curl into the middle of the key for a post up.
The pass goes to the forward up top and since the defender is fronting, it's just a lob pass into the center who goes up for the easy deuce.
2-2 High-Low Option:
Dayton's favorite set is probably the 2 high and 2 low in the corners set. In fact, when other set plays like their 1-4 high or dribble weave motion break down, they will go to this 2-2 set and run hi-lo option.
So the formation is 2 forwards high facing each other about the lane width apart at the top of the key. 2 guards at each corner. The point guard starts in the middle of the floor, sometimes backs up for better effect. Then O1 drives hard to the middle, then comes off the pick from one of the forwards, O4 in this case. The screener will pop out to receive the pass from O1. O5 will drop down for a middle post-up.
Now I call it an option play because from here, O4 has a couple of options. The first is the hi-lo to O5. But as you can see, X3 is help-side and after a few lobs will start cheating to pick off the lob. So if the lob is not there, you need options, In this case, O4 just attacks the basket on dribble penetration.
Other options that Dayton ran include the dribble handoff to O1, and dribble weave handoff again with the corner guards coming up to receive the pass. Then Dayton would either look for a backdoor with one of the guards coming in underneath, or even shoot the 3-pointer if open.
Summary:
The hi-lo offense really is great if you have some great a couple of great passing forwards. You can get a lot of open looks right underneath the basket. With this hi-lo set, you can get a lot of dribble-handoff action which will allow your guards to get open shots or drive and pop looks. It's an efficient offense with it's primary aim to score down low.
Of course, if you're looking at implementing the hi-lo, Bill Self's new Hi-lo DVD is a must see. It's a newer version of his 1999 video with some more updated sets. And, it's only $34.99 so that's a bonus in itself after all those other expensive ones. Coach Self's DVD on the hi-lo is considered the best one out there. As always, head over to the X's and O's of Basketball Forum to talk about hoops and more.
Though I've said before, I don't intend to use this blog to hype people, I will however show some love to guys that are unsung heroes of their team, or the underrated players. Jason Maxiell is that kind of guy, a blue collar player that does all the dirty work. On offense, he sets picks and rebounds. On defense, he defends guys often much bigger than his 6-foot-7 body and boxes them out. He epitomizes what you want in a utility player, does a little bit of everything and his play and attitude are one of the reasons why the Detroit Pistons are doing so well and on a 10 game winning streak right now.
In this sequence, Maxiell does a great job defending his new much bigger check after the switch. He fronts the post, then gets back into box out position for the team rebound. Watch the video and read my thoughts below,
One of the byproducts of being a straight M2M defense team is individual accountability. M2M defense is great at teaching young people values not just basketball skill. You're teaching life lessons. Each player is responsible for his man and by not defending your man properly, you let down yourself and your teammates. This all comes together when switching on picks.
I hear it alot from players. "Oh coach, it's not my fault, we switched and so I was waiting for help side defense." On the switch, you are still responsible for defending your new check 1v1. It doesn't matter that the new check is 1 foot taller, or 2 steps quicker, you still have that responsibility. Now, as a team, your teammates have a responsibility to provide help (which Rasheed Wallace does), but ultimately you are still responsible for stopping your new check, period.
As a drill, what I like to do is to matchup different players in a 1v1 drill. So, a forward guarding a PG on the perimeter, or a PG guarding a forward in the post. To be a good M2M team, your players need to be comfortable guarding different players in different positions, as switches will happen. This will both improve the skills that they lack (footspeed, strength) and also to use their strength to their advantage when defending. Do not let your players use the excuse of "the switch" for poor defense, demand accountability.
A great DVD that breaks down the M2M fundamentals is Geno Auriemma's 8 Essential Defensive Drills DVD. Coach Auriemma is the head coach of multiple national championship winning lady Huskies of UConn. Head over to the X's and O's of Basketball Forum to discuss all of your hoops.
Just want to start by saying what a fantastic day in basketball. I watched about 6 college basketball games and they were all terrific. I even watched a couple of NBA games that were decent as well. As school gets back in session, I won't be able to watch so many games so I enjoy every minute of it. Lets start off with the shootout in Boston tonight. The Houston Cougars come in to face the UMass minutemen. It's remarkable how similar these teams play, all out run and gun. If you like fast basketball, you have to watch these teams play. I can't wait to see the Houston vs Memphis later in the year.
This sequence pretty much summed up the night for both teams. All fast breaks, early offense, and quick hitters. The one thing I noticed the most just in this sequence was how fast they transition off made baskets. It looks like the UMass player jumps to rip the ball out of the net, before landing on the ground, inbounds it across halfcourt. Now that's fast. Watch the video and I'll post some info from possibly the best run and gun coach out there,
David Arsenault's Run and Gun:
Coach Arsenault is the head coach at Grinnell College. I believe Coach Arsenault has used his run and gun to bring Grinnell to 2 NCAA appearances and a 63-1 record (could be dated now). Coach Arsenault states the following as his team's goals,
• Take 100 shots in the game
• Take 25 shots more than the opponent
• Attempt 50% of the shots from 3-point range
• Force 32 turnovers
• Get Offensive rebounds on 35% of your missed shots
Now, not all of the system is just rat-ball. For example, there are early offense plays designed to maximize 3-point opportunities.
If you are looking for more on the Grinnell run and gun, I highly recommend you take a look at Dave Arsenault's Running to Win DVD. Be sure to head over to the X's and O's Basketball Forum to discuss this and more of your favorite basketball topics.
Use a Safety to Reverse the Ball on Press Breaks
Posted by bruchu Labels: *NCAA, Fastbreak and Early OffenseI didn't catch any live basketball games today, I watched a replay of the HS game I posted earlier, then it was pretty much bowl watching the rest of the day. Man I love college football, but 10 straight hours is probably way too much to be a good thing. I recorded most of the Memphis game against Arizona the other day but I took these clips from Sportscenter of Memphis' 2-2-1 full court press.
I wasn't as much impressed with the press as I was alarmed at the lack of a reverse in the press break from Arizona. Now I don't mean this as a criticism of Arizona or Kevin O'Neill as I haven't watched the whole game so I don't know if Memphis switched defenses in between possessions, but on any press break, you must have a safety to reverse the ball to. To me, it's fundamental, or bad things happen like in this video,
Inbounder as Safety:
I like using the inbounder as the safety. Then bring one of the forwards up to the middle. Along with the primary ball-handler, those are really the only 3 players you need to break any kind of press.
Once the ball gets inbounded, the inbounder becomes the safety. If the primary ball handler faces a double, he should reverse the ball back to the inbounder.
Once the ball is reversed, the player should look to attack. If the defense is quick enough to set their secondary trap, you should look again to pass ahead or reverse again. O1 in this case is the safety. Basically, there should always be 1 player behind the ball so that reversal can take place. Each time your reverse the ball, the greater the chance of going over the top as the defense shifts.
Summary:
Against full-court pressure, you want to eliminate bad passes and avoid dribbling through the press. If the worst thing that happens is a 10 second call, as a coach, I can live with that. Every time you reverse the ball, the defense has to adjust. Make the defense work sideline to sideline, they will eventually tire. Trust me on the tired part coming from a coach that likes to press most of the game.
For more great press breakers, check out John Brady's DVD on the press-break offense. Coach Brady is the current head coach at LSU. As usual, head over to the X's and O's of Basketball Forum to get your hoops talk fill.
Couple of milestones, my first post in 2008, my 200th post so far on this blog. Watching USC dominate and the whole PAC-10 representing well in bowl games today. Back to basketball, I watched some tape delay games from the Torrey Pines Invitational (now called Maxpreps) in California that just concluded on the weekend. The final game was between powerhouse Dominguez HS out of Compton, CA against Simi Valley HS out of Simi Valley, CA.
Dominguez is just an extremely athletic and power team. They have a lot of height, and they have a player that is probably one of the best players in the country, no wonder they are a top 20 team in the nation. Simi Valley, though not nearly as big and athletic, play the Walberg offense extremely well, probably as good as I've seen so far. They press all game, and they have great driving guards. Though they would lose the game on a last second offensive rebound putback, I thought Simi Valley played extremely well and could make a run at the CIF Socals in March. Here is a look at their dribble drive motion offense,
The dribble drive motion offense works because,
- of quick guards that can drive and attack. It is nearly unstoppable when you can breakdown defenders 1v1, eg. Derrick Rose at Memphis.
- of fouls, Pepperdine right now is 3rd in country in FTs attempted despite playing only 13 games this season.
- 3-point shooting. Once you can penetrate the lane and the defense collapses, there will be high quality open shots from the perimeter.
Fake Handoff:
I'm just going to diagram a couple of plays, but the first one I like is the fake handoff. Most dribble drive teams use the handoff alot and one of the best counters is the fake handoff.
You spread the floor, pass up top, your guard comes in and the forward fakes the handoff, then simply pivot and drive to the basket.
Reverse, Attack, Kick-out, Attack:
This is perhaps where this offense really excels. You spread the floor again. You reverse the ball from one side to the other side.
The wing penetrates and draws the defense in, O5 pops out to the corner. O3 kicks it back out to O5.
O5 has the choice, he can shoot the perimeter 3-pointer if open, or use the pick by O3 to drive middle and attack the basket which O5 does here.
Summary:
From what I've read, Simi Valley has been using this offense for at least 2 seasons now. They are aren't particularly big or athletic, but they have great guards that can penetrate and shoot. They press all game, and use pressure defense to force turnovers. Though, Dominguez did a great job breaking the press with their athleticism. The game came down to rebounding, Dominguez was simply too athletic and too big and was able to gain extra possessions.
A new release video that has a lot of good info on perimeter play such as driving and 1v1 moves, take a look at Sean Miller's new DVD on offensive player improvement. Coach Miller is the head coach of upstart Xavier. To discuss the Walberg offense or more of your favorite basketball topics, head over to the X's and O's of Basketball Forum to talk with other coaches from around the world.
