UNDERSTAND RELATIVE MOTION

Every player, obviously, needs to understand how they are to move within an offense or team defensive concept. That can be described as "Absolute Motion". Most players can get to that part. However, along with all of the individual fundamentals, players need to understand the concept of "Relative Motion". That can best be described as realizing how one player fits into the space on the floor, given the "relative" positioning of the other players, both offense and defense. A player with this understanding will know how to move to get open, create proper spacing, passing angles, play good on ball defense, and give good team defensive help.

15` - 18` spacing between all of your players probably gives you the best chance of spreading out your offense and making it hard to guard. This will create a number of "triangles" between any THREE offensive players. These triangles are what puts pressure on a defense and is, really, the basis for offensive plays. Now put the players in the proper places, and as the Pilgrims said, "now we’re talking turkey".

I think that there is a spatial relationship that he must keep to create a good passing angle. For example, if the player wants to enter a pass to the wing (the free throw line extended to the three point line) the passer needs to be on the "Entry Line". If you were to draw a line from the basket through the corner of the key at the free throw line, and extend it to half court, I call that the "Entry Line". The passer should be as close to that line as possible to make an effective pass. The closer he gets to the basket, the closer to the middle of the floor he can be. The further from the basket, the wider towards the sidelines he can be. If a player wants to enter a pass to the post, the passer, the ball, and the basket should all be in a STRAIGHT LINE. This will create the most difficulty for the defensive post player to determine a "side" to play defense on. Whatever side he chooses, the offense can make a simple move to feed the post from the other side. When determining passing angles, I believe that there is a mathematical relationship between the passer, the receiver, and the defender, and maybe the basket. Being a basketball coach and not a mathematician, I’m not exactly sure what the relationship is, but I know that there is one.

On Defense, that defensive relationship is defined by the "ball/man line". The ball/man line is an imaginary line between your man, and the man with the ball. Players then have a keen awareness, at all times, of the ball-man-line understand "relative motion". You should be on the basket side of the ball man line, with your back to the baseline, and away from your man enough to help your teammates. This position helps form what is often called the "defensive triangle"

Defensively, always be able to see your man and the ball (this is when your man doesn’t have the ball). To do this you must be in a defensive triangle position with you, the ball and your man. Flatten out the triangle, with you at the center point of the triangle. When your man is 1 pass away, you can deny the player from getting the ball. You must be in a defensive triangle position with you, the ball and your man. Flatten out the triangle, with you at the center point of the triangle. As your man moves - you must move. Any time the ball is passed YOU MUST JUMP TO THE BALL. Make gradual, quick, immediate adjustments in your stance. You must be in position before the ball is caught. Jumping to the ball allows you to be in proper position to front cutters, avoid screens (be a moving target), and help teammates. Any time the ball is dribbled you must make the proper ball side or help side adjustments in positioning. Making these small adjustments will prevent you from needing to make one large adjustment.

FAST BREAK PRINCIPLES

A good fast break is an organized offensive attack from the point of possession. The fast break should lead to quick and easy shot opportunities. Keep the pressure on the defense by having an early offense(also called a "secondary break") that the fast break flows into. The early offense should lead into whatever offensive attack that your team is running. Some general guidelines are listed to make your offense a quick hitting, high scoring machine.

To start the fast break, all five defensive players must rebound, then turn away from the defense to pass the ball up the floor. If the passer is not able to throw the outlet, he could clear to the sidelines with a couple of dribbles if necessary, and then pass it.

The other player should run the floor in wide fast break lanes! Throw the ball ahead if someone is open, then attack the basket and look for your shot. Other players should cut to the basket. If no one is open, swing the ball to the other side of the floor and make cuts according to your early offense. A good suggestion for what shots to look for, in order are:

1. Uncontested layup
2. Uncontested midrange jumper
3. Contested power shot close to the basket
4. Uncontested 3pt shot, if you have rebound position

If none of the above present itself, look to flow into your designated offense

CONTROLLED FAST BREAK

Teams should adjust their speed on the fast break and focus on number advantages and organization rather than just pure speed sprinting up the court. Too many teams today just fly down the court without any regard to body control, court position, or defensive numbers.

Guards should practice changing speeds in the open court against defensive pressure including the cross-over from a speed dribble. Ballhandlers also must slow down and be able to find teammates at the end of the break or set up the offense if there is not an offensive advantage.

While running, the fast break lanes should be an all out sprint, players must learn to slow themselves down enough to gain control at the end of the break. This way, when they catch the ball they are ready to ride it in for a layup, pull up for a jump shot, put the ball on the floor to drive, or stop under control and search for open teammates.

A good way to understand this is by applying the concept of the "runway" on the fast break. A jet doesn’t land on a runway at the same speed as in the middle of it’s flight. Fly down the lanes, get control on the runway, and then "taxi" into position for a great "landing" and a good offensive possession.

SECONDARY BREAK: AN EARLY OFFENSE

On a fast break a team’s primary objective should be to get: 1. an uncontested lay-up, 2. an uncontested "Power" shot (inside 10 ft.), 3. an uncontested jumpshot (10-20 ft.), 4. an open 3 pt. shot after a post touch or penetration, 5. a contested "Power" shot, or 6. Any of the above before the defense is set. If none of the above opportunities present themselves, now there is time to run your offense to try to achieve the above goals. A team should take NO contested outside shots unless at the end of the clock. Your offense should start as soon as the fast break ends. Many people call it a "Secondary Break", but I like to call it our "Early Offense".

I think that your offense should be an organized attack from the point of possession. As soon as you get a rebound or a steal, the team enters a fast break attack, exploring situations to outnumber the defense. That fast break should flow into a structured "early offense". The type of early offense should be determined by the kind of shots that the team is looking for, based on it’s yearly strength.

If a team has good big players, maybe the first few shot opportunities in the early offense should be looking for those players to post up. If wings are the strength, the team can run those players off of screens for shots. Guard play may be the strength and the team can spread the floor looking for drive opportunities. Whatever the team chooses to do should be based on a system that gets early shots for their better players and then flows into the offense that the team is running at the time.

This type of constant attack does not give the defense time to regroup and may catch them out of position for a quality shot early in the possession.

"THE SYSTEM"

“The System” is an extreme run-and-gun style of play that actually came to life from the very pure intentions of the idealism behind the "NCAA Division III Philosophy" of the educational benefits from participation and inclusion in co-curricular pursuits. So, rather than playing 8 out of 16 players and having half of the team leave the gym unhappy, this style of play would allow all players to play and still "get their moneys worth" in terms of the number of possessions. Players play for :45 seconds to a minute and a half. Then five subs check in. If it's been longer than that, they foul to stop the clock and get subs in. A team can play 15-20 players per game. They really use just 3 groups and the last 5 guys get sprinkled in based on foul trouble and the like. You'd think that rapid fire subs would not allow a player to "get into the flow" or "develop a rhythm" but it appears to be just the opposite. They are never out of the game long enough to get out of rhythm.

To clear up a common misconception about the "System" is that it is an "undisciplined" style of play. If disciplined is defined as "doing what has to be done, doing it as well as you can do it, doing it when it has to be done, doing it that way all the time." (Bob Knight), then “System” teams are as disciplined as any team out there. This (very) Fast Break is extremely structured and flows into a secondary break that is equally disciplined. The sequence of curls, cuts, screens, slips, drives and shots are ALL well thought out, sequenced and yes, disciplined. The offense is far more structured than most teams that run a true "motion offense" as that allows for more freedom of movement than does this offense. But they do have freedom to shoot. Early and often.

The System runs a designated outlet to the point guard, a primary shooter runs the right, and the forwards run the left. They do not really look to throw it ahead to the shooter but rather clear him through off of a double screen on the weakside. The center trails. This clears the whole right side for the PG to drive full speed to the hoop, which is his mission. If, by chance, he cannot, then he knows that the shooter will be in the opposite corner and behind the double for a 3pt opportunity. If the shooter does not receive a pass he does not stop, but rather curls the double to the basket and a screener pops the stack in that double screen to the corner for his 3pt opportunity. This is a clear cut offense and is very precise and disciplined. This action of doubles, curls, pops, drive and kicks continues at a breakneck pace. Players never stop moving, all looking for "blow by" layups or kick outs to the 3 point line.

When a shot goes up - all 5 players crash the boards and do not worry about getting back or defensive balance. A team might get back half of their misses. You would think that the emphasis on the break and shooting 3's would negate opportunities to get to the FT Line - a goal that I think is worthwhile. But “System” teams typically shoot more free throws than their opponent.


After a score they get into what amounts to a full court 1-2-2 full court press. They have the center on the ball and normally full front all opponents, daring you to throw over the top. They really leave anyone deep open, using their two deep guys to come up and intercept anything over the top to the front guards. On misses they jam and double the rebounder with the two closest players and get into a zone press as well, with the same principles. The double teams continue throughout the possession and into the half court, which would resemble a 1-3-1 matchup half court trap. If the opponent scores, 5 inbounds up court quickly and the process starts all over again.

Now, breath deeply!

COURT VISION

There was a very popular Nike commercial with Lebron James of the Cleveland Cavaliers. In the humorous but somewhat sacrilegious commercial it proclaims "King" James as the "chosen one". It goes on to say that he asked the "Sole of the Game" not for "hops" or "handles", but for COURT VISION! Why? For the "glory of the TEAM!" Players in this era are very concerned with their "handles"(dribbling skills), but sometimes at the expense of their court vision. They are so busy bouncing the ball in as many different ways, and around as many different body parts as possible, that they miss open teammates and offensive options. COURT VISION is essential to effectively run a fast break or an offense. Vision is not just looking up the floor, but "seeing" what is open and, even better, what is going to be open.

Every time players get the ball they should square up and look down the court before initiating transition. Poor court vision results in forced passes, offensive fouls against an unseen defender, and inability to see open teammates who might more easily advance the ball up the court with more effective results. Only after the player looks ahead should they put the ball on the floor - and then only to advance the ball up the floor, drive to the basket, or improve a passing angle. Then when advancing the ball with a dribble, you must be able to dribble without thinking about dribbling, or about the opponent who is guarding you. This will free you to see the court, ready to pass to a teammate who is open.

Most importantly, players need to know where to look for their teammates. The offense should be "synchronized" or timed so that players potentially get open in a sequence. The player with the ball then needs to know the proper sequence to look at. This is no different than a football quarterback looking for his potential receivers. As the player with the ball goes through his options (in order!) he knows what his next move should be.

In order to be a better passer who gets the ball to the right player at the right time, learn to focus under the basket. As you develop your peripheral vision, you will learn to see all the players on your team and be able to pick out who is open without telegraphing your passes. As important as seeing your teamates is, seeing the DEFENSE may be more important. You are going to KNOW where your players should be through practice and naturally react to their same color uniforms. It is better if you have a "soft focus" on the floor and see your teammates through your peripheral vision. However, you should concentrate on where the defense is, attack their weak areas and pass AWAY from the defensive player.

Remember, COURT VISION is important, "for the glory of the TEAM!

THE RIGHT SHOT CHOOSES YOU!

In "The Legend of Bagger Vance," the movie was set in a golf situation, but was a tremendous analogy for coaching, life, and the game of basketball. The title character is a mysterious caddie and in many ways, the consummate coach. Bagger Vance helps a down-on-his-luck golfer named Junuh find the deep place inside, where his ego is quiet and where he can “be” with only himself, and where he can be at one with himself. The vehicle for his transformation is the game of golf where he becomes one with the game. This is only possible when he sets aside his ego and the need to validate himself with individual achievement. At one critical point in the movie Bagger says, "...it’s time...time for you to see the field...feel that focus. Alotta shots to choose from, duffs `n` tops `n` skulls. But only ONE shot is in perfect harmony with the field. An "authentic shot". And that shot chooses YOU. There’s a perfect shot out there trying to find each and every one of us - and all we got to do is get ourselves outta it’s way and let it choose us." He continues with, "Can’t look at that flag like some dragon you gotta slay. You gotta look with soft eyes. See the field. Find that place where the tides, the seasons, the turning of the earth comes together and becomes one. You gotta seek that place with your soul. Seek it with your hands. Don’t think about it. Feel it. Your hands is wiser than your head ever gonna be." Field. Focus. Shots. Harmony. Slay. Soul. Feel. What does it all mean?

See the floor. Concentrate. Understand the game plan. Be yourself. Play your game. Don’t force things. Do your personal best. Let the game come to you. It’s all the same thing.

Like Junah, when faced with adversity and a critical lack of self-confidence, players must reconnect with their potential and trust their instincts. Practice and hard work gets players to the point where they recognize their abilities, understand their weaknesses, and have developed their habits into instincts. Then they should be able to simply go out and play so that everything just happens the way it is supposed to, without really thinking about it.

In a well designed offense, there are shot opportunities for all players, and a progression of options that players need to be able to follow. They should not try to force the ball into places, but rather use counter attacks to the defense’s strategies to their advantage. The space on the floor should tell players where to go. The opponents positioning tells a player what is open. Eventually, with proper execution, a shot opportunity will present itself to a player. And that is the right shot to take. But the player did not choose the shot - The shot chose him.

SYNCHRONIZE YOUR OFFENSE

When people think of teamwork, the first thing that comes to mind is sharing the basketball. But, teamwork is so much more than that. From the simple task of setting and using screens to the complexities of a patterned offense, the players on the team need to work together. All players need to be working in unison. Together. At the same time. If one person lets up, the team will slip. The chain is only as strong as it’s weakest link. The strength of the wolf is the pack. You can say it many different ways, but the bottom line is that every play, offense and defense must consist of a constant and synchronized effort by all players involved.

When setting and using screens the players must execute as if both skills are one. If a player sets a good screen that is not used properly, and vice versa, the result will be unsuccessful. When setting a screen for a player, the screener should come to a stop with immediately before contact with the defense, to avoid a moving screen.

When a teammate is setting a screen for you, Wait for the screener to be set. Timing is so very important. It is better to be a little late than a little early. If you move too soon, your defender may make contact with the screener before the screen is set. This could be a foul on the screener, but it would really be the "user’s" fault. Plant your foot and cut off of the screen at the exact time that the screener hop stops to set the screen.

Screens and cuts should be timed so the player with the ball is ready to deliver the pass at the appropriate time. In order to do that, he must be looking at all of the options in the appropriate order. Only when those details are covered, will the offense be truly effective.

OPEN THE BACKDOOR

Most good offenses have some fundamental principles of spacing, ball and player movement, offensive rebounding possibilities and transition defensive balance. However, outstanding offenses use human nature, pressure, and good defense against itself to create passing and shot opportunities. The "Backdoor" is a great counter to good defensive pressure. The backdoor is when the player is being overplayed and cannot catch the basketball. The player should then change directions and make a quick cut behind the defender, thru the "backdoor", to the basket. Offenses that have some "backdoor options" are very effective against teams that play a pressure defense.

Most backcuts are pressure releases against defensive overplays, however they can also result from defensive errors such as losing vision on the ball or watching the ball and losing vision of the player that they are guarding. However, a large majority of open back cuts do not just happen by accident. They are set up with ball control and good outside shooting. The constant player movement and exchanges, along with patience, has a tendency to wear down or lull even the best of defenders to sleep.

Human nature dictates that anytime a shooter makes a shot, that defender is, naturally, going to play a little tighter and be susceptible to the backdoor. So run a backdoor to a player who has just made an outside shot. If an offensive player takes a step in any direction the pressure defender will, naturally, also take a step in that direction. When the ballhandler gets closer to another offensive player his defender will, naturally, play a little tighter on him. A nice way to signal a backdoor is to have the ballhandler dribble at a teammate. The teammate can make his backdoor cut at a particular interval - say two dribbles. Then the passer knows exactly when he is making the backdoor cut and can be prepared to pass.

Anytime you are being overplayed you should take your man backdoor. The player being denied the pass should take one more step towards the ball then plant a foot and cut hard to the basket. The cutter can also give a hand signal such as a closed fist instead of an open target hand as they are setting up the cut. The passer should make a bounce pass to the cutter. Timing is very important and should be practiced extensively.

Another possibility is to pass to a player who steps up the lane. For example the point guard could pass to a post at the corner of the free throw line who could hit a wing player cutting. Based on the location of the wing and the defender, the wing would have a great angle to catch a little bounce pass off of the hip of the post player. Once again, the timing of this play is important, as the player may only be open for a split second.

There are countless backdoor opportunities from a number of different angles that can be used to get some easy baskets against teams that play good, pressure defense.

TIMING IS EVERYTHING

When playing a team sport, the timing and synchronization of the team’s execution is essential for maximum success. Whether it is a basketball offense or defense, a football running back hitting the correct hole, or a baseball double play, TIMING IS EVERYTHING. In the Summer Olympics we see synchronized diving or swimming, as well as figure skating in pairs during the Winter Olympics. These athletes are able to do precise moves in unison under extreme duress during world class competition. However, some basketball teams struggle to pass to an open cutter at the correct time, getting players to wait to use a screen until the screener is set, or getting proper defensive rotations when a player goes to help.

The single most important aspect of this synchronicity is the proper breakdown and teaching progression in a practice situation. A team or individual cannot properly execute Step B until they are proficient at Step A. Break down the parts of the offense or defense and make sure that each player understands the precise timing of the events.

Once the team is introduced to a concept, let’s say a new offensive set, the breakdown of each individual part of the offense is necessary. Players need to understand when to pass a teammate the ball, what they should look for once they catch it - and in what order. Finally, they need to see the actions of their teammates while they have the ball and what those actions are trying to accomplish. Once all players understand this "relative motion", the offense can be put back together and executed at full speed against a defense.

Constant repetition of these correct methods will eventually build the type of muscle memory and proper habits that are necessary for appropriate execution. Do not allow any "slippage" in practice. Demand an honest attempt at perfect fundamentals of all players involved. Correct any errors and then do it again. Remember it is not simply practice that makes perfect - but, rather, perfect practice that makes perfect!

TO THREE OR NOT TO THREE-THAT IS THE QUESTION

When Joe B. Hall was the basketball coach at the University of Kentucky they used to say that he could never run a security firm - because he wouldn’t let his guards shoot !) Hall had some effective big men and wanted to go inside. Having an inside attack is important to any offense and the ability to put pressure on the defense by getting to the free throw line is necessary. Bobby Knight always stressed making more free throws than his opponent shot. If you are shooting all perimeter shots without getting fouled, you are missing out on great opportunities. Shooting from the perimeter is widely thought of as a lower percentage shot, but behind the 3pt arc it is also worth more. Being efficient with your shots is very important. A great way of measuring the concept of shooting efficiency is used by many NBA teams and was popularized by Mike Dunleavey, a former NBA player and coach, is called Effective Field-Goal Percentage (eFG%). It adjusts for the added value of three-pointers. For example if a team takes twelve 2pt shots and makes 50% (6 shots) they would get 12 pts. If another team takes twelve 3pt shots they would only need to make 4 shots (33%)to get the same twelve points. So by counting them as 1.5 field goals, you thus make it more fair to three-point shooters than field-goal percentage. [eFG% = (FGM + .5 x 3PM)/FGA]

Players need to find their range. Some shooters simply have not developed their shot to the point where a three point shot is suggested. If a player has to alter their shooting form to get enough power into the shot at that distance, it certainly is too far to shoot from there.

Players also need to assess their proficiency. Start from close to the basket and shoot several shots. Chart how many are made and missed. Move back a couple of steps and shoot the same number of shots. Continue doing this until the player reaches a point where they cannot shoot without changing their shooting mechanics. Do this over several shooting sessions and the player will see at what point their shooting percentage begins to drop substantially. That should be their shooting range.

You always want good shooters to take open shots. There is a huge difference in shooting percentage (generally over a 40% difference) between wide open shots and heavily contested shots.

So I suppose that the answer is available strictly in numbers. Evaluate the percentages and IF you have a good Effective Field Goal Percentage and if you are still making enough trips to the free throw line then start shooting!

ZONE OFFENSIVE PRINCIPLES

Zone defenses, at times, are our biggest nightmare. I heard Larry Brown (College and NBA Head Coach) once say that when he plays a zone defense he feels the other team will make EVERY outside shot, and when the opponent plays a zone he thinks his team will NEVER make an outside shot. I feel the same way sometimes. Players need to understand WHY they are attacking a zone in a particular way. Concentrate on the SKILLS of the game, not just SYSTEMS. A good grasp of some of the following zone offensive "habits" will put your mind at ease. A little bit !:?)

To start your zone offense it is a good idea to get in a "GAP ALIGNMENT". Against an even front zone (2-1-2, or 2-3) get in an odd front set (1-3-1,1-2-2 or 1-4). Against an odd front zone, get in an even front set. This is to make two defenders think about which one should guard you. If a defender is in a direct line between you and the basket-MOVE. Basically, put players where the defense isn’t.

Try to get some GAP PENETRATION. Dribble into a gap, dish to the basket or kick out to a shooter but look to pass to where the defender comes from. Only dribble to improve a passing angle into the post. The second time a player touches the ball on a possession is a good time to look for this type of penetration. Move the ball and move players to DISTORT THE ZONE. Dribble drag a defender, drive a gap, improve passing angles, screen, skip, swing, cut, flash, or overload to shift the zone. FREEZE THE ZONE by taking 1 or 2 dribbles AT a defender-pass or kick it to the perimeter

After the zone has shifted-use pass fakes & shot fakes.

Remember the 3 D’s-Drive, Draw, Dish. Inside players should look to SEAL THE ZONE. After the zone has shifted the posts can seal high or low IF the defense is INSIDE the offense.

Reseal the next man in the zone after the defender BREAKS the seal. MAKE THE ZONE RUN via the PASS, move the ball quickly-don‘t hold it any longer than a ball fake, seal, skip, and swing. Show some PATIENCE AGAINST THE ZONE. Move the ball, move players, look for cutters, check all options-in order. Take the high percentage shots that you want to take WHEN you want to take them. However, the best way to combat a zone defense may be to BEAT THE ZONE UP THE FLOOR.

Defensive rebound & run your fast break BEFORE the zone can set up.

These zone principles should provide a good foundation for any zone offensive attack that you might run.

MOTION OFFENSE BASICS

There are many forms of motion offense used by teams across the world. You have the passing and screening type of offense traditionally used by teams like Indiana, Duke, and now Texas Tech; a passing and cutting type motion used by UNC and Kansas; a structured motion used by Virginia Tech and an open post motion used by Cincinnati, Kansas State, and now West Virginia. We also have the Dribble-Drive-Motion (DDM) popularized by Memphis and similar offenses that emphasize the dribble more than the pass. All of these offenses have some things in common.

• You must read the defense
• You must pass away from the defense
• Constant movement and/or screening
• Good screens and/or cuts
• Ball reversals by moving the ball from side to side
• The level of talent will determine how loose or structured you will want your offense to be.

Simple Motion Principles :

• If ball is on top, screen down or back screen for a teammate on each side of the floor.
• If ball is on wing, screen away for a teammate.
• Catch and hold the ball for a 2 count, looking for cutters.
• Post players post up for a 2 count, then go away to screen for a teammate.
• You can use the three point arc to help you keep proper spacing.
• Players without the ball should use the V-cut to get open and show a target hand where you want the pass.
• If overplayed and you can’t get open to receive the ball-go backdoor or go screen for someone else.
• If defense switches, the screener should ALWAYS step back toward the ball.
• Screeners can give a visual signal (fist in the air) and/or a verbal call (your teammates name) that they are screening.
• Pass away from the defense and hit your teammates target hand.
• Pass the ball quickly, don’t hold it any longer than a 2 count.
• Don’t stand, cut or go screen for someone.
• Be patient. Be quick, but don’t hurry.
• Use the dribble only to improve the passing angle, drive to basket or get out of trouble.

As a coach, you have to stress shot selection and explain that to your players. They must know what type of shot YOU think is a good one in your offense, not what THEY think is a good shot.