"While the determination to play defense combined with the willingness to give up one's body physically are more important than technique, to be truly outstanding on defense an individual and team must combine intelligent technique with great desire." Key Takeaways Backscreens Cross-screens Downscreens Defending the off-ball screens starts with on-the-ball pressure. Our terminology is to … Continue reading Winning Defense: Defending Off-Ball Screens
"Basketball teams at every level commonly use a number of two-and three man play actions such as back-picking, down-picking, screen and roll, flex, pick-the-picker, and others." Key Takeaways: Evolution of 2-Man Action Defensive Approach Evolution of Pick & Roll The ballscreen has been historically relevant for decades. Yet, it didn't become popularized until Chuck Daly's … Continue reading Winning Defense: Defending the Pick & Roll
"A good defender should always be in a "read" position to help teammates by leaving his own man to trap or cover open shooters. Each man must have the confidence that when he leaves his man to attack the ball, a teammate behind him will rotate to cover for him." Key Takeaways: Wedge & Wall … Continue reading Winning Defense: Rotating Off Drives
Innovation in basketball is largely influenced by the rules governing the game. From the Original 13 Rules to the NIT Experiment there is always a discussion for how to improve the game. The first contest ever recorded finished 5 to 1, compare that now to the top defensive-rated teams in the NBA keeping opponents right above … Continue reading Future Rule Changes
"It's that kind of pride and joy in defense that builds a winner. It takes hard work and teamwork and everyone knows it. Champions have been willing to pay that price. And so it must continue to be true that champions at all levels will have enough players on the team that commit to defense … Continue reading Winning Defense: Traps & Rotations
Many times, it is easy to talk about what wins games. We put such a premium on this, that we sometimes fail to talk about #WhatLosesGames. In many cases, these can be direct opposites. As I break down what loses games in this article, we will take a look at on & off the court … Continue reading What Loses Games
Key Takeaways: Preventative Post Defense 45 Degree Bump & Release "5 Strong" on Weakside Help Post touches are scoring threats beyond making a move to score; it tends to force perimeter players to sag or ball watch which leaves the threat of basket-cutters or inside-out shooting. So, the best post defense is preventative in nature … Continue reading Winning Defense: Defending Set Offenses
Don't spend too much time looking for the recipe; the biggest ingredient to winning more games is talent. As much as coaches want to play the role of fixing the flawed like your favorite rom-com flick; there has to be a foundational skill-set to work with to facilitate competitive balance. But, when talent is equal … Continue reading What Wins Games
Offensive execution is schematic point-conversion - manufacturing shot-selection into points on the scoreboard. With the increasing value for analytics in today's game, coaches are being trained in the comprehension of high-value scoring coming from free-throws, lay-ups, and three-point field goals. Consider today's style of play, 'Pace & Space' or 'Drive & Kick' being the universal … Continue reading Inverted Offense
"Regardless of how diligent the defense may be, the offense will beat the defense at times and the defenders will find themselves having to scramble to recover to stop an offense that has them outnumbered in transition." Key Takeaways: Big-In & Little-Out Concept "I Got Two" Build the Wall 2v1 "...(G)ood defenses would prefer to … Continue reading Winning Defense: Defending the Disadvantage
