One of my favorite things to conceptualize from a schematic coaching standpoint is building a playbook through a series of actions that could be used for sequencing possessions together. First, let’s start by defining my interpretation of series and sequencing in basketball.
- Series: Is a collection of actions/plays/sets under the same shape or structure
- Sequence: Executing consecutive possessions imitating similar action with a slight variation from previous play(s)
There is no hiding anymore from a scouting perspective. One way to keep the defense guessing during a string of possessions comes from masking what appears to be the same action only subsequently tweaked, either to bait the defense or due to a defensive vulnerability. Some of the best to ever do it – Dean Smith & Pete Carril – utilized versatility as a key ingredient to their competitive advantage.
Series: In The Break Or As A Base Offense
Running the Break
The Carolina Break is a legacy transition offense first implemented by Hall of Fame Coach Dean Smith followed by another Chapel Hill Hall of Famer, Coach Roy Williams.
Above, shows a prototypical possession demonstrating the full reversal into a backscreen, then block-to-block exchange or cross-screen. Outside of the primary options, this is the foundation for a Carolina Break system. It is embedded with a variety of options to score via post-entry or screening actions all within the same early shape.
The progression of the break can easily sequence action from the additional layers installed. Defenses will anticipate a repetitive play; instead, the offense calls an audible. Below is a glimpse of alternative actions that keeps UNC in system while trying to exploit opportunities versus the opposition.
Princeton Offense On A Halfcourt
The best offenses are comprehended to the extent players can cater to personnel strengths, or make in-game adjustments without coach intervention. A couple of conceptual styles of play appear to be trending in the game of basketball: Princeton concepts & point-forward five-out systems catering to the growth of versatility within the game.
The Princeton offense systematically layers actions with liberating opportunities for personnel. For example, if put into 2-man actions with a ball-handler and non-ballhandler – there’s an obvious choice for who should pop back to get into a ball-screen situation. Back to the scouting perspective, player details/tendencies are often included but unlikely broken down per possession. Even if the scout is that scrupulous, Princeton action often exploits the defenders showing slippage with backdoors against the overzealous or catching two defenders chasing one cutter.
It’s not that the Princeton offense is so complex to teach, it’s just that defenders during a game can feel like being the hampster in the wheel defending what seems to be the same action over and over until a split-cut here, or a delayed backdoor there.
The “Point” series is a Princeton staple triggered either via the pass to the elbow or a spin dribble to initiate particular actions. The GIF shows an “Away” action where after the pass to the elbow, the trigger went away from the ball to set up their split cut. After running these actions consecutively, what will defenses start to do?
Cheat the cut equals skip to the corner. But, this really isn’t sequencing right? It’s just a read. Sequencing the “Away” action could implement an intentional skip to DHO, or executing the split cuts into a Zoom action. This takes the initial look of a traditional “Point” series with an additional wrinkle that the defense didn’t expect to defend.
Sequencing Sets & Quick-Hitters
Not all sequences have to come from an offensive series. Coaches can draw up some of the best quick-hitters in the most timely situations. Having a sequential counter allows the offense to execute the same play comparably but with an anticipated alteration.
See the clip of Lipscomb sequencing shuffle actions. In the first rendition, it’s a shuffle screen-the-screener resulting in a 3FGM from the top of the key. On the very next possession, Coach Lennie Acuff runs an identical look with a wrinkle. The defenders on the ball and opposite corner weren’t highly involved in the previous play, so let’s attack the complacent on the 2nd possession. The rip baseline led to a late weak-side help allowing the ballhandler enough of an angle to find a shooter open on the wing capping off 6 points in back-to-back possessions.
Here are a list of my favorite series to sequence a variety of actions from:
- Pistol
- Chin To Delay
- Motion Strong (Double Staggers)
- Princeton “Point” Series
- John Beilein Shuffle Action
Coach's Climb 