This portion of the book starts off with a great question that many coaches should consider when structuring their zone offense: “Why are they zoning us?”
It might not even be a strategic move from the opposition to use a zone defense. Regardless why, it’s helpful to reflect where zone defenses find success and some vulnerabilities to it. Take a look at the list of pros/cons that Coach Dodd identified while considering the “Flo” zone offensive concepts:
Why Zone Defense Works
- Exposes Poor Offensive Fundamentals
- Provides More Opportunities To Trap
- Masks Defensive Personnel Deficiencies
- Easier To Script Their Transition Offense
Weaknesses With Zone Defenses
- Score Before It’s Set: Poor Pick-Up Points
- Coverage Errors: Open Gaps & Overloads
- Lacks Help In Screening Situations
- 2nd Chance Opportunities
The Box Theory
Despite currently coaching internationally, Coach Dodd loves to throw in some American Football analogies. The “Box Theory” pertains to anticipating defensive rotations to have an early idea for driving, passing, or scoring opportunities; a reference similar to a quarterback preparing for gaps opening up against certain zone coverages.
5 different “go-to” zone actions:
- Pinning Corners (Exit Screens)
- Smashing Middle Defenders
- High-Low Opportunities
- Flex Screens (Basket Cuts)
- Inside-Out Skips
If you think of any called zone sets, it is likely one of the actions above are embedded into the play, sans overloading options or ball-screens. The point being, The Trig Approach is intended to be a free-flo(w)ing offense that blends concepts without a ton of coaching interference.
The start of any possession replicates “Co” Man-To-Man Offensive principles with the primary break flowing into a 4-out and 1-in after the hook.
What stands out the most between man or zone offense is the shared language that can exist regardless of the opponent’s choice of defense. The break looks the same, the points of emphasis to create triangles and stretch the defense overlap, and the offense continues to cater to the personnel on the floor (i.e. find shooters or get to spots).
Speaking Of Shooting
A never ending conversation for coaches is developing shooters. Unless you have the opportunity to work with an athlete from a foundational level on up, shoting mechanics can be a a coach’s inheritance – for better or for worse. The question is then raised, does it need fixed altogether or is it good enough to improve with reps over time?
Admittedly, this isn’t a strong suit of mine primarily because it has been my experience to either recruit the players already demonstrating the capacity to effectively shoot, or after offering my guidelines to shooting mechanics the responsibility is on the player to put in the work for necessary improvement.
My guidelines are pretty simple:
- Middle finger under the center of the ball (Dave Love concept)
- Shooting hip centers the rim
- Shoot up & over. Not towards the rim (Discouraging push)
There are details likely being overlooked with these 3 pieces of advice, but in large part I want my players to find freedom with their technique while having a general idea for alignment, arc, and consistent release.
Coach Dodd shares a few of my vantage points, except with a significant focus on relaxing the upper body. Here were 3 things mentioned with summation in this portion of the book:
- “It’s Always Personal” Each shooter is different, adjust according to personnel.
- “The Roll” – Take a simple 1-handed form shooting drill, does the ball roll?
- “Lock” – Stresses the importance of the hips & lower half of the body.
Key Takeaways From The Trig Approach
Coach Andrew Dodd is well traveled and well versed with all things basketball. The Trig Approach reads like a clinic on paper with diagrams, anecdotes, and quick tips for added context. You can expect a detailed breakdown of a concept-centric offensive scheme blending traditional and contemporary styles of play. There are pro’s & con’s to any scheme, what I liked is the free flowing nature of the system with embedded 2 or 3-man actions to continuously pursue an advantage. The point guard in me though sometimes like to pull the strings a bit more hunting matchups from the sidelines, intentionally moving pieces on the board at times.
If you hadn’t already, check out the previous posts from the book below:
- This covers the Principles & Design of the offense.
- “Colinear” action versus man-to-man defense.
My objective was to give a glimpse of the content without fully divulging all that’s included with the book. If you are interested in grabbing a copy of your own it is available online via Amazon. After having the opporutnity to connect with Coach Dodd on a few occasions I get the sense there will be more basketball to share in the future!
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Coach's Climb 