In some instances, switching within a possession is necessary regardless of halfcourt philosophy. Yet, it is increasingly popular amongst the coaching community to switch everything due to the growing trend of positionless basketball on offense. There are pros and cons to any strategy, but when deciding if switching man-to-man will be effective my recommendation would be to start by observing the team's profile and disposition.
From Positionless Offense To Positionless Defense: Should Teams Play More Zone Defense?
Today's offensive players can effectively shoot from 30 feet, or potentially put 5 different people in a screening situation to hunt a high-percentage matchup. There are not enough poorly called charges in a game to make up for the offensive advantage in today's game. So what are coaches to do?
Basketball Playbook: Built On Series & Sequencing
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. This post breaks down 2 different offensive series in a system and how to effectively sequence those actions together.
Are We Witnessing The Decline Of A True Point Guard?
Combo Guards, Point Forwards, and Stretch Bigs - "Oh my." So, does the point guard even exist anymore? The answer is yes, and I'd argue that their value has never been higher. Coming from a former floor general, I'm biased but I'll try to break down why from a coaching perspective.
Lessons From Coaching No Middle Defense
Ten pre-season takeaways on installing "No Middle" Defense for the 1st time in my career.
Hunting Matchups
A team is only as strong as their weakest link. Watching the NBA Playoffs, there has been a trending talking point amongst pundits regarding hunting preferable matchups. The Mavericks are a great example when considering the game within the game on both sides of the floor: How do we hide Luka defensively? "You can always … Continue reading Hunting Matchups
Concept or Continuity
Here is the hypothetical: Team A is considerably less-skilled. Team B is considerably more-skilled. Every coach goes into any season, and on a micro-level into every game, gauging how their program will fare against the opposition based on their own personnel's ability, aptitude, and capacity to compete. Yet, there seems to be a depreciation of … Continue reading Concept or Continuity
Positionless Basketball
Ten years ago, the basketball world watched a player by the name of Anthony Davis reap the rewards of Guard skills in a Post body. All too often, adolescent players are labeled and locked into positions determined largely by their height and handles. Davis is a beneficiary of an uncommon idea known as Positionless Basketball. … Continue reading Positionless Basketball
Future Rule Changes
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
Inverted Offense
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
Coach's Climb 