From a 1-4 high set, this basketball play gives you an opportunity to throw a lob over the top of the defense for an easy basket ... slam dunk or layup! Players set up in 1-4 high set. O1 brings the ball across midcourt and starts dribbling to his left. At the same time, O2 and O5 dive down to set a double screen for O3 who is cutting from the weakside to the ballside wing. O1 makes the pass to O3. As O3 is receiving the pass, O4 takes a few steps into the lane and then sets a backscreen … [Read more...]
The Importance of Being Different
When determining what kind of offense and defense to install, it's important to implement things that are not often seen by your opponents. A previous head coach that I worked for preached this constantly. The league that we were in was extremely athletic and if it was a track meet, we probably would not have one a single event. However, we slowed the pace and ran a Princeton style offense and mixed it up defensively in order to keep our opponents off-balance. I often heard him say that we were … [Read more...]
Louisville 1-4 High
From the 1-4 high set, 'Louisville' utilizes a post to post on-ball screen to create a driving lane to the basket. While the diagram shows this play going to the left, it can be performed to either side. Louisville 1-4 High is initiated when O1 passes to O4. O1, after making the pass, screens for O3. Once O4 has received the pass, O5 sets an on-ball screen for O4. O4 looks to drive to the basket for a layup or pull-up jumper. If O2's defender slides over to help, O2 may be open for a … [Read more...]
Build Your Foundation on the Fundamentals
Would you build your house on a shaky or weak foundation? Exactly. You won't build until you have properly laid the foundation. And if you want it to last, you build on as strong a foundation as you can. The same holds true for your basketball program. If your basketball program is the house, what is it built upon? What is the foundation? You cannot build a successful program unless you build it on solid offensive and defensive fundamentals. It is often said in basketball that fundamentals … [Read more...]
3-Player Competitive Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To have the players go strong after the rebound and to provide a competitive, game-like situation so that the players will get some opposition as they go up for the rebound. Drill: Form 3 lines of players, as shown in the diagram, about 10-15 feet away from the basket. Use more baskets if available. The first player in line 1 takes a shot and goes for the rebound. As 1 shoots, 2 and 3 also go for the rebound. After one of the players secure the rebound, they rotate to the end of a … [Read more...]
Faking Tips & Techniques
Faking, especially with the basketball, is an extremely important skill to master on both offense and defense. A well executed fake will misdirect an opponent, throw him off balance, and draw him out of position. An offensive player may utilize a fake with or without the basketball. Faking while in possession of the ball opens up passing lanes and frees you for a shot. Faking without the ball enables you to get open to receive a pass as well as to control a defender thereby keeping him out of … [Read more...]
Defending the Diagonal Downscreen Drill
Purpose: Defending down screens from the top into the weakside low post are somewhat more difficult to defend then a down screen from the wing to the post. The lane is often congested and can become a place where defenders can lose track of the person they are guarding. This drill helps by specifically focusing on the diagonal down screen so the defensive players can become familiar and comfortable with defending this action. Teamwork and communication is the key; as is footwork, anticipation, … [Read more...]
Handoff Isolation Play
The Handoff Isolation basketball play is a very simple quick hitter that can give you an easy scoring opportunity. The initial option only includes two players, a pass and a handoff to give a clear driving lane. This set for the Handoff Isolation play is a 4-around-1; with the '1' starting at the free throw line area. The play begins with O1 passing to O2 on the wing. O2 may need to utilize a v-cut to get open. O1 then follows his pass and goes behind O2 for the handoff. O1 takes the handoff … [Read more...]