Nobody can all-encompass what that means, but we can share ideas. Sometimes (for me) that means stay out of the way. We had a big lead the other day and I wanted the girls to run an offense. Instead the point guard fired the ball to the high post on the right and the left wing basket cut and got a perfect pass for a layup. They didn't need coaching.
But "help your teammates" do more - to get more and better shots. Everyone reading this knows all of this. But do are players know and execute? Here are some simple examples:
Offensively:
- Attack the basket (play with purpose). This stresses the defense and requires them to help.
- Move (movement kills defense). This means player and ball movement.
- Get separation. Separate with cutting and screening.
- Share the ball. "Assisted shots" have higher percentage.
- Do it right, now. Set up your cuts and screen the defender (we teach screen players not areas).
- Sprint, don't run. Basketball is not a running game, it's a sprinting game.
- Rebound selfishly. Putbacks are one of your "four ways to score."
- Take quality shots. "It's not your shot, it's our shot." There are no "me, too" or "my turn" shots.
- Space the floor. "Don't play in the traffic."
- Run wide. "Open passing lanes."
- Communicate. "Silent teams lose."
- Pressure the ball.
- Help and recover. With ball pressure, defenders will get beat. No direct drives.
- Deny the paint.
- Contest shots without fouling. "No easy shots."
- Block out. Defensive rebounding is about positioning and toughness.
- Take a charge...the best play in basketball.
- Sprint back and think "the ball scores."
- "Don't turn one mistake into two." Move on, play present, "next play". Every game I see a player turn the ball over or take a bad shot and then double down on it by fouling. Every...game.
