Coaching Profile: Mark Few

I've shared a few Coach Profiles to learn about the philosophy and process of some highly regarded coaches who are not all household names. 

Mark Few leads Gonzaga into the Final Four for the first time. 

Coaching Philosophy: Few's first principle is finding players with the "right fit." That means willing to defend as the Zags finished third in defensive efficiency.  

Offensively, "old" Clinic notes discuss "traditional" offense including UCLA cut, Flex, and the 'two-man game' with screen-and-roll. More current information argues for transition, ball security, and basket attack to create free throws.

They have run a motion offense designed to set up pick-and-roll and dribble handoff options into perimeter shots. 



Diagrams below. 

Defense. Gonzaga's defensive success is no mystery. They work hard at practicing closeouts to contest the 3-point shot. That has enabled them to climb the efficiency charts by reducing three-point field goal percentage. 

In addition to their perimeter excellence, the Zags' success relies on rim protection by their massive centers...

Clinic Notes: Wes Kosel shares some Gonzaga actions (video and diagrams) at HoopsChalkTalk. And here with a BLOB. 

Additional video. Triangle version of Shaka Smart's Circle Trap drill. 

The best coaches seldom focus on trickery. They emphasize fundamental excellence and Don Meyer's "mature simplicity." Few's work speaks for itself.