Over fifty years ago, Coach Sonny Lane emphasized "win this quarter." Win enough quarters and win a lot of games.
Fast forward. "Win this possession." A game sums possessions; more quality offensive and defensive possessions achieved, the higher probability of success. Small mistakes separate good and excellent.
Players don't think that much about the 'small details' that separate success and failure. Ten ways to "lose possessions" demand attention, especially when between a quarter and a third of games are decided by two or fewer possessions.
1. Never allow a basket off an opening tap play. Strong teams do not. Conversely, a well-designed tap play steals a hoop.
2. "Turnovers kill dreams." Many are careless. When the ball sticks, with dead dribbles or indecisive dribbling, defenders attack and force mistakes. If we invite steals, strong teams will take advantage.
3. Give and get feedback. Be specific. Verify strategy and coverages, e.g. how many players go to the offensive boards, and who takes away transition? Never presume players "know" the plan. A big game loss from uncertainty leaves indelible pain.
4. Reduce 'bad' fouls - fouling jump shots, retaliation or frustration fouls, moving screens. It's the ball handler's job to use the screen, not the screeners to throw a high or leg out.
5. Review boundaries before the game. Some gyms have asymmetrical boundaries (one close, one distant to stands or walls) where players tend to violate by catching balls out of bounds on the 'open' side.
6. Reduce 'violation' turnovers - ten seconds, three second calls, and inbounding five second calls.
7. Avoid trouble. On 'rip through' or 'swim' moves, sweep the ball low, out of the defender's 'strike zone'.
8. Avoid 'primary trap zones' which invite traps and turnovers.
9. Limit held balls by protecting the ball. Strong hands and pivoting saves those possessions.
10.Substitute decisively. Control the controllable. If you need to get player(s) in or out, do so. Delaying a minute or more, waiting for a stoppage of play can cause a total momentum swing and defeat.
Lagniappe. Beautiful action testing defense.
Looking for a ball screen action to get an OPEN layup?
— Coach DeMarco, EdD (@Coach_DeMarco) January 30, 2024
The Zags used this & similar actions against Virginia to take advantage of their side ball screen coverage! LOVE how it clears out a side and occupies help D!
Great against all coverages, especially teams who hard hedge! pic.twitter.com/74eLdmSwvd
Lagniappe 2. Something for players and coaches to think about.
"You're always doing 1 of 2 things as a player.
— Coach Mac 🏀 (@BballCoachMac) January 30, 2024
You're either impacting winning or complicating winning"
- Tom Crean
