Basketball is math. You get a certain number of offensive and defensive possessions and your goal is to maximize efficiency on each. The great Pete Newell summed it up, "get more and better shots than your opponents."
As a coach, ask players to pick the top three ways YOUR team is not getting enough stops and scores. It's plain as day.
Offense:
- Poor shot quality
- Poor shooting
- Excessive turnovers
Do the math. Let's say you have 70 possessions and turn the ball over 25 times. That leaves 45 "viable" possessions. If your team shooting percentage is 30 percent:
Two pointers - 10 for 30 = 20 points
Three pointers - 3 for 15 = 9 points
Add in half a dozen free throws because "hey, we're shooters" and you score 35 points a game and lose.
Defense:
- Problems containing the ball (allow too many layups)
- Poor transition defense (especially off live-ball turnovers)
- Excessive fouling
You're allowing easy baskets (layups), transition hoops (high points/possession) and free throws (highest points/shot)
An example from a HUDL stat log:
1) Build skill. If you have to devote more time to fundamental skills, do it. Track practice results and demand improvement.
2) Run some hard to defend actions. I see games without teams running any pick-and-roll. Pass it around, take a three. You're not Cleveland or the Celtics.
Hard to defend actions:
- Pick-and-roll
- Back door cutting
- Simple screening (e.g. back screens)
- Complex screens (screen-the-screen, staggers-Iverson, screen the roller - Spain)
- DHOs and Zoom (downscreen, DHO)
Lagniappe. Back cut.
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Lagniappe 2. Study the classics.
Using deception!
— The Courtside Vault (@CourtsideVault) December 31, 2024
Rick Pitino teaching the "up and under" move pic.twitter.com/i97Z8BHUYt
