Saturday, October 24, 2015

Platform for Scoring

Coaching younger players, I emphasize the need for "four ways to score." For example, you might score in transition, off dribble drives, one or two dribble moves into a shot, and offensive rebounding. Or you might have a 'go to' and 'counter' post move, free throws, and offensive rebounding.

But you can't seriously believe "I'm a scorer" and lack ways to create separation AND finish.

This leads me into this brief video from "Stronger Team." The Stronger Team develops from better individual play.



You don't need the seemingly infinite portfolio of moves of Hakeem Olajuwon, Kevin Durant, or Paul Pierce. But you need to create consistent separation through superior footwork, balance, and quickness if not outright speed. And you need to be able to read situations quickly, because ordinarily "you are most open at the moment of the catch."

Ordinarily, front pivoting off the inside foot (left on the left side, right on right) gets you closest to the basket for the initial "look". Think about it. You want your moves to become automatic, executable without thinking. That only happens after exhaustive repetition.

Identify moves that you CAN execute. It doesn't make sense for tiny guards to spend all day in the post or seven footers to "live" on the perimeter. Understand how you can contribute to your team and execute what your coaches want.

Play with purpose. Play north and south. Make the dribble take you somewhere.