Regardless of 'style' teams will want to identify how they plan to get the best scoring opportunities and prevent easy baskets. I call that "possessions and possession." How do we get the best offensive possessions and regain possession (defense and rebounding)?
My coach (over forty years ago) thought that the two most important statistics were 1) rebounding (possession) and 2) assists (more efficient offense). Part of those beliefs emanated from having solid defensive teams as a baseline.
I believe that in girls' basketball (not college or professional), developing shooters, transition, and ball movement are critical. So I tailor practice to that necessity.
Quotes:
"You can't be good at everything, so you better be good at two things." For us, one has to be shooting.
"What we do a lot, we better do well."
"Teams that can't shoot free throws last as long as dogs that chase cars."
"Basketball is a game of cutting and passing."
"Movement kills defenses."
With that backdrop, I emphasize shooting (including free throws) for about 30-40 percent of practice. That includes shooting off the dribble, off "basketball moves." There's no 'magical' shooting drill, but I want players to shoot 125-150 shots per practice. I rotate among a bunch (examples):
- 3 Pass, 3 player transition with each player shooting.
- 30 buckets, goal of scoring 30 baskets or more with 3 minutes of catch-and-shoot, relocated and shoot (3 players shoot, 3 players rebound at each basket)
- Elbow to sideline. Catch and shoot, run to sideline and back. 8 - 10 repetitions then become the rebounder.
- UCONN 4 minute shooting with a passing line and catching line at opposite wings. Cut to elbow or foul line receive ball and shoot, rebound your shot and go to the passing line. Goal is as many baskets as possible in four minutes.
- One-and two-dribble moves (one-on-one) into a shot. This can start 'static' or off the catch. I usually have them do three reps at a time. Teach rocker, upfake and drive, rip move, and counter-rip as a minimum. This work teaches both offense and defense.
Teams have to be able to score in the half court. I want players to function well in small-sided group (SSG) play. Work on both 3-0 and 3-on-3 actions helps. I don't have a Panglossian view...it's a hard slog.
Stanford - learn to play out of "triangles" with defense and emphasis on pass, cut, on and off ball screens.
O-D-O (Offense, defense, offense). We play O-D-O from several different starts, like BOB (baseline out of bounds), SLOB (sideline out of bounds), or free throw defense. I have seen other coaches initiate the sequence with intentional steal or blocked shot or a guard baseline drive through the paint. I use the O-D-O sequence as a scrimmage and teaching tool for maximum man-to-man defense.
We can also use it to play 'short games' or to initiate practice on offensive or defensive delay.
I recognize that many coaches would favor a different approach such as daily closeout drills, shell drill, or advantage-disadvantage (e.g. 5 on 7, 3 on 4, etc.).
