Nostradamus (1503-1566) made the play call on Napoleon. "Able was I ere I saw Elba."
Coach Pete Newell explains our task as helping players "see the game." Experience helps us see the bad play before it happens. We experience "anticipatory frustration."
Some examples:
- Back or front cut as the offensive player reads the defense (common)
- poor spacing (common)
- Closeout with poor technique (common)
- High ball screen at its inception (moderate)
- UCLA cut off wing entry (moderate)
- Defensive double team (common)
- Failed weak side block outs (common)
- Screener slipping because of defensive overplay (rare)
Coach Neal Cobleigh (@coachncob) reminds us to teach to what happens a lot. "Good players" understand what other effective players will do and how to defend those actions through MULTIPLE EFFORTS. Defensive understanding should improve offensive execution.
Chess grandmasters rely on "chunking" to see board positions and opportunities real time. For example, I illustrated six simple actions with three-on-three inside the split.
We learned these dimensions at the playground. "Car athletes" (driven to practice) need explicit instruction.
Defensive understanding doesn't come easily.
x3 has overplayed, opening back cut. Ballside defender has to basket protect.
Next responsibility would be to closeout to the corner on the pass.
Help side defenders need to get to the paint on the corner pass.
In the 1-2-3 setup (e.g. UCLA cut, two guard front not shown), a is the give and go off the screen, b is the wing ball screen, and c is the post rolling to the basket.