Thomas Keller begins his MasterClass simplifying cooking to "ingredients and execution." Each of us uses ingredients differently to tell our story. We need a theme. Some call that philosophy. Our language must reflect our personality and the character of our actors. The story told with speed differs from the power narrative. Find the right solution to wearing down your opponent with your ingredients.
Playing fast cedes control but engages players with freedom. Recognize that the intelligence of the ball allows it to find those most capable. Our weaker players will not have the same usage ratios as our strongest. The ball knows.
We haven't been 'big' for years. But we have speed and intelligence. So we have to play fast and work to dominate the middle of the court and survive the battles at the ends. Speed permits you to extend your defense. Intelligent players permit graded complexity.
We introduce the spread pick-and-roll. Once players understand options and can execute, then we can layer additional concepts.
A DHO with a staggered screen away challenges defenses on two fronts. We could rearrange the personnel, e.g. 4 and 2, to force a mismatch on switching...a better concept.
We could adapt the high ball screen further by bringing the receiver into play off the double stagger screen. Now the defense has a greater challenge, although our spacing may or may not work.
I've discussed "techniques of refinement" and the tools to do so, which include tweezers not tongs, peeling, blanching, straining, and so forth. What are our refinement strategies? How effective are they?" Everyone won't agree. Having someone tell you your hard work is all for nothing can be exasperating at best. For most professionals deeply invested in their product on a daily basis, it is uneasy and in some cases the fuel on the fire if they have a bit of a temper. The defense starts and the individual hold their breath and when they have a free moment let loose and vent."
Practice begins with safety. Assess heat and humidity, court conditions, player health. If we're running players to the point of heat injury or vomiting, we're doing it wrong. Many of us have been on the receiving end. Learn from it.
Be detail oriented. Set up cuts. Wait, wait, wait for screens. Deliver the ball on time and on target. Stress precision and refinement.
If players can execute this action...
Then they should recognize the same concepts, slightly rearranged.
We have limited resources (practice). Abandon useless tools and refine better ones. At practice today, I want to add more decision making into individual offensive skill building. Instead of basic catch and attack, we add defender(s) to add realism.
The growth mindset doesn't just mean for players. Own it to share it.
