Monday, August 27, 2018

Basketball: Isolation Moves for Posts...Outside In

Coaches teach the big picture and the details. Every team needs to find ways to score and to succeed one-on-one. We're undersized so I work from the perimeter (outside to in) with our young girls. Here's the progression (not saying it's great).

With vacations and other activities limiting participation, the emphasis is on individual actions, one-on-one, and two-on-two (especially pick-and-roll, give-and-go, pass and relocate for shot). 



I begin with emphasizing reverse pivot footwork with basket attack without defense. I then add defense, face up with ball protection, and encourage "reading" the defense. There is always a two dribble limit. "Good players need two dribbles, excellent one, and elite players often none." 

We demonstrate ISOLATION from a 4 out, 1 in set to illustrate how the initial action might apply. 




Klay Thompson scored 60 POINTS holding the ball for 90 seconds and using 11 DRIBBLES

Attend to details of athletic position, low shoulders, quickness, and playing under control without overly interrupting the evolving flow state of play. I first ask the players watching to explain needy technique, "she went left, dribbling with her right hand" or "she didn't protect the ball as she faced the basket." 


Then, layer in front pivot actions, from simple face up, to rip through, and rip into reverse via either crossover or spin back. The player can drive or take a pull-up depending on the defense. Initial 'discomfort' begins to fade as the players see the value of counter moves


Next, the player receives the ball and selects any of the above options against defense...with a two dribble limit. The emphasis is using proper footwork (without traveling), creating separation, and taking an 'accountable' shot for her team. 

We discussed accountability in context with other *bility values like ability, adaptability, availability, durability, possibility, and responsibility.