Chris Oliver invites coaching insights from around the world, sharing the game. He interviews Liam Flynn , an assistant coach in the Chinese Basketball Association. Here are notes from a recent podcast:
Philosophy: runs high pick-and-roll offense..."creating advantage"
Emphasis on making passes out of the PnR
Says that CBA style is more similar to the NBA
"How would another coach describe your team?" What are your core values?
Offense:
- Attack with the pass (versus isolation)...ultimately relates to shot selection (was there an advantage we created...numerical, two on the ball, two on the roller?)
- Keep the ball moving...
- Ball movement depends on coverage...e.g. if aggressive, early pass to roller
- Determine appropriate pace...not always fast
- Your offense - Motion, sets, or combination?
- Have to be able to teach what you know
- Freedom versus structure depends on personnel (I know that we need structure, but want to sell freedom
- Need a common language
- Regardless of teaching, explain how the approach creates advantage
- Brevity..."deep outlets ignite the break" reduces to "deep"
- Calling plays...no best way
1. Wait for the spacing..."spacing before advantage"
2. Set up the defender on the dribble
3. Screen sprinted in
4. Can always reject the screen
5. What are your specific reads?
6. Patience to get a desired shot
Defense:
- Individual aggressiveness
- What is your "pick up point"
- They play 3/4 court man
- "Exceptional ball pressure"
- "Feet always moving...boxer...active hands"
- Taking team out of offensive flow (my note: limiting advantage)
- "Ball in the backcourt, you're in the backcourt." (Pressure language)
Lessons Coach Flynn learned from NBA Summer League:
- Best basketball minds are there
- Traditional teaching isn't necessarily best
- Need a portfolio of special situation plays
- Feel for drills...stopping, continuing, praising, correcting
- Think out of the box, e.g. elevator screen into flare for 3 for screener
- A part of a play may be extracted
Final thoughts:
- Share willingly
- Evolve your coaching philosophy
- Have players clearly understand your expectations
Lagniappe: quick hitter from 1-4 off high ball screen
Lagniappe 2 (from Liam Flynn). One paint touch, three ball reversals, three points.
This is one of the most beautiful possessions of basketball you could ever hope to see. #CLFbeautifulbasketball @PienoZvaigzdes pic.twitter.com/ORy05XgFCg— Coach Liam Flynn (@coachliamflynn) August 15, 2017
