Today, our playoffs begin, small drama in the basketball universe. Do we achieve catharsis and redemption, the heroes of our small lives? Do we have the will to compete, to answer the bell?
In the Aristotelian tradition (Poetics), we know the characters and the general plot. We face our "traditional rivals" in a border war at a neutral site an hour away. Will our story inspire fear or pity?
In the first matchup, our opponents outplayed and outworked us, but have we learned anything?
I discussed the T's needed for success - transition, toughness, and turnovers.
1. Can we generate enough transition to mitigate their extended 2-3 zone that traps at the top, wings, and corners. Do we contain their transition via concentration and effort? "Basketball is not a running game; it is a sprinting game."
2. Do we have the Toughness (COTE of Armor - confidence, optimism, tenacity, and enthusiasm) to get our share of rebounds?
3. Have we embraced valuing and moving the ball, relocating to open spots, and taking better quality shots?
Keep it simple. Get ball reversal and paint touches. Partner 5 and 4 with high to low and low to high actions.
Create a curiosity-driven, learning culture. What works and why? What fails and why not?
Lagniappe: Zone offense practice tip from Chris Oliver
Books to review:Run your zone offense 5 on 5 with dummy defense on initial teaching - 5 on 0 gives no context to where the gaps/seams are in zone— Chris Oliver (@Chris__Oliver) September 17, 2011
"Own the Zone" by Don Casey and Ralph Pim
"Basketball Offense Sourcebook" edited by Jerry Krause and Ralph Pim