You know what you have...the players, their integration, their strengths and their weaknesses. We see how the opposing coach reacts and the opponent's organization.
The opponent comes out with a spread (5-0) formation and we should expect give-and-go, back door cutting, and isolation. Maybe the ballhandler will pass and screen away. I won't adjust (e.g. play zone) to this because the players have to learn man principles, even if it costs us in middle school. For youth ball, if it's all about winning, then it's not all about learning.
As a player, at some point, the switch has to flip automatically. The information barrage translates to help and recover, rotate and recover, automatic switching. Know that becomes know how. Attitude promotes aptitude.
Expect better coaches to change up after time outs and to play multiple defenses. In key situations, they'll switch the pick-and-roll and live with mismatches instead of open shots. They'll also work to create mismatches or maybe wait for substitutions if we're predictable (we are, because everyone plays).
Switching late? "Fortune favors the bold" or "chance favors the prepared mind?"
Outstanding teams succeed with execution not trickery. UCLA had the 2-2-1 and two-guard offense with elite post players. Carolina leveraged their Passing Game with high quality shot selection and finished teams off with the 4 Corners. Virginia wins with their Packline. The Celtics dynasty used six plays.
Basketball players read the situation, their defender, and know whether they've got a head turner, a gambler (ready to be fleeced), tight defense (vulnerable to screens, slips, and back cuts), or a dilettante who can be beaten.
Phil Ivey knows how to 'read the table'. Do we?
Lagniappe: Breaking down the Curry details into actions you can use.
Players, learn balance, quickness into the shot pocket, and separation via change of pace and change of direction.
