In his MasterClass, investigative journalist Bob Woodward asks what we don't know. Approach study asking ourselves what more can we learn? Have good evidence and information to support your story. That won't protect us from criticism.
Play smart, play hard, play together, have fun. Angles frequently determine the outcome of action. Understanding angles shows your basketball IQ. Today, let's share simple concepts on angles. Young players don't know what we think they know.
Run wide in transition. Running wide spreads the defense and creates better passing angles and good angles to attack the basket.
Post entry from wing. Against the hard front, "swing and seal" gets and edge.
Guards often must relocate to get a better angle for post entry. Dribbling to below the foul line extended usually accomplishes this.
In every youth game and many high school games, defenders (e.g. x1) cheat out and steal "wing to top" passes. Offenses have options...like clearing the post out (to drive) or better spacing and back door cuts for 1.
Scorers finish from multiple angles with either hand off either or both feet. We practice "Hinkle Layups" during most summer sessions. Tip: starting players with just footwork (no dribbling), e.g. left-right-left for right-handed layups can help. This was especially valuable working on reverse layups from the left yesterday.
Getting open on the help (weak) side. By sliding lower, 3 gets below the 'visual field' of x3 opening opportunity for a skip pass or back door cut.
Run to a spot. Gretzky would say, "go to where the puck will be." We've all said it a 1000 times, "run to a spot" between the attacker and the basket.
Screeners screen from the side, angle, or even flat (especially "drag screens" in transition).
When players understand angles, it simplifies actions for teammates.
Lagniappe: "Core concepts" zone alignment by Randy Sherman and Radius Athletics.
Tom Izzo likes his "Fist Down" set against the Syracuse zone.
Here's "Boeheim versus Boeheim"
