Discussing offensive fundamentals, we probably think first of shooting, ball handling, passing, rebounding, and pivoting/footwork. Teach players to cut better because "basketball is a game of separation."
"Every day is a development day." Outstanding players are their best through UNREQUIRED WORK. They also study the game to find sustainable competitive edges.
Basketball Friday shares at least one DRILL, three CONCEPTS, and a PLAY.
Drill: Via Michigan Developmental Drills
Crafty cutting yields high quality scoring chances. Cutting plays have the highest points per possession among common NBA actions. Today's missive shares minor variations on common actions.
1) Separate through change of direction and/or change of pace. "Explode out of the cut." Usually that means sticking a foot in the ground and cutting opposite.
Rarely, an athlete makes an "Edelman Cut" by reverse pivoting to get separation, planting feet perpendicular to scrimmage to back pivot and seal. Click through to view.
2) A back cut goes "to the ball then away from the ball." But it doesn't require a direct pass.
Manu Ginobili shows this via a hockey assist.
3) Look for cutters out of the baseline drive.
Many defenses force drivers baseline and look for help. The driver should be looking for the open player on the basket cut as the help leaves.
Set Play: "Stagger Roll"
The "Stagger Roll" can generate a shot, drive, or pass for the 2 coming out of the staggered screens.
Lagniappe ("and then some"): When we think of great cutters, who comes to mind? Many will think of Dwayne Wade, Rip Hamilton, Klay Thompson and others.
But Avery Bradley, known for his defense, had a strong cutting game.
Lagniappe 2: Coach Daniel shows the power of "multiple actions."
Success never goes out of style. He shows the "flare slip" where the screener cuts after or even before setting the flare. He shows how teams run it plus options ball side, help side, and defensive strategies.
Even when it breaks down, it can still work.
