David Cottrell in Tuesday Morning Coaching presents a framework for problem solving. It has broad application.
1. What is the problem as you see it?
2. What is its impact?
3. What is our desired "end state?"
4. Why does the problem exist?
5. What are a range of possible solutions?
Let's examine a common basketball problem and thresh it through this prism.
"We are allowing too many points in transition."
1. Transition opportunities are often high quality with limited "contest." Teams should set a low threshold for acceptable points in transition (e.g. three hoops per game).
2. Many games are decided by six or fewer points (two possessions). Allowing easy baskets is one way to beat yourself.
3. The "end state" is to protect the basket, force the extra pass, and allow the team to set its defense by disallowing "early clock" open shots.
4. Poor transition can result from poor effort, poor awareness, misunderstanding of assignments (how many to the glass, who gets back?), and from turnovers setting up transition. Coaching contributions can be lack of emphasis and lack of practice. (see Coach Stevens' notes in Lagniappe)
5. Kevin Eastman says, "do it better (technique), do it harder (effort), change personnel." Change could also mean an emphasis on turnover reduction that trigger the running game.
Lagniappe: Advantage-Disadvantage Transition Drill (Andrej Lemanis)
Most of us have used this drill or variation (5 v 4) to simulate transition defense.
Lagniappe 2: Brad Stevens Defensive Notes
Our absolutes:
- Sprinting not running (beat your guy to half court)
- Protect the basket
- Stop the ball to allow defense to get back
Lagniappe 3: FIBA Transition Clinic (Andrej Lemanis) - "Communication is a skill."
"Adjust all your rules to your team...anybody has anybody."
Lagniappe 4: Statistical anomaly and win.
The Celtics went 40/23/56 (10 missed free throws) and scored four points in the final five minutes but escaped with a win.