Basketball Friday: Emphasis on More "Pistol Actions", Opening a Gap, and A Closeout/Containment Drill

"What is the difference between describing 'how' and explaining 'why'? To describe 'how' means to reconstruct the series of specific events that led from one point to another. To explain 'why' means to find causal connections that account for the occurrence of this particular series of events to the exclusion of all others." - Yuval Harari, Sapiens

Why write every day? Basketball offers a rich, inexhaustible domain of knowledge. Similar to cooking, it shares a wealth of flavors and spices to offer depth. 

Basketball Friday examines the 1-3-1 - one drill, three concepts, and a play. Harari's quote suggests we look at the WHY and the how. 

PLAY. Open a gap to facilitate a drive. Remind players to WIN IN SPACE and to avoid forcing into traffic. Via Coach Collins. 

This HORNS SET becomes a "replaced" pick-and-roll as the guard gets the pick from 4 and 5 becomes the roller. 

CONCEPTS. Learn more facets of "Pistol" as options for early offense. Recently, Coach Daniel shared the pass entry, screen, and screen-the-screener actions. 

Here's his entire presentation.

This clip shows a screen entry with a roll and finish, then action reminiscent of "Elbow Get" action where the big man screens across, diagrammed below.

Be versatile. Anthony Davis helped the Lakers win a title in the era of the "skilled big man." James Wiseman mimics the multifaceted Davis in this clip, firing in a three and then turning a UCLA cut into a wing ball screen-and-roll. Beautiful basketball. 

DRILL. Closeout and containment. 

Closing out and containing the ball are critical defensive skills. The drill begins with the players shoulder to shoulder. Defense sprints to the baseline and closes out. Offense dribbles to half court and attacks. 

Lagniappe: Coach John Leonzo demonstrates a small-sided-game (SSG), 3-on-3. Here's a link to an SSG post from Coach Fernandez. 

3v3 can be a great way to work on offensive actions and reads. So fun watching our team play together and for one another! pic.twitter.com/A7OBujCH5U

— John Leonzo (@John_Leonzo) October 23, 2020

Lagniappe 2: Elite trainer Drew Hanlen reminds us not to major in the minors. To impact winning and contribute, work on your specific game skills. Many players and coaches should watch this daily. Do well what you do a lot. 

 

Coach Pete Newell remarked that a coach's job is to help players see the game. Brilliant. Imagine the possibilities.