"I learn something from everyone I meet. From most people, I learn what not to do." - Abraham Lincoln
Coaches tell players, "play purposefully" or "play intentionally." Watching bad shot selection, east-west dribbling, and lazy transition defense drives us batty. If you have special expertise, share because nobody sent me stone tablets.
Ergo, watch video with a purpose. Where to begin?
1. Watch video every day. Something new is always over the horizon. Video is the truth machine. But there's also 'screen fatigue'. Doc Rivers limits the clips to thirteen.
2. Find video analysis. Many coaches share their observations and experience. Chris Oliver (Twitter @BballImmersion), Coach Daniel (YouTube channel), and ScoutWithBryan are three excellent examples.
3. See the big picture. Don't focus on the ball. Remember Billy Donovan's "95" rule that 95 percent of the time, you won't have the ball.
4. What is each team trying to accomplish? If you can't tell, then is it you or does each team have a coherent plan? Is the team trying to win the ends or the middle of the court? Are they more of a transition or half-court team?
5. Assess the spacing. NBA spacing is elite. They fill the corners and look to take advantage of defenses that "overhelp" especially opening corner threes.
6. Assess defensive proximity. Are defenders arriving at the ball rapidly, color on color? Do they close out with good technique or get blown by? Is the ball pressure accompanied by enough lateral quickness to control the ball? Is the help side defense loading to the ball? Are defenders dropping to the level of the ball?
7. Look for excellence. "Great offense is multiple actions" and "great defense is multiple efforts." You know it when you see it.
8. Play the "what would I do?" game. Think along with the coaches and players with time and score. Will the team default to an isolation play with their best player or change it up? If you have the personnel advantage and an opponent switches everything, what will you do? Have in mind an ATO, best BOB, SLOB, and actions against man or zone.
9. Use film to help learn to anticipate. We teach players to "fall in love with easy." The simplest actions challenge defenses. "Movement kills defenses."
An opponent's first trip down the court sets up with the coach calling, SPREAD, 5-0, 50, or OPEN or otherwise telegraphing their intent. On the pass, the ball defender has to think 'jump to the ball' and the nearby defender be alert to a quick backcut or on the helpside an off-the-ball screen. As Brad Stevens told my aerospace engineer wife, "it's not rocket science." If you can't think the game, you can't stay on the floor.
10. What's the pick-and-roll coverage and protection? Quin Snyder said it succinctly, "if you cannot defend the pick-and-roll, you will be looking for another job." We need a clear philosophy, everyone on the same page, and consistent communication? Historically, hedge, show, or Coach Krzyzewski's term "fake trap" is the default. But switching, trapping (blitzing), or playing under are among the many alternatives. When the PnR is working, ask why.
Lagniappe: Strong teams create edges - personnel, technique, unselfishness. This clip illustrates.
LOVE possessions where all 5 touch the ball, move it unselfishly, and make plays for one another !! pic.twitter.com/IkP7PqbPeW
— John Leonzo (@John_Leonzo) November 5, 2020
