Tuesday, December 8, 2020

Basketball: Tuesday Terminology Returns with Video to Study

Young students face a firehose of terms. Help them get on the same page by sharing words that work. 

Terms evolve over time. For example, once the common expressions were strong and weak side of the court. More often in 2020, we hear ball side and help side


The point guard has cutting options from the top.
Bury in the ballside corner and go thru to the helpside. 

With "Elbow get" the offense creates a pick-and-roll with a cross-screen. Coach Nick illustrates. Defenses may not anticipate ball screens set up from this configuration. 

No law says you must locate both bigs at the top. 

"Basketball is a game of separation." Teams use a "ram screen" to screen for a ball screener, perhaps leading to chaotic switching. In the video below, the Bucks use multiple screens to set up a three-point shot. 

Zak Boisvert explains the Celtics "Scram Switch" below to contest mismatches created by perimeter small onto big switches. It takes awareness and communication to make this work. When Marcus Smart is at the one, they do this less because of Smart's size and physicality. 

As a young player, develop an edge by learning the nuances of the game. Level the playing field by developing more skill and raising your basketball IQ to neutralize some of the size and athleticism deficits you face. 

Lagniappe: Grow your basketball IQ with video study and take it to the court. Mason Waters shares Steve Nash video. The details define the difference.