Playwright David Mamet tells us to take two actions each day, "one thing for our art and one thing for our business." Inaction is death. Read. Study. Write. Repeat.
Basketball Friday shares concepts, a drill, and set play.
Exceptional players and teams create advantages and subtract edges from opponents. They blend the "big picture" and "fine details." About a third of games are decided by two possessions or less, thus the power of now, full engagement each possession.
Imprint "core concepts" into young players.
Multiple actions. "Great offense is multiple actions."
Spain PnR. Blind pig. Split cuts. Elevator and more. Explore the possibilities while building skills to finish.
High ball screen with read on to corner 3.
Multiple efforts. "Great defense is multiple efforts."
Ball containment. Help, rotation, and recovery.
Coverage and protection. Defending the pick and roll well demands players to execute the coverage and trust the protection. Decide what you coverages you want (e.g. switch, fake trap, drop) and emphasize that "the ball scores" to help defenders.
Fake trap. Show or hedge the ball screen? Coach Krzyzewski favors the term fake trap.
Be aware that overly aggressive action (short of switch/doubling) invites the offense to slip the screen if the point guard passes well as the defender's shoulder is above the screen.
Draw 2. Excellent players attract other defenders opening other players.
Draw 2 demands VDE - vision, decision, and execution.
Short roll. Blitzing the ball handler opens the roller. Spacing opens perimeter shooters for the pass.
Dig. Provide distraction and diversion for the opposing post player. Be a pest.
Causing a turnover, a bad shot, or poor decision could make the difference between success and failure.
Drill. 3 line Pick-and-roll (UCONN women)
Alternate sides and alternate actions (e.g. drive, hit-the-roller)
Set Play. UCONN women 23 Reverse action go
Shot ready. Muscle strength. Specificity (practice).
