Keywords: early offense, spread offense, drag screens, pistols, Horns, Billy Donovan
Points tell stories. I didn't like our early offense and am studying alternatives. I've seen too many high school teams with no obvious early offense. Don't be them. Here are a few thoughts.
The edge of age is experience. Old men see badness before it happens.
"Spread offenses" scream possibility - give-and-go, back door cuts, cut the wing through to open a driving gap, pass and screen away are "no brainers." It offers simplicity and variety.
Our high school team (1973) ran a lot of 1-4 high as early offense. "Horns before horns." With wing entry, the post often rolled low, screened away, or sometimes got a pass and the wing cut through to allow isolation. Ball screens weren't huge back then. Before the three-point shot, we averaged 65 points a game, whatever that means.
Here's a link to previous notes from Billy Donovan on his approach. Fill the corners, think about drag screens and rim running from the bigs.
This 2016 post (Geno Knows Xs and Os) included a UCONN "pistol" action into a ball screen.
Zeljko Obradovic offers another set of options, heavy on pick-and-roll via high ball screens. Seven shooters over 40% on threes drove his offensive firepower as defenses have to respect the spaced shooters.
Summary:
- Effective early offense creates high quality shots
- There is no "best" early offense; these are a few possibilities.
- Decades ago, "1-4" was our early offense
- Billy Donovan likes flat corners and drag screens
- Spread offenses are "simple" developmental approaches
- "Pistol" is a popular and versatile NBA offering
- Across the pond, the Obradovic Way emphasizes high ball screens
Lagniappe. Condition within drills with Arkansas's Mike Neighbors - Main Street, Near, Far, Drive, and Trailer.
