Some say, "the game teaches." The Tufts University Women's program has been a powerhouse for over a decade. Excellent teams use vision and good decisions to exploit an opponent's mistakes. Jumbo highlights from a 28-1 season (2019-2020, cut short by the pandemic) share a multitude of lessons.
0:02-0:10 Transition often launches off rebounds and turnovers. Convert and advance to half-court quickly to create numbers.
0:20-0:25 Wing ball screen into "swing and seal" with high-low action.
0:39-0:46 "Look ahead" passing is critical to transition scoring.
0:53-1:01 "One more" passing
1:11-1:15 1-4 High ("horns pre horns") challenges weak side help.
1:39-1:43 On a challenged post move, layup with chest PARALLEL to the backboard
1:44-1:47 Give-and-go with defender not jumping to the ball
1:48-1:52 Rejecting the wing ball screen (also see Lagniappe below)
2:43-2:50 "Paint touch and ball reversal" creates high quality shot (Kirby Schepp principle)
3:44-3:47 1-4 high, dribble at, wing back cut
4:24-4:29 Penetrate and "Villanova" front pivot pitchback for three
5:16-5:21 High-low action against 2-3 zone
5:21-5:26 BOB 1-4 Low, with pass fake distorting coverage
5:50-5:56 Five-out, corner isolation
5:58-6:03 Euro step layup
6:32-6:37 Horns double high screen and roll for layup
7:01-7:08 Cross-screen, pop high, drive, "Draw 2" and dish to corner
7:24-7:28 Horns high ball screen
7:31-7:35 Four-out, one-in, drive, Draw 2, and pass to short corner
7:37-7:42 McHale move
8:14-8:18 Modified horns corner back cut
Lagniappe. Rejecting ball screens. Executing a few plays a game better often separates success from failure.
One of the best videos I've ever shared. #MustSee
Mental Models, selection bias. We all have biases, for and against ideas and people.
Decades ago, I served on a Navy personnel selection committee, choosing residents. An applicant at the top of his class requested to train (residency) at his medical school. "Welcome aboard, Chris." Past performance is the best predictor of future performance.
