All things being equal...they never are. Win now or develop now with the goal of winning more later?
How should we play? Coaches match style of play to our talent, preferences, and opponents.
The Grinnell "System" plays frenetic ball at hyperspeed. It requires elite conditioning, shooters, depth, unselfishness, and control by the players.
What's the best style of play? If one best style prevailed, everyone should play it. Varieties have dominated (e.g. Triangle offense) that arguably reflected personnel (Jordan, Bryant) rather than the offense itself.
What's your edge to wear out opponents? Seek an edge (e.g. pick-and-roll), its frequent application, and the discipline to avoid bad shots, turnovers, fouls, and breakdowns. Defensively it could be pressure or packed, changing defenses, or excellence at one (e.g. Syracuse's 2-3 zone).
But even the best mousetrap may not beat the cleverest mouse. Ball movement, paint touches, and teamwork don't go out of style.
What generalities exist? Size and power favordominating the ends and speed argues for owning the middle of the court. Military campaigns offer infantry (power), cavalry (transition), and artillery (perimeter attack).
Sometimes a team arrives with a nuclear option, an unstoppable force.
How do you create mismatches? But lacking competing armies, with five on five play, favor existing (skill) or created mismatches (e.g. switches). Get the "mouse in the house."
Where do the points arise? The UCONN women plan a third in transition, a third on set plays, and a third on three-point shooting.
UCONN reverse action into give-and-go versus Texas (2018)
What's the early offense if transition fails or is unavailable? Not saying there is one, but find a couple of options to make your own. Pistol, 5-out actions, drag screens, and spread ball screens are just a few.
What if we need more talent? No coach believes she has enough. The best coaches help the individual play better and the team achieve at a higher level. If we don't devote time and the growth mindset, then we have nobody to blame but ourselves. Every day is player development day.
"Chance favors the prepared mind." Pasteur and Harden agree.
How can we simplify our offenses and defenses? Simplify by reducing the number of core actions, by "automating" them through repetition (builds skill and reduces the load on working memory).
Lagniappe. Make our superpower better thinking and decision-making. Part three of Mental Models shares more ideas.
Lagniappe 2. Great players add to and refine their game each off-season. Skill isn't accidental.