"Everyone makes mistakes in the endgame." - Garry Kasparov
Despite believing that every possession matters, I know that mistakes in the endgame often define us. Similar to Zak Boisvert's turnover framework, endgame mistakes appear as failed decision or failed execution.
Returning to Newell's "more and better shots than our opponent" it boils down to errors that violate those principles..."fewer and worse" shots than our opponent. Regular readers recognize that as the mental model of INVERSION.
It's impossible to be all-inclusive, so let's focus on common problems.
Offense getting fewer shots
- Slower paced play yields fewer possessions
- Transition offense is sacrificed
- Opposition defense forces turnovers and mental mistakes
(Missing free throws belongs in a special category of shooting ourselves in the foot.)
Defense allowing more shots
- Opponent ramps up pace (comeback game)
- Opponent more aggressive offensive rebounding
- Shots allowed off turnovers (turnovers bleeding into defense)
Offense getting worse shots
- Running clock may turn down a quality early shot and settle for a bad one late in the shot clock
- Personnel choices (better defenders) may compromise offense
- Foul trouble leading to reserves playing
Defense allowing better shots
- Undisciplined fouling***
- Struggle against "special plays" (special situations/ATOs)
- Opponent running more actions for top players
Solutions.
- Use film, the "truth machine." Watch final minutes of every competitive game looking for team-specific problems. Who, what, when, where, and why are the problems.
- "Foul for profit" (Kevin Sivils term). "Show your hands" is particularly critical in crunch time.
- Practice late game situations regularly. The NFL corollary is the two-minute offense. We finished every practice with O-D-O (offense-defense-offense) starting with a special situation.
- Review situations in team meetings. E.g. up 3, opponent ball, nine seconds left. Are we fouling? Explain the why behind our decisions.
- Give and get feedback.
Lagniappe (something extra). Point 1. "It doesn't matter what we run, if we can't run it." Coach Popovich's quote restates it, "technique beats tactics." If you're fortunate enough to have horses not ponies, this video shares ideas.
Lagniappe 2. Another Popovich quote, from "Game Changer"... collaborative teams cannot live in silos.
