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Sunday, November 21, 2021

Basketball: "I Have to Take You Out" and Reasons Why

Substitution is not punishment. Coaches aren't arbitrary; we want to put players and teams in a position to succeed. 

Success is impossible under a variety of conditions: 

1. Don't know your defensive/offensive assignment 
2. Don't get back in transition defense (subset of lack of effort)
3. Bad shot quality (ROB = range/rhythm, open, balanced)
4. Situationally inappropriate play (clock management, fouling)
5. Poor free throw shooter in obvious foul situation
6. Unaware of pick-and-roll or other coverage 
7. Can't contain the ball leading to help/rotation problems
8. Won't block out

Where might these arise? There's a method to mistakes and errors. The Big Four difference makers:
  • Differential effective field goal percentage
  • Net rebounding differential
  • Turnovers (including 'shot turnovers')
  • Free throw differential 
Another framework is violation of:
  • Structure (spacing and location)
  • Player and ball circulation (movement)
  • Execution 
On offense, effective players create space and time, earning minutes. Strong defenders constrain space and time resulting in lower quality chances. When your play and decisions degrade or impair team function, "I have to take you out."

Lagniappe (something extra). Basketball rewards athletic explosion. Here's another example. 


Lagniappe 2. Ball control is no accident. "Every day is player development day." Separation creates time.