Thursday, December 2, 2021

Basketball: Create Relative Superiority with Lessons from Epic Military Strategists

 

Occasionally we bask in the sunshine of absolute superiority. That may reflect talent, injuries, or scheduling. Recruiting brilliance dwarfs coaching acumen. 



In part, this reflects the military theory of Colonel John Boyd and "OODA Loops" - observe, orient, decide, and act. This translates directly to the triad of VDE - vision, decision, and execution. 

Seek to capitalize from relative superiority on both ends. Here are a few examples:

Offense: 

  • Transition (numbers)
  • Screens (on and off ball)
  • Mismatches (size, speed, or skill)
  • Play design (see Duke Handoff series below)
  • Choice of attack (e.g. attack a weak player)
  • Individual "Momentary advantage" (see Top Gun video above and Lagniappe final video) such as hesitation or "show and go" 

Defense: 

  • Pressure  
  • Double team 
  • Create confusion (hybrid defenses, Freak)
  • Attack weaker player, non-dominant hand
  • Tactics (e.g. pulling the chair)


Think about ways to find relative superiority via strategy and tactics and how to counteract opponent application of same. 

Lagniappe. "Every day is player development day." Create advantage (relative superiority) 


I teach players to sweep the ball low to "stay out of the defender's strike zone."