"Success leaves footprints." - Kevin Eastman
Kristen McDonnell coached four state championship girls teams and has the Norwood High boys off to a 16-2 season in 2022. YouTube video breakdown illustrates how in a randomly selected 2022 game with two boys teams coached by women.
Dave Smart reminds us that success relates to managing key elements:
- Transition O and D
- Half court O and D
- PnR O and D
1. Phases - spacing, player and ball movement, execution of scoring moment
Spacing into rejected wing ball screen. Ballhandler identifies weak side slot as open and makes the pass but shot is missed. This is the type of shot they can live with.
2. Mind the gap.
The "sandwich screen" doesn't create an open shot, but there's enough of a gap for a direct drive for a high probability "9" shot. (Get 7s or above).
3. Defending the ball screen. Communication, coordination, trust the protection.
Norwood switches the initial ball screen and the on-ball defender goes over the screen as the ballhandler can't use the screen well and loses possession. Score the possession as a win for the defense.
4. Create "contestedness" with aggressive on-ball defense and help/recover defense.
The defense makes the offense work for the shot and makes for a tough finish.
5. "Win in space." A common theme at many levels is losing possession during dribbling or passing into traffic. Great players win space.
Parents tell us, "don't play in the traffic." A live ball turnover is a 0% shot and statistically bleeds into defense as this possession did.
6. Execution style...
Norwood sets 1-4 high and Walpole takes away the initial cut. I was thinking pass to the top and backscreen for the wing. The shooter had other ideas.
7. Off-ball defense. Note:
a. Load to the ball "Helpside I" with weakside defenders with a foot in the paint
b. Drop to the level of the ball
c. Ballhandler uses the screen poorly allowing defender to go over the top
8. Draw 2. The ballhandler drives and the corner defender gets caught helping too much.
Penetrate to pass sets up an open corner 3, the third most efficient shot (in the NBA).
9. Gambling gets burned.
Going for the steal in the background creates "numbers" and an open foul-line extended three-pointer. Dave Smart's adage about the importance of winning in transition proves true again.
10. Reading the ball screen.
Walpole elects to trap/blitz the ball screen and the roller draws help (protection). This leaves the corner wide open and this time the shot doesn't go down. If the pass had gone to the short roller, then he would have the wide open corner three pass.
Better teams create more opportunities, have fewer turnovers, take away what the opponent wants to do, and allow "one bad shot."
Lagniappe. "Every day is player development day."
- Your "GO TO" and "COUNTER" move become your signature.
- Ply your craft with a handful of moves that separate and finish.
- Find what works for you - negative step, jab, attack off the catch, lateral float...it's your bag.
