Analogical Basketball Offense, Four Progressive Actions to Score (Iso, DHO, DAT, Rip), and Video Sampler

How will future simulators model basketball offense? 

Just as chess pieces have a virtually infinite combination of space, time, and movement, so does basketball offense.

Because Fergus Connolly's construct asserts truth across sports, recall that it informs four 'states': 

• Initial space/formation
• Player movement
• Ball movement
• Scoring action (scoring moment)

How do we 'organize' that moment - individually (isolation), two-man (e.g. give-and-go, pick-and-roll, inside-outside), three-player (e.g. Pistol, Chicago action), a myriad of set plays, and scripted/random motion?

At the root of the scoring moment is ability to score off the catch-and-shoot, off the dribble, and off complex interplays of screening and cutting. 

And what circumstances might help use 'multiple action' assembly to construct attacks? 

• Lego pieces fit together in nearly endless combinations
• A roll of the dice generate a limited number of possibilities
• Shuffling and picking cards generates 'random' actions
• A wheel spin (e.g. Game of Life) produces a number 
• End-game video (e.g. close and late) of elite teams of elite players and coaches fills a catalog ("It's a copycat league.")

Although "random" combinations might help us, they will not get the ball in our best shooters in their favorite spots. Design actions to get higher probability scorers more higher probability shots. 

1. Favorite isolation action (Lob/Iso option)

5 catches at the elbow, reverse pivots of the left foot and gets a one dribble layup

2. Two-on-two. DHO out of 4 out. 

Multiple options created. 

3. Practice developmental 3 player actions

"Dribble at" creates DHO, backcut, and crossover drive depending on defensive actions.

4. Everyone involved (Corner Rip) 

The high ball screen opens the pass to the midline and the initial cross-screener continues with sequential diagonal screening for a layup. 

Whatever we select, put player development as the highest priority. 

Lagniappe. 

 

Don't apply NBA statistics to lower level play. Few high school teams are making threes at 35% clips. Learn to make midrange shots off the dribble.

Lagniappe 2. NC State ties it up in OT with a perfect flare screen three. This reminds everyone of the taking the foul debate up 3 late. One might legitimately ask why Williams was laying off the point guard allowing an easier pass. 

Lagniappe 3. Alpha dog. The highlights do not do justice to the magnificence of Paige Bueckers during the fourth quarter and overtime. Bueckers scored 17 of her 27 points during the fourth quarter and overtime periods.