Friday, July 21, 2023

Basketball: Q & A, What Offense Should I Be Using in Our Developmental Program?

"We can't run what we can't run."

Daily we see youth coaches asking what offense to run. The game is about creating and exploiting edges. "Technique beats tactics." 

The top priority in development is ... development. Invest the lion's share of practice time in skill development and game understanding. Concern over offense choice seems misguided amidst lesser skilled players. 

Offensive skill development (Obsess specifics)

  • Footwork/pivoting (create separation)
  • Cutting (moving without the ball)
  • Dribbling
  • Passing 
  • Shooting/finishing (off the catch then off the dribble, the most important and least well-taught skill)
  • Rebounding 
Create "possession enders," players who can score, rebound, assist, and get stops. Dream Teamer Cecilia Kay was a graduate of our developmental program.

"The 6-foot-2 point forward averaged 22 points, 13 rebounds, and 4.1 blocks per game. During the tournament, Kay averaged 22.6 points, 13.6 rebounds, and 4.0 blocks per game in leading Bishop Fenwick to the Div. 3 state finals. A Catholic Central League All-Star and captain, Kay has amassed 1,286 points through her junior season."

Defensive fundamentals
  • Ball containment
  • Off ball individual defense
  • Post defense
  • Contesting shots and block out
  • PnR defense
  • Team defense
  • Transition
Game understanding
  • Symmetry of actions (creating and preventing advantage)
  • Introduce basketball moves (one-on-one/post ups, attacking closeouts, jab, float, negative step, dribble attack, etc.) and emphasize those appropriate for level. 
  • Two-on-two (e.g. PnR and variations, pass and cut)
  • Small-sided games
  • Simple and complex off ball screening 

What practical advice applies?

1. Invest at least half to two-thirds of practice on skill building. Emphasize possession ending - scoring, assists, rebounds, and stops

2. Regularly examine (freeze play) spacing and urgency of cutting.

3. Divide team offense attack among spacing, advantage creation, and 'advantage execution'. Pass. "The ball has energy." 

4. Better shot selection is the fastest way to score more.  

5. Incorporate defense early as basis in reality.

6. Small-sided games give players more touches and decision-making against defense.

6. Train situations (BOB, SLOB, ATO) as part of scrimmage

7. Encourage players to 'track progress'. 

8. Skills create options and success. It's not spread versus triangle, Passing Game versus Princeton. Spacing, cutting, passing, and screening are the sine qua non for young players to bring to the next level. 

And expect to see more zone defense than you anticipate as many coaches value winning over growth mindset. 

Lagniappe. Present one-on-one attack off the dribble training. 

Lagniappe 2. Skill and decision-making are kings. 

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