Yin and Yang of Sets

Points don't grow on trees. Where do they arise?

Think about sets as framework, lines on paper when learning to write. Ruled paper neither writes nor prevents Shakespearean drama.

Key considerations:  

• Sets are part of an offensive plan including transition, offensive rebounding, 3-point scoring, zone offense, motion. 
• Without skill, it makes no difference what you run ("we can't run what we can't run).
• Get everyone on the same page. If you're supposed to clear out or set a screen, you have to do your job.

How many are enough? There's no right answer. You can run the same core concepts from different sets or varying actions from the same initial spacing. 

Who gets the ball? You know the old joke, "who was the only man to hold Michael Jordan under twenty points per games?" "Dean Smith." Balance helps make your offense harder to defend. Remember that "the ball has energy." But if you have an unstoppable force, use it. 

Too many rules? Emphasize 'good basketball' such as setting up cuts, legal screens, urgent cutting, passing 'on time and on target'. 

Options are the spice of life.

Execution. Remember Don Meyer's triad of blind enthusiasm, sophisticated complexity, and mature simplicity. Strive for excellence.

Scoutable? Some offenses such as spread offenses have a multiplicity of actions. Show teams a constant diet of hard to defend actions. 

Popularity doesn't make utility. Find actions that you can teach and your people can execute.

Lagniappe. Finishing strong.