Basketball: Key Offensive Points, Some Players Don't Understand Structure

Professionals are professionals because they think and execute the game at elite levels. Never presume young players appreciate the big picture.

Offensive organization leverages:

• Spacing
• Creating advantage
• Exploiting advantage

Spacing. Pro spacing is elite (see clip under Ball Movement). This creates driving and passing lanes, long closeouts, and makes doubling hard. Pros don't cut to occupied posts and rarely obstruct a driver. Ask "am I in the right spot?"

Playing Off the Ball

Simple way to understand when to cut or space … ask yourself, are you in the way of your teammates drive. If so, you need to space or cut to create a driving gap.

We use this advantage 3x3 with audibles before we start (think football) so that players… pic.twitter.com/BU2YxmdL9R

— Steve Dagostino (@DagsBasketball) January 10, 2024

Player movement. Players move for themselves (e.g. cut) or for others (e.g. clear an area, open a gap, screen). Cuts fail when the player doesn't set it up or fails to cut urgently. Remember, "the ball is a camera" and cannot see you unless you create separation. 

Ball movement/ball reversal. "The ball has energy." Make the extra pass.

 

Ball reversal goes over (skip), around, or through (middle) the defense. This may occur via short roll passing.

  

Sometimes this can create layups. 

To become a scorer find easier shots. 

Lagniappe. Make life hard for opponents. 

Don’t make it easier for your opponent.

- via @CoachJordan82 pic.twitter.com/7eqhF4WeaG

— Jamy Bechler (@CoachBechler) January 10, 2024

Lagniappe 2. Excellent players sacrifice for the game and for the team. 

"It's not really about what you want.
It's about what you are willing to do to get it.
And in that, maybe you have to give something up that may not be a good habit.
And replace it with a better habit.
That's what it all comes down to." -Nick Saban pic.twitter.com/wLaNFoxY1j

— The Winning Difference (@thewinningdiff1) January 10, 2024

Lagniappe 3. We can't stop "every little thing." Find core opportunities to reduce opponents' scoring. What I see watching high school games and video...

🏀 Jazz head coach Will Hardy shares the importance of building habits through your preparation and not "making it a science project" for your players.

📺 WATCH his presentation on preparation & how to guard actions now:
🔗 https://t.co/4TxJdOtJB4 pic.twitter.com/fnQVmkQOQ7

— Coaching U (@Coaching_U) January 9, 2024

• Reduce opponents' transition baskets.
• Contest shots without fouling. 
• Contain dribble penetration. No contain, no defense.