Film Study: "A Game of Separation" and "A Game of Mistakes"

"Basketball is a game of separation" and "a game of mistakes." Watching a community television broadcast, I sought a handful of first quarter teaching examples.

Separate with speed, change of pace, change of direction, urgent cutting, and screening.

1. BOB, Box Set, "sandwich screen." Players are most open on the catch and need to practice a quick release. With "man" defense, another option would be to bring the inbounder to the top off off a screen for a "second chance" at a three-pointer if that's your strategy. 

2. Live-ball turnovers create high points per possession scoring chances. The defense gets a steal, quick conversion, and basket attack. "Turnovers kill dreams." 

3. "Offense is about fighting to get a great shot." Offensive organization includes spacing, player and ball movement to create the shot, and the scoring moment. Attack north and south, with paint touches, and the ball reversal. "The ball has energy." Perimeter east-west dribbling does not create energy or attack the defense.  

4. Draw 2 and pass. Spacing + ball movement + penetration results in a "draw 2" and an open, converted corner three. 

5. Take advantage of mistakes. The defender plays 'upright defense' and gets beaten. "Low man wins" in "the shoulders game."  The offense takes advantage of the help for an open layup. 

Lagniappe. Model excellence. Rely on systems as process makes progress. 

Greatness comes from when daily excellence is prioritized and constantly pursued.
• It means compete.
• It means be disciplined.
• It means choose resilience.

You always fall back to your training, preparation, and habits.

How to Make Excellence a Daily Habit: pic.twitter.com/69wjydFUlw

— Coach AJ 🎯 Mental Fitness (@coachajkings) December 17, 2024

Lagniappe 2. One of the most important numbers in basketball is '95'. Most of the game you play without the ball. Impact winning without the ball. Defense, communication, screening, spacing, moving without the ball and more create value for your team. 

Basketball is played WITH the basketball 5% of the time.

One of my favorites quotes from Billy Donovan is:

‘The other 95% of the time most players spend trying to get the basketball’.

Players also can’t conceptualize the amount of time they have the ball in their hands in a… pic.twitter.com/Uue8v4Ta2W

— Chris Steed (@steeder10) December 21, 2024

Lagniappe 3. Everyone can lead. Lead by always being on time, practicing hard, competing, communicating, never being a distraction. 

"You don’t need to be a captain to be a leader."
If you want to be a better leader, focus on being the kind of teammate others want to follow.
Take responsibility for your actions and hold others accountable, not because you want credit, but because you care about the standard. pic.twitter.com/lzdeSpBuHS

— The Winning Difference (@thewinningdiff1) December 21, 2024

The player averaged three points a game as a junior. He never started a game. One game he played seven seconds. The next season his teams voted him captain. I know because I was that guy.