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Wednesday, January 14, 2026

Basketball - Creating Advantage

Teach basketball symmetry. Good offense creates advantage and good defense minimizes it. 

Where does advantage arise? 

  • Spacing/initial positioning
  • Player and ball movement/create separation
  • Finishing/"the scoring moment"
Truth in Aphorisms
  • "Great offense is multiple actions."
  • "Great defense is multiple efforts." 
Video Reveals these Truths

High school video can reveal excellence and limitations among design, decisions, and execution. The goal is education not criticism. I do not know any of the players or coaches. Both teams have improved.  

Spacing

"Win in space." Driving or passing into traffic creates advantage for defenses. White gets back in transition and takes away a paint pass. 


Manipulate space. Against an extended defense, white brings everyone to the ball and then "takes the top off" with a look ahead toss. Although it's not initially complete. Secondary 'troops' finish the play. 


Player and Ball Movement

White gets advantage off the dribble and "draws two." The ball has gravity. They penetrate and pitch for an open corner 3. 
 

Well-designed BOB from 1-4 low. Has options for multiple perimeter shots and a backscreen for the initial screener (screen-the-screener).
 

The Scoring Moment

The game has evolved strategically to threes, layups, and free throws. This isn't always an advantage as poor shooting can offset theoretical advantages. 

The "diamond press" puts a premium on trapping, limiting dribble advancement, and relies on vision and reaction from the "anticipator." 


Getting to the scoring moment can challenge teams. Here the spacing is good and the PnR fails? Why? The ball handler can't use the screen ("B to B in Hoosiers) and doesn't deliver the available pocket pass.
 

Great example of reading advantage here on the 1-4 low. High post entry with fake handoff and drive. 


For young coaches and players wanting to learn, watching more video affords a lot of opportunity.

Lagniappe. Elevator/sandwich screens. 

Lagniappe 2. Force your way onto the court.  

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