Learn across domains. Former NFL quarterback Brian Hoyer (8 minutes, above) discusses systems and reading defenses. NFL passing games attack three levels - short, intermediate, or deep. Basketball? It creates shots from inside, midrange, and perimeter. They're similar and different.
Obviously in football, a touchdown 'weighs more' than an individual score in basketball. But efficient team generate "higher probability" chances. That "sums" to better chances at winning. Whether it's 10-11 possessions in football or 60-70 in high school basketball (shot clock) efficiency matters.
How do basketball coaches exploit defensive tendencies?
Transition
Attacking before defenses have 'set up' creates choice with numerical and positional advantage, size and skill edges. More athletic teams may benefit. The downside is "loss of control" as players not coaches define the actions.
On a 3 versus 2 break, I taught the ballhandler to cheat away from the better shooter, to create a longer closeout if she threw there.
The Laker "Showtime" break taught wings to be at the boundaries at half court. In the NFL, the West Coast Offense wanted to spread defenses over the 53 1/3rd yards. The principles are the same - force defenders to defend more space.
Mismatches (size, skill)
The Shanahan versions of the West Coast changed the game with outside zone blocking that could create cutback gaps (for Terrell Davis and others). The Broncos won consecutive Super Bowls based on those principles. In basketball, switched screens create size or skill (attack weak defenders) mismatches.
Coach Bob Knight taught that against zone defense, you could still attack weaker defenders.
Spacing (spreading the field)
Five-out and horns offenses empty the lane and have no 'intrinsic' weak side. In football, speed receivers can 'stretch defenses' opening up zones.
1) The ball has gravity. Defenses and young offensive players may unintentionally compromise space.
2) I taught the 'three point line' as the spacing line. I have read that some coaches preach basket cuts if the defender extends beyonds the arc. That only matters with hard cuts and on-time and on-target passers.
3) Better spacing creates better passing and driving lanes.
Opening gaps
In football, pre-snap motion usually reveals whether defenses play man or zone coverage. In basketball, movement can open gaps or even whole sides of the court.
Duke Elbow "Handoff/Iso" Series.
With superior point guard and high post players, the 'elbow series' can create serious advantage.
Overplays (leverage)
Tight coverage (overplays in basketball) create both headaches and opportunity. Players can take advantage of aggressive defenders with 1) screens and 2) back door cuts. Young players can learn these "solutions" to the problems that can frustrate them.
Football shares more analogies:
- Quarterback and point guard - with decisions and accuracy paramount.
- Strong side/weak side tendencies
- Player weaknesses throwing against the grain or non-dominant hand dribbling
Lagniappe. What keeps you off the floor or gets you minutes?
Last week I asked high school coaches one question:
— Mike Jagacki (@Mike_Jagacki) January 20, 2026
What’s the skill holding players back from varsity minutes?
Defense was the clear answer: 51% of votes!
So I built a 10-minute defensive workout you can do alone, no equipment — because half the game is defense whether we train… pic.twitter.com/vHauTHolV5
