How Many Are Routinely in Your Basketball Arsenal?

In "Inside Man," Stanley Tucci, a criminologist on death row asks what wasn't seen during the crime?

Basketball coaches should ask the same question, "what aren't you seeing in your games?" When teams improve in these areas, they increase their chances of success.

1. Ball pressure

Many teams pay "lip service" to ball pressure and containment. In 2010 I saw a point guard put so much pressure on the opposing PG that she was my MVP despite scoring three points. She totally prevented her opponents from getting their shots in their spots. 

No ball pressure allows opponents to get into their offense and decreases late-clock shots. If you're not seeing "color on color" pressure, you're leaving money on the table. 

2. Talk

"Silent teams lose." The only way to get talk in games is to get talk at practice. Coaches get what we allow. If we allow silent defense, we're behind the eight ball.

3. Rejecting the ball screen

Pick-and-roll (PnR) offense is fundamental to good offense. Some teams play almost exclusively zone because they can't play PnR defense. Rejecting the ball screen "keeps defenders honest." I've watched too many high school games without any screen rejections.

4. Complex Screening

Complex screens often come off play calls. Some examples that appear too infrequently: 

• Screen-the-screener (pick-the-picker) 
• Staggered screens (e.g. Iverson action)
• Sequence screening (player sets serial screens)
• Spain PnR (backscreen the roller)

All of these complicate preparation and game execution for defenses. 

5. Short-roll Passing 

Many teams like to trap the ballhandler trying to get into the PnR. Hitting the roller quickly sets up options including passes to open perimeter players. I've seldom seen this action in HS. 

6. Taking Charges

It's a skill that isn't well-taught and practitioners get "blown up." I don't think most players lack the will but often don't get into needed legal guarding position. 

Shaka Smart is different. 

Lagniappe. So you want to be a head coach? 

View on Threads