THE BIG PICTURE Part 1: MAIN SCORERS SCORING
Hello, this is Swen Nater. This is my first post. Please read and comment. I will enter a new post at least once a week. The subject of each post will be relevant to what coaches need to know during that time of the year. When you comment, I will respond quickly. Contact me with any questions; I'm here to help coaches learn what I know--much of it John Wooden.
POST #1, July 15, 2008
THE BIG PICTURE
OK. It’s the off season. You are reflecting on last season, and making preparation for next. You are ready to get that Korney magnetic board out and begin drawing up new plays and devising new defenses. Before you start, let’s look at the big picture—scoring.
At a coaches clinic, some time ago, Coach Wooden was asked by one of the attendees, “Coach, what is the most important ingredient to winning a basketball game?” He answered, “Well, some say it’s the team that gets the most rebounds that wins the game. Some say it’s the team that commits the least number of turnovers that wins the game. Some say, it’s the team that plays the best defense that wins the game. I have always believed it’s the team that scores the most points that wins the game.”
That’s the big picture; point production. That's where you begin your planning. Now ask yourself, “Knowing each opponent we will face, and the talent I have, how can I maximize our “points-per-possession” production?” In this post, we will focus on one aspect of team soring: getting your main players the ball.
Last year, when your main scorers got the ball where you wanted, your team scored. But some opponents were able to minimize that. That's when your point production diminished. Frustrating, isn't it. Can this be avoided? Can I devise a system where, no matter what the defense does, my main scorers will still get the ball? Yes. All you need is two principles. Then you do the rest of the work:
Number One: CREATE MULTIPLE OPTIONS FOR EACH MAIN SCORER:
When the defense double-teams the post, for example, get him the ball on the move, across the key or flashing into the post. Have him handle the ball at the high post, pass it, and then dive down the key off an up screen. Be deceptive; make the defense think the play is going away from the scorer and then, quickly, bring it back. Plays work much better when the defense is deceived. For a forward, start the play away from him. Then swing the ball out to the guard and hit that forward on the weak side elbow. The passing guard then cuts off him, toward the wing, and a double down screen happens on the other side, keeping the defense busy so the forward can go one-on-one.
Number Two: DEVELOP COUNTER PLAYS FOR EVERY PLAY YOU HAVE:
You must think of everything the opponents can, and will do to stop your main scorers. When they focus their team defense on one player, they always leave an opening for the quick score. Counter plays that score will make the defense less aggressive then next time they try it. Instead of you reacting to the defense, the defense will begin to react to you. That's what you want. Then your main plays are more likely to work.
With these two principles, your main scorers will always get their shots. That’s part of the Big Picture; getting your main scorers the ball. The next posting will address another part of THE BIG PICTURE. I welcome your comments and questions. Buy the book, John Wooden's UCLA Offense, by John Wooden and me. It has all the details we discussed and more. Find it on www.amazon.com Swen
Swen,
I guess I have the honor of giving the first response to your blog. What a great concept...hope it goes well.
For the past 30-35 years, basketball has trended towards more and more overplay defense on forwards and guards, and I don't see that trend abating. When the offensive players have to continuously move "out of position" just to free themselves for a pass, where are the spots their teammates should fill to keep the court balanced offensively?
I think, in theory, good half-court offense has a strong-side cut, a weak side cut (described in your post) and motion across the key. But, when your key players are having to move outside their scoring threat areas just to receive a pass, how can players be drilled to "fill the positions" and get the offense back on track? I agree completely about every play needing a counter...no way to survive without it!
Thanks, John M.
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First...Swen, this is great, thanks for the work/effort to expand basketball knowledge, in this way! Hello John M.,
After thinking about these first blogs, you raised an interesting point, I would like to comment on. I am a firm believer that offense is number 1...your concern though is typical of issues faced by pressure defense. To address your concerns, I would teach your players to "read" the defense, because even the effectiveness of a good pressure "D" usually can be picked apart by a educated offense. Usually the pressure "D" if decent, is an "athletic D". Even many solid programs, struggle with teaching the full fundamentals of team defensive positioning. Thus, I feel you can greatly relieve this pressure by teaching your players to better read the defensive positioning mistakes pressuring teams make. Resulting in higher % shots and possibly increased fouling by the pressure "D".
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Mark: Great insight. Reading pressure defense requires quickness of mind and preparation.
Defense is about defending your basket. When teams pressure, they extend their defense. Against an "intelligent" and prepared offense, they are leaving themselves wide open.
Last thought: Proper preparation includes safe but assertive ball handling at high speed. Fundamentals must be taught slowly at first but then tested with increasing defensive pressure. Many drills are good for this, the UCLA 3-on-2 Conditioner being one of them.
Swen
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