Post #4, July 27, 2008

“COUNTERS" MAKE PLAYS  WORK

Almost every basketball coach is familiar with the “UCLA Cut.” It is arguably the most used play in basketball. Its origin can be found far back in basketball’s history, but it became popular when John Wooden’s teams used it at UCLA.

The offense is in a high set, with the center at the high post, forwards at the free throw line extended, and guards about fifteen feet apart at the top of the key (a two-guard front). The play begins with a guard-to-guard pass followed by a guard-to-forward pass. Starting the play away from the forward you want to get the ball to increases the chances that will happen.

The next maneuver is the UCLA Cut. The guard that passed to the forward cuts off the center, to the basket, looking for a pass for the score. That is the forward’s first passing option. The next option is the pass to the high-post center. When receiving the ball, the center has two options: Pass to the weak-side forward that has flashed into the key, or Pass to the strong side where the forward has down screened for the guard that made the UCLA Cut. That is the play in a nutshell and, like mentioned above, it is still very popular.

The purpose of this posting is to help coaches understand the play, as described above, is only a structure; if executed only as explained above, the play is predictable, will cause no defensive distortion, and is very susceptible to turnovers. Many teams that have attempted to run it have found this out the hard way. So how was UCLA so successful with it? The answer is “counters.”

It has often been said, “Players make plays; plays don’t make players.” How true. In the UCLA Cut, it is the players that must read the defense and make the play that is made available (counters). And the “play that is available” is often a counter play. It can never be said enough. If you don’t have counters, your offense will not produce the points you need. 

COUNTER PLAYS 
Cutting Guard: When the defense drops below the center, anticipating the cut, the guard pops back for the Jumpshot. When the defense plays ball side of the screen, the guard cuts to the basket for the lob.

Center: After the ball is passed to the forward, even before the UCLA cut, if there is a straight line to the block, he slip-cuts looking for the pass from the forward. When the center senses his defender is anticipating the pass to him from the forward (after the UCLA cut), he acts like he’s coming out to receive it but then cuts back door.

Strong-Side Forward: Many teams think they can stop the UCLA Cut play by denying the guard-to-forward pass. The forward comes out as if to receive but cuts backdoor. He can receive a pass directly from the guard, or because the “guard-center-forward triangle” is set, the guard can pass to the center who delivers the backdoor pass. With the high set, this could produce a lay up.

THE POINT: It’s the counter plays that make it possible to run the main play. Why? They keep the defense honest. They draw the defense back. All counter plays are aimed directly at the basket for quick scores. When defenders know their players use counters, they will be less likely to anticipate and gamble. Now, you’re able to get the ball to your flashing weak-side power forward, your center that can drill from the high post, your shooting guard coming off the down screen, or in the post to the forward that down screened. If you have a good-posting guard, you can post him up off the UCLA Cut. But without quick counters, you’ll not be able to pull any of these off very often. Have fun.

The best way to teach counters is when you break the offense down into parts. Explain and demonstrate the possibilities, provide much repetition of having players practice plays and counters without defense, and then go live.