RUN & PLAY

HELLO EVERYBODY!

Today we are going to talk about a fast break system to play.... 

The information about this "way of play" is from entrenadorinvisible.blogspot.com.es, a blog where you can find exercises, videos, thoughts, and more interesting things about basketball world. 

RUN&PLAY it's a game philoshopy based on decision-making and created to punish defense's mismatch, so attacking players can find the spatial-temporal advantages that the game offers.

It is an open system, with many options, where players are the game leaders. They decide almost 100% of plays and movements, there isn't nothing stablished. The order is manteined by offense rules that ensure the system keeps working. 

Be always one step forward the defense it's a necessary condition, so the main goal is to attack before the defense takes its places on the court. If they achieve that, any action will make an imbalance.

Doesn't matter if the attack comes from steal the ball, get a defensive rebound or get a basket. In less than 6" they have to attack 1x1, get the ball inside the post, or reverse the ball wit pass or penetration.

This philoshopy it is base on Run&Gun, a way to play of many college leagues (NCAA) and used by some NBA teams. 

It is easy to understand and put on the game, so this allows that on learning levels coaches can spend more time on individual technical improvements. It is very important that players have totally freedom to make choices. The teammates have to respect that and go on the same way.

But... Run&Play is not only an offensive philosophy. Defense it is based on a constant pressure wich target is than the opposing team can follow that rhythm, making bad choices and defensive balance. This way to play requires 3-4 minutes rotations to keep good physical level along all the match. However, nothing of this will work if doesn't exist team spirit and it is changed "me" for "we". 


We have to change that coach gets a prominent role, and let the players be the real leaders of the game. 

Here is a video with some cuts of a documental "Guru of Go". This talk about the history of Paul Westhead, a coach famous for a fast break system of play, called "The system", like Run&Play. If you want to see the full documentary here is the link: ESPN 30 for 30: Guru of Go

If you want to know and read more about this philoshopy (in Spanish) click on this link : Run&Play

 THANKS FOR READING AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

References

Run & Play. Filosofía de juego. Recuperado el 14 de mayo de 2015 del sitio web entrenador invisible: http://entrenadorinvisible.blogspot.com.es/search/label/Run%20And%20Play

Exercise: Limited Superiority.

Good evening!

In this post we show you an exercise about situations of attack superiority. We think that it's important for young players to be decision-makers and to act quickly in situations of advantage during a game. So, we want to show you a way to teach and work on this. 

The exercise is from a great basketball blog: Entrenador invisible. If you want to discover lot of exercises, thoughts and interesing information we recommend you this website. 

Limited Superiority

Pic 1. Exercise Limited superiority. From entrenadorinvisible.blogspot

Objective:

Create a number superiority situation after a defense rebound and do a fast break with options.

Concepts:

Attack the superiority.

3x1 (+2)

3x2 (+1)

Intensity: High

1. Exercise Dynamic.

Attack player 3 throws the ball to the backboard and after the rebound, the exercise starts. This player can dribble or pass, and players 1 and 2 can offer a short or long pass. Defense 3 starts on half court, 1 and 2 on free throw line (backcourt).

On the return, there's an attack-defense change. In addition, the player who has shot or lost the ball, will have to touch, for example,the baseline and then recover the position, so we create a 3x2 situation for limited time.

2. 3x1 (+2)

The main objective is learning to create an advantage. On the first situation, we'll make decitions depending on defensor 3, because it's the first wich will appear and make his own decition: defense of the ball, passing lane or going back. The 3 attack player will have to cordinate their job for give an exit to the ball. 

Defense 1, who has to touch half court, will be the defense who start behind the ball.

Defense 2, has to touch the baseline. This player will start as the last defender to avoid 1x0 situations. 

It is important taking good-choices and do the exercise in high velocities, liki in a game, to take the advantage.

3. Vuelta: 3x2 (+1).

In the return, we have a less unknow situation, because depends of what happen on the first way. The attack players, will have to create an advantage and attack it before the third defense comes.

4. Deffense.

We can influence also on the inferiority defensive work: communication, cover spaces, fakes work, etc.

THANKS FOR READING AND LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS!

"You don't play against opponents you play against the game of basketball" Bobby Knight

References:

Superioridad Limitada. Recuperado el 14 de mayo de 2015 del sitio web entrenador invisible: http://entrenadorinvisible.blogspot.com.es/2014/05/superioridad-limitada.html

THE SCREEN AND OPTIONS (III)

Good evening!

Today we are going to finish "The screen and options". On the previous post we talk about the principals characterisc of the screen, and the types of "Off-the-ball screens". Now we show you...

ON-THE-BALL SCREENS

SIDE SCREEN

On-the-ball screens, the players on the weak side are on a triangle, and the post player always ducks in. If there is an “ice situation”, where the dribbler is forced to the baseline, the post comes to the strong side corner of the free-throw lane.

• If the defense follows the player who received the screen, this player turns the corner, and the screener rolls to the basket.

Diag 1. Side Screen I. (By FIBA).

• If the defense goes under, the player with the ball stops and takes a jump shot. 
• If the defender follows and traps with the screener’s defender, the player with the ball takes two dribbles away and finds the open teammate:- the screener, who rolls, or the teammate whose defender has gone to help on the roll of the screener. 

Diag 2. Side Screen II. (By FIBA).

• If the screener’s defender appears, but doesn’t appear ready to play hard defense, the player with the ball splits in between. 
• If the defense cheats, the player drives to the baseline. 
• If the defense forces him to the baseline- what we call an “ice situation”- the dribbler can drive to the middle for a jump shot or pass to the screener, who rolls to the basket. He can also pass to the player, who has flashed up from the low post to the corner of the free-throw lane. 

Diag 3. Side Screen III. (By FIBA).

TOP SCREEN

• If the defense follows, the player turns the corner. 

Diag 4. Top Screen.

• If the defense goes under the screen, the player stops and takes a jump shot. 
• If the defense forces the player with the ball outside, he passes to the screener, who rolls. 

That's all! Hope all this information help you to know more about the screen and to learn and teach this drill to your players. 

References.

Lionel Hollins. The screen and various options.Recuperado el  10 de mayo de 2015, del sitio web FIBA.Coaching Library : http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/cl/training/p/nid/41090/drill.html

THE SCREEN AND OPTIONS (II)

Good Saturday!

As we told you few days ago, today we continue with the screen and options to do it. 

Here are the screens off the ball, where the two players implicated on a screen don't have the posession of the ball. There are different types, and we explain what the offensive have to do in reference of what the defender do.

1. SCREENS OFF-THE-BALL

BACK SCREEN

• If the defender stays on the screen, the player, who received the screen, cuts in the lane and receives a lob pass. 

Diagram 1. Back screen (I) (By FIBA)

• If the player with the ball cannot pass directly to the player, who cuts off the screen, the screener then pops out, receives the ball, and passes to the player, who has now posted up. 

Diagram 2. Back screen (II) (By FIBA)

• If the defense goes low, he cuts over the top / If the defense goes high, he cuts low.

  Diagram3. Back screen (III) (By FIBA)                          Diagram4. Back screen (IV) (By FIBA)

• If the defense cheats, he bumps and pops up to receive the ball. 

Diagram5. Back screen (V) (By FIBA)

UCLA

• If the defense stays on the screen, the player immediately cuts and receives a lob pass.

Diagram 6.UCLA (By FIBA)

• If the defense goes outside, the player cuts inside. 
• If the defense goes inside, the player cuts outside. 
• If the defense cheats, the player bumps and pops up to the ball. 

FLEX

• If the defense goes high, the player cuts low on the baseline. 

Diagram 7.Flex (By FIBA)

• If the defense goes low, the player cuts high.
• If the defense cheats, the player bumps and pops to the ball.

HAWK

• If the defense goes low, the player cuts outside. 

Diagram 8.Hawk (By FIBA)

• If the defense goes low, the player cuts high. 
• If the defense cheats, the player bumps and pops up to the ball. 

FLARE

• If the defense goes inside, the player flares outside.

Diagram 9.FLARE (By FIBA)

• f the defense goes over, the player flares and then cuts in the lane. 

Diagram 10.FLARE (II) (By FIBA)

• If the defense cheats, the player cuts directly in the middle.

WIDE ANGLE PIN DOWN

• If the defense follows, the player curls. 

Diagram 11.Wide angle pin down (By FIBA)

• If the defense goes under the screen, the player bumps and then pops out.
• If the defense goes on top of the screen, the player makes a backdoor cut. 

CROSS SCREEN

• If the defense goes over the screen, the player cuts low along the baseline.

Diagram 12.Cross Screen (By FIBA)

• If the defense goes under, the player stops in the lane. 
• If the defense cheats, the player stops near the basket and receives a lob pass. 

DOWN SCREEN

On this type of screen, the player receiving the screen must wait for the screen, and then the screener pops out or flashes.

• If the defense follows, the player curls around the screen.

Diagram 13.Down Screen(By FIBA)

• If the defense goes under the screen, the player bumps and pops out.
• If the defense cheats, the player makes a backdoor cut. 

And there are the main types of off-the-ball screens, on the next post we will show you on-the-ball screens. If you want more information, diagrams and short-videos about this, you can visit this web: FIBA. Screens, that we used to do the post. 

Hope you like it, and please leave your comment!

References

Lionel Hollins. The screen and various options.Recuperado el 9 de mayo de 2015, del sitio web FIBA.Coaching Library : http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/cl/training/p/nid/41090/drill.html

THE SCREEN AND OPTIONS (I)

Good morning!

We have been talking about many attack drills and exercise, but we have not written about the screen. We think that it is an important resource that young players should know and do on the right way to play a better basketball.

So we've visited FIBA's site to learn more about this drill, and here is the first part of: "The screen and options".

A screen, also called a "pick", is a legal block set by an offensive player on the side or on behind a defender in order to free a teammate to take a shot or receive a pass. There are a number of different types of screens. This resource is very effective because it's impossible for the defense to take away all the available options that the offense has at disposal. 

On all screens, the defense will try to play you a certain way, according to their philosophy or strenghts and weaknesses. The offense, however, always has options, usually two, and sometimes three, depending on how the defense choose to play. 

The key to the succes of using a screen is not how fast the offensive player goes off the screens, but how well you read what the defense is doing against the screen.

The  options you have include:

• To go low.
• To go hight.
• To go behind.
• To go over the top of the screen.

On some screens, you can bump back for a jump shot, or square up for a 1 on 1 situation. Off-the-ball and on-the-ball screens usually involve at least two players, and each has their own responsibilities. 

The screener, usually picks an area and gets stationary while the player using the screen waits until the screener has gotten set. He then sets up his man by faking away from where he actually wants to go. The two offensive players must then read whether the defense follows or shoots the gap. 

Now, we are going to describe some counter moves needed based to the reaction of the defense to the screen. 

1. Curl. If the defense follow on trails the screened player, this player curls to the passer. By this we mean that the player circles around the screener and then cuts to the basket to receive the ball.

Diagram 1. Curl on screen.(By FIBA)

2. Curl/Slip. If on the curl the defender helps out and leaves his man, the screener will then roll to the basket for a pass. This is called "slip".

Diagram 2. Slip (by FIBA).

3. Bump. If on the curl the defender of the player, who has screened, shoots the gap or takes a short cut, the screener adjusts his screen with a drop step to screen the defender. The player who should receive the screen, executes a bump, and quickly pops away from the screen.

Diagram 3. Bump (by FIBA).

4. Bump/Slip. If the defender of the screener helps out and goes out to guard the player, who bumped and popped out, and this player has received the ball, the screener quickly slips to the basket for a pass from the player who has now popped out in the corner. 

Diagram 4. Bump/Slip. (by FIBA).

There's a short video about this action. 

That's all!! On the next post we will show you differents types of screen (UCLA, Flex, etc). 

Hope you like it, and please leave your comment!

References.

Lionel Hollins. The screen and various options.Recuperado el 7 de mayo de 2015, del sitio web FIBA. Coaching Library : http://www.fiba.com/pages/eng/cl/training/p/nid/41090/drill.html

Strength training in basketball (III)

Good morning everybody!

     In this section we are continuing to talk about the strength training in basketball.

  As we know the work force in basketball is a very important factor because it determines our performance throughout the season. Therefore, the strength work should be done in the preseason, in the competition and during the time of transition. What is to be achieved through good muscle work program is an improvement in the neuromuscular system, increase explosive strength.

Image 1. The strength is necessary to do a good pick.

     Reaction force and muscular endurance, to give maximum throughout the competition. In this work, the most effective training methods are developed to achieve our goals, types of exercises that can be performed on a daily workout.

     In this document we talk about the sport analysis and training objectives.

The ideal way to win a champion is step by step

-Phil Jackson-

References:

Redondo Espejo, F., Moral García, J.E.,,(Junio de 2008) de EFDeportes recuperado el 06 de 05 de 2015 de, http://www.efdeportes.com/efd121/trabajo-de-fuerza-aplicado-al-baloncesto.htm

Individual Tactics on 1x1 (Minibasketball)

Hello everybody!

We have used the information below from this web http://basketformacion.webnode.es/. 

Today we are going to talk about the individual tactic of 1x1, the player with the ball and the individual actions of an attack player against his deffense, with the intention of score a basket. 

In minibasketball, coaches should train all kind of drills and tasks about 1x1 work in a global way, but with the intention to be as complete as posible. We have to take account: physical development, previous experiences and the learning capacity of each young player.

It is very important the individual tactic work at these ages to teach the children "read the game" and give a meaning to their actions.

This work isn't easy, because in first place players have to develope the selective atention to be focuse on the main stimulus, then they have to decide what resource will be used before a particular situation, and finally performe it. In addition, basketbal is a sport where events, plays or actions happend on a very fast way. Because of that, coaches may use exercises and tasks where perception and choices have relevancy.

Minibasketball match on CBBC 2015 (Autoría: Alicia Bañón).

By this way, with the coach, they will be discovering the technical-tactical intentions and the skills/resources to performe it, knowing "when, where and how". 

Obviously, if we get our players to be able to dominate technical fundaments and perform 1 on 1 situations too, this will impact on a colective play improvement. For example, if we have players that are good on 1x1, they will be able to score, but although they will attract other defensive players and have many passing oportunities for a teammate in better situation.

To help you, we post a video with the main 1 on 1 situations on a minibasketball match, and the differents technical resources to resolve it.

"It doesn't matter if you win as long as you give everything in your heart" Michael Jordan

References.

Basket Formación. Objetivos tácticos en minibasket: táctica individual del 1x1. Recuperado el 6 de mayo de 2015, del sitio web Basket Formación: http://basketformacion.webnode.es/news/objetivos-tacticos-en-minibasket-tactica-individual-del-1x1-jugador-con-balon-/

Triangle offense (III)

Hi again!

This is the last post about the famous Triangle Offense and we leave you some documents to help you understand better this basketball resource. 

On the first place, here is a presentation about how Los Angeles Lakers used the Triangle Offense on 2010.

Phil Jackson Los Angeles Lakers Triangle Offense pinch post chalkboard by langleyhoops

And in the second place, we show you a video about the same team: LA Lakers, doing this offensive and with an "science" explenation with probabilities and percentages of shooting.

That's all! Hope you like the three posts about Triangle Offense, and if you have any question or doubt don't be shy and leave a comment asking whatever you want. 

References:

Presentación publicada por Langleyhoops. Phil Jackson Los Angeles Lakers Triangle Offense pinch post chalkboard. (Zak Boisbert). Recuperado el 29 de abril de 2015, del sitio web Scribd: http://es.scribd.com/doc/51817359/Phil-Jackson-Los-Angeles-Lakers-Triangle-Offense-pinch-post-chalkboard#scribd

Roger Sanders. [Rogersanders]. (2011, April 20). Sport Science: Lakers Triangle Offense [Archivo de video]. Recuperado de https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YahlaJVvpo

Triangle Offense (II)

Good morning everybody!

As we advance yesterday, today we continue talking about the Triangle Offense. 

Today we show you three diagrams to explain it better, and on the next post we show you a video explenation and a presentation.

This offense tip has a key weakness that is it is notoriously difficult to implement. If the offense is implemented incorrectly, it can be a mess, as spacing in the triangle is at a premium. Without players being properly spaced, no matter how good the are, the offense is tough to run. This will result in players moving into each other's lanes to basket and clogging driving lanes with defenders.

For post players this crowding of the scoring areas will mean more pressure on passes into the post and quick rotations from the help defence. Alternatively, for perimeter players this crowding will make scoring difficult as players will find the defence can easily crowd driving lanes and increase the shooting distance from the basket.

The breakdown for the Triangle Offense diagrammed is a very simple play. The complete system adds various reads and actions to this structure to provide depth to the offensive strategy.

Diagram 1.

Diagram 2

The triangle can start in a box formation (Diagram 1), with the post players at the block (Four and Five).

Four (4) and Five (5) down screen for the perimeter players (Two and Three), who cut out to the wings.

The point guard (One) can pass to either wing (Two or Three) to setup the triangle. In this case, the pass is to the small forward (Three).

With the ball in the small forward’s hands, the shooting guard (Two) rotates to the top of the key.

The power forward (Four) rotates to the wing and takes the shooting guard’s (2) place. (Diagram 2)

The point guard (One) cuts through to the strong side long corner. (Diagram 2)

Diagram 3

The offensive team is now in a triangle formation on the right side of the court.

Four (4) and Two (2) need to focus on maintaining spacing, but need to move their position to maintain a line of sight with the ball.

The players on the weak side of the floor (Four and Two) need to be looking for basket cut options if their defender becomes lazy or too active in help defence.

There are a number of options for the offensive team:

• Pass the ball into the center (Five) for post  isolation.
• Have the center (5) set a ball screen with Three (3) for a pick and roll.
• Pass to the point guard (One) and set a double screen for a jumper.

Alternatively, the center (Five) can lift into the high post and then have both the point guard and small forward cut to the weak side of the floor after passing to the Five (5).

So... what do you think about the Triangle Offense? Are you going to teach it to your young players? Hope this post help you to your workouts and trainings. We think that it is and amazing resource to play a good-looking and eficient basketball. 

References

Coach Riches. Introduction to the Triangle Offense. Recuperado el 28 de abril de 2015,del sitio web Functional Basketball Coaching: http://functionalbasketballcoaching.com/introduction-to-the-triangle-offense/

Introduction to the Triangle Offense

Hello! 

In this post we are going to introduce the Triangle Offense. 

If someone don't know about this "system", the Triangle Offense has become on of the most famous offensive schemes in the game. This is due the professional success of Phil Jackson (one of the best NBA coaches of all times), who used the offense both with the Chicago Bulls and the Los Angeles Lakers. Both times, the triangle offenses lead to multiple championships. 

The offense is popular because it is very adaptable to a wide range of player abilities and team strengths. The triangle offense is a very complicated offense system to run, and most teams even at a senior level will find its implementations challenging and time consuming. Its important that at least one of the interior players of a team is proficient in scoring. 

Pic 1. Triangle Offense on Lakers.

A team with two strong post threats, who understand the offense it can be difficult to defeat. The offense orients two scorers in post position, typically with one on the block and one in the high post near the free throw line. Another player in the strong side long corner often completes the Tactical triangle orientation. Out of this position, a number of options are available. If the post players are strong passers, high-low schemes make themselves attractive. If not, either player can be passed the ball for an isolation play, with cutters running off them as secondary options. A Further option while in the triangle formation is for the player in the strong side wing with the ball to run a pick and roll with the post player in the high post. By putting versatile players in a relatively small segment of the court, this offense presents mismatches and can create a bevy of high percentage shots for strong post players.

On the next post we will explain with diagrams and a video more things about the Triangle Offense.

Thanks for reading, and leave your comments please!

"You can't win unless you learn how to lose" Kareem Abdul-Jabbar

References

Coach Riches. Introduction to the Triangle Offense. Recuperado el 28 de abril de 2015,del sitio web Functional Basketball Coaching: http://functionalbasketballcoaching.com/introduction-to-the-triangle-offense/

Attacking zone defense.

This post is about attacking a zone defense. We leave you a PDF with many tips, plays and helps to teach our players attacking this kind of defense.

Teams play zone defense to keep defenders close to the basket and cut down on layups. Teams may also play zon because it's easier to teach than man-to-man defense. This defense can frustrate a young team and compel them to have brick after brick at the basket from far outside their shooting range. To prevent a massive migrain and an 0-78 shooting night by her team, a coach needs to keep herself and her team calm. 

Picture 1. Attack to zone defense. (Imagen de autoría propia)

To learn more about this, read this document or if you want you can download too. 

Hope will be useful to you! 

Download:

Click and download "Attacking zone defense"

References
Miniscalco, K., & Kot, G. (2009). Survival Guide for Coaching Youth Basketball.Ebook.