This play from the 1-4 high set was executed to perfection by the Duke Blue Devils in their comeback win against UNC on February 9, 2010. A 3-point shot was converted by Seth Curry while Duke was working their comeback from a 16-point deficit. The 1-4 Blue Devil Handoff play starts with the players in a 1-4 high set as shown in the diagram. O1 has the ball on the right side of the court. O3, on the right wing, cuts through the lane to the weakside. O4 steps out from his position at the elbow … [Read more...]
By the Ear Passing Drill
Purpose: To teach the concept of passing the basketball 'by the ear' and to develop the basketball players ability to make the pass through defensive pressure. Passing 'by the ear' works nearly every time if performed correctly. For example, a low ball fake gets the defender to drop his arm. Bringing the ball back and then passing 'by the ear' of the defender is virtually unstoppable. As defenders, we are not used to or comfortable having our hands up by our ears. Therefore, a pass zipped right … [Read more...]
10 Principles of Defensive Team Play
Coach Jack Ramsay was a proponent of playing pressure defense. He believed that applying pressure would force offensive teams into difficult situations. What follows are his set of 10 Principles of Defensive Team Play developed and adopted to best incorporate pressure defense into game strategy. Maintain a defensive stance, knees flexed, head up; foot nearer vertical court division forward; hands in close while moving; forward hand up on man with ball; eyes on mid-section of opponent with … [Read more...]
3 Across High Pass Cut Option
This is a great out of bounds play you can run against either a man-to-man or zone defense. It has 2 options ... either option can be called or simply run, depending on how one player is being defended. This out of bounds play sets up with three players lined up across the free throw or mid-lane area, with O5 in the middle. O2 starts at the top of the key. O5 starts approximately 5-10 feet away from the basket. O1, taking the basketball out of bounds, throws a high pass to O5 if he is being … [Read more...]
Head Up Dribble to Pass Drill
Purpose: To work on dribbling with the head up to see the entire court and finding the open player to pass the basketball. Drill: Split the team so that 4-6 players take a spot somewhere in the far half court and the remaining players begin at the baseline. 3 cones are needed just beyond the three-point line as shown. The coach or manager stands near the free throw line. The first player on the baseline dribbles to either the left, middle, or right cone as the coach calls which to dribble at. … [Read more...]
Baseline Drive and Kick Drill
Purpose: To develop scoring in game situations, specifically when a teammate penetrates and kicks the ball out to the perimeter. Drill: O1 begins on the wing with a basketball and is defended by X1. O2 starts on the opposite wing. O1 penetrates baseline to the basket and then kicks the ball out to O2 on the weakside wing. O2 should be sliding down the wing so that O1 can see him and to give him a passing angle. X1 influences O1 to the baseline and then closes out on O2 after the pass is … [Read more...]
10 Individual Defensive Rules
I came across an old handout with the following list of Individual Defensive Rules by the late UTEP coach, Don Haskins. I'm not old enough to recall the old Texas Western days (see the movie, Glory Road) ... but I do remember watching a lot of UTEP games in the '80's. Coach Haskins teams always played hard-nosed defense! The following are Coach Haskins 10 Individual Defensive Rules: Good defense begins with transition. We emphasize getting our defenders back to the baseline. Always stay in … [Read more...]
Line-Stack Zone Play
With the 'Line-Stack' zone offense quick hitter, you can execute a play that utilizes a line, or stack formation to gain several scoring opportunities. It is also an effective entry into a 1-3-1 zone offense alignment. The set is with four players in a line on the right side of the lane (play can also be run on the left side). The two best shooters should on the low end of the line and the best low post player should be on top. The point guard has the ball at the top of the key. The play … [Read more...]
2-on-1 Tip-In Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To develop aggressiveness in rebounding, body control and balance, and timing during contact. Drill: Three players at a basket; one offensive and two defensive players. The offensive player works at keeping the ball alive until he successfully taps it in the basket. O1 stands a couple of feet in front of the rim with a basketball. The defenders, X1 and X2, start on each side of the lane, with at least one foot touching the lane line. O1 tosses the basketball off the backboard and … [Read more...]
Big-Small Switch Basketball Play
The Big-Small Switch quick hitter is used to gain an advantage, no matter how the opponent chooses to defend it. When executed properly, this play should allow for a great scoring opportunity. To begin, O1 has the ball at the top or has just dribbled into the frontcourt. O2 cuts down to the block and then out to the other side of the court. O4 steps up to the top of the key area. Obviously O1 is the point guard ... O4 should be a post player with a bigger defender so a mismatch is created on a … [Read more...]