The following 7 coaching tips on the fast break come to us from Hall of Fame basketball coach, Jack Ramsay. Fast break and transition basketball is part of the game. These 7 tips and concepts will help guide you as you develop a better ability to teach and run the fast break. You don't have to be a "fast-break team" to incorporate a fast-break offense ... there are plenty of times during a basketball game that having the ability to transition quickly and effectively from defense to an attacking … [Read more...]
Getting the Most Out of Your Timeouts
Many team's waste timeouts by not being prepared for their timeout. By the time the players get to the bench, get settled, and get water, the horn is blowing for them to get back out on the floor. Here are 5 simple tips to get the most out of your timeouts: Everyone has a place - When the timeout is called, the players first have to get to the bench and the players on the bench must get off the bench. Our players know that the first 5 seats on the bench are where they are to go when … [Read more...]
Tip and Go Backscreen Jump Ball Play
Get a quick score from the opening tip with this jump ball play that utilizes a backscreen to create a layup. O5 will tip the jump ball to O3. On the toss, O2 releases and breaks over to the ball side ahead of O3. O3 passes the ball to O2. O4 takes a step into the circle and backscreens the opposing center. O5 breaks off the screen toward the basket. O2 passes ahead to O5 for the layup. If a defender stays in the middle of the court area, O2 can look to penetrate to the hoop and … [Read more...]
Free Throw Defensive Rebounding Drill
Purpose: To practice the skill of blocking out and rebounding a missed free throw. All too often, coaches will remind players to "rebound" on a free throw or to "block out the shooter". Those are great reminders, but have you spent time and practiced rebounding free throws? This drill is designed to help your players learn to stop the shooting team from getting a second chance off of a missed free throw. It is also designed to get them to better communicate. Drill: Players line up around the … [Read more...]
10 Questions to Ask When Scouting Pressure Defenses
The chances are pretty solid that at some point during the course of your season you will go up against a team that will press you in the full court. As you scout any upcoming opponents who employ a pressing defense, the following questions should be asked. Once you can answer these questions, you can plan your attack accordingly. Is it a zone or man-to-man press defense? This is the most important thing to know. If it's a zone, study what type of zone so you'll know how to attack it. If it's … [Read more...]
End of Game Situations Practice Drill
Purpose: To practice offensive and defensive execution in a variety of competitive end-of-game situations. Prepare your players in practice so they will be ready and composed during last second situations in games. Drill: This is a 5-on-5 drill; one team on offense, one on defense. Start the drill with a 60-second timeout. If and when your players are capable, let them conduct the timeout on their own. For younger players or less experienced players, a coach should be conducting the timeout to … [Read more...]
Continuous 10-Second Basketball Game
Purpose: To practice and develop decision-making abilities in a full speed game situation. Offensive players will also work on scoring when a basket is needed. Defensive players will work on stopping the offense from scoring when that is needed. Also a great drill to improve conditioning. Drill: Divide your squad into 2 teams, with 5 players from each team on the court (5 offense vs. 5 defense). The teams will play a normal full court game of 5 on 5 with one exception ... each time they gain … [Read more...]
How To Effectively Implement and Design Successful Baseline Inbounds Plays
Baseline out-of-bounds situations are very important. Good inbounds plays can win you games. Bad inbounds plays can lose games. At the very least, you need an inbounds play to be effective enough to get the ball back into play. You can, however, often get an easy basket from your inbounds set. I'm guessing the chances are pretty good that you don't spend a lot of quality time on your inbounds plays. Sure, you might spend some time early on teaching the plays but after they have been learned, … [Read more...]
Wide Attack Jump Ball Play
Utilize the 'Wide Attack' jump ball play when you know you will most likely win the tip and you want to get a quick score to start the game. The jumper (O5) is obviously in the center circle ready for the official's toss. The other four players form a box around the circle. Two ball handling guards should be positioned to one side ... and the tip should be controlled to that side. In this diagram, O3 and O1 are the ball handlers. On the official's toss, O5 attempts to tip the basketball to … [Read more...]
Cross Formation Guard Around Jump Ball Play
This 'cross formation' jump ball set is preferable when the tap is not assured and when a defensive jump ball is necessary. Essentially, if you think you may not gain possession on the tip, you set up in the the cross formation. This guard around play, however, is effective if you do gain the tip. When the official tosses the ball up, O5 attempts to tap it to O2. O2 then hands the ball to O3 as O2 goes past and toward the basket. O1 goes right and O5 trails middle. O4 becomes the safety … [Read more...]