Automatics provide numerous offensive benefits, such as maximizing advantages gained and having players on the same page. Offensive automatics (also called triggers) can simultaneously help give your offense more structure, while at the same time allowing freedom to quickly adapt and get into advantageous actions. Automatics/triggers are built in actions within an offense based on a…
Building Your Playbook: Add Sets With Multiple Actions
There is incredible value in running sets with multiple actions, and the options are nearly endless – here’s a few to get you started. For those who read last month’s article on plays with consecutive actions, you may have already begun tweaking your playbook to include a few more of these types of sets. Before you get…
Georgios Bartzokas: The 9 Rules of Switching Defense
The iconic EuroLeague coach won many games with his switching defense strategy. Here’s a breakdown of his rules with FastDraw diagrams. Georgios Bartzokas Profile One of the most successful and charismatic coaches in European basketball, Georgios Bartzokas claimed a EuroLeague championship while being named Coach of the Year in 2013 with Olympiakos. Bartzokas also was a Final Four…
Team-First Culture Begins with Coaches Modeling Behavior
Coaches can’t expect players to exhibit team-first attitudes and behavior if they don’t demonstrate it themselves. As coaches, we are constantly preaching to our teams about the importance of each member of the team having a “team-first” attitude. Our focus is generally on the fact that, while they need to develop their skills to become…
Here’s Why Double Low Alignment is an Effective Zone Offense
Unlock scoring opportunities with double low alignment – placing both post players on the low block with a focus on screening and slipping. Hopefully by now, you’re aware that I’ve been writing about offensive concepts this off season, including zone offense tips and 1-4 sets to score. This post will dive into how to break down odd front zones…
Zone Offense Philosophy + 8 Attacking Principles!
A comprehensive checklist on zone offense to go through before the coming season, including 8 principles of attacking zone defenses. At the time of writing, it is the end of July – meaning basketball season will be here before we know it. As all of us coaches know, summer is the perfect time for professional development. Every year I…
The Basketball Tournament Tip-Off x FastModel Finish
See how a Michigan AAU tournament used the Elam Ending, similar to what The Basketball Tournament does, for better late game situations. Today is tip-off of the The Basketball Tournament, which in its sixth year has become another great summer viewing option for basketball fans (You can catch all games airing live on ESPN networks). One…
1-4 to Score: Disguise Offensive Sets Using 1-4 High Alignment
The 1-4 High alignment is one of the best ways to begin offense as it offers so many options, and works vs both man and zone defenses. Summer is almost over and coaches across the country are preparing for the start of the 19-20 basketball season. Coaches use this time to analyze, modify, and adjust…
Basketball Strategy: There’s No “Right” Way to Play or Coach
It’s all about preference – teams with various styles of play are succeeding in today’s game, as evidenced by recent champions. During the 2019 men’s NCAA Tournament, basketball coaches and fans across the world saw a collection of some of the best games in recent memory. Specifically, the Sweet Sixteen and Eight Eight featured teams with…
Coaching Tip: Be Consistent in Your Leadership and Messaging
No matter the talent level, wins or losses, it’s important for coaches to maintain a standard of leadership at all times. I was out of town on a college visit trip with my son last month. While we were there, he was telling me about how one of the top high school basketball teams in…