Five-Part video series detailing Transition Offense concepts with the help of the Michigan State Spartans
Green is the color of March. As we flip the calendar to the favorite month of College Basketball fans, the green-clad Michigan State Spartans once again look primed for a top seed and another March Madness run.
Michigan State (28-3, 16-2 Big Ten) is racing past their opponents this season to the tune of 1.12 points per possession (PPP) in transition. The following video series serves as a “clinic” full of Transition Offense tips featuring the Spartans. Enjoy the video playlist with notepad handy and volume up to get the full clinic experience!
Rim Runners
The Rim Runner is the non-rebounding or non-inbounding big. He/she sprints down Main Street looking for the ball or sprints to a seal if their man has recovered.
Pitch Aheads
The next video details the Pitch Ahead. Watch as Michigan State follows the “Pitch Ahead Rule” which states if you can pitch ahead, you must!
Some keys:
- High and Wide outlets
- Sprinting the floor with great lane integrity
- Get the eyes up ASAP
- Getting the ball airborne over the halfcourt line.
- Using the advantage on the catch
- We’re looking for threes, layups and post entries by pitching ahead
Diagonal Advance Passes
The next video is on the Diagonal Advance Pass – or DAPs. If no pitch ahead is available within one to two dribbles after receiving the outlet pass, begin attacking diagonally while still seeking to advance with the pass.
Some keys:
- High and Wide outlets
- Sprinting the floor with great lane integrity
- Get the eyes up ASAP
- Using the advantage on the catch
- We’re looking for threes, layups, 2v1s and post entries by advancing diagonally
Benefits of diagonal advances:
- Defense may “lose” the ball while recovering when it changes sides of the floor
- Defenders must open their hips and cross over their feet then find the ball while in recovery
- Puts defense in close outs as they often assume the ball is coming up the outlet side and shade that way
Crossing Main Street
The next video is on the “Crossing Main Street” concept. If no pitch ahead is available within one to two dribbles after receiving the outlet pass, begin attacking diagonally while still seeking to advance with the pass. If no pass is available, “crack the shell” of the defense with dribble penetration to the rim. Drive to score, or kick out if the defense collapses.
Some keys:
- High and Wide outlets
- Sprinting the floor with great lane integrity
- Get the eyes up ASAP
- If no pass ahead is there, crack the shell with the dribble
- We’re looking layups or kick out threes
Benefits of diagonal advances:
- Defense may “lose” the ball while recovering when it changes sides of the floor
- Defenders must open their hips and cross over their feet then find the ball while in recovery
- Attacks and penetrates a disorganized defense before the are dug into stances and gaps
Trail Threes
The next video is on the “Trail Three” concept.
Some keys:
- High and Wide outlets
- Sprinting the floor with great lane integrity
- Get the eyes up ASAP
- Sprint the floor all the way to the baseline to “flatten the defense”
Benefits:
- This is why we pitch ahead and run hard trip after trip after trip. Even if the primary three runners don’t get an advantage, the trail players may
- Flattening the defense facilitates ball reversal
- The trailing players are often catching against a recovering defender and may have a one count opportunity, a drive or a “one-more” change pass.
Coaches often under-emphasize or ignore the transition from defense to offense phase. Tom Izzo is not guilty of this sin. It is clear the Spartans have a “94-Foot Offense” and believe “offense” begins with the rebound/inbound. They attempt to capitalize during the phase where the defense is most vulnerable – during transition.
If the Spartans do find their way to San Antonio for the Final Four, they will surely be racing their way there.
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I run a similar transition system with a high school varsity team that evolved out of the UNC numbered fast break. On a change of possession, I agree the key is the high and wide outlet as you’ve identified. I wonder if you have any advice for teaching and conditioning point guards to get to this spot on the floor and instructions for your forwards on making these passes.
we use some terminology in our system. We call the area below FTLE the dead zone. No outlets to the dead zone. Two, we have used an outlet box where outlet targets are to get upon the rebound or inbound