The talent at the FIBA U20 European Championship extended to the sidelines where coaches displayed some creative XsOs.

The FIBA U20 European Championship is the final national youth competition before players jump to the professional level. It’s a tournament that displays great potential, tremendous skills and unbelievable energy as future stars are made! This was definitely the case in Germany last week.

Not only are great players found at the event, but 16 talented coaches, each with their own philosophy of basketball, showcase their style of play on the court with creative #XsOs. Who knows – maybe some of these young play-callers will be future EuroLeague or EuroCup coaches? It is a great chance to learn new and fresh ideas, and I learned a ton from watching them coach their teams.

Though it was difficult to narrow it down to just six, the following my favorite sets from the FIBA U20 European Championship.

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Israel U20 – Pitch Backdoor

The young Israel team shocked the field, and Europe, for the second time in a row: Last year, the team took 2nd place as it lost in the final; this year it won it all. Israel plays a simple brand of basketball, using short plays and quick hitters to gain any type of advantage it may have. This quick hitter, which they ran as the second possession vs Croatia in the championship game, has two options: 1) A pitch action to create an opportunity for 4 to attack the basket early in transition; 2) 4 does not attack, but hits 2 cutting backdoor from the left wing for an easy basket.

Germany U20 – Carolina Leak

Germany had a strong European campaign this summer, taking 3rd place in the tournament being held on its home soil by showing a strong and clever style of basketball. It was very strong in half court offense, perfectly setting and using every screen on the court making it tough for opposing defenses. Caroline is a term used by Gregg Popovich, and this is a nice set for a shooting guard. When 2 sets a back screen for a 5, x2 has to help and thus will be late on the Leak screen (similar to a flare screen but lower) from 4. This allows 2 to shoot open mid-range jumper, isolate in the mid-post, or create a driving lane to attack the rim.

Turkey U20 – DHO Scissor

The Head coach of Turkey U20 National Team, Serkan Erdogan, was personally my favorite coach in this tournament. The first time I saw him was the previous year in the U18 European Championship in which he was the head coach of Turkey U18. This time, watching him was like a basketball explosion in my brain! Really great sets and tons of fresh ideas. Here is a set I call DHO Scissor, which I like because it creates an open lane to attack basket for 3, and is tough to defend because of misdirect screen between 2 and 3.

Lithuania U20 – Point Flex Ram

Lithuania had great players, especially guards, who were strong attackers in PNR’s and PNP’s. As such, many of its plays ended with a PNR/PNP. Here is a good set to eliminate aggressive hedging on a high middle PNR. When 5 sets a stagger screen, x5 loses position, which is a great opportunity for 1 to set a Ram screen for 5. After a Ram Screen, x5 cannot play an aggressive hedge on 2-5 Top PNR. So it is a perfect situation for Lithuanian guards to gain an advantage going to the rim uncontested.

Croatia U20 – Iverson DHO STS

Croatia, in my opinion, had the most effective offense of the tournament. Its sets were complex, which was a large advantage for Croatia, as players executed them very well and defense often were confused. Here is a set which has plenty of movement before flowing into STS (screen-the-screener) action with two options: 1) A Post touch for 4; 2) a down screen for 2. When run to perfection, this set is very hard to defend and take away all options.

Spain U20 – Twist Spain PNR SLOB

Which team if not Spain would run Spain PNR action? Here is an effective SLOB set for a strong attacking guard and a big, athletic roller.  5 needs to receive the ball 5-6 feet above the 3-point line, so that when 1 takes the hand off from 5, x1 goes under. This allows the offense to immediately flow into Twist action. This set is hard to defend, because 2 (setting the back screen for 5) sprints from the corner to eliminate extra help. Usually, 2 will be an elite shooter as well in order to draw more attention from the defense to open up the roll – or if not, 2 hits a wide open jumper.

Although the FIBA U20 European Championship is not a professional basketball tournament, and players are under 20 years old, there is no denying that the high level of talent from the players. However, we also need to give credit to the coaches that understand how to put them in situations to be successful. Keep an eye on these names as they will surely advance their careers rapidly. Hope you enjoy these sets!

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More from Sergey Tkachenko: Zalgiris Kaunas – Offensive Series | All Plays + Drills | Twitter: @seregatka4

July 22, 2018 – July 22, 2018 – GER, Basketball EM 2018 U20 Männer/Maenner in Chemnitz, Finale Israel vs. Kroatien / 22.07.2018, Messe, Chemnitz, GER, Basketball EM 2018 U20 Männer/Maenner in Chemnitz, Finale Israel vs. Kroatien, im Bild Jubel der Nationalmannschaft von Israel nach dem 80:66 Sieg gegen Kroatien und damit dem Basketball U20 EM-Titel 2018 Ido Flaisher ( 10, Israel), Gil Aharon Beni ( 6, Israel), Ido Shabat ( 22, Israel), *** GER basketball EM 2018 U20 men men in Chemnitz final Israel vs Croatia 22 07 2018 Chemnitz GER basketball EM 2018 U20 men men in Chemnitz final Israel vs Croatia in the picture cheering of the national team of Israel after the 80 66 victory over Croatia and thus basketball U20 Title 2018 Ido Flaisher 10 Israel Gil Aharon Beni 6 Israel Ido Shabat 22 Israel nordphotoxDostmann nph00325 (Credit Image: © Imago via ZUMA Press)