This is Part 1 of a Better Coaches Mindset Series from Coach Doug Brotherton and our partners at HoopGrind Basketball. It was originally published here. Three years ago, I listened to the audio version of the book, “Good to Great,“ by Jim Collins. One of the concepts that has stuck with me is the Hedgehog Concept. This…
5 Scouting Tips from the NBA to High School
As coaches, we are ALWAYS looking for an edge. One of the best ways to gain an advantage on an opponent is by effectively scouting ahead of time. I’m here to share five simple tips to the scouting process I have picked up over time. This is my 14th season of coaching overall, and my second…
Plays YOU Can Use: Zone Sets
This past season, our team faced a zone defense over 70% of the time. This is a number that has been steadily increasing over the past few years. If you are concerned about guarding a team who runs terrific half court offense, a zone defense allows you to prepare for less actions. With more coaches…
Plays YOU Can Use: SLOB Sets
This week’s “Plays YOU Can Use: SLOB Sets” will feature five plays, which offer multiple options. Before you begin picking your SLOB sets, here are a few things to consider: Do the sets that you pick offer a variety of options (interior touches, multiple screening actions, and 3-point options)? Do the sets that you pick…
Plays YOU Can Use: BLOB Series
The importance of baseline out of bounds possessions can’t be overstated. It is my belief that we can gain a 6-8 point edge during a game, by simply winning the BLOB situations. This is especially true at the high school level. We take the time to scout our opponents BLOB sets, practice how we are guarding…
Plays YOU Can Use: Best 2017 BLOBs
In this week’s “Plays YOU Can Use,” I will share my two favorite Baseline Out of Bounds plays from the 2017 NCAA Tournament, as well as the 2017 NBA Playoffs. In next week’s feature, we will give you a series of “BLOB” plays, which you can incorporate into your own system. 2017 NCAA Tournament BLOBs…
Plays YOU Can Use: Lob Sets
This week’s “Plays YOU Can Use” features lob sets. Lob sets are a tremendous way to spark your team, shift momentum, and get a pressure release from ultra-aggressive defensive teams. My pet peeve with lob sets are when they lack secondary options. If the lob option is not available, the action should always generate an advantageous situation…
Plays YOU Can Use: Iverson Sets
One of my favorite actions in basketball is the Iverson Cut. In our last few series, there have been plays, which include this action. I appreciate that the action is something that requires a team to specifically prepare to guard it. Even better, it is an action that allows for countless counters, so the defense will…
Plays YOU Can Use: Pistol Action & Counters
The Pistol Action has become a popular action for teams to run in transition. Depending on the team that you are watching, you might see different versions of the Pistol Action. This past season, we initiated our Pistol Action with a dribble hand off. Below are some key teaching points, as you introduce Pistol Action.…
Plays YOU Can Use: Ball Screen Sets
The ball screen is one of the most popular and most effective actions in basketball. From Stockton to Malone to the Spread Ball Screen Offense, screening for the ball-handler has been a staple of every coach’s playbook. This week, our Plays YOU Can Use series features 10 ball screen sets and counters that every coach should…