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…
Video Playbook: The Short Roll
The short roll is an effective tool when the ball screen defense puts two on the ball. Here’s a look from some masters of the short roll. When teaching ball screen offense, it is important to equip your players with solutions to various ball screen defense tactics. Without solutions you are just “running something” and doing a…
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…
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…
Building Your Playbook: Add Sets With Consecutive Actions
Stringing together consecutive actions creates advantages by forcing the defense to make back-to-back quick decisions and communicate. During my second year as a college assistant coach, we had a Division I point guard transfer into our small program. His skill in the pick and roll was quickly apparent, not just to our staff, but also…
Playing With Offensive Freedom
Playing with offensive freedom – four keys to playing with more freedom and less complexity. There is a spectrum of coaches and we all fall somewhere along this spectrum. On one end is the rigid coach who calls every play and coaches every dribble. On the other end is the coach who basically rolls the…
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…
CSKA Moscow: EuroLeague Champions Breakdown – Early Offense
See what one of the most successful teams in Europe, CSKA Moscow, runs to take advantage early in possessions. Cementing it’s reputation as one of the top basketball clubs in Europe, CSKA Moscow won the EuroLeague Championship in dramatic fashion, surviving Final Four battles against Real Madrid and Anadolu Efes. This is the eight EuroLeague title in…