november / december 2009 / december november

everywhere enthusiasts basketball FOR FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE FIBA ASSIST 41 assist philippe ory collective collaborations rautins-pasquali a piece of europe for canadian basketball fred horgan article 31: goal tending Alan Stein and interference snyder-rajakovic analysis of the pick-and-roll Preparation

tables of contents 2009-10 FIBA CALENDAR COACHES 2009 FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL Collective Collaborations 4 november 2009 24.11 Draw for the 2010 FIBA by Philippe Ory World Championship for Women in Karlovy Vary (CZE) OFFENSE december 2009 Analysis of the Pick-and-Roll 8 15.12 Draw for the 2010 FIBA World Championship in by Quin Snyder and Darko Rajakovic Istanbul (TUR)

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE IS A PUBLICATION OF FIBA 2010 A Piece of Europe for Canadian Basketball 16 International Basketball Federation 51 – 53, Avenue Louis Casaï CH-1216 Cointrin/Geneva Switzerland april 2010 by Renato Pasquali and Leo Rautins Tel. +41-22-545.0000, Fax +41-22-545.0099 03 -06.04 NCAA Men's and Women’s www.fiba.com / e-mail: [email protected] Final Four in Indianapolis In collaboration witH Giganti del Basket, (USA) The Evolution of Offense in European Basketball 20 Acacia Edizioni, Italy Partner july 2010 by Roberto Carmenati WABC (World Association of Basketball 02 -11.07 FIBA U17 World Coaches), Dusan Ivkovic President Championship for Men in Hamburg (GER) 26 16 -25.07 FIBA U17 World Baylor Development Drills Editor-in-Chief Championship for Women Giorgio Gandolfi by Mike Morefield in Rodez and Toulouse (FRA) Editorial Office: Acacia Edizioni V. Saliceto 22/E, 40013 Castel Maggiore (BO), august 2010 HOOP MARKET Italy, Tel. +39-051-6328811, 14 -26.08 Youth Olympic Games, 3on3 Fax +39-051 6328815 basketball tournaments for All Access: Coach Krzyzewski 32 E-mail: [email protected] Printed in Italy. boys and girls in Singapore by Raffaele Imbrogno Copyright 2009 by FIBA. The magazine is published 6 times per year. 28 -12.09 FIBA World Championship FIBA, Acacia Edizioni and the Editor-in-Chief are for Men in Turkey (Ankara, not responsible for the opinions expressed in the articles. All rights reserved. Antalya, Izmir and Istanbul) referees and game The National Federation and their affiliates can reproduce any part or all the magazine for their september 2010 internal use, but not sell any part or all of the administration magazine to an external publisher without the 23 - 03.10 FIBA World Championship written permission of FIBA. for Women in Czech Article 31: Goal Tending and Interference 34 acknowledgements Republic (Ostrava, Karlovy Filippo Arduino, Gastone Marchesi, Mirco Melloni, Vary and Brno) by Fred Horgan Corrado de Belvis, Gerald Couzens, Raffaele Imbrog- no and Lisa Cavallini. Right or Wrong? 38 HOW TO SUBSCRIBE: A one-year (6 issues) subscription to FIBA Assist Magazine doctors, conditioning costs Euro 40 (europe), and Euro 45 (outside europe) to be payed in one of the following ways: coaches and trainers conditioning coaches Payment with postal current account n. 83865261 headed to Acacia Edizioni srl (Only for subscription from Italy) Preparation 40 Payment with banking transaction c/o CARIPARMA by Alan Stein IBAN: IT 64M0623001627000044578790 SWIFT: CRPPIT2P227 news Please, fill in the subscription form that you can find on fiba.com, and send it, including the receipt, to: ONE-on-one 44 BY MAIL: Acacia Edizioni - Via Saliceto, 22/E attention 40013 - Castel Maggiore (Bo) - Italy for readers who need informations, PLANET basketball 46 BY FAX: ++39 051 6328816 please send an e-mail to FOR INFORMATION: ++39 051 6328836 off-the-court 50 (from 9 am to 1 pm Central European Time) [email protected]

Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | page 3

COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL Collective

by Philippe Ory Collaborations

Since 2007 Philippe Ory is the head coach of the French National Under 18 men's team and coach of the “Centre Fédéral,” INSEP, the French Sports In- stitute. He coaches two of the most promising Under 18 French players, Fré- déric Carrion and Philippe Urie. He won the silver medal at the 2009 Under 18 FIBA European Championship.

If you understand the game, you have an advantage to create a technical phi- losophy. Let' start to ask you: 1. What is the game? t The game must be seen as the com- bination of three different levels: ● The individual level, where the play- er plays alone against his opponent, with or without the ball. This lev- el is referred to the individual fun- damentals. t The collaboration level, when the player plays with one or two team- mates against their opponents (pass and go, screen, outside/inside play, etc.). t The collective level, which express- es the identity of a team, his use of space, time and ball.

To these three levels you need to add or causing a defensive foul. when and where a players moves, the The advantage we can create is not the aggressive offense, which creates a same scoring opportunity, and, at the end, at the beginning or at the end of of- the skill of shooting with a good per- fense, so it is better to create a very centage. This is a basketball game, good opportunity at the beginning. If from an offensive standpoint. we see that that opportunity it's not so good, we will work to find and create a 2. Ball, time, and space form the better opportunity. In short, the game is game based on these situations: A good opportunity is when you have t The opportunity is good enough for or create an advantage, and the es- scoring, therefore we have an ad- sence of the offesnive game is to find a vantage, so we shoot or good opportunity. drive. For reaching this goal, the players t The opportunity is not good enough must look and decide. They must use for scoring, therefore we don’t real- all the three described levels to create ly have an advantage. and take advantage of a defense out of t There is not an opportunity, but we balance, with the target to score and/ create the advantage. page 4 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine 3. How to develop tactical sense? First, the player must look and find the more simple advantages in the game, and the young players must learn bas- ketball learning to recognize the ad- vantage. For example, they learn to re- ceive and to face the rim, and then to look which is the best way to go to the basket: t If a temmate near him is free, he passes the ball on the open team- mate. t If he is free, he drives, shoots, or passes. t When there are not these possibili- ties, he changes, and passes the ball to the other teammates.

Second, the players must decide which is the best solution depending on the play. The coach can help his players, giving them the priorities. At INSEP we have choose these priorities: 1. Create the advantage with the fast- break (all the team must run and pass the ball). 2. Create the advantage with the tran- sition with: t Playing inside and spacing. t Using the reversal passes and screening. 4. Create advantage. For reaching this aim it's necessary for the offense: t To be continue. t To use all the space (widthwise, D.1 D.4 depth).

Good spacing creates problems to the defenders, not only because the of- fense has changes to more easy one- on-ones, but also makes difficult the helps and the traps. Then, the continu- ity of play increases the advantage. To create an advantage, we must have in mind these priorities. t First, run the fast break: beat the defense by running. t Then, run the secondary fastbreak or transition. D.2 D.5

After these premises, I would like to describe my transition philosophy.

Transition The first aim is to play inside with the first big man, who reaches the offen- sive basket. That's very important! The guard with the ball must set himself at 45° angle, look inside and play with the first big man, or fake the pass. The playmaker cuts to the rim, and goes out to the other side of the lane, near the block (diagr.1). D.3 D.6 When 4 cannot receive inside, steps Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 5

COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

D.10 D.12

D.11 D.13

D.7

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outside and receive the ball, the play is the players, and can now make good run in this way. Player 5 flashes inside, decisions (diagr. 3). then 2 cuts to the high post. 1, who If 2 can't give the ball to 4, we split. goes outside, and 3 are our options for Player 5 makes a screen for the small outside plays (diagr. 2). forward, 3, and cuts to the middle of the When playing down low near the paint, paint (diagr. 4). If 3 flashes to the rim, 5 D.9 it’s better for 4 to turn out. He creates gets out (diagr. 5). spaces from his defender, can see all In this particular case, 3 gets out and 5 page 6 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine D.14 D.18 D.20

D.15 D.19 D.21

turns out to see all the players and cre- ating space from his defender. He must now decide if driving aggressively to the rim or passing, or dribbling to the middle of the court and wait for a pick (diagr. 7). If the teammate inside is free, 1 passes the ball him (diagr. 8), if not, 1 must be aggressive with the ball. He can drive to the baseline (diagr. 9), or drive to the middle (diagr. 10), the team- mates rotates for providing him larger D.16 spaces and passing lanes. If 1 can't D.22 drive or pass, the rest of the team plays without the ball. If 1 dribbles to the mid- dle, 5 goes out of the paint, 2 receives a 4's screen and cuts in the lane, and 3 is screened by 5 and then cuts outside goes away (diagr. 11). When we play on the perimeter, while 3 drives to the pick-and-roll, the others players create opposite wing area. the same time, 4 the maximum of space, so 5 can pick on flashes to the high post (diagr. 16). the ball and quickly roll to the rim (di- Player 3 selects the best option: pass agr. 12). Player 1 has three options (di- inside or outside (diagr. 17). Once 1 gets agr. 13): the ball, 4 makes a pick on the ball, t Shoot. while the other players spread out, so t Play directly with 5. there is enough room to shoot or make t Play with 2 or 4, who can give the another pass (diagr. 18). Going back to D.17 ball to 5, who sprints to the basket. the initial screen of 5 for 3 (see diagr. 5), when 3 cuts to the rim after the When we can't do this, 4 plays with 3: screen of 5, and 5 gets out (diagr. 19), 2 gets inside. The aim is "pass the ball to he drives toward 3, who sprints to the can also play with 4, who opens up af- the center." For that reason, 1 must be ball, and 4 gets him the ball with a hand ter the screen for 3, with 3, who gets alone and set at a 45° angle so he off pass (diagr. 14). Player 3 drives, out of the paint (diagr. 20), or play with makes contact with his defender to put forcing the defenders to open up the 5, who dribbles toward , and makes a him on his back, and then pops out. At spaces, providing the good solution: hand off pass to him (diagr. 21). Then, the same time, 5 gets the contact with shoot himself or pass to 4, who has we will play in a similar way with prop- his defender to be free in the paint near rolled to the basket (diagr. 15). When er spacing, good timing and attacking the basket (diagr. 6). Front pivoting, 1 1's defender covers him face to face, 1 aggressively the rim (diagr. 22). Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 7

COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL Analysis

by Quin Snyder by Darko Rajakovic of the Pick-and-Roll

Quin Snyder, after having played for the initial purpose of recording my thoughts Duke University Blue Devils and coach and observations was to create a tool Mike Krzyzewski, began his coaching to help me more carefully examine and career as an assistant coach of Larry understand the intricacies of pick-and- Brown at the Los Angeles Clippers. After roll. I had hoped to more thoroughly the experience with the Clippers, he study the history of pick-and-roll and to went back to Duke, working as an assis- properly acknowledge the innovative tant coach for seven years. From 1999 to coaches and players who are responsi- 2006 he was head coach at the Universi- ble for its evolution. I apologize that time ty of Missouri. He now coaches the Aus- has not permitted me the opportunity to tin Toros (NBDL) and received the Coach identify the specific contributions of of the Year Award in 2009. these individuals. D.1 The article that follows is not born from Darko Rajakovic started his coaching any desire to reinvent the wheel. It is career at the age of 16 for Borac in the merely an exercise in recording my ob- Serbian league. He was head coach of servations about pick-and-roll. The evo- youth teams and the Under-20 team of lution of the article itself is a product of Red Star Belgrade for seven years, win- not just my thoughts, but many coaches ning the National Championship on sev- and players who enthusiastically pro- eral occasions. He is currently the head vided feedback, observation, and criti- coach of Espacio Torrelodones in Ma- cism. My hope is that it will be useful in drid, Spain. some way. The category of plays referred to as The following article seeks to illustrate “Pick-and-Roll” has dominated the stra- a framework through which different tegic thinking of coaches for decades. types of pick-and-rolls can be analyzed By observing the evolution of pick-and- D.2 and evaluated. Specific attention is giv- roll, coaches have found windows of en to four components of pick-and-roll. creativity to use for the development of These four components, or variables new types of pick-and-roll. Equally in- are: fluential in the innovative process are t Location. the instinctive and creative abilities of t Screening Angle. players. Players modify pick-and-roll t Spacing. action. Coaches, through observation, t Personnel. use these modifications to maximize They are always present in pick-and- players’ strengths and minimize weak- roll and combine to create a specific nesses in execution. For their part, play- action. By focusing on these compo- ers have made pick-and-roll increas- nents as distinctly different variables, ingly complex yet simple at the same then observing them in combination, a time. larger framework can be derived. This We will use NBA rules for the sake of D.3 framework is used to assist in the iden- analysis. However, the basic theory is tification, communication, and execu- equally valid and consistent when ap- tion of pick-and-roll. plied to the international game, espe- Over the past few years, through dis- cially because of upcoming changes to cussion and observation, I have at- FIBA rules starting in 2010. Within the tempted to improve my understanding discussion of pick-and-roll references of the pick-and-roll game. This process may be made to “Up and Down” sides led me to compile an in-depth catalog of the floor referring to the right and left of various types of pick-and-roll. The sides of the court while facing the bas- page 8 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine D.4

D.5

D.6

ket respectively; “Live dribble”, a refer- ence to a player who has caught the ball, but not dribbled, or an “Active dribble,” a reference to a player who is in the process of using his dribble. These, along with other ways of com- municating specific examples, will al- low for more clarity throughout the arti- cle. “Action” is one of 5 potential phases of pick-and-roll: 1. Early. 2. Entry. 3. Action. 4. After Action. 5. Late.

Pick-and-roll Phases are identifiable within an offensive possession where pick-and-roll is utilized. 1. Early – is defined as a pick-and-roll that is initiated quickly - often in the Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 9

COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL

late stage of transition. tween 0º and 90º. This process slices 2. Entry – is defined as the part of the the court into six pick-and-roll locations play that is intended to create an (diagr. 2). advantage in the upcoming action. Each range of degrees corresponds to Entries vary in complexity and are a separate location: corner 0º-15º, side- comprised of: screening, movement line-low 15º-30º, sideline-high 30º-50º, or pace. angle-wide 50º-60º, angle-tight 60º-70º, 3. Action – is defined as the interac- and middle 70º-90º. tion between the ball handler and Another component that impacts the the screener in pick-and-roll. An parameters of a location is distance Action is comprised of the following from the basket. The colors Red, Yellow 4 variables – the location of the and Green are representative of differ- D.7 pick-and-roll on the floor, the angle ent distances and also facilitate com- of the screen, the spacing of the munication (diagr. 3). other players and the abilities of the Red is the area inside the lane. It is un- players. usual to see a pick-and-roll occurs in 4. After Action – is defined as the seg- the Red area. When it does, it is usually ment of the play that occurs imme- random. The Green area mirrors the diately following the Action. After three-point line. It extends from a few Action may be the real focus of a feet inside the three-point line and ap- teams’ intent and an After Action proaches the mid-court line, sideline, may be designed as: an entry, a way and baseline. Yellow is the area in be- to generate a three-point shot, de- tween Red and Green. The borders be- liver the ball to the post, or to create tween these areas, in a general sense, a mismatch opportunity. reflect the possibility of a 3-second vio- 5. Late – is defined as a pick-and-roll lation, as well as the impact of the D.8 that takes place at the end of a pos- 3-point shot. A change in color reflects session. When the defense has suc- the fact that a change in distance for a cessfully defended a possession, pick-and-roll location receives consid- late pick-and-roll is a way to create eration when defenses are assessing an advantage in a short clock situa- their choice of pick-and-roll coverage. tion. Some locations can cover multiple zones – Green and Yellow. Each dis- For the purpose of this article we will tance retains a particular situational focus on the “Action” phase of pick- advantage. and-roll. The combination and manipu- A potential limitation on the effective- lation of the Action variables, listed be- ness of a location is a “dead zone” low, creates specific types of pick-and- (diagr. 4). roll: These areas are identified by their prox- imity to the baseline, sideline, and mid- t Location. D.9 t Angle. court line. Dead zones have a restric- t Spacing. tive impact on pick-and-roll locations. t Players. They limit space and therefore affect the efficiency of pick-and-roll. When Location pick-and-roll is initiated in a dead zone, Location refers to the place where the the defense is better able to dictate di- ball handler is on the court when the rection and limit potential angles. Gen- pick-and-roll action occurs. Tradition- erally, a reduction in space limits attack ally, locations of pick-and-roll have options. However, there are situations been described as occurring in 5 areas that mitigate the effects of dead zones. on the court: corner, sideline, middle, Usually after a free throw, in “full court” elbow, and post (diagr. 1). Different pick-and-roll, the speed with which the names are used to identify locations. ball is advanced up the court negates the effect of the mid-court line. Also, a Like many other basketball situations, D.10 naming can assist in the clarification of player in a sideline dead zone, who has intent and in the identification of a pick- not used his dribble has a “live dribble.” and-roll location where a coach or He is able to use fakes and pivots prior player wants pick-and-roll to occur. to attacking with the dribble, potentially This helps eliminate confusion and en- limiting the impact of the dead zone. hance execution. To facilitate the process of communica- When Green, Yellow, and Red distanc- tion, locations will be referred to by es, dead zones, and angles are consid- their angle in relation to the basket. All ered in combination, and differences in locations will have coordinates be- pick-and-roll locations become more page 10 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine D.11 D.12 D.15

specifically identifiable. In combination, the parameters of the court, the angle, and distance in relation to the basket determine what will be referred to as “Location Zones.” As players produce different locations, it is possible to gain insight into the effects subtle changes in location have on offensive and de- fensive execution. The product of these observations has produced the follow- ing pick-and-roll locations comprised of traditional zones, modified zones, and D.13 D.16 new zones.

Yellow Area Location Zones (diagr. 5): t Nail. t Slot. t Pinch.

Green Area Location Zones (diagr. 6): t Sideline Low. t Sideline High. t Angle Wide. t Angle Tight.

Traditional, Modified, and New Location D.14 D.17 Zones (diagr. 7):

Green Area: intuitive or intentional, it is constantly es that design actions to assist their t Middle. happening. The relevance and useful- players. Either way this is the product of t Angle Tight. ness of recognizing additional pick-and- the intersection of Action variables. He- t Angle Wide. roll zones is found in the identification do Turkoglu sometimes initiates pick- t Sideline High. of “gray area.” Gray areas are essen- and-roll with a live dribble, choosing to t Sideline Low. tially the borders between zones; they keep the defense off balance with piv- t Corner. have an effect on execution―offensive ots and fakes before attacking with the and defensive. This identification may dribble. Tony Parker takes advantage of Yellow Area: reveal new attack options and the skills the space available in the “tight” Angle t Elbow. necessary for their execution. Even zone, manipulating location between t Pinch. slight movements in a location can cre- 50º to 70º, depending on his read. The t Slot. ate a subtle difference in execution. space allows for the option of not using t Post. Eventually, these differences are no- the pick-and-roll as well as providing ticeable enough to draw attention and opportunity for the angle of the screen Diagram 7 shows the traditional pick- affect offensive and/or defensive to be adjusted inside or outside, allow- and-roll locations of: middle, corner, el- schemes. ing him to attack the rim. On the Down bow, and post in blue; modified pick- A player’s abilities lend themselves to side of the court, in wide angle location, and-roll locations of: angle tight/wide certain zones, preferable angles, and Chris Paul “cuts back” under his and sideline low/high in green; and new varieties of spacing. There are endless screener and attacks the opposite side, pick-and-roll locations of: nail, pinch, combinations that illustrate this point. initiating a change in the roll direction and slot in orange. Sometimes it is players that make these and rotation. Steve Nash has found Whether the identification process is adjustments and sometimes it is coach- pick-and-roll opportunities in the Red Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 11

COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL zone: with his ball skills and instincts he is able to use his teammates as screen- ers underneath the basket. Gary Payton brought the location of a pick-and-roll from high sideline to low sideline and in doing so created opportunities for dif- ferent screening angles. Through a vari- ation of reads, Stockton and Malone, perhaps the most famous pick-and-roll tandem ever in the NBA, were able to score from both the low and high side- line locations with equal effectiveness. D.18 D.20 Some may feel that the locations de- scribed are already cut so small that they have lost significance. Although, most of these locations have already been explored, the evolution of other variables can have the effect of reinven- tion. The gray areas in locations contin- ually reveal slight modifications in exe- cution. Players create new opportuni- ties for innovation. For example, the evolution of the shooting 4 has had a profound effect on spacing; encourag- ing new locations and leading to the possibility of new angles. It is useful to D.19 D.21 recognize that locations will continue to evolve and we need to consider what effect these changes will have on pick- that gives the ball handler use of his and-roll execution. strong hand. Offensive players attempt to set screens Angle at angles that are advantageous to the Angle refers to the angle of the screen ball handler. This angle may be adjust- itself, not the angle ranges which iden- ed. Players “twist” to change the angle tify location. If the location of the pick- late in the process of setting the screen, and-roll is on the longitudinal line (an making it harder for the defense to an- imaginary line from rim to rim that di- ticipate and adjust. Depending upon the vides the court into two equal halves) location, the spacing, and the defense, and a straight line is drawn from the certain angles will be more effective middle of the screen directly to the bas- than others. The clearest way to illus- D.22 ket the angle of the screen would be trate this point is the through observa- called “flat” (diagr. 8). As the location tion of sideline pick-and-roll. moves in either direction from the longi- As the location of an action moves tudinal line toward the sideline, and the closer to the corner (versus help and midpoint of the screen remains perpen- recover defense―or hedge) the roll is dicular to the basket, it is still referred to generally more effective (diagr. 9). The as flat. However, as the angle of the same “side angle” will work for a pick- screen adjusts we refer to the new and-pop game; however, the “High” screening angles as either “inside” or Sideline zone provides more space for “outside.” A screen that is set at an an- the screener to get separation from the gle that sends the ball handler toward defender (diagr. 10). This is an example the near sideline is called “outside.” of how an angle may stay the same, but Conversely, a screen set in the same lo- a location change may present different cation that sends the ball handler to- challenges for the defense. D.23 ward the middle of the floor would be Good defensive teams adapt to stop referred to as “inside.” successful execution, sometimes re- As the location of the ball gets closer to sulting in the development of new the center of the floor, the distinction schemes. Successful sideline pick-and- between inside and outside becomes roll challenges coaches to consider dif- less apparent, and also less important, ferent ways to defend it. For example, a since the distance between the screen team might prevent the offense from and the sideline is less of a factor. In using the screen by forcing the ball many instances, the preferred angle of handler toward the baseline; the de- a screen in the middle zone will be one fender guarding the screener is no lon- page 12 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine ger needed to help and recover in a tra- space for the offensive player to oper- opportunities for effective angle op- ditional sense. This defender is avail- ate. Further, by adjusting the location tions. However, by moving location into able to help on the baseline side and from Angle Wide to Angle Tight, it be- the deep Yellow, with the pick-and-roll essentially zone, or plug, that area of comes more difficult for the defense to action in the Post Zone, the screen can the floor (diagr. 11). This defense is a direct the pick-and-roll towards the twist to all the way to 0º and create dif- common and effective mean of defend- sideline and it is harder to trap (diagr. ferent attack options. We are differenti- ing sideline pick-and-roll. 13). With this amount of space, a ball ating this from the corner since the lo- Offenses also respond. The angle of the handler can maximize a quickness ad- cation is in the Yellow. This offensive screen can be adjusted to the outside vantage against his defender as well as player can successfully attack a spot to with the screener twisting his back to the dropped defender, whose help re- create a shot rather than merely attack- the baseline or by “stepping up” to sponsibility becomes more demanding. ing the basket. Even though the screen screen out of the post (diagr. 12). This Additionally, the location change results may send the ball handler back away angle and location combination is com- in the potential for other changes in from the basket, this is not to the of- monly referred to as a “Step Up.” spacing. As the pick-and-roll action fense’s detriment (diagr. 15) If the defense recognizes this adjust- moves into the Angle Zone, spacing a Communication systems continue to ment and the screen is close to the player in the strong side corner is po- evolve. As noted, the “Step up” screen sideline, they may trap. The limited tentially more effective by making de- identifies the combination of a sideline space available to the offense in this fensive rotations more difficult (diagr. location and an outside angle. In addi- action gives an alert defense a chance 14). tion, “Angle” also fits into this category to be very aggressive. With additional Diagrams from 9 to 14, show a realistic of a combination of location and angle space, trapping is more difficult. As progression of sideline pick-and-roll that has become common enough, that players gradually move the location adjustments, both defensively and of- it is now referred to simply as “Angle.” from Sideline Low to Sideline High, or fensively, with the major offensive Angle denotes a location between 50 even more towards mid-court and into changes being angle and location. and 70 degrees, offset from Middle, but the Angle zones, there is additional As note already, “dead” zones can limit in the Green zone. The space available Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 13

COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL to the ball handler allows for a flat initial angle and gives the screener the ability to twist in pursuit of the most effective screening angle. The ‘art’ of twisting is a skill and it can be seen in a player such as Anderson Varejao. The greater the number of potentially effective an- gles in which a pick can be set, the more difficult it is to defend the action. “An- gle” is a name that encompasses a lo- cation zone, a flat and adjustable angle of screen, and usually denotes a shoot- D.24 D.26 ing 4 man who is lifted above the three- point line opposite the pick-and-roll ac- tion.

Spacing The third variable of Action is the spac- ing of the players away from the actual pick-and-roll. The location zone where the action is initiated, the angle with which the screen is set, the number of players involved in the pick-and-roll ac- tion, and the strengths/weaknesses of the additional players combine to deter- mine optimal spacing. “Good spacing” D.25 D.27 seeks to maximize a player’s strength while at the same time trying to disguise or neutralize a weakness. Movement is staggered screen (diagr. 19); 1-4-5 mid- often used as a component of spacing dle pick-and-roll with 5 and 4 inverted in in order to try and force or confuse rota- a “spread” staggered screen (diagr. 20), tions. or another solution in what is tradition- Spacing adjustments can be a response ally referred to as Horns action, where to a defensive coverage or reflect the 4 and 5 are spaced in the pinch zone changes in personnel. The “Spacing” on opposite sides of the floor (diagr. 21). variable is meant to include any of the Another adjustment can by made be in- following: verting 2 and 4 (diagr. 22). 1. The position of the players that are Lastly, a subtle change in location not in the pick-and-roll action. across a gray area demonstrates the 2. The addition of players involved in domino effect of changing multiple D.28 the pick-and-roll action. variables. For example, when Horns ac- 3. Changes in the spacing of the play- tion is offset into the angle location, ers in the same action. specifically to the dividing line of angle match-ups as a way of exploiting the The spacing of the 4 man in pick-and- tight and wide (diagr. 23 and 24). Al- advantage of versatile personnel. The roll is illustrative of multiple spacing op- though the location moves only a few inverse is also true. In general, teams tions. feet, the resulting action has dramati- with players that can defend multiple Diagram 16 shows a typical 1-5 middle cally different options. positions have more defensive options― pick-and-roll, location approximately 80º Good defenses will adjust, sometimes like switching pick-and-roll. with 1 going to strong hand - 3 in the on the fly, but there still may be a mo- Certain players will be more effective down corner, and 2 in the opposite cor- mentary advantage gained (diagr. 25). than others running pick-and-roll in dif- ner, and 4 lifted on the down side. ferent zones. A significant size advan- In diagram 17 the action is similar, 1-5 Personnel tage is generally going to be more ef- middle pick-and-roll, but with 4 starting Players’ abilities are a catalyst for the fective in the Yellow zone. There are an on the Down Side block and spacing to discovery of potential combinations of endless number of examples that illus- the corner as the 5 rolls, and 2 in the location, angle, and spacing in pick- trate coaches tactically using players in Down Side corner being pushed up into and-roll. The general structure of a different pick-and-roll situations. Many lift position by 4’s spacing. play, or the appearance of structure, is of these tactics are acquired through Additional spacing decisions are pre- intended to maximize the abilities of experimentation and observation. sented when there are more than two players on the floor. To the extent that Identifying action variables can assist players in the action. For example 1-4-5 the players change so will the variables in the analysis of a player’s potential in middle pick-and-roll where 4 and 5 are in pick-and-roll. pick-and-roll. Can a certain player learn stacked shoulder to shoulder in a double Having multiple players that can run to be effective and help his team in a screen (diagr. 18); 1-4-5 middle pick-and- pick-and-roll makes it more difficult to pick-and-roll situation? If so, which situ- roll with 4 and 5 positioned in a tight defend. Offensively, teams utilize ation? Pick-and-roll assists in the devel- page 14 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine continue to surface in more and more ence to a player who has caught the players, the possibility of lineups with ball, but not dribbled, or an “active drib- multiple players capable of playing ble”, a reference to a player who is in pick-and-roll is likely to increase. In an the process of using his dribble. The extreme case where all five players, in Nail Zone is maximized through the use one location or another, can play pick- of a “live dribble”. This allows the ball and-roll, a coach would now have the handler to: pivot, pass-fake, pass, hand- opportunity to evaluate multiple options off, dribble hand-off, shot-fake, shoot or and weigh them against a defense’s attack with the dribble. In addition, at strengths. the same time, the screener is able to With increasing frequency, we see num- effectively twist the angle of the screen. D.29 bers and positions giving way to skill, Also, the screener may change his body size, speed, and strength as defining angle, effectively sealing the defender characteristics of players. Multiple posi- and positioning himself to roll quicker. tion players allow coaches tremendous This improves the ball handler’s passing flexibility and force preparation, adjust- angle and makes it easier to finish suc- ments, and in extreme cases, may even cessfully. create the need to explore personnel The distance of the Nail Zone from the changes that address specific match-up basket presents additional challenges advantages. The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, and5 for the defense. By having the option of are institutionalized and for good rea- waiting to attack, and by not immedi- son―they reflect general categories and ately declaring a side of the floor upon allow for the efficient execution of plays. receiving the ball, the offense limits the A numerical system (any system) assists opportunity for the defense to antici- execution by providing accountability pate and pre-rotate. The ball handler's D.30 and a consistent foundation for the defi- ability to present multiple threats with- nition of roles. Nevertheless, in practice, out committing increases the likelihood coaches constantly modify these posi- that his defender will make a mistake. opment of skills. In order to execute tions and customize them to fit a team’s In the end, the opportunity for isolation pick-and-roll effectively, a player must talent in an effort to maximize their abili- is also preserved and maybe disguised have a well-rounded set of skills. Equal- ty to win. Before “1, 2, 3, 4, and 5” there as well. The diagrams 27, 28, 29 and 30 ly important, the ability to read situa- were other descriptor...guards, for- illustrate potential actions, referred to tions and make instinctive decisions is wards, and centers. Some teams used earlier, along with adjustments in per- accelerated with repetition. Teaching specific names for positions within the sonnel, and spacing. from this framework may appear to be structure of an offense, unique labels over-coaching or over-complicating a that define a role in that particular offen- Summary simple pick-and-roll. Ironically, it is the sive or defensive system. The “Person- The “Action Phase” of pick-and-roll is opposite. If players understand -even nel” variable and the possibilities for characterized by location, angle, spac- on a simple level- why a play is unfold- execution are defined by players them- ing, and the abilities of the players in- ing as it is and how the location or angle selves. In this case, the process of con- volved. Different combinations of loca- of a screen affects their reads and sub- sciously considering multiple options tion, angle and spacing are more effec- sequent decisions, then the growth pro- can provide coaches direction on ways tive with certain combinations of play- cess accelerates. This is a trial-and-er- to implement combinations of location, ers. ror approach. Understand that a player angle, and spacing that maximize their These tactical decisions are made with may never reach a competency level players’ abilities. specific attention paid to the players where a coach would have enough themselves. Sometimes that may mean confidence in him to use him in pick- Nail getting out of the way as players in- and-roll but there is a chance that given To illustrate the application of this stinctively make reads and show us understanding, exposure, and repetition framework we will turn our attention to new options. Players’ creativity allows that player’s skill set may be an asset to the possibilities for pick-and-roll that us to observe, and then to help replicate the team. Moreover, even if not directly arise from the Nail location. Consider- in future situations. The more intricately involved in the pick-and-roll action as a ation of the four pick-and-roll variables, pick-and-roll is understood by both ball handler, or a screener, a player with first individually, then in combination players and coaches the greater the a good understanding will have an im- provides direction for execution (diagr. competitive advantage. pact on execution. An understanding of 26). “Nail” is a by-product of this pro- “Action” is only one of the phases of spacing and the ability to read a defen- cess. pick-and-roll, and it plays a role in a sive coverage can lead to a seemingly t Nail Zone = 85º-95º, Yellow area larger concept of an offensive posses- unconnected play that has an impact t Nail Angle = Flat, inside, or outside. sion. Through the observation and dis- on the game -for instance, an offensive t Nail Spacing = corner, corner and tinction of pick-and-roll we have sought rebound. The same is true on defense- up or down high quadrant. only to identify and categorize what an understanding of offensive objec- t Nail Personnel = variable. coaches and players orchestrate and tives can help a player’s anticipation execute, and in a form that provides a and aggressiveness defensively. As Pick-and-roll at the Nail may be execut- process useful for either instruction or skills necessary to play pick-and-roll ed with either a “live dribble” – a refer- reflection. Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 15

Coaches - offense A Piece

By Leo Rautins By Renato Pasquali of Europe for Canadian Basketball

Leo Rautins is a former professional bas- Treviso, coach Rautins asked me if I was and intensity, especially for so many ketball player who played in the NBA, interested in being his assistant coach consecutive workouts (two workouts of Serie A1 (Italian first league) and in ACB during the summer. I was very happy 150 minutes almost every day). Here are (Spanish first league). Upon retirement, about this opportunity and I accepted the technical aspects we covered in Rautins became a basketball TV com- without hesitation. It would be a great depth with our team: mentator, most notably with the Toronto experience and add in my technical Raptors television network. A member of wealth of experience. Individual fundamentals Canada's Basketball Hall of Fame, he Our program began in June with a “De- t The start of a dribble drive, using on- was named head coach of the Canadian velopment Team,” a group of 16 players, ly the cross-over step, on both sides National Team in 2005. 21 to 25 years old, plus Mike Kabongo, of the court. This minimizes traveling who was 17 years old. We had to choose violations at the start. As was their Renato Pasquali started his coaching ca- an additional three to four players, add habit, on the right side they only reer as an assistant coach of Ettore Mes- them to this team, and then practice for started using the same hand, same sina in Virtus Bologna from 1989 to 1993. one week at the Air Canada Center, the foot, but this type of start is consid- In 1996-1997 he was an assistant to Mike home of the Toronto Raptors. ered a traveling violation (not in D'Antoni in Benetton Treviso. In 1998- Leo asked me to lead all the training pro- North America, but certainly in Eu- 1999 he was head coach of Libertas Forlì grams for the week and gave me two rope). We also had drills for starting in A2 (Italian second league), before assistants. Jack Donohue, the high the dribble, receiving the ball on the moving on to Basketbol'nij klub Kiev school coach of Kareem Abdul-Jabbar run, and going to the basket without from 2003 to 2006, where his team won (when he was still known as Lew Alcin- stopping the dribble. the National title. He became the head dor), had coached the Canadian national t One-on-one while watching the de- coach of Virtus Bologna in 2009 and the team for many years, while Steve Mix, fense; the player receives the ball, assistant to Leo Rautins with the Canadi- the former NBA player, with 13 seasons then moves by watching the defense an National team in 2009. of NBA experience, and one NBA All and using two dribbles at most. The Star selection, both did great jobs in players from North America often introduction helping prepare the team. take seven to eight dribbles before This novel experience that I am going to We designed a technical practice pro- taking a shot (sometimes a forced describe was born from an idea of Mau- gram that included offense, defense, shot). rizio Gherardini, shortly after he was and individual fundamentals, which are t Concept of a triangle in a pick-and- given the job by the Canadian Federa- things we teach to all our our talented roll play; too often during the pick- tion to work with the National team. Leo young players in Italy. and-roll, they don’t consider the pos- Rautins, the head coach of the Canadian At the first workout, Leo spoke with the sibility of passing the ball to a third national team, had to choose an assis- players about this technical program teammate. That’s because they only tant to bring to the qualification round and explained to them the importance of consider the pick-and-roll as a play for 2010 World Championship in Turkey. knowing and learning a different way of with the dribbler and screener. The teams from South America have a playing. This was especially important, t Spacing; in Europe the ball is always game style that”‘s very similar to the Eu- he reminded them, since they all could in movement and the one-on-one op- ropean teams, so Gherardini advised have future careers as professional portunities are born thanks to good Rautins to choose a European assistant players in Europe. spacing. In the NBA system, there who could bring his experiences and There was always a lot of enthusiasm at are often isolation plays for a partic- ideas to the Canadian team. Hopefully, every workout and the level of attention ular player (for example Kobe Bryant, they would add something special that was high. LeBron James, and Dwyane Wade) would help the team. Rarely during my coaching career have I and the player has to create his own After a couple of days of meetings in seen such a high level of concentration scoring opportunity. page 16 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine Offensive concepts t Move the ball. t Dribble as little as possible (2 drib- bles, maximum) to force your player to keep his head up so he can search for other passing/scoring opportuni- ties; force them to play more without the ball and play together as a group rather than as five individuals on the court. t During the pick-and-roll play we per- mit only two dribbles. After the drib- ble, the player can stop-and-shoot (often), pass (more to a third player than the screener), or shoot from un- derneath (rarely with the dribbler). t For every offensive action, before settling for a shot from the outside, the players must try to bring the ball into the painted area by using the dribble or a pass (to the post). t Our first goal in the half-court game is to make the defense collapse. t We have to play in continuity until our first opportunity to shoot, but we have some rules. The players must know where to set themselveson the court if the ball makes it into the painted area; they must maintain proper sapcing when there is a penetration dribble; and they must know how to finish the offense when there are six to seven seconds remaining on the shot clock.

Our principles are: "1 (second) on of- fense" and "1 and a half (1 and a half of- fensive player to guard) on defense". When the offense succeeds in having one-second advantage after a screen (when the defensive player is late), after a pick-and-roll, or after a penetration with a pass in the low post, the team must try to maintain this advantage by using good ball circulation until there is an opportunity for a free shot. If the play- er who obtains this advantage is not ready to use it because of good defen- sive rotation, he must “pass this second” (passing the ball) to a teammate. All this is done to keep one defender from stop- ping our offensive movement.

Defensive concepts The defensive concept of 1 and a half: the defender of the man without the ball must stay defending his man but he should be ready to guard half of another offensive player. Example: during a pen- etration, the defenders near the offen- sive player with the ball must stay on the passing lanes but must also be ready to slide and extend their arms to help if the offensive player penetrates by dribbling. Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 17

Coaches - offense coach of the Canadian Under 16 national team, which qualified for next year’s Un- der 16 World Championship; and Wayne Yearwood, a former Canadian national team member, who also played in the European leagues before becoming head coach of Dawson College in Que- bec (Ontario). Coach Rautins guided the team in all the games. As a former great player in college and the NBA, he com- manded the respect of the team, but his skills as a communicator, with a positive, upbeat attititude, also proved to be a bo- nus in moments of difficulty. The influ- ence of Maurizio Gherardini was also evident and he left his mark as general manager of the National team. For Gh- eradini, if we were to be a team, we had to be a team on and off the court. For the first time ever, the team ate all their meals together, all the players to in the same place, the same time, with the same menu chosen by our medical staff. This is different from the NBA, where the players can go wherever they want and eat whatever they want. Looking back, the final results have been positive and we are making great strides as a team. And for that, we have to thank the great work made by the entire group of coaches and players. We worked hard and achieved goals we had set for ourselves, and with that came a great sense of pride in belonging to this team. Finally, we have to thank all those non- Canadians who have helped create this The same thing happens if a teammate t Slowing up the reverse passes. new team, bringing to it the best of their on the weak side goes to help in the low special coaching and managerial skills post or helps on a penetration from the This technical aspects of our program that were acquired from other parts of baseline. In this case, his nearest team- improved over the next few weeks. We the globe. mate must be ready to guard two offen- had two weeks (with four friendly sive players. We also use this rule on marches) in Spain in June; two weeks vertical screens and every time we need (with six friendly marche) in Italy in July; a help or defensive rotation. follone by two weeks (with three tourna- Because of the short time that we had to ment games) in Puerto Rico before the work and prepare for the games in Eu- qualification tournament for the 2010 FI- rope, we preferred to avoid helps and BA World Championship in Turkey (10 rotations as much as possible. games in 11 days). After reviewing the Instead, we focused on: good results of June, coach Rautins de- t Playing on the passing lane. cided to continue with the same pro- t Keeping the ball under pressure (on gram with the rest of the senior national the half court). team, right until the end of the qualifica- t Making the offensive player move tion tournament. before he receives the ball. All the hard work of the players paid off t Completely denying the ball in the and also gave them, and the coaching low post (not waiting for the offen- staff, great confidence that they had sive player to receive the ball and done everything necessary to succeed. then defend, but anticipating). Mike Malone, the first assistant to Mike t Always anticipating the players near Brown of the Cleveland Cavaliers, the ball, especially in the corners (we helped with both defensive and offen- don’t want the player in corner to be sive strategies and he never neglected the “cushion” of the player in the any details. Other coaches on the staff post when he is under high pres- included Roy Rana, head coach of the sure). University of Ryerson (Toronto) and head page 18 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

Coaches - offense The Evolution

By Roberto Carmenati of Offense in European Basketball

Roberto Carmenati is the international t The defenses have reached such a down to 2 fastbreaks every 10 to 11 scout for the Dallas Mavericks of the point in their evolution that they limit offenses against the set defense NBA. He was head coach in Fabriano, the efficiency of the offenses and (balls lost in transition are about 18%, Livorno, and Naples in the Italian A2 these plays are the only possible an- or approximately 2 out of every 10 league, and in Fabriano and Milan in A1. swers remaining that allow them to transitions). He was also assistant coach of the Ital- take advantage of the spaces left by t The efficiency of the offenses versus ian National team, which won the silver the defense. the set defenses has a percentage of medal at the Mediterranean Games. In t The evolution of the technical skills 40%. This means that for every 10 of- the same capacity with the Oklahoma of the players generates the use of fensive set ups, 4 will generate bas- Storm of the USBL, whose head coach these systems of play. kets. was Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, he won the t These offenses are adopted by the t At the EuroBasket 2009 final (Spain- league title in 1999. He also serves as in- coaches but only because they fol- Serbia), the two teams went on tran- structor and lecturer at the SEEDS Acad- low the current fashion. sition 18 times (scoring 17 times, los- emy, a basketball and education institute ● The lack of a certain creativity in de- ing the ball once) out of a total of 154 in Senegal. signing offenses by many coaches possessions: This is a little more than has led to the adoption of offenses 10% of total ball possessions. that are copies of other teams. Premises The beginning of the man-to-man of- The majority of elite European teams Analysis fense starts with a pick-and-roll for 40% adopt sets of play that are very similar I have scouted the top teams in Europe, of the teams, often with a double high for attacking the man-to-man defense. the teams that have reached the finals pick-and-roll with the two post, while Since they are the best teams, it’s natu- of the Euroleague, ULEB Cup, the two the sets with screens (double exits and ral that they become models of refer- top continental championships for clubs, vertical and/or baseline screens) are ence for lower level teams, which do and the finals of the Italian, Greek, Span- used less frequently. their best to imitate them. ish, Russian, and French championships. The plays end with: In this article, I will explain the dynamic Analyzing possessions of the ball and t 1/3 on the pick-and-roll. behind the evolution of the game as a the plays adopted, I have seen that: t 1/3 on a kick pass against the defen- continuous “action and reaction” be- t The fastbreak and transition repre- sive rotations. tween the offense and the defense. sent less than a ¼ of the offensive t About 15-18% on plays with low-post This way you will see if : possessions of a team. This breaks or high-low post passes.

D.1 D.2 D.3

page 20 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine t Catch-and-shoot coming out of screens. t Cuts and offensive rebounds. t One-on-one and special situations, such as out-of bounds or quick hitter plays.

The sets that start with a pick-and-roll can have different options to take ad- vantage of the power and physical pres- ence in the lane of the screener (for ex- ample, Pekovic of Panathinaikos Athens or Andersen, formerly of Barcelona, and now with the Houston Rockets), or the quickness and agility on rolling to the lane after the pick (for example, Batiste of Panathinaikos, or Smodis of CSKA Moscow), versatility and shooting touch of the screener, who opens up (such as Fotsis of Panathinaikos, Lorbek of CSKA, or Lavrinovic of Siena).

When looking back a few years ago at the overall use of the pick-and-roll, I can say that today there is much more a ten- dency to adopt this solution to create 1-on-1 plays for the big men who can: a) Find the open lane and try to play one- on-one on the low post. b) Go away and face the basket, starting from the three-point line, where they can shoot or play one-on-one facing the basket.

In Europe there are more good power forwards, the 4, who are able to shoot and attack the basket from the front po- sition than there are centers, the 5, who are able to play with their backs to the basket. Among the plays that start with a pass, the most common one used is the “clear-out.” This isolation play starts with a hand-off pass between the guards, followed by flare screen.

When designing offensive plays for their team, coaches need to: t Tailor the plays to the individual skills of their players.

D.4

Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 21

Coaches - offense t Avoid sets where the opposing team could execute systematic and easy defensive changes. t Come up with plays that will force defensive changes and rotations. A good example is a play that would cause a bad defensive mismatch between a big and a small player. t Create involvement for all players on the court. t Push the defense to open up the spaces for shooters past the three- point line. This allows the offense to beat the defense with a possible drive to the basket, forcing them to help or trap. In the end, the offense can take advantage of the possible delays in the defenders’ rotation.

The entry pick-and-roll Double High Pick-and-Roll This set has an odd front consisting of the playmaker, two high posts near the three-point line, and two other perime- ter players near the corner (diagr.1).

Panathinaikos used this set to open up the lane and help Pekovic -probably the strongest and most difficult Euroleague player to defend in this position- to get the position in the low posto to take ad- vantage of the quickness on cutting in- side, after the screen, of Batiste, the other big man. Besides, Fotsis, the pow- er forward, is extremely complementa- ry, either to Pekovic and to Batiste, on playing behind the three-point line, be- ing very dangerous with his shot or fac- ing the basket (diagr. 2). D.5 D.7

CSKA often called this set and played with Smodis and Lorbek at the same time on the court to take advantage of the versatility of both of these players. It also opened up the lane. After the entry pick- and-roll and the pass on the perimeter, the point guard cuts, while the big man, who is busy screening on the first pick- and-roll, rolls and then screens a second time on the perimeter player with the ball. This is an ideal situation for playing D.6 D.8 two-on-two on a quarter of the court. There is also plenty of space for a pass to the big man, who rolls to the baseline a second pick, which gives the ball han- screen for the small forward (screen the after the screen. (diagr. 3 and 4). dler a chance to drive in the opposite screener) to get free the big men (diagr. direction (diagr. 5). 6). Panathinaikos has run an interesting option: setting a tandem of pick-and- In the following play, an entry pick-and- Odd front set with only one high post rolls at the high post area, where the roll is used to force the defense to get Panathinaikos used this set with a pow- ball handler takes advantage of the first out of balance on the defensive helps: er forward (Fotsis or Batiste) on the cor- pick and runs outside of the three-point the point guard is screened by the post, ner on the same side from where the line, while the screener flares away on for then continue first with diagonal ball handler starts the action. He is op- the opposite direction behind the three- back screen by the small forward for the posite the post player, who screens the point line. The other post is ready to run power forward, and then with a vertical ball handler. This movement is efficient, page 22 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine the shooter in the corner, while the de- fenders of the big men are busy cover- ing their assigned offensive players (diagr. 9).

End of the action of pick-and-roll This is a very quick and simple play run by Panathinaikos to open up the lane and create space for the big man, who is cut- ting in the lane, while also allowing the perimeter players to find more passing D.9 D.13 lines to get the ball inside. The point guard makes a UCLA cut and goes in the corner, while the other four players are set around the perimeter behind the three-point line (diagr. 10). The high post steps out and plays pick-and-roll with the ball handler, while the other players spot up on the perimeter, ready to beat the helps and the traps (diagr. 11).

Let’s now look at an odd set played by CSKA, where there is a reversal pass, and a back screen of the low post for D.10 D.14 the player in the corner (diagr. 12). While there are already four players on the pe- rimeter, the high post steps out from the lane (leaving the lane open momentari- ly), and plays pick-and-roll, cutting in the lane and in good position to receive the ball (diagr. 13).

In this example with Olympiakos Athens, we have a high pick-and-roll between the point guard and the power forward, with the point guard driving towards the lane. In this case, there is a baseline screen run by the other guard for the D.11 D.15 center, which forces a bad defensive mismatch near the basket (diagr. 14). In a similar play, always starting from the entry pick-and-roll, we have a back screen run by the guard for the center, who is now set opposite to the pick-and- roll. This provides a wider space for the guard to punish his defender, who is busy helping in the lane (diagr. 15).

Plays with entry with screens and passes D.12 D.16 This is perhaps the play that is used the most. Teams such as Panathinaikos, CSKA, Olympiakos, Barcelona, Lietuvos difficult to defend, and simple to exe- touch of the other perimeter players, Rytas (Lithuania), and Hemofarm Vrsac cute. The end result depends on the who must be able to punish the defend- (Serbia) run this play with a odd front quality of the screen, which must be ers who help and trap (diagr. 7). set. strong and wide, and by the quick cut After a vertical screen of the power for- made in the lane of the screener: Pek- CSKA frequently used the single pick- ward for the guard, followed by a pass ovic possesses an unbelievable ability in and-roll as the entry of the play, setting of the point guard to the guard, and a “ducking in” the lane, and it’s quite im- the big men on the same side, one high hand off pass among the two, the play possible to push him away from his posi- and one low. In this situation, the dan- forces a defensive change (diagr. 16), tion. Naturally, the efficiency of this play ger for the defense can come from the then, all five players move at the same depends on the driving or shooting skills ball side (diagr. 8). The ball handler can time. There is a baseline cut of the small of the ball handler, and on the shooting force a help on the same side and free forward, who is screened by the power Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 23

Coaches - offense

D.17 D.20 D.22

D.18 D.21 D.23

the aim of 2, the guard, is to cut over the screens or created by passes to out- screens towards the ball, forcing the de- side. fenders to step out and offer help. The t The ability of the power forward to higher the help of the big man on the face the basket, driving and shooting second screen, the better the chance of from the three-point line. the second movement succeeding: a t The ability to play pick-and-roll vertical back screen of the forward for (screen-and-roll, screen-and-pop- the screener, the screen-the-screener out). play (diagr. 20). t The skill of playing without the ball against the defensive rotation to fill The double exit is a frequent play made the open spaces (rotating behind the D.19 with screens for the shooters (diagr. 21). three-point line opposite to the drib- The main options used are the pick-and- ble). forward, and then goes out in the corner roll, run by the low post on the ball side t Passing from the dribble on a pene- to receive the ball and shoot. At the (diagr. 22), or by the center on the weak tration (drive and kick-out). same time, there is a horizontal back side, while the power forward makes a t The versatility and skill to play similar screen of the center, which frees the clear-out, and goes away from the ball roles (point guard and guard, guard second shooter (diagr.17). There is also (diagr. 23). and small forward, etc.) a final possibility: at the end of the play t Playing with the back to the basket a pick-and-roll that opens the baseline Conclusions for the big man, who cuts in the lane (di- With the 24-second rule, great tactics, The team fundamentals that are needed agr. 18). and excellent scouting of the defense, it include: is always more important for the players t The pick-and-roll. Another Panathinaikos play is run with to be able to read and react immediately t The drive to the basket and the pass a screen at the free-throw area, run by to the defensive situations, while the so- while moving for beating the defen- the center for the guard, who flares called “long” play or continuity have lost sive helps (the drive and kick). away, and receives from the point the efficiency. After the second or third t The triangle of passing and the col- guard. As soon as the guard cuts off the pass in a play, the offense is already laboration with the high and low corner of the screen, there is an open busy in their efforts trying to beat the de- post. space below the free-throw line, so the fensive changes and rotations. Similar- center plays a pick-and-roll with guard, ly, about 8 seconds after the possession When the rule of the three-point line and then rolls to the basket, becoming a of the ball, it’s already time for a pick- more distant from the basket will be ef- good target to get the ball inside the and-roll or a drive and a kick-out pass. fective, will probably be more emphasis lane (diagr. 19). The individual fundamentals involved in on the transition and primary fastbreak, In the next example, the concept is simi- these systems of play are: and it will again be necessary to work lar, but now there are two consecutive t Three-point-shooting for the perime- with the players on the stop-and jump screens at the high post area. As usual, ter player, coming out from flare shot from middle range. page 24 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

coaches - offense Baylor Development Drills

by Mark Morefield

Mark Morefield is the assistant coach 5. Catch, two dribble, floater. 8. Catch, two dribble deck, getting to of the Baylor University since 2002, un- 6. Catch, two dribble deck, getting to the rim - cut off – two foot plant hop der head coach Scott Drew. He is in the rim (pad). through. charge of recruiting, supervising indi- 7. Catch, two dribble deck, getting to 9. Catch, two dribble, step-back jumper vidual workouts, and scouting. He start- the rim for reverse lay-up (pad). (add the cut back move going oppo- ed his coaching career at his alma 8. Catch, two dribble deck, getting to site and re-attack). mater, Valparaiso University, first under the rim - cut off - two foot plant hop 10. Catch, rip, one dribble, pull-up jump- Homer Drew, father of Scott, and then through. er. under Scott Drew. 9. Catch, two dribble, step-back jumper 11. Catch, rip, one dribble, shot fake, up- (add the cut back move going oppo- under (pad). Workouts for the guards site and re-attack). 12. Catch, rip, two dribble, floater. t Ball handling: 10. Under-cut, finish at the rim. 13. Catch, rip, two dribble, getting to the 1. One and two balls, moving and sta- 11. Catch, rip, one dribble, pull-up jump- rim (pad). tionary. er. 14. Catch, rip, two dribble, getting to the 2. Black line perfection. 12. Catch, rip, one dribble, shot fake, up- rim for a reverse lay-up (pad). 3. Creating space around the horn, off under (pad). 15. Catch, two dribble, deck, getting to the bounce into a re-attack (change 13. Catch, rip, two dribble, floater. the rim - cut-off -two foot plant hop of pace). 14. Catch, rip, two dribble, getting to the through. 4. One vs. two full court, using heavy rim (pad). 16. Catch, rip, two dribble, step-back ball. 15. Catch, rip, two dribble, getting to the jumper (add the cut back move going 5. Cone race. rim for a reverse lay-up (pad). opposite and re-attack). 16. Catch, two dribble, deck, getting to t Passing - two hands, one hand, using the rim - cut-off - two foot plant hop t Penetrate and pitch – slide, fill, and the toss back. through. drift (one-two your pitch on middle t Getting open with top leg explosion, 17. Catch, rip, two dribble, step back drive to paint). shape up (block, wing, top of key). jumper (add the cut back move going 1. “3's”. t Creating space with rips, pulls, and opposite and re-attack). 2. Catch, one dribble, pull-up jumper. pushes - foot in the crotch. 3. Catch, two dribble, step-back jump- t One-on-one, on-one, on-one full t Half court runners (left and right) - er. court; one-on-one, on-one, on-one wing to the baseline, wing to elbow: play the second defender/ two-on- 1. Catch and shoot. t Feed the post under pressure (both two make the driver pitch. 2. Catch, shoot fake, one dribble either over the top and roll pass to feed) t Cone shooting (right and left) - wing way, pull-up jumper. 1. Relocate. to top, rim to wing (17 through 20 3. Catch, one dribble, pull-up jumper. 2. “3's”. feet): 4. Catch, one dribble, shot fake, up-un- 3. Bump back jumper. 1. Catch and shoot. der (pad). 2. Catch, shoot fake, one dribble either 5. Catch, two dribble, floater. t Ball screen action (fake away or low- way, pull-up jumper. 6. Catch, two dribble deck, getting to er yourself with the bounce from the 3. Catch, one dribble, pull-up jumper. the rim (pad). screen, then use the screen): 4. Catch, one dribble, shot fake, up-un- 7. Catch, two dribble deck, getting to 1. Hit the roll off the bounce. der (pad). the rim for reverse lay-up (pad). 2. Stretch dribble throw back to the page 26 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine flare. 3. Stretch dribble, then re-attack to pull- up jumper. Baylor Development 4. Stretch dribble, then split the trap. 5. Stretch dribble, then attack the ball screen. 6. Pull-up as defender goes under. 7. Slip the screen, seal and feed. Drills 8. Turn down and attack. 9. Turn down, step-back (add the cut back move, going opposite and re-at- tack). D.1 D.4

t Pro moves from the soft spot: 1. Attack no dribble dunk. 2. Attack, no dribble finish. 3. Attack, crab dribble, finish. 4. Attack, crab dribble, shot fake, finish. 5. Attack, crab dribble, reverse. 6. Attack, crab dribble, step, back, re- attack. 7. Attack, crab dribble, tight spin.

Workouts for the forwards t Ball handling: D.2 D.5 1. One and two balls, moving and sta- tionary. 2. Creating space around the horn, off the bounce into a re-attack (change of pace). 3. One vs. two full court, using heavy ball. 4. Cone race.

t Creating space with rips, pulls, and pushes - foot in the crotch. t Passing - two hands, one hand, using the toss back. D.6 t Fundamentals, - Mikan, Minnesota, face and seal – frame – jump hook – finish at the rim, crab dribble, oppo- 4. Turn, rip baseline, finish on the other site side of the rim. side finish – two ball hands – outlets. 5. Turn, rip baseline drive - quick spin, t Baylor post series (three spots, right middle finish. and left – jump hook or jumper, de- 6. Turn, rip knee and attack the middle pending on the way you are going): off one dribble into jumper. 1. Quick drop step, jump hook. 7. Turn, rip knee and attack the middle 2. Crab dribble, jump hook. off two dribbles into jump hook (run- 3. Crab dribble, show, reverse pivot, ning hook). running hook. 8. Turn, rip the knee and attack the mid- 4. Crab dribble, up-under. dle off two dribbles into step-back D.3 5. Crab dribble, quarter turn. jumper. 6. Crab dribble, quick spin, back jumper. 7. One dribble, quick spin, jump hook t Cone shooting (right and left) – rim to ●t One step off the block - check (running jump hook). wing using back screen: middle - check double (left and right 8. One dribble, quick spin, up-under. 1. Catch and shoot. side, jump hook or jumper) = create 9. One dribble, step back. 2. Catch, shoot fake, one dribble either space attacking the crotch: 10. One dribble, quarter turn. way, pull-up jumper. 1. Two dribble, running jump hook. t Turn and face from 12 to 15 feet (right 3. Catch, one dribble, pull-up jumper. 2. Two dribble, jumper. and left side): 4. Catch, one dribble, shot fake, up-un- 3. Two dribble, up-under. 1. Turn quick jumper. der (pad). 4. Two dribble, quick spin, finish. 2. Turn short jab jumper. 5. Catch, two dribble, floater. 5. Two dribble, quarter turn. 3. Turn, rip baseline, one dribble jump- 6. Catch, two dribble deck, getting to 6. Two dribble, step-back. er. the rim (pad). Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 27

coachescoaches - - offense offense

D.7 D.10 D.14

D.11 D.15

D.8 D.12 D.16

D. D.9 13 D.17

7. Catch, two dribble deck, getting to 13. Catch, rip, two dribble, getting to the 4. Attack, crab dribble, shot fake, finish. the rim for reverse lay-up (pad). rim for a reverse lay-up (pad). 5. Attack, crab dribble, reverse. 8. Catch, two dribble, step-back jumper. 14. Catch, rip, two dribble, step-back 6. Attack, crab dribble, quick spin, fin- 9. Catch, rip, one dribble, pull-up jump- jumper. ish. er. 7. Attack, crab dribble, step-back. 10. Catch, rip, one dribble, shot fake, up- t Pro moves from the soft spot and off under (pad). the elbow: t Penetrate and pitch – escape from 11. Catch, rip, two dribble, floater. 1. Attack no dribble dunk. the block on drives (baseline and 12. Catch, rip, two dribble, getting to the 2. Attack no dribble finish. middle): rim (pad). 3. Attack crab dribble finish. 1. Catch and shoot. page 28 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine D.18 D.19 D.23

2. Catch, rip, pull up jumper. 3. Catch, rip, two dribble, jump hook (running hook). 4. Catch, knee and go series. 5. “3's”.

t Post feed – kick out – re-post into a finishing move. t Ball screen action: 1. Hit the roll to the rim. 2. Stretch dribble, throw back to the D.20 D.24 flare. 3. Stretch dribble, then split the trap – flare behind the drive. hind the back and between the legs. 4. Stretch dribble, then attack the ball Then we do an harder skill drill: two drib- screen again – roll to the rim (screen ble attack, pull back, change of direc- to re-screen). tion, attack. Then we add a defender, 5. Turn down and slip to the rim. and a player must ride the hip as hard as 6. Dribble hard off at the defender into possible, while sprinting sideline to side- a roll or flare. line with the defender trying to reach and tap the ball. Drills Ball Handling: Stationary and Moving Ball Handling: Creating Space This is a one and two ball action, first This is a quick and explosive way to stationary on the baseline, and then D.21 teach to the players to attack, pull back, moving, from the baseline to the top of and the to attack defense, from all areas the key: try to be under the idea of less of the floor. It is possibile to add finishing quick is better than more slow. Station- move at the end, once the circuit is com- ary: the players start to pound dribble, pleted. Five cones are set as in the diagr. then crossover dribble, then rock dribble, 4. Player 1 dribbles hard with the right then bowling dribble, always first with hand to the baseline and to the cone, the right, and then with the left hand (di- then he pulls back two dribbles. Now he agr. 1). Moving: they high pound dribble makes a crossover and attack with the first with knee together, then with alter- left hand the other cone, performing the nate knee; then together, followed by al- same action with two dribbles in the pull ternate shoulder pound dribble. They back move, until he reaches the last move to the top of the key and follow cone on the left side of the court. these commands: together turn and go, D.22 alternate turn and go, together up and Ball Handling: One-on-Two pull back, alternate up and pull back (di- be change daily, and dribbling with the A player, dribbling with two heavy balls agr. 2). right hand over, then left hand back: a) is set under the basket with a defender one hand crossover, as wide as possible; in front of him, with the hands behind the Ball Handling: Black Line Perfection b) two hand crossover, as wide as possi- back, and a second defender at the free We use the black line at center court to ble; c) behind the back, without any in throw area. The two defenders try to trap keep the ball handler on a straight path. between dribble; d) inside-out crossover; the ball handler, and the drill ends when This drill is very good, when mixed with e) inside-out between the legs; f) inside- the ball handler reach the mid court line shooting at other baskets, when space is out behind the back. Then they run com- (diagr. 5 and 6). Then, the drill is run with an issue: be low, quick and efficient. The bo drills: g) inside out crossover and only one heavy ball and in this case the players dribble from sideline to sideline between the legs; h) inside out-behind first defender uses his hands, and finally, with this sequence (diagr. 3), which can the back and crossover; i) inside-out be- is run with a regular ball and the defend- Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 29

coaches - offense er can be very aggressive, also slapping the ball, fouling, etc.

One-on-Three Full Court This drill teach to the players to advance the ball up the floor at the fast pace, while being defended. The court must be restricted, using the volleyball lines, or using cones. The players must be ef- ficient on dribbling, with everyone ro- tates one spot, then they switch to the other side. Usually we run the drill D.25 D.28 twice, because it is so quick. The coach will throw the ball up to be rebounded by 1. Player 2 attacks 1, as soon as the ball hits the board and covers him until the top of the key. Then 3 will pick up 1 from hash mark to hash mark. Then 4 will pick up 1 from the top of the key in. Once 1 gets to other end top of the key, he is limited to two dribbles trying to score (diagr. 7). The defenders are al- lowed pushing, reaching, and aggres- sive defense to make the ball handler more skilled. The players rotate up one D.26 D.29 position and repeat, then switch sides of the backboard.

Getting Open - Top Leg Explosion The player uses his top leg and walks into his opponent, going from slow to fast by stepping and gaining the advan- tage of putting his inside leg on top. He must use his butt to create space, with also a slight forearm push-off, then he explodes quickly to the area of choice (diagr. 8). It possible to work on the wing, top of the key, and baseline to D.27 D.30 corner. Once the player receives the ball he can work on several individual moves, including rips, step-backs, fin- catch, two hard dribbles, step-back. ishes at the rim, etc. With the ball received at the elbow (di- agr. 10): a) catch and rip, going back from Cone Shooting - From the Wing or Rim the same way he came; b) attack right The players are set up as in the diagr. 9. between both cones, c) same sequence Player 1 makes a skip pass to 5, and as described above, starting with catch, takes a couple of steps toward the block, rip, one dribble pull-up jumper. then turns his hips and quickly explode toward the cone. The drill can also be Half Court Runners done at the block: walk to the rim, then This drill is similar to cone shooting, ex- explode off a down screen near the cept we are looking to make the pass up block area, and also incorporate “3's” the floor. This will simulate transition and D.31 as well. Lastly, you can mix in some allow that look at the rim which is differ- “flare” footwork, if it is used on your of- ent than coming from the wing or rim. up-under; h) catch, rip baseline, two hard fense. The forwards can start the drill The player can do the following actions dribbles, floater; i) catch, rip baseline, with a back screen. Here the possible going to the baseline: a) chest pass, re- two hard dribbles, step-back jumper (di- solutions, receiving the ball at the free- turn chest pass up the floor, catch and agr. 11). When you catch and rip base- throw area: a) catch and shoot; b) catch, shoot; b) catch, shot fake, one hard drib- line, use the cone as a guide to get them shot fake, one dribble either way, pull up ble either way, pull-up jumper; d) catch, to go low and long. When receiving at jumper; c) catch, extension one dribble, rip baseline, one dribble, pull-up jumper; the elbow, after the chest pass and the pull up jumper; d) catch, get to the rim; e) catch, rip baseline, two hard dribbles, return chest pass up the floor, catch, rip e) catch, get to the rim, reversal; f) catch, finish at the rim; f) catch, rip baseline, and perform the same sequence, start- get two hard dribbles, shot fake, up-un- two hard dribbles reverse; g) catch, rip ing with catch, rip, one hand hard drib- der; g) catch, get to the rim, floater; h) baseline, two hard dribbles, shot fake, ble, pull-up jumper (diagr. 12). page 30 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine Penetrate and pitch t Minnesota drill, used for hand spin, up-under; i) one dribble, step- This drill allows you to teach movement strength and finishing. Smack the back. away from the ball that enables your of- board with power, using two hands fensive players to get in position to pen- on the ball for a set number of times, Face-up series etrate and pitch. You can do this drill with then finish on that side with locked We will do this drill from 12-15 feet on an two or three lines; then mix it up at the elbows. Also, we use the cheat step angle that allows drives both ways. We end and make it live, so they have to read and finish with a reverse (diagr. 24). are stressing catching the ball first in without you telling them exactly where t Face the defender: leg whip and seal the middle of the body. We will do this to go. Also, it’s important that they com- the defender, keeping him on your on both sides of the floor. They will al- municate loudly their move: “fill,” “slide,” butt, while staying on the balls of ways pivot on their foot closest to the “drift.” The ball handler makes a hard your feet. Catch and frame with the baseline (diagr. 29). Turn and face read- drive to the paint: be low and long at the middle of your body each bad feed, ing the defender on the face-up. Re- beginning. When he gets in the paint, he always keep the defense attached. member that when he decks the ball, the must be on balance, so he can deliver On the third feed, throw it either side guard will be coming down to strip. Be the right pass and not charge into the to a quick drop step jump hook (di- low-long and strong while attack the defense. The pass to the top is called a agr. 25). rim. Work on: a) turn, jumper; b) turn, “fill”, the pass to the corner area is called t Attack the defender and use several jab, jumper; c) turn, rip, one dribble, a “slide.” Get his own rebound and then moves to get the offensive glass. We jumper/floater; d) turn, rip, get to the rim, switch lines; go from the right and then do four actions: a) catch it high, keep shot fake, finish; e) turn, rip, finish with a left (diagr. 13). On a baseline drive, the it high and finish; b) finish at the rim reverse; f) turn, rip, one-two dribbles, player has sometimes to jump out of with two hands; c) catch it high, shot step-back jumper; g) turn, rip his knee bounce to complete the pass, and this is fake and finish on the same side; d) and then attack the middle with the fine. The receiver calls this “drift”, and catch it high, then finish off a crab same sequence. makes the driver alert he is there (diagr. dribble on the opposite side (diagr. 14). This is a big time concept that oc- 26). Pro Moves - Soft Spot and Elbow curs more than you think, but is not al- We use this drill from various areas. ways successful, because the receiver Baylor Paint Series With this drill we teach cheat step move did not “drift” quickly enough. This is a drill used to master footwork so that players learn to anticipate the and technique, and is run on the two pass. It’s run for both forwards and Ball Screen Action blocks and in the middle of the lane. guards. To help teach balance, we have You can use a lot of different moves to Speed and paying attention to details a coach or manager, who firmly pushes begin the action, depending on the side are a must during the entire series. Fin- on hip of offensive player during the of the floor the player is starting and ish every shot with a put-back if missed. move. Players have to rip low, quick and what is his pivot foot. He must always This is when you have a foot in the paint powerful; they must remember that try to stay lower than the defender, be- action that is more reaction to the de- guards are coming to steal. Use a heavy fore using the ball screen. Also, we have fenders position (diagr. 27). Go over left ball, except for step-back move (diagr. listed several different ways to attack shoulder and back right shoulder in the 30). The sequence is simple, yet game and re-attack ball screens, depending same sequence, making a total of six like. Make the players finish on a pad on the defensive positioning. Here the shots per move. Here is the order that when appropriate. Also, sometimes we different ways: hit the roll off the dribble can always be altered: a) drop step go live one-on-one with the soft spot (diagr. 15); stretch dribble throw back to dunk; b) drop step jump hook; c) crab players. The move we use are the fol- the flare (diagr. 16); stretch dribble, then dribble jump hook; d) crab dribble show lowing: a) cheat step, dunk; b) cheat re-attack to pull-up jumper (diagr. 17); and reverse pivot running hook; e) crab step, rip, finish; c) cheat step, rip, crab stretch dribble, then split the trap (diagr. dribble, up-under; f) crab dribble shim- dribble, finish; d) cheat step, rip, crab 18); stretch dribble, then attack the re- my; g) crab dribble, quick spin back, dribble, shot fake, finish; e) cheat step, ball screen (diagr. 19); screen, then slip jumper. rip, crab dribble, reverse; d) cheat step, when the ball handler gets to the screen, rip, crab dribble, step back. We do each seal and post (diagr. 20); pull-up and Off the Block Post Series action from each spot. shoot the “3's,” if the defender goes un- The player frames and catches first, der the screen (diagr. 21); turn the then chins the ball with his elbows Escape from the block screen down (diagr. 22). slightly out. Check middle and check This drill will teach your forwards how double to read and allow his offensive to read dribble penetration. It’s not bad Fundamentals from the Post teammates to cut. While checking, pivot to put the guards here as well. We yell This is a computation of several funda- on his baseline foot and step into crotch the dribble names for awareness (diagr. mental drills, we do to establish foot of defender, creating space. Have tempo 31). On baseline drives, we perform the work, eye-hand coordination, etc: and allow defense to dictate the move following actions, catching the ball t Mikan drill, that is common. We ei- (max two dribbles toward the middle). around 12-15 feet: a) catch, jumper; b) ther make a number, or a number Do it on both the sides (diagr. 28). Use catch, rip, one dribble, pull-up jumper; c) that has to swished. We do regular, the following actions: a) two dribble catch, rip knee, then back one dribble, reverse and combos. We talk about jump hook; b) two dribble jumper; c) two pull-up jumper; d) catch for the “3's.” On catch and keep the ball high. Also, dribble step-back; d) two dribble up-un- the middle penetration, we perform the we use two balls to work on concen- der; e) two dribble shimmy; f) one drib- following actions: a) catch at the soft tration, or we use a heavy ball, but ble, quick spin, jump hook; g) one dribble, spot and attack with the “Pro Move Se- only with jump hooks (diagr. 23). quick spin, jumper; h) one dribble, quick ries”; b) catch for the “3's.” Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 31

COACHES - hoop market All Access: by Raffaele Imbrogno Coach Krzyzewski

Raffaele Imbrogno has been coaching since 1980. He is an Instructor for the In this section, we introduce the latest books, videos, CDs, and other tools that are Italian National Coaches Committee of primarily aimed at coaches, but certainly useful for all of our readers. Please send the Federation and has been Director of your suggestions and comments about our basketball-related media for review in the Italian Basketball Federation Study this section. Center. Imbrogno is also the author of several technical basketball publica- tions. Some time ago, I wrote extensively about Coach Mike Krzyzewski. It was 2005, when Championship Productions released six of Coach Ks DVDs at once. The famous coach has been quite busy since then. Besides winning the gold medal as the head coach of Team USA at the last Olympic Games in Beijing, the head coach of the Duke University Blue Devils also published another book (“Gold Standard: Building a World Class Team”) in 2009 that was drawn from his winning Olympic Games experience. The basketball coach was also the subject of other books written about him, includ- ing “Last Dance: Behind The Scenes At The Final Four,” an e-book released at the end of 2008, and “Guardians Of The Game: A Legacy Of Leadership,” pub- lished in late 2008. Now, new DVDs are coming from Coach K and, as always, they’re produced by Championship Productions, the world leader in sport DVDs. This “All Access”

set comes with four disks and, like Stadium, home court of Duke University all productions in this ongoing in Durham, North Carolina, and a wild coaching series, it presents theater for the noisy exhibitions of its training sessions with high- highly enthusiastic university support- level coaches. Other ers. I wrote “new” between quotations coaches featured in the se- because, to be precise, these four DVDs ries include Geno Auriem- pick up where a previous set of Coach ma and a second one on K’s four VHSs that were released some the work of Jim Calhoun, time ago left off. However, all has been the two head basketball enlarged, remastered, and put onto the coaches of the University of new DVD format. The disks run 438 min- Connecticut’s women’s and men’s utes and offer two complete training teams, respectively. sessions and several extracts from Mike In this “new” chapter with Coach K, the Krzyzewski’s clinics. Along with Duke cameras record one of the most impor- players and his assistant coaches, Steve tant American coaches as he works on Wojciechowki and Chris Collins, the the construction of both his offensive highly-successful coach of Duke de- and defensive game. The DVDs were scribes his method of building an iron- filmed inside mythical Cameron Indoor strong defense, starting from 1-on-1 page 32 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine drills, all the way up to 5-on-5 situations. Coach Wojciechowki is especially effec- tive when he describes how to defend against all the pick-and-roll situations in different zones on the court and at vari- ous screen angles. The Blue Devils’ full- court press defense is also described in detail. Coach Collins, on the other hand, shows the various offensive options used regularly by Duke teams, including the “Elbow Series,” with a set-up that al- ways keeps the big man in one of the two elbows of the free throw lane. It’s here where he gets the ball and runs the con- tinuation of the offensive play. In addi- tion, Collins shows the various out-of-bounds plays against the press, both from the baseline and half court. Each training session finishes up with a series of questions posed to Coach K from coaches sitting in the stands. His answers provide many coaching pearls that can be immediately incorporated in- to the training session of any team, at any level. From his ideas on running a fast break at the end of a game to the physical conditioning of players, Coach K covers all of the important topics. This DVD will prove to be a welcome addition to anyone’s collection. Enjoy the coach- ing sessions! You can order at this address: http:// www.championshipproductions.com/ cgi-bin/champ/p/Basketball/All-Access- Duke-Basketball-Practice-with-Mike- Krzyzewski_BD-03369.html"http://www. championshipproductions.com/cgi-bin/ champ/p/Basketball/All-Access-Duke- Basketball-Practice-with-Mike-Krzyze- wski_BD-03369.html.

Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 33

referees and game administration Article 31:

by Fred Horgan Goal Tending And Interference

Fred Horgan is a member of FIBA Tech- nical Commission. He is a FIBA International Referee Instructor, FIBA Americas Instructor, Technical Com- missioner for Canada, and a member of FIBA Americas Technical Commission. He was elected in 1996 to the Canadian Basketball Hall of Fame.

page 34 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine For many officials still struggling to under- Goal Tending/Interference Possible violations involving interfer- stand the FIBA rule governing interference during a shot for goal ence or goal tending are more easily and goal tending (Article 31), the inevita- During a normal shot for a goal, the ball understood if one asks oneself: “Who Article 31: ble outcome falls somewhere between potentially moves through five easily can touch what?” through each of simple confusion and profound mystery. recognizable stages: these five stages. t Stage 1: begins with the release of Let’s examine each stage for the an- This is often the case where a relatively the ball on the shot and ends when swer that key question. Goal Tending detailed, multiple-situation article is in- the ball reaches its highest point on Please bear in mind that contacting the volved, especially for those still struggling the shot or touches the backboard backboard or ring in such a manner as to grasp the “letter” of the rule versus the while still in its upward flight. to cause excessive vibration is a sepa- same rule’s “intent”. t Stage 2: begins when the ball begins rate issue. It is valid for all stages and it A part of the difficulty for some could its downward flight and ends when will be addressed later in this article. And Interference be that they might complicate such arti- it touches the ring or enters the bas- cles by approaching them as single, ket. Stage 1 rambling restrictions rather than a se- t Stage 3: sees the ball bouncing During stage 1, when the ball is in its quence of simpler situations, each above the ring, with a reasonable upward flight (or until it touches the carrying a less complicated caveat as chance of eventually entering the backboard, while still in its upward to what players may (or may not) not do basket. flight), the answer is very simple: any- in actual game situations. ●t Stage 4: occurs if the ball is touch- one can touch anything! A player, ing the ring, but has not yet entered offensive or defensive, can touch the To help take the mystery out of interfer- the basket. ball, the basket ring, the net or the ence and goal tending, consider the t Stage 5: is when the ball is within backboard without committing a viola- following approach. the basket. tion.

Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 35

referees and game administration

Stage 2 cle). Naturally, stage 3 could very well the vibration/grasping has not influ- During stage 2, while the ball is in its be repeated any number of times after enced whether or not the ball passes downward flight, including after the ball the ball touches the ring. This would oc- through the basket, no violation has oc- has touched the backboard and contin- cur if the ball were to again bounce curred and the contact with the uing until it touches the ring or above the ring and then return to touch backboard or ring is ignored no matter backboard, the restriction is still easy to it again. how forceful that contact might have remember: nobody can touch the ball! been. Stage 5 Stage 3 During stage 5, while the ball in within Reaching through the basket During stage 3, after the ball has the basket, only the defense can com- from below touched the ring and while the ball is mit a violation! A less frequent violation occurs when a bouncing above it, independent of a They would do so by touching the ball, player reaches through the basket from chance of entering the basket, anybody basket ring, or net in such a way as to below and contacts the ball while it is can touch anything! If it happens that a cause the goal to be unsuccessful. above the ring, whether on a shot for a player contacts the ball, basket ring, net There would be no violation, however, goal, free throw or a pass. Such an ac- or backboard, accidentally or intention- for touching the backboard (see note on tion also constitutes interference. ally, no violation occurs. vibration below). Penalties for Goal Stage 4 Interferences caused by excessive Tending/Interference During stage 4, when the ball is in con- vibration of backboard or basket ring If the violation is committed by an offen- tact with the basket ring, the only thing Sometimes a player will accidentally, or sive player, no points are awarded and anybody can touch is the ball itself! even deliberately, contact the back- the ball is awarded to the opponents for To touch the basket or backboard while board or grasp the basket ring. Often a throw-in at the free-throw line ex- the ball is in contact with the ring would the contact is with such force as to tended, unless otherwise stated in the be a violation. It must be noted, howev- cause the backboard/ring to vibrate, rules. er, that contact with the basket or thus affecting whether or not the ball If the violation is committed by a defen- backboard while the ball is in contact passes through the basket. sive player, the offensive team is with the basket ring is not a violation If it is the judgment of the official that awarded 1, 2 or 3 points, depending on unless the contact places the oppo- the vibration or ring-grasping does the nature of the shot for goal. If the vio- nents at a disadvantage by its influence cause the ball to pass through (or not to lation is committed during a last or only on the success or failure of the shot pass through) the basket, an interfer- free-throw, a technical foul is also (see note on vibration later in this arti- ence violation has occurred. If, however, charged against the defensive player. page 36 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

referees and game administration RIGHT OR WRONG?

The following questions focus on the doc- 2. During the last two minutes of the 4th maining. May team A now be awarded ument, “FIBA Official Basketball Rules: period, a travel violation is committed three successive time-outs? Official Interpretations.” A free download by A5, who is in the team A frontcourt. is provided on the FIBA website (www.fi- A substitution is then granted to either 5. While team A is in control of the ball in ba.com). For additional clarifications, ex- team A or team B. Shall the game re- the team A frontcourt, A3 is standing planations or examples, please consult sume with a team B throw-in at the with one foot in the restricted area and this document. centre line extended opposite the the other foot outside the area? Is A3 scorer’s table? considered to be in the restricted ar- 1. During the last two minutes of the 4th ea? period, team A has been in control of 3. A4 jumps in an attempt to score a field the ball in the team A backcourt for goal. After the ball has left A4’s hand 6. Team A is awarded an alternating pos- five seconds when B4 deflects the ball on the shot, it is blocked on its upward session throw-in. After the ball has out-of-bounds. Team A is then granted flight by B2. The ball returns to A4 been handed to A2 for the throw-in, a time-out. On the throw-in at the cen- while A4 is still in the air and A4 re- coach A is charged with a technical tre line extended that follows the time- turns to the floor in control of the ball. foul. Shall team B be entitled to the out, the ball is passed to A2, who is in Has A4 committed a violation? next alternating possession throw-in? the team A backcourt. Shall team A now have only three seconds to ad- 4. In the last two minutes of the 4th peri- 7. Twelve seconds remain on the 24-sec- vance the ball to the frontcourt? od, team A has three time-outs re- ond clock when a held ball is called between A4 and B4. Team A is entitled to the next alternating possession. Shall play resume with a team A throw- in and the 24-second device shall not be reset?

8. A last free-throw by A4 fails to touch the basket ring. A8 and B8 are waiting at the scorer’s table to enter the game as substitutes. Shall A8 and B8 be per- mitted to enter the game at this time?

9. While the ball is in the air on a shot for a goal by A2, the signal sounds to end the period. After the ball has touched the ring following the sounding of the signal, it is tapped into the basket by A5. Shall the goal count?

10. While the ball is in the air on a shot for a goal, B3 contacts the backboard, causing it to vibrate. The vibration causes the shot for goal to be unsuc- cessful. Shall B3 be charged with a technical foul?

ANSWERS 1. No (Art. 28.1.3) 2. No (Art. 17.2.3) 3. No (Art. 14.3) 4. Yes (Art. 18.2.5) 5. Yes (Art. 26.1.3) 6. No (Art. 12.4.8) 7. Yes (Art. 50.4) 8. Yes (Art. 19.2.2) 9. No (Art. 31.2.6) 10. No (Art. 31.2.4) page 38 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

doctors, trainers and Conditioning Coaches Preparation

Alan Stein is the former co-owner of lege, and NBA players. He is a sought Elite Athlete Training Systems, Inc. and after lecturer at basketball camps the Head Strength & Conditioning across the country and is regularly fea- coach for the nationally renowned tured in publications such as the Win- Montrose Christian Mustangs boy’s ning Hoops, Time Out, Dime, American basketball program. Alan brings a Basketball Quarterly, Stack, and Men’s wealth of valuable experience to his Health. by Alan Stein training arsenal after years of exten- sive work with elite high school, col- One of the most humbling laws of sports,

page 40 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine and of life for that matter, is that suc- never quit, exude teamwork, and of the country, are sponsored by Jordan cess is never guaranteed. It has to be course prepare appropriately. Over the Brand, and are internationally re- earned, day in and day out. On any giv- years I have learned that preparation is nowned. Preparation en night, anyone can be beat. Heck, one of the key ingredients to long last- And while those are certainly nice acco- even Kobe Bryant, arguably the best ing success. Part of preparation is hav- lades and we are thankful for our stellar player on the planet right now, lost in ing everyone involved, from the coach reputation, we certainly don’t rest on our the NBA finals two years ago. And the to the players to the managers, do ev- past accomplishments. We take our Lakers is one of the most storied and erything in their power to earn . preparation seriously every day, both in successful program/organization in pro I am currently in my 7thyear as the Head and out of season. sports. Strength & Conditioning Coach at Mon- The goal of the Montrose Christian But even though success is never guar- trose Christian in Rockville, MD. We coaching staff is simple: To prepare by anteed on the basketball court, a team have a very elite level program and are doing everything possible to give our can exponentially increase their odds fortunate enough to coach very high players the best chance to be success- of being successful and winning a level players (Kevin Durant is our most ful and win. As a staff, we never want to championship if they are naturally tal- famous alumni). We are consistently look back after a game or season and ented, have a relentless work ethic, ranked as one of the top 20 programs in say, “what if we would have done this… or would have done that.” We take into account every aspect of preparation and don’t believe any detail is too small. As mentioned before, proper preparation drastically increases our chance to be successful. Last year we were fortunate enough to play in the 25th Anniversary of the Iolani Classic in Honolulu, Hawaii. This is al- ways one of the nation’s top high school basketball tournaments, and last year was the best yet. Last year’s field includ- ed 6 teams ranked in the top 25 in the nation: Oak Hill, DeMatha, LeFlore, Fair- fax, Whitney Young, and Montrose. We knew going into this tournament that the winner could possibly end up as the #1 ranked team in the nation. And for frame of reference, there are over 26,000 high schools eligible to be ranked!

While we take pride in proper prepara- tion for every game, we really made it our focus for the incredible opportunity of playing in this tournament. Here is some insight to some of the ways we tried to give ourselves a competitive ad- vantage and win this tournament: Our team arrived three days before the tournament started and one full day be- fore any other team arrived to better ac- climate our players to the new time zone (5 hours behind EST) and weather (80 degrees in Hawaii, 10 degrees in Mary- land). Despite a full day of travel, and the vast time zone difference, we forced our players and staff to stay up to a normal bed time the first night to re-set every- one’s internal clock and get acclimated as quickly as possible. We also immedi- ately changed all clocks, watches and phones and never referenced what time it was at home. We drank a ton of water and got on a meal schedule immediately. Despite some serious jet lag and tired bodies the next morning, we got every- one up at normal time for breakfast. We Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 41

doctors, trainers and Conditioning Coaches

knew the sooner we were on “Hawaii high protein, low fat meal exactly 4 watched the film from our previous time” the better. hours before tip off. Research shows game to note what we did well and what this is the ideal time and way to fuel for we need to improve on. We practiced every day and lifted every competition. We also made sure to feed They also watched our next opponents’ other day, just like we were at home. our guys a post game meal within an prior game. Our coaching staff always We believe consistency leads to suc- hour after each game, which helps them prepares a thorough scouting report for cess, and certainly the things that make refuel for the next day. every team we play. us successful in Maryland should help We also make sure our guys drink water They review personnel, plays, tenden- us be successful anywhere in the world. all day long. And, of course, we had cur- cies, and then use that to put together We knew that handling fatigue would be few each night to make sure each play- our game plan. integral to our success. We played back er got 8 hours of sleep and wasn’t up Our players always wear ankle braces to back nights prior to leaving for Ha- celebrating a win from one of the early for all practices and games as in injury waii and then were to play 4 games in rounds of play. We also collect each deterrent. Even a minor ankle sprain to this tournament. That is 6 games in 10 player’s cell phone at night to ensure one of our top players could have a det- days, a brutal schedule for any team at they aren’t up all night talking to their rimental effect on our chances of win- any level. girlfiends! ning it all. We encourage our players to Per our usual pre-game routine, we had Every night the coaching staff stayed up ice their knees and/or backs after all a walk through and reviewed the scout- into the wee hours of the morning break- practices and games. We make sure to ing report every game day afternoon. ing down film and setting a game plan. allow for a very thorough warm-up and We also had our players eat a high carb, They reviewed the stats as well as dynamic flexibility session prior to both page 42 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine was destiny for us to win it all, right? Boy, I sure did. Despite being so well prepared, and having done everything in our power to put ourselves in a position to win, we lost in double overtime in the champion- ship game to Oak Hill Academy. In my 6 years at Montrose, this was by far the most heartbreaking loss we have suf- fered. I still can’t believe it. Let me say this; losing sucks. It really sucks. I hated losing when I was a kid and it hasn’t changed a bit now that I am an adult. But, it is a part of life and it is certainly a part of sports. Without ex- ception, every time two teams take the court, someone has to lose. But how you handle defeat and how you carry yourself after a loss says a lot more about you as a person and reveals a lot more of your character than win- ning ever will. Your true colors always shine through during adversity. Don’t get me wrong, you shouldn’t accept losing nor should you be remotely happy after a loss. It should hurt and you should feel overwhelming disappointment. It’s sup- posed to hurt. If it doesn’t hurt then it didn’t matter, and if it didn’t matter, why even play? But, losing is never an ex- cuse to be a jerk, to make excuses, or to question the importance of always do- ing what is right. You think this loss will let us question the importance of thor- ough preparation? Never. After our gut wrenching loss to Oak Hill there weren’t many dry eyes in the lock- er room, which is expected after losing a game of that magnitude. And there is nothing weak about crying, I am proud that our kids care enough to get that emotional. I am also proud to say our kids exer- cised good sportsmanship, didn’t point practices and games. Players were not Our assistant coaches are all assigned the finger or make excuses, and walked allowed to sleep after the pre-game a duty during the game; keep fouls, out with their heads high. And that de- meal to prevent that groggy feeling you chart stats, and know how many time- fined the type of kids we have at Mon- get from taking an extended nap. They outs we have (as well as our opponent). trose. And while I am saddened that we were also not allowed to spend much After our initial warm-up and stretch, let a golden opportunity slip away, I ab- time in the sun or go swimming so they we review our match ups and “keys to solutely could not be any more proud of wouldn’t add to their fatigue and wear winning the game.” Then we spend a our team and the character we showed them out. few minutes in absolute quiet visualiz- in defeat. Our entire program, from play- Our pre-game routine is standard; ev- ing and preparing mentally. Then we ers to staff, did everything in our power erything from what time we leave for say a team prayer and take the court for to prepare for that game and to deserve the game, to what we wear, to our our standard pre game warm-up. Then success, it just wasn’t meant to be. Our warm-up routine. we tip off and go to battle. Wow. Now guys went out there and played their Nothing we do at Montrose is haphaz- that is the definition of preparation! I hearts out, and did it with class. As a ard. Everything is done with a purpose. know first hand of numerous college coach, that is all I can ever ask for. We make sure to prepare for every pos- programs that don’t do what we do. If you have any questions or comments sible situation or emergency. We have With such detailed preparation, and not about this blog, or my services in gener- extra sets of uniforms on hand in case to mention we have a very talented al, please email me at Alan@Stron- anyone gets blood on their jersey and team (6 seniors, 2 potential McDonalds gerTeam.com. I will do my best to we have most of our last second plays All Americans, and the #1 ranked fresh- respond as promptly as possible. Train already drawn up on laminated cards. man in the nation), you would think it hard. Train smart. Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 43 news Idais all smiles after great Jordan moment

one-on-one

dream came true. fiba: Playing at a FIBA Asia Championship is one thing but going to a FIBA World Championship is something else. What do you think about that? idais: We will have to work twice as hard for the World Championship as we did for the Asia Championship. We have a lot of work to do now because we will be taking on the world. fiba: What is the biggest challenge for your team before next year? idais: Biggest challenge? We sometimes lose our concentration when we get up by double-digit points, allowing other teams to come back. That is something that we have to work at and hopefully when we get a lead, we will be able to keep it. fiba: What do you have to say to the peo- ple in Jordan about the bronze medal and Ayman Idais was the happiest of players done, and finally we got it done. qualification for the FIBA World Champi- back on August 16 when he and his Jor- fiba: Did you think you would claim a top onship? dan teammates defeated Lebanon for the three spot and make it to Turkey? idais: We dedicate the bronze medal to second time at the FIBA Asia Champion- idais: No, I did not expect it, to qualify for the King of Jordan, and to all of the people ship. The 80-66 triumph not only clinched the FIBA World Championship, but the who watched us and supported us. a bronze medal for Jordan, but also sealed for them a place in the 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. Idais, a 31-year- old power forward, had a very big hand in Turkoglu is proud the success. He averaged almost 11 points and 4.3 rebounds per contest in Tianjing. At 6ft 10in, he was virtually unstoppable when he got into a shooting rhythm. That's to represent Turkey what Lebanon discovered in the bronze- medal game because Idais connected on There is no greater honor for Hedo appears on his national team warm-up six of eight shots from long range and fin- Turkoglu than to don Turkey’s national jacket) is really important in my life be- ished with 20 points. Idais was so thrilled team jersey. Turkoglu, the country’s cause I'm a guy who tries not to forget and relieved that Jordan had won that he most famous player and the captain of his past and how he got here.” hugged everyone he could find, including Turkey at EuroBasket 2009, will lead the The “here” that Turkoglu speaks of is reporters who asked him about the game. Turks when they host the 2010 FIBA the elite level in the sport. He is among He gave this interview to FIBA’s Jeff Tay- World Championship. In an interview the top players in the game, an NBA star lor. with FIBA’s weekly television show “FI- who reached last season’s Finals with BA World Basketball” he revealed his Orlando but then decided in the summer fiba: Ayman, talk about how things fell into pride when playing for his country. to head north to join the Toronto Rap- place for Jordan at the FIBA Asia Champi- tors. onship. “I can't really describe it, find the words “I've had a great career in the NBA and idais: We had been practicing hard and it to say,” he said, when asked what it felt have done a lot of great things,” he said. just came together. We've practiced with like to play for Turkey. “I can just say this “But, before I went to the NBA, I be- coach (Mario) Palma and have been with (he points to the famous crescent moon came Hedo Turkoglu in Turkey by play- him for three years. We came here to get it and star that is on Turkey’s flag and also ing in the national team. The respect and page 44 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine news Idais Dreams come true all smiles after great for Barbosa The dust has finally settled on Brazil's mag- fied them for the Jordan moment nificent summer. The men's team, led by 2010 FIBA World veteran Spanish coach Moncho Monsalve, Championship in captured the gold medal at the FIBA Ameri- Turkey. That means cas Championship by beating hosts Puerto that Barbosa, if he Rico in the final. It was a far cry from Japan avoids injuries that three years ago when Brazil crashed out of have disrupted his summers in the past, the FIBA World Championship at the group will lead the national team he adores. stage. The next year they missed out on a "It's very important for me," he said, when top-two finish that was required to play at asked about playing for Brazil. "It's the only the 2008 Olympics and the South Americans time, now, that I can play for my country. then failed to reach the Beijing Games It's the only time the people in my country when Barbosa and a host of other Brazil- can see me play, but it's not only for that. I ians skipped the FIBA Olympic Qualifying think it's the pride. That's the most impor- Tournament for a myriad of reasons. tant thing for me, to play for my country." "We were not having (good) results and we Barbosa is also doing something else that were having pressure from everybody in has been important to him since his child- the country (Brazil), the people," Brazil star hood. He's playing the game professionally Leandro Barbosa said to FIBA.com. and in the NBA with the Phoenix Suns. Bar- "They were kind of embarrassed for us. We bosa remembers how it all began. have such a talented team and we never "It was a dream. When I was a little kid, love I get from those people, I will never had good results. So that was affecting our when I was three, I used to play soccer and forget.” heads. I think we're good, now. We set up my brother played basketball. I used to fol- Indeed, Turkoglu will forever endear the team really well. The air that we have low him wherever he went. I started to like himself to the people of Turkey for the been breathing is totally different to what it. It was a dream for me to come and play commitment he has shown to the na- we had been breathing before. People have in the NBA." One of his biggest fans was his tional side. been expecting a lot of things from us and mother, he says. "Before I went to the NBA, “I am really enjoying it, wearing this that means we can give it back." I promised to my mother, I told her that I (Turkey) jersey and being captain of this Barbosa was outstanding this summer, wanted to play in the NBA and that came team and having the respect of all these leading the Brazilian team in scoring at true. It means a lot, especially now that my people. All of these things are going to more than 21 points per game. He was sec- momma's passed away. She also told me carry on in my life after basketball. The ond in the whole tournament, in fact, to Ar- to make sure that she would be proud of love and respect I get here is going to gentina’s Luis Scola, who poured in an me, so every time I go to the court, I do my carry on after I stop playing.” average of 23. Brazil’s top-four finish quali- best and play as hard as I can." Blazek thrilled with coaching appointment Veteran coach Lubor Blazek admits his selection process, because I think it was recent appointment as the Czech Repub- possibly the first time there has been such lic national team boss for the 2010 FIBA a competition (for Czech women's job)," he World Championship for Women is the said. "To be appointed the main team opportunity of a lifetime. The 55-year-old, coach is an honor for me. Leading the who is the head coach of USK Prague in Czechs is the peak, even for me." Blazek says what he is looking forward to the EuroLeague Women, worked with the Blazek says his phone has been ringing off most is being with the players. national team before when Jan Bobrovsky the hook since his appointment. “Once we manage to build a good team, was the head coach. He wasn't certain “For me, it has been very hectic,” he said it's very nice work,” he said. “The most that he’d be selected for the job following in an interview with USK Prague’s web- beautiful thing will definitely be to partici- the federation’s decision this summer to site. “I’ve given a lot of interviews but oth- pate in the actual World Championship in part with Bobrovsky’s successor, Milan er people are interested as well, not just the Czech Republic. It will surely be unfor- Veverka. journalists, which for me has been quite a gettable." surprise.” FIND MORE INTERVIEWS ON WWW.FIBA.COM "I'm glad that I experienced quite a difficult While he already has his staff in mind, Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 45

news the world in brief Planet basketball

Upcoming draw for Spain’s Gasol, Argentina’s Scola, Austra- the 2010 FIBA World lia’s Bogut and France’s Parker among the Championship best known. The World of basket- There could be even more NBA players de- ball will convene in pending on which four national teams are Istanbul on 15th De- awarded wild cards. cember for the draw that will have an im- portant part to play in how the tourna- ment will unfold next year in Turkey. The draw will be held at the Ciragan Palace Kempinski Hotel in Istanbul at 11:30AM local time (10:30AM CET). Twenty-four teams go into the hat for the First Round draw. Already qualified are An- gola, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, Croatia, France, Greece, Iran, the Ivory Coast, Jordan, New Zealand, Puerto Rico, Serbia, Slovenia, Spain, Tunisia, Tur- key and the USA. While the four wild card teams, announced a couple of days earlier, will complete the line-up. Kemzura takes charge The draw will be streamed live on tur- of Lithuania national team key2010.fiba.com. The event will be held in seven-footer narrowly missed out on a Former Latvia coach Kestutis Kemzura has the cities of Ankara, Kayseri, Istanbul and place in the Quarter-Finals of the recent taken charge of Lithuania’s national team Izmir between 28th August and 12th Sep- Eurobasket, which would have guaranteed after agreeing to personal terms with the tember 2010. then a place at the World Championships, country’s bas- but could yet make it to Turkey. ketball federa- Nowitzki hopes Germans get wild card tion. for World Championship 64 NBA players in Turkey? Kemzura has With the announcement of the four FIBA What do Hedo Turkoglu, Pau Gasol, Luis replaced Ra- World Championship wild cards fast ap- Scola, Andrew Bogut and Tony Parker all munas Butau- proaching, Dirk Nowitzki hopes his country have in common? tas, who will be among the lucky ones. The five men are established NBA players resigned after The former NBA MVP could make a return who hail from countries outside the United Lithuania’s to Germany’s national side if it is invited to States. The quintet will also play at the 2010 Qualifying play in the 24-team event in Turkey. FIBA World Championship. Round exit at "International basketball has done a lot for In what is certain to be one of the most the EuroBasket in Poland. Butautas has my career," Nowitzki said. "I think I've al- glamorous and competitive basketball given his successor his full support:“I sin- ways come back from the national team a events of all time, the 2010 FIBA World cerely wish my successor, Kestutis Kemzu- better player. I want to see Germany in ev- Championship, an eye-popping number of ra, good luck. It is an honor that not ery major tournament. […] Even last sum- leading players in the sport will be in Tur- everyone experiences, and I am very glad mer, I taped all of the games and watched key next year. Of the 20 teams already that I had to do it.” the young guys. We've got to stay at the top qualified for the tournament, there are po- Kemzura will coach at the 2010 FIBA World level. The wild card would be great." tentially 52 non-American NBA players that Championship in Turkey if Lithuania receive Germany’s young team, playing without the will take part with Turkey’s Turkoglu, a wild card. page 46 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine

news

ball. The goal now is to qualify for the Olympics, and why not?" Amagou was born in Maisons-Laffitte, a suburb of Paris, and is French, but his fa- ther hailed from the Ivory Coast. The 23- year-old played for France's junior teams but expressed his desire to play for the Ivory Coast at senior level.

Draw for the 2010 Nocioni aims at a podium finish FIBA World for Argentina Championship for year when the gold-medal winners at the Argentina haven’t been the number one Women 2009 FIBA Americas Championship go af- team in the FIBA World Rankings the past With less than a ter the world title in Turkey. The 27-year- few years because of talent alone. The na- year to go until the old says it’s not up to him, though. “God tional team’s players have shown unbridled 2010 FIBA World willing,” he said, “I want to help my coun- passion and commitment to the cause, and Championship for try by playing with the national team. Un- the result has been finishes at or near the Women in the fortunately, I wasn´t able to do that the top in major tournaments for many years. Czech Republic, it last two years for health reasons. But I Following impressive finishes in several big is finally time to dis- was a big fan of the national team and I tournaments, Argentina won the gold med- cover who will meet was extremely happy with the results al at the Olympics in Athens. After last who in the early achieved by our basketball team. If it´s year's bronze in Beijing, an under-strength stages of the Cham- God´s will, I will be with the group in Argentina finished third again this summer pionship. 2010.” at the FIBA Americas Championship in The draw will be held at the Grand Hotel Nene has overcome testicular cancer and Puerto Rico. "Argentina's national team Pupp in Karlovy Vary on Tuesday, 24th No- remained a vital part of the Denver Nug- has pride, love for the jersey and passion vember 2009 at 11:30AM CET and can be gets. He firmly believes that his country has for what it does," said one of the team's seen live on www.fiba.com and will also an opportunity to do something special in superstars, Andres Nocioni. Argentina be broadcast on Czech Television (CT4). Turkey. "We have a great chance to do well (865 points) only have a slender lead in the On the occasion of the draw, the official at the World Championship," he said. FIBA World Rankings over Team USA event website czechrepublic2010.fiba.com (861pts), with Spain (759pts) third and will be launched. This event will see the 16 Bonner hopeful of representing Canada Greece (529) fourth. Nocioni says the Ar- teams divided into 4 groups of 4 for the next year in Turkey gentina mindset heading into next year's First Round. In the hat for the draw are Ar- National team coach Leo Rautins and the tournament is to remain on top. "The aim is gentina, Australia, Belarus, Brazil, Canada, rest of Canada’s basketball fans will be to reach the podium," he said. "That is what China, the Czech Republic, France, keeping their fingers crossed that Matt we must aspire to. We have the team and Greece, Japan, Korea, Mali, Russia, Sen- Bonner will represent the country at the the experience to achieve that. The FIBA egal, Spain and the USA. The tournament 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. World Championship is very important to will be played in the Czech Republic in the The American center, who now plays for the me. We will arrive with a complete team, cities of Karlovy Vary (Final Round), Ostra- San Antonio Spurs, should have no problem with quality, to be able to compete and fin- va and Brno (First and Second Rounds) obtaining a Canadian passport as he is mar- ish in the top places." between 23rd September and 3rd October ried to a Canadian and owns a home in To- 2010. ronto, where he once played for the NBA’s Amagou proud to go to Turkey Raptors and was hugely popular among the with Ivory Coast Székely appointed coach fans. "It's definitely something that's on the Pape-Philippe Amagou is still celebrating of Hungary women top of my mind... to be able to have this op- the fact that he and his Ivory Coast team- Hungary’s basketball bosses have ap- portunity to represent a country in that kind mates are going to play at the 2010 FIBA pointed Norbert Székely coach of the of setting," said Bonner to Raptors.com. "The World Championship in Turkey. The Ivory women’s national team. Székely, who World Championships are at the end of the Coast made a surprising run to the Af- leads many of the Hungary players at summer so hopefully I'll be signed and ready robasket Final in August before falling to MKB Euroleasing Sopron, has replaced to go," said Bonner. Angola. The sil- László Rátgéber at the helm. Rátgéber ver medal won most recently worked with the national in Libya was side at the EuroBasket Women in Latvia. deemed a huge Székely has received a lot of praise for the success for the work he has done at Sopron the past cou- country. ple of seasons, leading the team on an un- "I am very expected run to the EuroLeague Women proud!" Amagou Final Four in Salamanca earlier this year. said. "The team is fun, young and Nene hasn’t given up the idea of playing the project is for Brazil again very good for Brazil center Nene would like nothing Ivorian basket- more than to play for his country next Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 47 dddd

news FIBA U17 Event about the possibility of bringing the 2011 website launched Pre-Olympic men's tournament (FIBA The website of the FI- Americas Championship) to Brazil,” CBB BA U17 World Cham- president Nunes said. “He has given us the pionship for Men 2010 green light and promised to give us the fed- in Germany was eral government's support." Brazil hosted launched recently. the 2009 FIBA Americas Championship for By visiting www.ham- Women and won burg2010.fiba.com, the gold medal fans can get the latest while the men news of the first edi- captured the title tion of the World at the 2009 FIBA Championship for Americas Champi- boys that are 17 years of age or younger onship in San (born 1st January 1993 or later). The event Juan, Puerto Rico. takes place from July 2nd - July 11th, 2010 in the Sporthalle Hamburg. The website is FIBA and IAKS award prize for design based on a warm and friendly design ap- competition “basketball arena in 2020” pealing to a young audience and is avail- The IAKS (International Association for able in English and German. Sports and Leisure Facilities) and FIBA, with the sponsorship of Molten, Champion, China faced with injury concerns Host city representatives begin Mondo and Senoh, announced the winners China’s national team has been beset by the countdown to the 2014 FIBA World of a joint Architectural Students Competi- injuries to their star center Yao Ming over Championship tion on 28th October. Students from the the years and now Yi Jianlian is facing Dresden Technical University and the Kas- spell on the sidelines after getting hurt while playing for his team, the New Jer- sey Nets. The NBA team has announced that 22- year-old Yi sprained a right knee ligament in th defeat to the Charlotte Bobcats. Yi, who is expected to lead China at the 2010 FIBA World Championship, will begin his The organization of the 2014 World Cham- rehabilitation from the injury though there pionship, granted to Spain last May, is al- is no timetable for his return to action. ready underway. Representatives of three The 7ft 6in Yao, meanwhile, will miss this of the host cities - Las Palmas, Bilbao and entire season with the Houston Rockets Seville - met in Madrid for individualized sel University in Germany participated in after having foot surgery in the summer. It workshops and design the guidelines for the design competition “Basketball Arena seems increasingly unlikely that he will the development of the event. in the year 2020”. The aim of the competi- make it in time for the World Champion- The bid´s development agreement falls un- tion was to “generate visions for an 8,000- ship in Turkey der the motto: "A five-year World Champi- to 10,000-seat multifunctional basketball onship for five continents." Its aim is to turn arena of the future on a site in Copenha- Abdul-Jabbar reveals leukemia battle the FIBA 2014 World Championship into an gen’s port district. The points assessed NBA and Los Angeles Lakers legend Kar- opportunity for growth and development were the idea, originality, the multifunc- eem Abdul-Jabbar has revealed that he throughout the world. "We have to turn this tional approach, the sustainability of the has leukemia. The event into much more than a 15-day sport- usage strategy and the presentation itself.” 62-year-old was di- ing event. It is a very ambitious project that In September, an international jury came agnosed with the we are ready to turn into the best World together at Dresden’s Technical University disease in Decem- Championship in history” said Spanish to select the winners. These included its ber 2008, but wait- Basketball Executive Director Jesùs Bue- chairman Prof. Ulrich Findeisen (Cologne ed five months no. University), Aldo Vitale (FIBA), Johannes before confiding in Bühlbecker (IAKS) and Prof. Karsten Loren- Lakers coach Phil Brazil President Lula backs Brazil zen (Technical University of Dresden). The Jackson. Patients to host 2011 FIBA Americas Championship prizes, presented by the former Secretary with chronic myel- CBB supremo Carlos Nunes handed a per- General of FIBA, Borislav Stankovic, and oid leukemia have an 85% remission rate sonalized basketball jersey to Brazil Presi- by Aldo Vitale, Head of the FIBA Study Cen- of "really high quality," a spokesman at dent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva during the tre, were awarded as follows: the Jonsson Comprehensive Cancer Cen- inauguration of a Sports gym in the Olym- 1st Prize: SPORTSPARK NORDHAVNEN ter at UCLA told the Los Angeles Times. pic Village of Mangueira. Lula offered his by Kai Niepel and Lieven Schulz, University "The fact that you can manage the dis- congratulations to Brazil's national teams of Dresden ease means that you can live your life," that have qualified for the 2010 FIBA World 2nd Prize: VIEWPOINT VENUE Abdul-Jabbar said. Abdul-Jabbar won six Championships for Men and Women. "We by Samuel Schöne, University of Dresden NBA titles, the first with the Milwaukee took advantage to tell president Lula that 3rd Prize: TOUCH Bucks in 1971. we are negotiating with the FIBA Americas by Daniel Burgos, University of Dresden page 48 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine dddd news

Spain want to on the cover of NBA Live '10. Deron Wil- cause I really like the guys on the team and face the world’s liams, a guard for the USA in Beijing, and I feel like we have a chance to do some best, says Jose forward Carmelo Anthony have publically very good things with the team in the future, Calderon committed to playing in Turkey. both at the World Championship and the Jose Calderon is The most popular player at the Olympics, Olympics. I'm hoping to be a part of that." hoping the same Kobe Bryant, said earlier this year that his Team USA players intention is to play. “The chance to repre- Kirilenko committed to Russia that beat his coun- sent your country, that’s not even a thought- Kirilenko likewise committed himself to try in the Olympic process for me,” he said. “If they want me playing for Russia, regardless of whether Final in China turn to be on it, I’m all game.” they get a wild card for the FIBA World in Turkey. The Unit- Championship. Russia coach David Blatt ed States held on Jasikevicius has been openly lobbying for a ticket to for a narrow win hopes for wild Turkey, and Kirilenko certainly hopes they over a Spanish card are successful. "I'm not the president of the team that did not include an injured Calde- Lithuania talisman federation, so I don't know," he said. "But I ron in Beijing and the point guard wants a Sarunas Jasikev- think we have a pretty good chance be- crack at them. Team USA's LeBron James, icius believes his cause six teams went straight through Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh have yet to national team de- (from EuroBasket) and we were seventh so commit to representing the Americans next serves a wild card we're next in line. But it doesn't matter if year, and Calderon said to FanHouse: "You for the 2010 FIBA we're in the World Championship or not, I want everybody to be there. You want to World Champion- will still play next summer." play against the best players. Had the Unit- ship in Turkey. In- ed States been without James, Wade or jured for EuroBasket in Poland, he suffered Successful medical clinic Bosh in China, they may not have won the with the rest of his country’s basketball fans organised by FIBA Africa Olympic title." Calderon also stressed that as Lithuania crashed out of the competition, President of FIBA Africa Medical Commis- the 24-team FIBA World Championship is an missing out on automatic qualification for sion, Dr. Aboubacar Gueye applauded the event that needs to be respected. "You can- the tournament. "If you just look at the bas- large turn-out for the medical clinic put to- not just play for the Olympics," Calderon ketball tradition in Lithuania and what we gether by the Continental Zone. About 25 said. "I think that, if you want to be on the have achieved during the last 17 years as medical personnel from 10 of the twelve team, you've got to be in all the good tour- an independent country, we have played in participating countries in the 21st FIBA Af- naments, and that is a good tournament." all five Olympics since 1992 and were rica Championship for Women attended As for the need of the United States to send among the top four basketball nations in the the clinic. I think with the enthusiasm dis- their best possible team, Calderon’s Toron- world each time,” he said. We were on the played by the participants in the area of at- to Raptors teammate Bosh admitted: "We Olympic podium three times, took European tendance and participation in the question have to. You have to send your best play- silver in 1995 and gold in 2003. There were a and answer segment of the clinic I believe ers." couple of set-back years, but overall we al- the area of understanding how to apply ways have been among the elite teams. In medicine on players is greatly enhanced, Howard raring to go for gold-medal my opinion it would be a huge injustice declared the FIBA Africa top-shot” said chasing Team USA should we not be in Turkey in 2010." Gueye. No player has more incentive to represent the United States at the 2010 FIBA World Noah wants to be with France in Turkey Team sports Championship in Turkey than Dwight How- Both Joakim Noah and Andrei Kirilenko are discuss impact ard, a member of the Americans' gold- committed to playing for their countries of swine flu medal winning 'Redeem Team' at the next summer despite missing the EuroBas- During a meeting Beijing Games. Howard, who led the Or- ket this year. Noah has insisted he remains of the medical lando Magic into the NBA Finals earlier this committed to France and is targeting a leaders of the in- year immediately after his Olympic triumph place in the squad for the 2010 FIBA World ternational team with Team USA, has some unfinished busi- Championship. The Chicago Bulls star sport federations and in consultation with ness from three years ago when it comes missed this year's EuroBasket after being WHO, questions regarding the H1/N1 pan- to Turkey. He and his national side fell one called back to the USA by his paymasters demic (Swine Flu) at international sporting game short of reaching the FIBA World and though he never quibbled with that de- events was discussed. Several key recom- Championship Final in Japan. "I would love cision, he said on Monday afternoon that mendations were established. to play," said Howard this week in New York wants to play for his country. "It's a situa- For the time being the medical representa- at an interview to promote his appearance tion that was kind of hard because you tives of team sports do not recommend can't be in two postponement of national and international places at once, but matches, while players diagnosed with I dedicated my H1N1 flu should refrain from any sporting time to the Bulls activities during a minimum of 7 days after this summer and I the appearance of the first symptoms. feel like I made the For a full list of recommendations, please right decision. I visit fiba.com. missed playing with the French national team be- FInd more news on fiba.com Fiba Assist Magazine | 41 2009 | Page 49 news THE ODD - THE FUNNY - Off-the-court THE UNUSUAL

Manu is a proud usually with his actress wife Eva Longo- papa to be ria Parker. And the superstar couple is Argentina’s favorite often in front of the camera. basketball son, Manu It happened recently when the pair Ginobili, has an- agreed to front a London Fog holiday mar- nounced that he and keting campaign. his wife, Marianela, “It was fun to work together,” Longoria are to become par- Parker said. ents for the first time. “London Fog is always classy and beauti- The 32-year-old Gino- ful, and we knew we were in good hands bili, the most valuable two months old. We just did not want to for the campaign." Parker is a versatile player of his national talk about it in advance, to avoid specula- playmaker who's won NBA titles and even team’s gold-medal tion.” The adoption process was long and been named MVP of the NBA Finals. He's win at the 2004 Olympics and a long-time hard, Kirilenko said, and it meant him leav- multi-talented, having come out with his superstar of the San Antonio Spurs, de- ing the Jazz for four days at the end of last own rap album. With that in mind, doing a cided to let the world know the good news week to fly to Moscow. fashion shoot was as easy as making free- with a message on facebook. “We had to gather all the necessary docu- throws. He wrote: “Hi everybody!! Just wanted to ments, talk with psychologists and in the Heading into the weekend’s NBA games let u know that my beautiful wife got even last month visited the child,” Kirilenko said. following the photo shoot, he was shoot- more beautiful becoming pregnant 4 the “In fact, to resolve all issues, it took virtu- ing 94.7% (18 of 19) from the charity stripe 1st time. We r THRILLED & wanted to share ally the entire summer. Problems arose this season. Longoria Parker enjoys the this moment w/ all of you! Thanks!” even from the fact that I and Masha are time with her husband, and liked the Lon- Ginobili has been in the news a lot of late. registered in different cities (in Russia).” don Fog experience as well, saying : “The While playing in a game on Halloween Kirilenko’s fellow Jazz stars, Deron Wil- coats and bags were gorgeous; I am a night for the San Antonio Spurs against liams and Carlos Boozer of Team USA, ex- huge fan of trench coats and all the Lon- the Sacramento Kings, Ginobili swatted a pressed happiness for their good friend. don Fog trenches were amazing.” bat that had interrupted play. He picked "I think it's a special thing that he's doing. I The couple's photos will appear in De- the winged creature off the floor and car- know they're happy about the situation," cember issues of all major fashion maga- ried it away so the contest could continue. said Williams, who did know for a long zines. The South American star was later vacci- time what Kirilenko and his wife had de- nated for rabies. cided to do. "We talked about it a lot all summer and it Kirilenkos adopt baby girl was a hard process for them." Andrei Kirilenko didn’t play at the EuroBas- "We look forward to welcoming her (Alex- ket in Poland and that’s not surprising andra) to Salt Lake City, to our family," when considering what he and his wife, Boozer said. Masha, have just been through. The cou- "It's a beautiful thing, man. They're trying ple has just put the finishing touches on to help a kid's life and give them a different the adoption of a baby girl and named her life to lead." Alexandra. A process that began back in Russia, meanwhile, didn’t finish in the top February ended in October in Moscow six this year at the EuroBasket which pre- where the Kirilenkos, who have two sons, vented them from qualifying for the 2010 stood before a judge for 15 minutes before FIBA World Championship in Turkey. They getting the all clear. are still hoping to play in the big event but “As I have said many times, I was forced will need a wild card to do so. to abandon the trip to Poland (for the Eu- roBasket) due to family circumstances,” Parkers in a fog Kirilenko said in sport-express.ru. When Tony Parker isn't doing spin moves “And now this story is finally over. Masha in the lane and making acrobatic lay-ups and I adopted a girl. Russian. She is only for France or the San Antonio Spurs, he's Find more stories on www.fiba.com page 50 | 41 2009 | Fiba Assist Magazine