NEWSLETTER #62 - 2008-09 JEFF VAN GUNDY - MAN DEFENSE THOUGHTS
1. “Lock and Trail” vs. all screens MAN DEFENSE - DIAGRAM 1 2 except off the lane. If the screen is set X2 2 X2 wider than a NBA lane he wants the 4 Xcutter to “top lock” or go to the level of 4 the screen and then get through instead of 1 “trailing”. (See Diagram 1) 1
A B 2. Vs. great catch and shoot players he X2 positions himself above 2, X2 "trails" to the level of the will “trap the catch” off of the last screen therefore not allowing him to screen by 4 then goes inside 4 with Xscreener. Obviously, you become use the 4 screen. to prevent a curl cut. more vulnerable to the “slip”. However, Xscreener first leaves to trap the catch and shooter once the ball is in the air from the MAN DEFENSE - DIAGRAM 2
passer. (See Diagram 2) 2 X2 4 4 X4 5 3. Anytime you are guarding a great 5 X5 X2 shooter, give him one way to use a screen. X5 2 X1 Force him in a direction. Don’t allow him 1 1 to have choices on where he will use A B
screens. A second important point – give a On the flight of the pass X5 As 2 catches the pass, X5, X2 dramatic stunt from the passer as the stunts hard and early, X2 trails trap, X4 zones up, and X1 hard. jumps to the ball and then cutter catches the ball off of a screen. This covers will allow Xcutter to “trail” and Xscreener to back to 1. “stunt” when ball is in the air. Xpasser will also “stunt” to form three players on the MAN DEFENSE - DIAGRAM 5 catch before a quick recovery occurs. X2 2 X5 5 3 4. On any perimeter catch by a post player that can’t shoot, don’t pressure him 4 – stay in.
5. Never help with Xsmall when in the A lane defending a screen when an Xbig is As 2 and 5 set a double screen, X2 "squeezes" and X5 zones up. X2 is now an option. (See Diagram 5) in a better position to "trail" 2 as 2 begins to move toward a screen.
Xavier University - Men's Basketball - 3800 Victory Parkway - Cintas Center - Cincinnati, OH 45207 - (513) 745-3417 - (887) WE ARE XU PLAY OF THE WEEK - UOB OFFENSE DIRECT TO 4 vs ZONE - TROJANS 1
4 5 4 5 2 2 3 3
1
A B
1 takes the ball out. Inbounds to 2 2 passes to 1. After passing he who is wide ballside. After runs under the basket and out the inbounding, 1 goes to the top. other side. 3 screens the middle of the zone.
4 5
3 2
1
C
1 looks at 2 and passes to 4 behind the defense.
Xavier University - Men's Basketball - 3800 Victory Parkway - Cintas Center - Cincinnati, OH 45207 - (513) 745-3417 - (887) WE ARE XU PLAY OF THE WEEK - UOB OFFENSE END OF SHOT CLOCK - TEXAS 1 1
4 5 5 4
3 2 3
2
A B
4 pops out, 5 comes across the 3 steps to the ball then cuts off of 5 lane and "asks for the ball". for a lay up. 5 then locates.
Xavier University - Men's Basketball - 3800 Victory Parkway - Cintas Center - Cincinnati, OH 45207 - (513) 745-3417 - (887) WE ARE XU
2008 ELITE EIGHT
Carroll and the Trojans aim for never-ending success
By Ben Malcolmson USCRipsIt PeteCarroll.com
On Sept. 4, 1994, the New York Jets traveled to Buffalo and beat the Bills, 23-3.
Oddly enough, that game’s significance lives on today and into eternity at USC — in a glistening Heritage Hall, in the founding philosophies of the USC football program and in the heart and mind of Coach Pete Carroll.
It was that game — that seemingly any-given-Sunday game — that eventually birthed Carroll’s “Win Forever” mantra, which has now become the blood that pumps through the Trojans and has driven the program to unprecedented triumphs.
“After the game I went back into the stadium before we got on the buses and looked around,” recalled Carroll, who was in his first year as Jets head coach that season. “On the wall, the Bills had documented their division championships year after year after year. Even though they didn’t win the world championship, they won the division for years and years and just showed great consistency.”
The Bills won five AFC East division titles in a six year span from 1988 to 1993, and with each division championship proudly displayed above that tunnel, Carroll saw the writing on the wall.
“I remembered thinking, that’s what it means to really be successful, showing you can maintain success over a long period of time,” Carroll said. “Looking back now, that’s
Xavier University - Men's Basketball - 3800 Victory Parkway - Cintas Center - Cincinnati, OH 45207 - (513) 745-3417 – www.goxavier.com
2008 ELITE EIGHT
when I decided that I wanted the team I coached to Win Forever.”
He says it with such gumption that you almost brush it off as another motivational tool. But it’s much bigger than that.
Try and rationalize it, and it’s just not possible.
Attempt to picture it, and nothing comes up.
Sit and dwell on it, and the phrase gives you goose bumps.
How can you possibly do something forever? Much less Win… Forever?
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Humans have a difficult time grasping eternity. It’s probably because life works in myopic segments. Go to work today, pay the next bill, plan the next weekend.
But doing something forever?
Doing something well forever?
It just doesn’t compute.
“It makes perfect sense to me,” Carroll says with a shrug.
Maybe it’s because Carroll and his mantra are so ballsy, so resolute, so downright ludicrous that you want to believe him. As the saying goes, a crazy person doesn’t think he’s crazy, but now you’re starting to think you’re crazy for not believing someone so soundly sure of himself.
History also helps that cause.
In Carroll’s seven years at USC, the Trojans have gone 76-14, been to six BCS bowl games, won two national championships and produced 30 All-American first-teamers.
And then there are the conference titles and season finishes.
USC has had a stranglehold on the Pac-10 this millennium, winning the conference each of the last six seasons. Before the current Trojan reign, no team had ever won more than four in a row, and that’s dating back to 1916. Yes, 1916.
The Trojans also have a string of six straight AP top-4 finishes. In the span that the Trojans have remained a constant in the top-4, 11 other teams have come and gone and only four programs have appeared more than once.
Xavier University - Men's Basketball - 3800 Victory Parkway - Cintas Center - Cincinnati, OH 45207 - (513) 745-3417 – www.goxavier.com
2008 ELITE EIGHT
The consistency is exactly what Carroll means when he says Win Forever.
“That really solidifies the fact that you’re a winner and your program’s a winner,” he said. “It’s the over-arching vision of the program, to show that we can win over a long period of time.”
But the stats and accolades only play a small fraction of the grander picture. The philosophy is bigger than the past, and a whole lot more significant than the next win.
“Trophies are nice, but we want to Win Forever,” said Carroll, who admittedly has never worn his championship rings and whose office doesn’t feature a single trophy. He often gives away the coach-of-the-year plaques and individual awards he receives.
Winning forever is much more than winning next Saturday’s game. It’s about maximizing the opportunities in front of you, Carroll says, so that each player can become the best he can be and each team can achieve its fullest potential.
“Of course we want to win every game, but winning forever is simply realizing your potential and making yourself as good as you can be,” Carroll said. “Realizing that is a tremendous accomplishment, whether it’s football or in life.”
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“Win Forever” has already trickled down into the USC football program. Carroll mentions the phrase — with animated zeal, emphasizing “forever” — every once in a while during team meetings. The eternality part of the phrase plays out in the weight room and on the practice field every day, when players focus on the long-term benefits and consequences of each little action, habit and exercise.
That’s the interesting thing about the philosophy — to accomplish the grand, you have to focus on the small. To exist in the eternal perspective, you have to live in the moment.
Each practice takes on utmost importance. Each strength and conditioning workout carries significant weight. They’re all monumental, yet none more valuable than another.
And it goes to even more minute scales than that. Each repetition of each drill at practice means everything, because you can’t get to forever without right now.
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Xavier University - Men's Basketball - 3800 Victory Parkway - Cintas Center - Cincinnati, OH 45207 - (513) 745-3417 – www.goxavier.com
2008 ELITE EIGHT
Win Forever has caught fire in Carroll’s heart and mind so much that it’s become a part of who he is. He mentions it at nearly all of his speaking engagements and drops the phrase to whoever will listen. Win Forever has become truth and reality in his life inside and outside of football.
“The best way to advance something is to live it out, in everything you do,” Carroll said. “So that’s what I’ve done.”
It’s also become a part of who the Trojans are.
The team has won 74 of its last 83 games. The Trojans essentially know nothing but BCS bowls. The last six Pac-10 championship trophies sit in Heritage Hall.
And there’s no end in sight.
“It’s what we’re all about,” Carroll says, as a grin rises on his face. “Let’s Win Forever.”
Xavier University - Men's Basketball - 3800 Victory Parkway - Cintas Center - Cincinnati, OH 45207 - (513) 745-3417 – www.goxavier.com
2008 ELITE EIGHT
USC PHILOSOPHIES
Vision Do things better than they have ever been done before.
Style Play with great energy, great enthusiasm, and play smart.
"It's all about the ball" Take care of the ball on offense - create turnovers on defense.
Compete Everybody in our program is in a relentless pursuit for a competitive edge.
Finish Finish every drill. Finish every play. Finish every game.
3 Rules of Football #1 Protect your team #2 No whining, no complaining, no excuses #3 BE EARLY!
Xavier University - Men's Basketball - 3800 Victory Parkway - Cintas Center - Cincinnati, OH 45207 - (513) 745-3417 – www.goxavier.com