Volume 11 Number 5 February 2005 It’s Just Man-to-Man In Disguise by Neil W. Gabbey So if your team is facing a I could have told him what my good zone defense, how do you middle school players were doing Back when I was coaching attack it? to beat the same kind of zone. the middle school team at Gilman, The short answer: run your I taught my players as many as man half-court sets. The other The longer answer: keep fi ve zone defenses that we would night, I watched the end of the reading. rotate each time the opposition Princeton-Temple game – which Our current varsity team dribbled down court. And while turned into John Chaney’s 1000th my primary reason for doing this runs no half-court set “plays.” We win, courtesy of an unmade goal- run a primary break and then set was to take advantage of my play- tending call. Ah, home cookin’! ers’ intelligence and athleticism up in a 1-4, if nothing else pres- Mike Jarvis provided color com- ents itself immediately. We stress — not to mention keeping the oth- mentary, and he admitted that er teams constantly guessing — I ball movement and player move- it took him a few losses against ment. knew all along that all we were Coach Chaney’s vaunted match- doing was playing fundamentally But because we aim to play up zone before he realized that the an up-tempo game, hoping to gen- sound man-to-man. best way to attack it was to run Each time I teach a new erate turnovers and easy transi- man-to-man plays. That is ex- tion baskets, most of our competi- crop of players how to play zone actly what the Tigers did all night. defense, I ask them to hold fi rm tion elects to slow the game down Thanks, Coach Jarvis. While I and make it a 40-feet of Bobby to the principles of man defense. cannot put my resume up against “A good zone is really just a good Fischer instead of a 90-feet of Carl his or any other veteran of the col- Lewis. man in disguise” has been my legiate coaching ranks, I wish he mantra for the last dozen years. On many occasions, this tac- would have called me eight years tic has worked. Even against the ago during one of those losses. most unassuming pointed zones, our players have been stymied, unsure how to maintain continual ball and player movement. Practice Philosophy I have to hit ‘PAUSE’ for a second: the last article I had successful practices and game by Ted Anderson published in Basketball Sense preparation. Head Womens Coach detailed teaching principles and Valley Center High School Practice Philosophy outlined drills for ball and player Valley Center, Kansas movement. I promise that what We have a set way we prac- follows will a) not rehash a previ- In 12 years of coaching high tice every day. Players are crea- ous article and b) offer even more school women’s basketball, I have tures of habit, and they like a specifi c “plays” you can use as come to the conclusion that suc- consistent structure. We do not soon as your next practice. cessful programs are developed in do the same things every day, but practice. Players develop habits our structure remains pretty con- in practice that are carried over sistent. Our players know what Attacking A Zone to the games. Game preparation to expect. We use the following 10 also is part of a successful prac- principles concerning practice to Principle 1: Players must tice. Games are the reason that achieve results: move. we hold practices. In this article, Last week, I was watching we will share our philosophies for another collegiate match-up be- Continued on page 2 Continued on page 4 www.basketballsense.com on closing out, jumping to the Philosophy cont ball, and being tough. 9. Take days off during the continued from page 1 it on their own. They have 24 week. minutes before the start of offi cial 1. Post a schedule practice. As soon as we are fi n- We look for spots in the calendar where we can give our Our schedule is posted every ished with our talk at 3:09, we get players a day off. It recharges our day by 7:00 a.m. Our players read after it. players’ batteries as well as the through it every day before prac- coaches. tice. They look for drills that they 5. One set conditioner like and for what our goals are for We do one conditioner a day 10. Shorten practice in the day. They know what to expect called “Oak Hill.” In three groups, February and March that day. Sometimes we do not the players dribble a certain num- put the ending time on practice. ber of lengths with the weak hand. We cut practice down as the Players know that they might get The drill is anywhere from 7 to season progresses. After Christ- out earlier, or that we are going to 25 lengths. The players are rest- mas we quit at 5:14 and later in keep going until they get it right. ing one third of the time. There is February we try to conclude by a time goal on the drill. We reach 5:00. We want fresh legs as well as 2. Start and end on time the goal or run another length for fresh attitudes late in the season. We start practice at 3:09 and each second over the goal. This end by no later than 5:29. At 3:09 drill is used early in the practice. we have a one-minute talk and then begin practicing. Our players 6. All drills are for blood Table of Contents always have the option to stay and We put a time and score ele- shoot after practice and a lot of ment on all of our drills. We also It’s Just Man-to-Man in Disguise .. 1 them do. keep track of one hand catches and drops. We like to put pressure Practice Philosophy ...... 1 3. Short talks on our players in so called boring ESPN College Basketball: We have stand-up meetings. drills. Catching Up with Coach Majerus . 3 In each meeting, we try to talk Basketball Sense “Note” Book .... 6 for one to two minutes max. Our 7. Condition through feelings are that players have just basketball Basketball Sense Playbook ...... 8 completed seven classes and they We would rather run full- are ready to play basketball. Our Skill Stations court drills that the players enjoy Step-Up-Warm-Up-Intensity ...... 11 sit down talk is in the middle of than get on the line and run. practice. We treat this like half UCLA, 11-man break, and full- High School Wonder Teams time, and the next segment of court shooting contests are the In New Jersey ...... 12 practice is very intense. We em- players’ favorites. phasize coming out strong in the A Concept that Works ...... 13 third quarter. 8. Specifi c defensive Fresno City’s principles each day Pressure Offense ...... 14 4. Stretching gives too much time for players to talk We make sure we have a Coaching Wisdom to Ponder ..... 15 defensive emphasis each day. We Combination Defense ...... 16 We do warm-up drills. If our will continue to try to improve our players want to stretch, they do defense every day. We work hard

BASKETBALL SENSE is published eight times a year: fall (Sept/Oct), Nov, Publisher: J. Nicholas Abbott Dec, Jan, Feb, Mar, spring (Apr/May), summer (Jun/Jul/Aug). One-year subscrip- tion: $39.90. Two-year subscription: $69.90. Foreign subscriptions: Add $20 per Editor: Larry Lindsay year payable in US currency. © Copyright 2005 by Basketball Sense. It is illegal to photocopy or reproduce this magazine in any way. All correspondence should be Associate Editor: Lason Perkins sent to: Associate Editor: Chris Kennedy Basketball Sense 10 North Ridge Lane, PO Drawer 1667 General Manager: Angie Pool Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480 1-800-545-9065 Fax: 910-256-9831 Production Design CRI Designs, E-mail: [email protected] and Copy Editing: Raleigh, NC

Basketball Sense Magazine 2 Volume 11 Number 5 www.basketballsense.com Often, defenders — especially in ESPN College Basketball: transition — get in front of the person, but do Catching Up with Coach Majerus not defend the drive line. If the by Brian McCormick transition, the post entry pass, offensive player and the pass in a half-court drive Hard 2 Guard Skills Academy uses a small in-and-out move or and kick.” Of course, everyone even a hesitation dribble, the de- I admit I learned as much strives to fi nd point guards that fender is out of position to stop a about baseball by watching ES- are three-tier passers. drive to the basket. PN’s Baseball Tonight with Harold Early in the game, Majerus It is especially apparent on Reynolds and Tony Gwynn than I introduced the term “shadow.” the wing. As the offensive player did by playing nine years of Little This is a concept I saw Majerus dribbles the ball along the sideline League. ESPN’s college football employ when Utah played Texas with his outside hand, defenders show has frequently been impres- and TJ Ford, and one which I typically play the offensive player’s sive, as Kirk Herbstreet, Mark stole and used effectively. inside shoulder/hip. However, May, Trev Albert and others do The “shadow” is essentially in this position, the defender is a superb job in breaking down the defender of the inbound behind the ball (as the dribble is Saturday’s game. However, ESPN’s passer in a full-court defense. If out in front of the ball handler). college basketball coverage has the point guard is going to pick The defender must position him- always been disappointing. Dukie up and pressure full court, the self along the drive line, which is V. is a cheerleader more than an Shadow stations himself six to the straight line drive of the ball analyst, and the information oth- eight behind the ball to provide handler. ers provided seemed basic and help immediately if the point When an offensive player repetitive. guard is beaten off the dribble. It hesitates in this situation, and Until now. With Rick Majerus is not a double team or a run-and- the defensive player slows, if the retiring from coaching, ESPN has jump; instead, it is a safety net for defender does not move one extra a legit, number-one analyst. He is the point guard. step to take away the drive line, not a cheerleader. He is an educa- Because the point guard the offensive player has a signifi - tor, even while doing a telecast. has the insurance behind him, cant advantage if he explodes with In the opening game of the he is able to apply more pres- his fi rst step to the basket. season, Majerus introduced sure and disrupt the opponent’s Defenders must defend the numerous concepts. For experi- point guard. Using the Shadow ball, not just the player. By de- enced basketball coaches, these is a great way to defend a fast fending the drive line, the defend- may not be new terms. For a fan point guard or to support a guard er will be in better position to take or a young coach, however, the in a man-to-man press. Majerus away an offensive player’s direct concepts and his explanations are pointed out that Wake Forest ef- line drive and fi rst step. This is advanced and covered more than fectively used the Shadow to slow the key to being a good on-ball the last coaches’ clinic I attended. the GW guards, while Chris Paul defender. Players should force the I have long been a Rick Maje- and Justin Gray dribbled through offensive player to make an extra rus fan. I remember my dad show- the GW man pressure and created move or a better move to go by the ing me funny quotes by the Ball numerous advantages on a con- defense and not allow a straight State Head Coach in USA Today, sistent basis. line drive to the basket. before I ever had an interest in The fi nal point Majerus Majerus’ basketball brilliance coaching and before Majerus hit emphasized on several occasions is in his succinct explanations of the “big time” at Utah. I have been early in the fi rst half is the “drive otherwise complicated concepts. fortunate to attend his basketball line.” The drive line is often mis- His presence elevates basketball camps as a coach and watch him understood by players and under- coverage to a new level and puts teach and listen to him lecture. taught by coaches. When defend- ESPN’s college basketball cover- His intelligence is every bit as evi- ing the ball handler, the defender age on par with its Major League dent on television. must take away the drive line; Baseball and College Football Early in the George Wash- the defender cannot allow the ball coverage. ington vs. Wake Forest game, he handler to continue in a straight McCormick runs Hard 2 Guard called Chris Paul a “three-tier line to the basket. Skills Academy: http://hi5hoopschool. passer: he can make the pass in tripod.com/academy.

Volume 11 Number 5 3 Basketball Sense Magazine www.basketballsense.com do the same things against the zone. Man-to-Man in Disguise (cont) Say you’re facing a pointed zone (1-2-2 or 3-2). The fi rst thing continued from page 1 stantly tell my players that all to consider – although not a must high school players end up watch- – is splitting your point to see tween two top-20-ranked squads, ing the ball after two passes, through the gaps. Not only does and I could not believe my eyes. which opens up a host of weak- the split point allow for more dif- While one team fell back into a side opportunities — but that fi cult-to-defend passing angles, (pretty comes later. but it also creates easy-to-read fl at) 1-2-2 Lead guards screening opportunities for your zone, the Once your lead are often reluc- players. other team tant to give up Once the lead guard has worked guard gives up the the ball un- made his fi rst pass, he has two the ball less they have options: from point ball, do not let him foreseen that 1) cut to the basket – simple but to point: pass leading to maybe not immediately effective lead guard stand still at the an immediate 2) set a screen for a wing/post passed to scoring attempt. player on his same side – this the wing, point awaiting a Nevertheless, we creates the chance for a taller wing looked try to teach all player to curl into the lane and in the reversal. our players that receive an entry from the op- post, wing the “fi rst pass” posite wing reversed is the “best pass” for the simple 3) fade to the weak-side wing the ball to the point, point contin- reason that it gets the ball mov- behind a screen from his side’s ued the reversal to the opposite ing, which forces the defense to wing/post player – this is our wing, opposite wing looked in the react. There’s nothing zone de- favorite option because it: Al- post, and…you get the picture. fenders love more than someone lows for a skip pass Creates a Throughout this wholly unin- who dribbles in place and watches screen-roll opportunity with a spired and ineffective attempt to his teammates. That means rest. miss-match attacks gaps and create driving For your players, it also means The University of Arizona and passing lanes, the only player offensive confusion. runs something similar to this, who moved appreciably was the Once your lead guard gives but they add another weak-side main post player. The ball never up the ball, do not let him stand screen: when the ball is on the reached the corner, which meant still at the point awaiting a rever- that the defense was never forced sal. Not only does this teach him to extend, and each guard held bad habits and selfi sh tendencies the same position around the arc — such as, “My team is hopeless for what seemed like days. unless the ball touches my hands It’s funny. Just days before, every fi ve seconds” — but he has I sat in the stands at Calvert Hall, little opportunity of doing any- watching our junior varsity squad thing productive offensively be- “attack” a very static 1-2-2 in the cause the entire defense remains exact same manner. And it worked poised, looking right at him. Just for Gilman School’s JV about as like player movement against a well as it worked for Kentucky: man-to-man, each player should not. move after each time he passes The basic principle of man the ball: cut to the basket or defense is “ball-you-man.” Fortu- screen. Speaking of that… nate for most zone defenders, this opposite wing, P moves outside axiom is never really tested be- Principle 2. Players must of the low-post defender, who has cause the only moving part is the screen. moved help-side into the lane. ball. “Man” never moves, unless We already said that the zone This allows the weak-side guard the player with the ball has found defense was really just man-to- or wing to slide into the corner a driving lane. man in disguise, right? How do and be open for a skip pass. If the The good part about this, you beat a man defense? Screen- low-post defender is the fi rst to re- from the offensive standpoint, is ing and cutting to the basket. So that most zones get lazy. I con- continued on page 5

Basketball Sense Magazine 4 Volume 11 Number 5 www.basketballsense.com Man-to-Man in Disguise (cont) Send Us Your Articles We will pay up to $100 spond and comes out to challenge otherwise they will keep chasing the shooter, P will be open for an the ball reversal executed by the for articles that we ac- entry before the help reacts. guards and wings. Instead, initi- cept for publication. Only Another basic play often ate the offense with the fi rst pass original and unpublished overlooked when attacking a zone to the wing, involve a weak-side work will be considered. is a simple screen-roll. As long as screen, skip pass, and then the If possible, please send weak-side players stay involved in runner can reach the ball-side the play and cut to the basket, the short corner after the skip pass. double-spaced submis- benefi ciary of the screen will have When G receives the skip sion by email to: multiple outlets, as all defenders pass from W, a few dribbles to- [email protected] will be watching the ball — and ward the corner should create a or mail your article to: not the cutters behind them. good passing lane to the runner J. Nicholas Abbott (R), who can then hit P as he rolls PO Drawer 1667 Principle 3: Players must skip to the basket. Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480. pass. I know. You already picked up on that, but it bears repeat- ing — over and over and over again. Unless your roster boasts Nate Archibald, Bob Cousy, and Tim Hardaway, you are asking too much of your ball-handlers to attack gaps simply via point-to- point reversal. Especially with the courtesy of the weak-side screen, the skip pass is almost always an option after the all-important fi rst pass. We have a 6’7” center. And too often, we try too hard to enter Again, this entry to the short Players may not remember the ball to him when he starts to corner is only available after a what coaches tell them about the post on the same side as the fi rst skip pass; otherwise, the ball-side technical aspects of basketball. wing pass (see above diagram). post defender matches up against But they will never forget the But once we skip the ball over the R. After the skip pass, however, coach. defense, he cuts across the lane the now ball-side post defender -Anonymous and is an immediate option on must come out to play the ball, either the low block or the elbow which means R is open along the X’s and O’s are the least (depending on where the weak- baseline. important thing in basketball. All side W has moved to). In a recent pre-game, I said successful teams do one thing to our players, “Statistics like year after year. That one thing is Principle 4. Players must look points and assists should be ac- that they start over new again. into the post after reversals cidental. But rebounds, steals, -Anonymous drawn charges, loose balls, and The essence of coaching is Say you choose not to split screens — these are the statistics the vision you have for your team the point, which means you have that you have to make a con- and how it is communicated. a point, two wings, a high-post, certed effort to go after.” If you -Anonymous and a runner along the baseline. can convince your players that a We have found that our most ath- good weak-side screen or a good A good coach needs a patient letic players are incredibly effec- skip pass against a zone defense spouse, a loyal dog, and a great tive using the short corner while is crucial to their getting the ball post player, but not necessarily in running the baseline. Still, try to back — three passes later — with that order. counsel these players not to worry a great chance to score, you are --Anonymous about where the ball is too much, now playing team basketball.

Volume 11 Number 5 5 Basketball Sense Magazine www.basketballsense.com Basketball Sense Notes

Washington State head Tennessee women’s head Former NBA assistant Bob coach Dick Bennett believes that coach Pat Summitt says that her Kloppenburg believes you smother technique is not as important as players play one-on-one all sum- the rebound; fi nd the outlet and results. mer, so one of the fi rst things she sprint back in transition defense. must do is get them to play with- Former DeMatha High School out the ball. Scott McClary wants his head coach Morgan Wootten players to stagger their feet when thinks it is important to be a good Maryland head coach Gary in a defensive stance. He does not listener. Williams will change his pressure want their feet to be parallel. defense constantly to keep the of- When selling defense to his fense off balance. UNC-Greensboro head coach team, Catholic head coach Scott Fran McCaffrey wants to keep the McClary reminds his players that North Carolina head coach ball centered on offense. at least ninety-percent of the game Roy Williams wants the ball to is played without the ball. move quickly in his passing game Butler head coach Todd offense. Lickliter does not want his players O’Connell head coach Joe to dribble across midcourt un- Wootten will not run something in Morgan Wootten believes less they can get at least ten feet a game unless he has worked on it that there is no progress with- across. in practice. out change, but not all change is progress. Mike Krzyzewski suggests Coastal Carolina head coach that when you are running your Pete Strickland believes that play- Former college coach George half-court offense in practice to ers are made in the summer. Raveling says you should spend blow the whistle and stop the ac- more time planning practice than tion. At this point, you can check Duke head coach Mike conducting practice. your team’s spacing, and ask Krzyzewski wants his team to players who are in a screening always read the defense, even in To test his three-point shoot- action what they are going to do transition. When the wings get to ers, Purdue head coach Gene next. the scoring area, if the defense is Keady will set up a drill with one back, he wants them to spot up. If ball, one passer, and a shooter. Georgia Tech assistant Mack the defense is up on the wings, he The shooter is trying to make one McCarthy does not want his play- wants them to cross. hundred threes in ten minutes. ers to pass up an opportunity to screen. South Carolina head coach Joe Wootten teaches his play- Dave Odom switches the low cut ers to foul by going for the ball; When defending the high on cross screens, with the man they just might get the steal. pick-and-roll, Dave Odom will trap taking the cutter making contact the dribbler until he backs away with his back (so the post is im- Former Arkansas head coach from the action. mediately fronted). If the cutter Nolan Richardson does not believe comes high, the players will stay in treating all players the same. Minnesota head coach Dan with their man. Monson does a lot of work on shot Pete Strickland tells his play- preparation. Dick Bennett wants his play- ers that each day they either get ers thinking about three things better or they get worse. Former Utah head coach when closing out: do not let the Rick Majerus will work one-on-one dribbler turn the corner, do not St. Joseph’s head coach Phil contesting every day in practice give up the rhythm shot, and dis- Martelli believes the game is for early in the year. He wants to rupt the offense. the quick. build the habit of extending the hand and altering the shot.

Basketball Sense Magazine 6 Volume 11 Number 5 www.basketballsense.com Dick Bennett tells his play- American head coach Jeff On a wing pick-and-roll, ers closing out to take away what Jones says that you must develop Dave Odom will either force the the offensive player can see. The a philosophy on inbounds plays. dribbler to the baseline or force offensive player is looking for the Are you simply trying to inbound middle and trap. low post, the shot, or a cutter, the ball, or are you trying to and a defender with high hands score? If you are trying to score, In defending a UCLA cut, Bob can prevent the man with the ball are you trying to score right away Kloppenburg will force the cut- from seeing those things. or in the possession that follows? ter to go behind the screen and switch men. Gary Williams says that if Joe Wootten likes to attack you press, you must start the first on a made shot because when a Ed Murphy says you should day of practice. team scores, they relax. severely criticize the action and not the person. Rather than scrimmage, West Illinois head coach Bruce We- Georgia head coach Ed Murphy ber says it is important to make Pat Summitt converts in ev- will play games lasting from one to visual changes when taking over a ery drill including one-on-one and three minutes. new program. two-on-two drills.

Pat Summitt starts her de- Nolan Richardson wanted to Rick Majerus videos every fense out at ninety-four feet. get in the head of his players and single thing at practice. He has find out what made them tick. three cameras at every practice. Bob Kloppenburg will force the man on the wing to drive base- Former Texas head coach Gene Keady will vary the line and trap the dribbler. Abe Lemons said the key to good number of passes he allows in basketball was not throwing the the three-man weave drill. He will Roy Williams wants his play- ball away and not taking bad allow either three, four, or five ers to go back door if overplayed. shots. passes.

Morgan Wootten does not dis- Scott McClary is not big on George Raveling thinks cipline to punish, but disciplines forcing the ball to a particular coaches spend too much time on to teach. spot. how to do things and not enough time on why they do things. Play- Former St. John’s head Gary Williams believes in one ers must know the purpose of coach Mike Jarvis liked to use trap and out when pressing. If what they are doing. dribble hand-offs in transition. the defense gets beat out of the trap, retreat and set up your drop Jeff Jones believes that who Todd Lickliter will sometimes back defense. inbounds the ball is a critical deci- match a zone trap, and then try to sion. beat it with penetration and force Phil Martelli wants his drills the defense to rotate. to be symmetrical (i.e. they can be In his passing game offense, run on both sides of the floor), he Roy Williams wants his players to Gene Keady will run the tra- wants them to be competitive, and let the passer cut first. ditional two-man fast-break drill he wants them to have a name the (rebound-outlet-dribble middle-fill players can learn. Nolan Richardson wanted to wing) with five endings. They will cover in practice what would hap- finish with a lay-up, a jump shot, Fran McCaffrey wants to take pen in the games. a pass back to middle for a shot, the ball to the action on offense. a loop to take the wing out, and a When attacking zones, Todd dribble penetration from the wing. Mike Krzyzewski says it is Lickliter wants his men to know important for a coach to shut up who is guarding them and to take George Raveling believes that and let his kids talk on the floor. them away from their home base. it is important for assistant coach- es to know who they are and not Mack McCarthy teaches his Bruce Weber says it is vital to try to mirror the head coach’s players to widen out and find the that your best player buys into style. ball if they are confused on of- your system. fense.

Volume 11 Number 5 7 Basketball Sense Magazine www.basketballsense.com Basketball Sense Playbook Post Iso 1 Post Iso 2 Post Iso 3 1 dribbles to the wing as 3 1 passes to 4 on the elbow 1 dribbles to the wing as 2 screens for 2 crossing the base- and cuts to the basket as 2 dives clears out and sets a back screen line. 5 steps out and 4 screens to the post area. 5 sets a brush for 5. 3 cuts to the post area. down for 3. screen for 3.

If 5 is not open, 1 passes to 2 1 reverses the ball to 5. 5 After screening, 5 rolls to the at the top of the key. then passes to 3. 2 steps up and basket as 4 reverses the ball to back screens for 5, who cuts to 3. 3 dribbles over and looks into the basket. the post. 1 and 4 set a staggered screen for 2.

2 dribbles to the wing area as 3 steps across the lane and sets a diagonal screen for 4. 3 pops out 3 looks to pass the ball into after screening. the post. If 5 is not open, 3 reverses to 2 at the top. 4 screens for 1 who pops out to the wing area.

Basketball Sense Magazine 8 Volume 11 Number 5 www.basketballsense.com Basketball Sense Playbook Step Up Flare Dive 4 Cross From a 1-4 set, 1 dribbles to 1 hits the wing and dives to 1 dribbles to the wing as 2 the wing area as 2 clears to the the ball-side corner as 5 dives into and 3 cross on the baseline. 4 post. 4 and 5 exchange sides. the post area. slides to the opposite elbow and 5 moves to the opposite post area.

4 sets a down screen for 3. 2 2 sets a back screen for 4, passes to 3. 2 then back screens for 4, who cuts and sets a ball screen who cuts to the basket. 1 looks for for 1. 4 posting. If the post feed is not there, 1 reverses the ball to 2 at the top.

4 posts up as 3 dribbles over to get a good passing angle. 5 1 drives off the screen as 2 fl ashes to the top of the key, and cuts off a fl are screen by 5. 1 and 2 exchange positions on the 4 and 5 cross screen on the opposite side of the fl oor. pass.

Volume 11 Number 5 9 Basketball Sense Magazine www.basketballsense.com Basketball Sense Playbook Hawk Up 2 Triangle Basic Bucks 3 Up 1 dribbles to the wing as 2 This is a simple set to get the 1 passes to 2 on the wing and makes a cut off a double screen ball into the post and then read makes a basket cut off 3’s screen. by 4 and 5. the defense. 1 hits 5 in the post. 2 and 1 cut to the opposite side of the fl oor as 4 dives into the op- posite post area. 3 cuts to the top and 3 must cut far enough for 5 to see him.

As soon as 2 clears, 4 and 5 If 1 is not open, 2 passes set a screen for 3. 3 cuts to the to 3. On the pass to 3, 1 sets a top and receives the pass from 1. cross screen on 4 and 5 will down screen for 1.

If 5 does not have a shot op- portunity, 5 can pass the ball out to 3.

2 then cuts to the opposite wing If 1 receives the pass, 5 cross area off the double screen by 4 screens for 4. and 5.

On the pass out, 5 follows the pass and sets a ball screen. 4 will fl ash to the top.

Basketball Sense Magazine 10 Volume 11 Number 5 www.basketballsense.com Skill Stations Step-up Warm-up Intensity By Brian McCormick While European players are on-one drills. In this drill, a player often criticized for their defensive lines up at one side of the free- Hard 2 Guard Skills Academy defi ciencies, I was impressed by throw lane and slides to the other I never stretched. When I the players’ quick feet. American and then back again. Each player played, I never stretched, believ- announcers often credit soccer goes for thirty seconds while the ing it was merely to prevent injury for European and African play- partner counts. and I managed to avoid muscles ers’ advanced footwork, but, from pulls and sprains without stretch- what I witnessed, it has as much Station 2: Mikan Drill ing. Then, during my junior varsity to do with the players’ pre-game/ This drill practices baby-hook season, at our fi rst weight-lifting practice routines as anything, as shots. Start under the basket session with the strength and con- not every International basketball and step-out with the left foot on ditioning coach, he laughed at my player started as a soccer player. the right side to shoot with the best friend and I doing squats and As I prepared workouts and right hand; grab the ball from said we were the most infl exible practice routines for the up com- the net, keeping the ball above athletes he had ever seen. Unfortu- ing season, I decided to learn from your shoulders, and step to the nately, he did little to instruct us, my experience and implement left side of the rim with your right and I never improved my fl exibil- a series of warm-ups to begin foot, shooting the ball with the left ity, which, in turn, hindered my practice; drills to focus on quick hand. Continue. strength and quickness develop- feet and increased jumping abil- ment. ity. As a women’s coach, these Station 3: Jump Squats In college, I learned the im- drills are especially important, as Each player squats down portance of stretching while on the a pre-practice jumping and agil- and then jumps as high as pos- UCLA Crew team. I learned more ity program is one method some sible, swinging arms high into the about the physiological importance researchers believe women can air. We teach girls to focus on a of stretching and fl exibility and its reduce the risk of ACL injury. soft landing so they learn to land role in lengthening the muscles We generally have three properly from a vertical jump and and assisting in strength develop- warm-up routines: jump rope, sta- absorb the force of the impact ment, but, most importantly as tions, or a full-court plyometrics throughout the muscles of their a rower, I knew that if my stroke warm-up (carioca, running back- legs, not just in the quadriceps frequency remained steady, and I wards, bounding, lateral bound- and knee joint. could lengthen my stroke, I would ing, high knees, butt kicks and go faster. So, if I could stretch the high/power skips), and sometimes Station 4: X-Lay-ups oar a couple of inches further on we combine elements. We gener- Each player attempts to each stroke, I would add more ally spent 10-15 minutes warming make as many lay-ups in thirty power to the stroke. Therefore, in- up. seconds as possible. Each player creased fl exibility was essential to When we do our station starts at an elbow, dribbles, and increasing the speed of the boat. warm-up, we loosen up with attempts a lay-up. She rebounds With this rudimentary un- jogging, running backward, and the ball and runs to the other derstanding from my background, carioca. Since we have 10 players, elbow, returning for a lay-up from I all but ignored stretching and we use only fi ve stations at any that side of the court. Continue other footwork, speed, quickness, one practice, but we use seven in this pattern until time has and agility drills during my early different stations throughout the elapsed. basketball practices. Then, while season. Each player goes for thirty coaching in Sweden, I watched one seconds and then she rotates and Station 5: Partner Shooting team warm-up prior to a game and rest for thirty seconds. Our main use a basketball for only 5:00 of focus throughout is creating drills Player 1 passes the ball to the allotted 30:00 pre-game warm- to teach quick change of direction Player 2 and closes out to the up and witnessed another player, and fi rst-step quickness. shooter. P2 shoots the ball and current Miami University point follows her shot to rebound the guard Sandra Jansson, one of my Station 1: Lane-line Slides ball. P1 contests the shot and relocates for her shot, moving personal favorites, go through an We teach most of our on-ball continuously and calling for the extensive plyometric pre-game defensive stance and movement warm-up. through this drill and later in one- continued on page 13

Volume 11 Number 5 11 Basketball Sense Magazine www.basketballsense.com High School Wonder Teams in New Jersey

by Chic Hess Prof Blood’s YMCA Coaching Record

The Roaring Twenties in YMCA Location Dates of Employment Record America was full of wonders. With the likes of Johnny Weissmuller, Brooklyn Central Branch Oct 1, 1896-July 1, 1897 33-2 Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Lou Geh- Nashua, NH Sept 1, 1897-Oct. 1,1898 54-2 rig, Bill Tilden, Jack Dempsey, Knute Rockne, Bobby Jones, Red Rutland, VT Oct 1, 1898-Sept. 1,1899 16-1 Grange, Gene Tuney, and even Pawtucket, RI Sept 1, 1899-Sept. 1,1900 75-10 Man o’ War, the sports world pros- pered during this boom period. Somerville, MA Sept 1,1900-June 1, 1906 132-9 Unbeknownst to one an- TOTAL 310-24 other at this time, two high school basketball teams were perform- ing legendary feats as well. Carv- By the time Blood arrived at being directed away from coach- ing a niche in Indiana basketball Potsdam Normal School in 1906, ing (1916-1918) because of the folklore were the Franklin Won- he was a seasoned veteran with teacher shortage created by the der Five who, during a four-year an over-all nascent system in tow. war. Returning two years later, period (1919-1922), went on a 104 His years as a student and later Prof stretched his win streak to to 10 rampage. Their coach was as an instructor at Dr. Dudley forty-one games before losing in the youthful Ernest “Griz” Wagner Allen Sargent’s Harvard Summer the state fi nals. The following who had a winning formula and School of Physical Education put season, he commenced the longest a phenom of a player in Robert Blood on At Potsdam (1906-1915), winning streak (159) in the history “Fuzzy” Vandivier. The other team Professor Blood coached high of boy’s scholastic basketball. was the Passaic Wonder Teams school age boys to humble the As Griz Wagner had at from New Jersey. likes of Niagara, St. John’s, Notre Franklin, Prof had a few stand- Professor Ernest A. Blood, Dame, CCNY, and other adult out players. One, in a long line who coached the Passaic Wonder teams. Records reveal that his of excellent players, was Bobby Teams, holds the distinction of crack “Normal Five” team never “Thousand Point” Thompson, a becoming basketball’s fi rst great lost to another high school team. 6’1” sharp shooting forward who coach. At nineteen-years-old, After moving to Passaic, became the fi rst scholastic player Blood became fascinated with Prof installed basketball hoops in to score one thousand points in basketball within months of Nai- school playgrounds and vacant one season. During one stretch smith’s fi rst game at the Spring- lots throughout the city. He in- in the win streak, Prof let Thomp- fi eld YMCA International Training cluded basketball fundamentals in son play long enough to leave his School. As a kid, Blood spent the the physical training curriculum mark—225 points in four games most of his time in YMCA gym- and promoted basketball in the for a 56.3 average. city’s recreation de- nasiums where he excelled in all Bobby Thompson Four Game Point Totals sports. Later, as a physical educa- partment and YMCA. tor he used the new indoor game The youngsters in as a means to an end — making Passaic, a town Game #71 Wednesday, January stronger, healthier bodies and as of immigrants, 63 points 25 Ridgewood 101-12: a catalyst for shaping boys into gravitated to the men. charismatic little Game #72 Saturday, January 28 Starting in 1894, Blood be- professor’s style 62 points Eastern District 100-28: gan instructing others in YMCA and enthusiasm. classes in the skills of basketball. “Prof,” as Game #73 Tuesday, February 1 Shortly thereafter, he was coach- peers, players, 31 points Hackensack 103-20: ing his own team as the popular- and fans in Pas- ity of the game spread. His YMCA saic called him, Game #74 Saturday, February 4 coaching record illustrates his lead Passaic to 69 points Williams Prep 145-5: early experience. a 20-0 record in 1915-16 before

Basketball Sense Magazine 12 Volume 11 Number 5 www.basketballsense.com Wonder Teams (cont’d) Skill Stations (cont)

ball. P2 passes to P1 and contests Passaic’s squad numbered In Prof Blood and the Won- shot. Partners shoot together for over twenty players with most of der Teams: The True Story of the entire minute. them seeing playing time in Prof’s Basketball’s First Great Coach is a team-orientated system. Who fascinating account of basketball Station 6: McHale Drill knows how many points Thomp- history. Newark Abbey Press is The left hand tips the ball son would have scored had he the publisher and it is available at continuously against the back- been allowed to be the focus of the bookstores, www.profblood.com or board while the right hand grabs offense and see more playing time. call (800) 247-6553. the net (rim). Do six and switch During Prof’s fi nal season Chic Hess, Ed. D. is a for- to the right-hand side. The right (1923-24) at Passaic, The India- mer two time NAIA college district hand tips the ball against the napolis News dispatched sports and NABC-Kodak National Junior backboard while the left hand editor William E. Fox to get the College Coach of the Year who is grabs the net (rim). Repeat on the real lowdown on this East Coast now serving as the Vice President left-hand side for a total of 18 tips. aberration. After watching a cou- for the Division of Physical Educa- ple of games, Fox made an astute tion in the Southwest District of Station 7: T-Drill with 2 Ball comparison. He agreed that Pas- the American Alliance for Health, Dribbling saic had a “mighty-fi ne” team, but Physical Education, Recreation, he felt that if they were to invade and Dance. Set-up the T-Drill with cones Indiana for a period of fi ve weeks 5-7 feet apart in the shape of a T. and play the fi ve best teams in Each player starts at the intersec- the state, he would pick the home tion of the T and slides to the cone teams in three of the fi ve. Man to her right, while dribbling two for man, several Indiana teams A Concept balls. She shuffl es to the left cone bested the New Jersey boys. and fi nally back to the intersec- The Union Hill game that Fox that Works tion. She sprints to the cone observed with all the noise and ex- straight ahead and back pedals to citement reminded him of a Bed- “We take three or four the bottom of the T, then returns ford-Anderson game. He thought quick hit plays, run them all to the intersection and continues that the Passaic players physically together, and call that our “1” in this manner for thirty seconds. resembled those at Anderson High offense. You can control who The player waiting for her turn School, but they responded like you’d like to have shoot the should work on stationary two- the Franklin players—they didn’t ball. We teach the players to ball drills while resting. get excited, and they didn’t worry reset the offense in three to These quick drills provide a about what the other team was four seconds, following each fast-paced warm-up that needs doing. quick hitter. We use another little instruction and insures that Fox did have one wary verbal (example “2”offense) the players break a sweat. Our fo- thought for the basketball wor- for a second set of quick hit- cus is on getting through the drills shipers in Indiana—Passaic was ters. The players soon realize quickly, meaning the team sprints not what Passaic had been. It was that there are many options from station to station, and play- well understood that the previ- for guards, wings and post ers go hard with lots of intensity ous year’s Passaic team was thirty players. We name all of the in each drill, knowing they have points better, and the team two quick hitters when we teach some rest time in between. These years before was better than last them, and at anytime we can drills focus on ball control (6 and year’s team. This edition of the go back to the one or two 7), quick change of direction (1, Wonder Team survived almost quick hit plays that has been 2, and 7), jumping (3 and 6) and solely on teamwork. In the past, most effective”. shooting (2, 4, and 5), allowing us when the talent level was notice- Tim Collins to work on a number of skills in a ably better, Passaic was a formi- short amount of time. Head Men’s Basketball Coach McCormick runs Hard 2 Guard dable opponent for any team. In California Baptist University Skills Academy in Portland: http:// Fox’s humble opinion, there had NAIA Division I hi5hoopschool.tripod.com/academy never been an Indiana team thirty points better than the Passaic team he observed.

Volume 11 Number 5 13 Basketball Sense Magazine www.basketballsense.com Fresno City’s Pressure Offense by Brian McCormick offense. The point guard tries to 1 enters the ball to 3. 5 and get to the rim or if cut off by help 2 slash to the ball side. 4 drifts Vance Walberg and the defense, to kick the ball out to down. i steps out and then cuts Fresno City College Rams (FCC) the strong-side corner for a three- back door to the basket. are notorious for their pressure pointer. The Rams focus on us- defense and unique full-court ing a jump stop off penetration to press. This season, it appears, clear space, land on balance, and the Fresno City offensive attack is prevent charging violations. getting more recognition, as ESPN In addition to the basic spoke glowingly about Fresno dribble penetration to initiate the City and Coach Walberg during offense, it runs several quick hit- St. Mary’s College (SMC) games ters. The following fi ve are exam- at Madison Square Garden dur- ples of plays the Rams use to get ing the Pre-Season NIT. SMC has open threes or lay-ups. adopted some of Fresno City’s offensive principles, as well as re- cruited FCC’s starting two-guard Examples 1-5A from last season, Walberg’s son. The Rams complement its 1 passes to 3 and cuts 1 dribbles and hands off to 3. attacking defense with a quick through to the low block. I reverse 3 dribbles to the middle. 5 sets a hitting offensive attack. While it pivots to post up. fl are screen for 1. appears to the naked eye that they simply dribble down court and shoot quickly, there is more to the attack, including several quick hitters designed to get dribble penetration, lay-ups, or three- pointers. The offensive base is to shoot open three-pointers or lay-ups. The philosophy is spreading and it alone is not unique to FCC. How- ever, the approach differs from many other schools who strive for the same results. Walberg wants to isolate a ball handler on one The ball is reversed 1-2-4. 1 penetrates low opposite of side of the court and allow the 4 feeds the post (not too low). 1 the stack. 5 cuts up to the elbow player to dribble penetrate. He screens down on the help defense. and receives pass from 1. puts a shooter in the corner and 5 feeds back to 3. forces the defense to decide: cover the shooter and not help on the ball handler or stop the ball and relinquish an open three-pointer. Many teams now take the ap- proach of forcing the Rams to make lay-ups without providing help to the on-ball defender be- cause the shooters in the corners are lethal. The Rams start in a four-out set with the post opposite the ball. This provides a one-on-one op- portunity for the point guard to dribble penetrate to initiate the continued to page 15 Basketball Sense Magazine 14 Volume 11 Number 5 www.basketballsense.com Coaching Wisdom to Ponder by Lason Perkins 3. Sell athletes on themselves: 2. Followers want to sense compe- Help them feel capable. tence in their leader. The following selections are 4. Give them a specifi c and simple 3. Followers want to be challenged from Jeff Jansen, a peak perfor- plan to succeed by their leader. mance coach. You can fi nd out 5. Emphasize working hard and 4. Followers want to feel convic- more about Jeff and his material deserving success tion from their leader. at www.jeffjanssen.com 6. Set people up for early success 7. Accentuate the positive Notes from In the Zone by Dr. Lesson from The Legends of J. Mitchell Perry Sports Psychology Ideas from Marty 1. The Paradox of Performance 1. Forget about the Zone, Help Schottenhemier, head coach a. We do not associate athletics athletes refocus when adver- of the San Diego Chargers with fun or enjoyment sity strikes. Regularly simulate Good competitors make b. We are most relaxed when we adverse conditions in practice. mistakes. Bad competitors repeat enjoy what we are doing 2. Coaches must fi nd and develop them. c. We associate work with nega- team leaders. Give your players When things are going well, tive images. leadership opportunities you can win with anyone. When 2. Polar Thinking 3. Help athletes deal with fear. things aren’t going well, the only a. We interpret all situations as Fear is based on past events way you can win is with people win-lose. or future worries. Keep players who have character. b. Polar thinking moves you into focused in the present. This is about a system. Not a the future instead of keeping you in the present. 7 Steps to Building Your system of X’s and O’s, but a sys- tem of the way you conduct your 3. Your Critical Advisor Athletes Confi dence business. It’s about the environ- a. This is the voice inside our (from the book The Seven ment you create, the teaching you head that is constantly critical Secrets of Successful Coaches) present, the ability to communi- about our performance. 1. Focus on potential: What you cate and getting them to value the b. This voice keeps you in the past. see is what you eventually get. goal. 2. Plant seeds of success One of the things I think is c. No one can criticize you more really important, if you want to than yourself. be a good teacher, is that when 4. Power of Hands Free something happens rather than a. Enjoy the moment, the present screaming at the kid, ask them b. Play with enjoyment. Fresno City (cont) what happened. c. John Wooden had the ability to keep players in the present continued from page 14 What You Need To Know by not focusing on winning. He about People kept them focused on prepara- tion vs. outcome. He would say 5 penetrates to the opposite by Dr. John C. Maxwell low post. 1 loops off the screen by UCLA outscored an opponent 4 back to the middle. 1. People like to feel special, com- vs. beat them, we won, etc. pliment them. d. Bill Walsh focused on perfor- 2. People look for a better tomor- mance and improvement. row, give them hope. e. You get what you focus on. 3. People need to be understood, 5. The Leverage of Language listen to them. a. Learn to use power words that 4. People lack direction, navigate direct you toward specifi c pro- for them. ductive actions. b. Words create images, images What Your People Need to create emotion Know About You by Dr. John 6. Techniques C. Maxwell a. Keep your eyes off the prize b. Focus on improvement 1. Followers want to see character in their leader.

Volume 11 Number 5 15 Basketball Sense Magazine www.basketballsense.com man defender should know if his man shoots the three, and if his man has post moves. Your man- Combination Defense to-man defender should also be our defenders in a 1-3 zone, and ready to handle screening situa- It’s a Different Way to the fi fth defender will be assigned tions as you want him to. Play the Game to our opponent’s number one The second of our combina- offensive threat in a man-to-man tion defenses is called 32 defense. by Bob Anderson situation. Here are a few rules we This is our 3-man zone, usually Williamsfi eld High School give to our players who are de- in the form of a triangle, with two fending in the 1-3 zone:The point of our defenders playing man-to- We have always felt at Wil- of the 1-3 zone is usually a guard man defense on our opponent’s liamsfi ed High School that we that will pick up the ball in the two best offensive threats. needed to do things a little differ- middle of the fl oor when it crosses The rules for our defend- ent if we are going to give our kids the 10-second line. When he is not ers playing the triangle zone are a chance to win. Our enrollment in guarding the ball, we want him to the same for our point man and grades 9-12 runs around 80 kids sag back toward the lane and help two wing players in our 1-3 zone. each year. Therefore, we feel it is on the opponent’s post players. We Again, it is most important that very diffi cult for us to match up in play our best rebounders at the our two man-to-man defenders a man-to-man defense, plus the wings and they defend the offense know exactly how they are going 3-point shot makes it very hard to on the sides of the fl oor down to to defend the opposition’s two of- play a straight zone defense. With the baseline. If the ball is shot on fensive threats. these thoughts in mind, we have the opposite side of the fl oor, they We have found through the used a variety of combination de- are responsible for the weak-side years that most teams attack our fenses, which have served us well rebound. Your middleman needs 41 defense with their zone offense over the past 25 years. to be a hard-nosed player who and in most cases they will run Our fi rst step in teaching will play between the ball and the their man-to-man offense against these defenses is to familiarize our basket and front any post player our 32. This is where scouting players with the slides and rules in that line. He also needs to be becomes very important, and we of the traditional 2-3 and 1-3-1 ready to help on dribble penetra- depend on this to prepare for our zones. Once you have taught these tion. In addition, all zone defend- opponents. two zone defenses, it now opens ers must always see the ball, Combination defense must be the doors to playing many differ- contest shots, block out, and, last drilled just like any man-to-man ent types of combination defenses. but not least, help on the special or zone defense, and we drill every With this article, we are only offensive player your are playing practice. We have also developed going to talk about the two main with a man-to-man defense. our own way of handling screens combination defenses that we There are also a variety of and also some unique ways to use. We use the 41 defense when rules for your man-to-man de- trap out these defenses. we are playing someone with on fender. You as a coach, through We have also had a good time outstanding scorer, and the 32 scouting, need to be able to tell talking with former players about defense when we play an opponent your man-to-man defender exactly these defenses, and many times who has two outstanding offensive how you want him to guard. Do this leads to new ideas which we players. you want him to deny his man put in to help us make these de- First, let’s take a look at how the ball? Does he have help-side fenses better. But one thing we all we play our basic 41 defense. responsibility? Does he double the agree on—it is a different way to When we call for the 41 defense, post? In addition, your man-to- play the game. we are going to be playing four of

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