Do's and Don'ts of the Fast Break

Basketball Tips Defensive Strategies Fast Break Dribbling Shooting Passing Time Intervals Pressure Defense Defending the Aggressive Attacker

EFFECTIVE DEFENSIVE STRATEGIES

It is of little consequence whether a team plays man-to-man, zone, match-up or a combination defense. What is critical, however, is how well a team denies preferences, exploits weaknesses, and protects the basket.

DENYING PREFERENCES - Individual players and teams having preferences are vulnerable. Intelligent players identify such preferences and make it difficult for individual opponents or teams to do what they like.

When, for example, a player feels more comfortable dribbling with the right hand, an opponent should overplay that hand, forcing the player to dribble with the left one.

Some teams use only one entry to begin play in a particular part of the court. For example, a team may begin play in their front court with a pass from the guard to a forward. Recognizing this, opponents should deny or disrupt that entry.

EXPLOITING WEAKNESSES - When players or teams have deficiencies, opponents should look for every opportunity to exploit those weaknesses.

When passing to a teammate, inept or inexperienced players, for example, watch the receiver without seeing the defense. Consequently, perceptive defensive players can have a field day intercepting passes.

During play by opponents in their front-court set, a perceptive defensive player will virtually ignore a player who is too far from the basket to serve as a scoring threat after receiving a pass. For example, when a team employs a one-guard offensive set, such as a 1-3-1, is the point guard so far from the basket that he/she never shoots? If so, there is no need to guard that player closely.

Also, is there a player who has clearly demonstrated an inability to score consistently from the perimeter when left unguarded? If so, why guard him/her closely?

PROTECTING THE BASKET - The priority on defense is to protect the paint, that is, the area around the basket. DO NOT ALLOW OPPONENTS TO SHOOT LAY- UPS.

1. do not get easy transition baskets; 2. have difficulty executing penetrating cuts, drives, and passes which result in lay-ups; 3. do not get second shots from offensive rebounds; 4. who can shoot well from the perimeter never get shots which go unchallenged.

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DO'S AND DON'TS OF THE FAST BREAK

 Look up and see the whole floor.  Pass ahead to the open player(until someone has a good scoring opportunity)  Sprint the floor. (Run! Run! Run!)  Play under control.  Let the play make itself.  Read the numbers. Go where you have an advantage.  Get wide to fill the lanes.  Make the easy play.  When bringing the ball down in the middle, stop at the foul line to make a play.  Use the chest pass on the break; the bounce pass is too hard to handle.  If the back player(trailer), delay at half court to cover the break defensively.  Be a good receiver.  COMMUNICATE!

DON'T...

 Have your mind made up about what you want to do.  Overpass.  Jump to pass.  Pass to a player in trouble.  Take giant steps. (Settle for the open 12-footer instead of the contested 8- footer)

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TIPS ON DRIBBLING

 Stay low.  Keep your head up.  Play under control.  Attack the defender-don't try to avoid him.  Go somewhere with your dribble, dribble with a purpose.  Strengthen your weak hand.  Keep the defender behind you.  Close the gap.  Push the ball out in front.  Protect the ball with the body and the off hand.  Change pace and speed.  Change direction.  Practice repeatedly in the open court.  Don't force a dribble between two defenders.  Don't give up the dribble without a good reason.

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DO'S AND DON'TS OF PASSING

 Make the easy pass.  Hit the open player.  Use pass fakes to open up passing lanes.  Use the air pass on the break, not the bounce pass.  Use the dribble to create better passing angles.  Feed the post with a bounce pass.   Step into the defender when making a pass.  Feed the post from below the foul line extended.  Follow through on the pass-don't let it float.  Throw with 2 hands. One-handed passes are held to control.  THROW AWAY FROM THE DEFENDER.  Look at the basket in order to see the entire floor.

DON'T...

 Throw to a voice.  Jump to pass.  Pass to a player in trouble.  Make a pass from the middle of the floor-pick a side.  Overpass-especially on the break.

Back to Top DO'S AND DON'TS OF SHOOTING

 Know your range.  Know what a good shot is.  When receiving a pass for a shot, step into the pass to get the shot off more quickly.  Plant your inside foot when squaring to the basket for the shot.  Provide passers a target as a receiver.  Use shot fakes to get by the defense.  Lift the elbow, follow through, reach for the basket.  Get power for the shot from your LEGS.  Practice shooting as if you were in a game.

DON'T...

 Take giant steps. Don't pass up an open 12-footer to take a contested 8-footer.  Leave the off hand on the ball too long, because it could adversely affect the flight of the shot.  Fade on the shot.  Follow the flight of the ball-keep your eye on the targer.  Dip or hitch. Catch the ball, get it to the shot area, and shoot.

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WHAT KIND OF TIME DO I HAVE?

To throw the ball in? 5 seconds To cross half court? 10 seconds after throw in To shoot a foul shot? 10 seconds after the referee gives you the ball To stay in the lane? 3 seconds(offense only)

REMEMBER: On a throw in, the clock does not start until someone touches the ball.

Back to Top BASIC RULES FOR PRESSURE MAN DEFENSE

Do not let the offensive players catch the ball. If they should catch the ball, put aggressive but intelligent pressure on the ball. Get the dribbler to pick up his dribble and close up on him.

Completely overplay the first receiver. Get off the player and toward the ball with one hand in the passing lane.

When the offensive player is not an immediate receiver (two or more passes away), the defender should be well off his player and in position to help or deny the flash.

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DEFENDING THE AGGRESSIVE ATTACKER

We cannot over emphasize the value of "squaring-up" on offense, in order to give yourself as many options as possible, make your defender "freeze," and step back trying to anticipate which option (driving left or right, jump shot, pass) you are going to choose. Quick reminder... all of these options are possible if you get "squared-up."

Now let's discuss the opposite side of this, that is, how to best defend against a smart player trying to "square-up". Your goal as a defender is to try to limit their options and thus take away the "square-up" as often as you can. How do you do this?

First, always try to deny your opponent the ball as aggressively as you can. By denying the passing lane to your opponent, they are often forced to receive a pass without getting "squared-up" as they receive it, and further from the hoop than they want to be. This allows you to defend more aggressively and not be put on the "defensive" (no pun intended!).

Once your opponent has the ball, try to immediately turn them in the direction they do not want to go. Ask your coach to help you understand this, but after you've played for a while you will start to get a feel for preferences your opponents will have. Also, never forget to notice ahead of time which hand your opponent prefers to dribble with, and unless you are trying to force them in that direction as part of your team defense, always force them to their weak side.

By taking away the lane your opponent is trying to pass or dribble to, you can force them to turn one direction or the other, or even better, turn their back to you completely to prevent you from stripping them of the ball. By turning or forcing your opponent one direction or another, and then turning them again and again, you take away their chance to "square-up" and help all your teammates anticipate what option the opposing players will have to choose. Good basketball players are always involved in the effort to get "squared-up", or prevent their opponent from getting "squared-up". Good luck on both sides of this basketball tip!

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