Coaching Manual
WOODVILLE DISTRICT BASKETBALL CLUB
COACHING MANUAL
Updated May 2013 Woodville District Basketball Club – Coaching Manual Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. Introduction 8 2. Body Movement 9 2.1 Introduction 9 2.2 Drills 9 2.2.1 Lane Footwork 9 2.2.2 Agility Ladders 10 2.2.3 Skipping 11 2.2.4 Stationary Footwork 12 2.2.5 Hop Dribble 12 2.2.6 Slow – Fast Exchange 12 2.2.7 Non-Preferred One-on-One 12 2.2.8 Muscle awareness drills 13 3. Offensive Fundamentals 14 3.1 Introduction 14 3.2 Shooting 14 3.2.1 Balance and Stance 14 3.2.2 Ball Position 15 3.2.3 Elbow Position 15 3.2.4 Release and Follow Through 16 3.2.5 Power and Rhythm 16 3.2.6 Eyes 16 3.2.7 Flight of the Ball 17 3.2.8 Drills 17 3.2.8.1 Shooting Technique 17 3.2.8.2 Two Ball Shooting 18 3.2.8.3 Sevens 18 3.2.8.4 Kentucky 18 3.2.8.5 Three Shooters, Two Basketballs 18 3.2.8.6 Five Shooters, Three Basketballs 19 3.2.8.7 Pair Shooting 19 3.2.8.8 Foul Shooting 19 3.2.8.9 Shoot the Arc 20 3.2.8.10 Horse Shoe Shooting 20 3.2.8.11 Baker Gate Drill 20 3.3 Layups 21 3.3.1 Types 21 3.3.2 General Teaching Points 21 3.3.3 Drills 21 3.3.3.1 Half court layups 21 3.3.3.2 Two pass layups 22 3.3.3.3 Layups under pressure 22 3.3.3.4 Weaves 23 3.3.3.5 X-out layups 23 3.3.3.6 Mikan drill 23 3.3.3.7 Turn the corner layups 23 3.3.3.8 Espoirs dribble/shot dribble 24
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3.4 Ball Handling 25 3.4.1 General Teaching Points 25 3.4.2 Skills 25 3.4.3 Drills 26 3.4.3.1 Stationary Ball Skills 26 3.4.3.2 Two Ball Dribbling 27 3.4.3.3 Paired Dribbling 28 3.4.3.4 Station Dribbling 28 3.4.3.5 Lane Dribbling 29 3.4.3.6 Creative Dribbling 29 3.4.3.7 Individual Ball Handling 29 3.4.3.8 Knockout Dribbling 29 3.5 Passing, Leading and Receiving 30 3.5.1 General teaching points 30 3.5.2 Types of Passes 30 3.5.3 Leading 31 3.5.4 Receiving 32 3.5.5 Drills 32 3.5.5.1 Pair passing, Stationary 32 3.5.5.2 Pair passing, Full Court 32 3.5.5.3 Four lanes pass and change 33 3.5.5.4 Espoirs passing drill 33 3.5.5.5 Passing off the dribble 34 3.5.5.6 Cat and Mouse 35 3.5.5.7 Three Lane Passing, One Basketball 35 3.5.5.8 Three Lane Passing, Two Basketballs 36 3.5.5.9 Three Lane Passing, Three Basketballs 36 3.5.5.10 Three Lane Passing with Defence 36 3.5.5.11 Dribble, Pivot, Pass 37 3.5.5.12 Four Corner passing 38 3.5.5.13 4 Corner pivot and pass 39 3.5.5.14 Vichy Hand-Off drill 39 3.5.5.15 Three/Five Man Weave 40 3.5.5.16 Three Corner Push Passing 40 3.5.5.17 Netball Drill 41 3.5.5.18 36ers Passing Drill 41 3.5.5.19 Jacob’s Layups 41 3.5.5.20 Circle Passing 42 3.5.5.21 Duke 4 Man V-Cut 43 3.5.5.22 Four Corners Change 44 3.5.5.23 Partisan Passing 44 3.5.5.24 Single Exchange 45 3.5.5.25 Tennessee 45 3.5.5.26 USA Drill 46 3.6 Perimeter Moves 46 3.6.1 Introduction 46 3.6.2 Squaring Up 46 3.6.3 Triple Threat 47 3.6.4 Fakes 47 3.6.5 Moves 47 3.6.6 Drills 48
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3.6.6.1 Motion Shooting 48 3.6.6.2 Perimeter Move from a Lead 48 3.6.6.3 Perimeter Moves from a Dribble 49 3.7 Post Moves 49 3.7.1 Introduction 49 3.7.2 Leading and Receiving 49 3.7.3 Feeding the Post 49 3.7.4 Moves 49 3.7.4.1 Fakes 50 3.7.4.2 Primary Moves 50 3.7.4.3 Counter Moves 51 3.7.4.4 Shots 51 3.7.4.5 Post Moves 51 3.7.5 Drills 52 3.7.5.1 One on Zero Post Moves 53 3.7.5.2 One on One Post Moves 53 3.7.5.3 Two on Zero Post Moves 53 3.7.5.4 Two on Two Post Moves 53 3.7.5.5 Continuous Post Moves 53 3.7.5.6 Post Reaction Drill 53 3.7.5.7 High/Low Seals 54 4. Motion Offence 55 4.1 Introduction 55 4.2 Alignments 55 4.2.1 Five Out (50) 55 4.2.2 Four Out, One In (41) 56 4.2.3 Three Out, Two In (32) 56 4.3 Points of Emphasis 57 4.3.1 Spacing 57 4.3.2 Square Up 57 4.3.3 Ball Reversal 57 4.3.4 Front Cuts 58 4.3.5 Back Cuts 58 4.3.6 Post Up Cut 58 4.3.7 Shallow Cut 58 4.3.8 Flash Cuts 58 4.3.9 Dribble Penetration 59 4.3.10 Receivers off Dribble/Pass Penetration 59 4.3.11 Receivers off Post Feeds 60 4.4 Screening 60 4.4.1 Down Screen – Perimeter 60 4.4.2 Down Screen – Low Post 61 4.4.3 On-ball Screen – Wing 62 4.4.4 On-ball Screen – Point 64 4.4.5 Up Screens 65 4.4.6 Cross Screens 66 4.5 Entries into Motion 67 4.5.1 Guard to Forward Pass 67 4.5.2 Dribble Entry 67 4.5.3 Swing the Wings 68 4.5.4 Diagonal Cuts 68 4.5.5 Weak-side Up Screen, Strong-side Down Screen 69
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4.6 Motion Breakdowns 69 4.6.1 Drills 69 4.6.1.1 Pass penetration 69 4.6.1.2 Dribble penetration 70 4.6.1.3 Pass Fake, Back Cut 70 4.6.1.4 Dribble Back Cut 71 4.6.1.5 Low Post Feed 71 4.6.1.6 High Post Feed 71 4.6.1.7 Motion Shooting 72 4.6.1.8 Two Ball Screening 72 4.6.1.9 Vichy Screening Drill 73 5. Half Court man-to-man Defence 74 5.1 Introduction 74 5.2 Defensive Alignment 74 5.2.1 On-Ball 75 5.2.2 Denial 75 5.2.3 Help-side 76 5.2.4 Closing Out 76 5.3 Guarding Cutters 76 5.3.1 Front Cuts 76 5.3.2 Back Cuts 76 5.3.3 Flash Cuts 77 5.4 Trap and Rotate 77 5.5 Defending Screens 78 5.5.1 Introduction 78 5.5.2 Over and Trail 78 5.5.3 Under 79 5.5.4 Through 79 5.5.5 Switch 80 5.6 Drills 80 5.6.1 One on One 80 5.6.2 Wing Denial 80 5.6.3 Post Denial 81 5.6.4 Split Line Close Outs 81 5.6.5 One on One Close Outs 82 5.6.6 Two on Two, Inactive Posts 82 5.6.7 Skip Pass Close Outs 83 5.6.8 Pointless Drill 83 5.6.9 Shell Drill 84 5.6.10 Arizona Drill 84 5.6.11 Bumping Cutters 85 5.6.12 Close Out and Containment Drills 86 6. Full Court Man-to-Man Defence 89 6.1 Introduction 89 6.2 Defence on the Ball 89 6.3 Defence off the Ball 89 6.4 Trap 90 6.5 Run and Jump 91 6.6 Jump Switch 91
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6.7 Drills 91 6.7.1 One on One 91 6.7.2 Two on Two 92 6.7.3 Three on Three 92 6.7.4 Four on Four 93 6.7.5 Five on Five 94 7. Trap Breaking 95 7.1 Introduction 95 7.2 Entering the Ball 95 7.3 Beating Full Court Man-to-Man Defence 96 7.4 Beating Full Court Zone Traps 97 8. Rebounding 99 8.1 Blocking Out 99 8.2 Anticipation 100 8.3 Footwork 100 8.4 Timing 100 8.5 Jumping 101 8.6 Protection of the Ball 101 8.7 Drills 101 8.7.1 Paired Box Outs 101 8.7.2 Circle Box Outs 102 8.7.3 Stationary Box Outs 102 8.7.4 Pass and Cut Box Outs 103 8.7.5 Random Movement Box Outs 103 8.7.6 Post Box Outs 104 8.7.7 Rebound and Outlet 104 8.7.8 Mongrel 105 8.7.9 Ball Tips 105 9. Transition Offence 106 9.1 Introduction 106 9.2 Points of Emphasis 106 9.3 Drills 107 9.3.1 Full Court 2 on 1 107 9.3.2 Full Court 3 on 2 to 3 on 3 107 9.3.3 Full Court 4 on 3 to 4 on 4 108 9.3.4 Full Court 5 on 4 to 5 on 5 108 9.3.5 Full Court 3 on 2 to 2 on 1 108 9.3.6 Eleven Man Break 108 9.3.7 Continuous 3 on 2 109 9.3.8 War 109 9.3.9 Four on Zero Transition 110 9.3.10 Three on Two to Two on Three to Three on Two 110 10. Transition Defence 111 10.1 Introduction 111 10.2 Points of Emphasis 111 10.3 Drills 111
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11. Zone Offence 112 11.1 Introduction 112 11.2 Points of Emphasis 112 11.2.1 Transition Offence 112 11.2.2 Fill the Gaps/Play behind the Zone 112 11.2.3 Ball Reversal/Skip Pass/Shift Zone 112 11.2.4 Dribble Penetration Receivers 112 11.2.5 Screening 113 11.2.6 Overloading 113 11.2.7 Inside/Outside 113 11.2.8 Flash cuts 113 11.2.9 Short Corners 113 11.3 Drills 114 11.3.1 Advantage/Disadvantage Drills 114 12. Zone Defence 115 12.1 Introduction 115 12.2 Key Teaching Points – Zone Defence 115 12.3 Key Teaching Points – Zone Traps 115 12.3.1 2-2-1 Full Court Trap 115 12.3.2 1-2-2 Half Court Trap 115 13. Training Guidelines 116 14. Match Guidelines 117 15. Player Movement Between Divisions 118 16. Protocol for coaching material additions/changes 119
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1. Introduction
Welcome to Woodville District Basketball Club. This document contains the concepts and philosophies that represent “Warrior’s Basketball”. It specifies a standard program of skill development across the club and is a vital resource for all Woodville Basketball Club coaches. All coaches must have a good understanding of its contents to ensure that we are consistent with our teaching of skills across all age groups and divisions.
Our philosophies are based around long-term goals – our aim is to provide our athletes with basketball fundamentals which will make them good players for years to come, rather than utilising strategic offences and defences which will only provide success in the short term.
For this reason, our focus is on individual skill development, man-to-man defence and motion offence. These principles are a focus of the Basketball Australia National Intensive Training Centre Program, so we are also giving our players the best opportunity to play basketball at a higher level.
Most of the chapters in this manual describe basketball skills, points of emphasis and associated drills, although there are also chapters on coaching guidelines for trainings and matches.
The list of drills is limited - coaches are encouraged to be inventive and use a wide variety of drills, but to make sure that the points of emphasis coincide with those contained in this document.
Other fantastic resources to find great information can be found on the internet: Basketball Breakthrough – http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/ Coach’s Clipboard – http://www.coachesclipboard.net/
If there are offences, defences or drills that you would like to introduce to the club, please also contact your Development Officer as they will follow the protocol to introduce the offences, defences or drills into the club and enter them into the club’s document files for all to access into the future. Further information on this protocol is explained later in this document.
If you have any questions, comments or feedback about the content of this manual, please feel free to discuss it with your Development Officer.
The future success of the club is dependent on its coaches. We are relying on all coaches to implement these concepts, to foster the long-term success of the Woodville District Basketball Club.
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2. Body Movement
2.1 Introduction
Body movement fundamentals are an important part of basketball. All players must be co-ordinated and have good control over their arms, legs and body.
Coaches often assume that body movement fundamentals are learnt by magic or should only be taught to players new to the game. In reality, they must be taught and trained at all ages. Players must be taught correct technique for running, jumping and sliding, and have the ability to control the movement of their arms and legs equally well on both sides of the body. It is important to remember that your head stays still for good balance.
This section contains a series of drills for improving footwork, coordination, and body control.
2.2 Drills
2.2.1 Lane Footwork
Players are in 5 lines on the baseline. Players run the length of the floor, executing a specified footwork skill.
Skill Emphasis Running Arms at right angles Raise opposite arm and leg Keep knees over toes High knees Raise knee above waist Butt kicks Bring heel to butt Jump stop Feet hit floor at the same time Bend legs Back straight Balance Stride stop One foot hits floor before the other Bend legs Back straight Balance Change of direction Push off outside foot Low to the ground Stutter step Short quick steps, shoulder width apart Change of pace from fast to slow to fast
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Pivot (forward and Balance reverse, either foot) Below to the ground Carioca (running Arms wide sideways, trail leg in Rotate hips front of lead) Grapevine (running Arms wide sideways, trail leg Rotate hips alternating in front and behind
2.2.2 Agility Ladders
There are a large number of footwork skills that can be drilled using agility ladders. Following is a subset:
Running series 1 step run – 1 foot in each square 2 step run – 2 feet in each square Lateral run – 2 feet in each square High knees Grapevine Defensive slide – minimum of 1 square between feet Skip series 1 step run – 1 foot in each square High knees Grapevine Shuffle series 2 steps in, 1 step out 1 step in, 3 steps out Lateral, 1 step in, 2 steps out Jump series Bunny hops Scissors Ankle bounces Hop scotch Box – S formation Ski jumps Lateral bunny hops Lateral ankle bounces
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2.2.3 Skipping
Skipping is a great way to improve footwork and coordination. Following is a series of skipping drills. Coaches can select 5 of these to be done for a minute each, as part of a warm-up routine.
Drills Description Single bounce The player bounces only once to each turn of the rope, with both feet together
Heel/Toe The player bounces once to each turn of the rope, alternating their right and left feet so that the heel and toe of opposite feet make contact with the ground at the same time.
Speed single The player performs single bounces at a rapid pace. bounce One foot single The player bounces once to each turn of the rope, using only one bounce foot at a time, alternating between left and right feet.
Spread The player moves their feet forward and backward alternatively – the right foot forward and the left foot back on the first turn of the rope, and the left foot forward and the right foot back on the second turn of the rope.
Straddle The player starts with their feet together on the first turn. They spread their feet apart sideways six to eight inches on the second turn, then place their feet together on the third turn.
Straddle X The player uses a single bounce on the first turn. On the second turn they cross the right leg over the left, then uncross their legs. On the third turn they cross the left leg over the right.
Crossover The player bounces with their feet together on the first turn and on the second turn, crosses their arms over at the elbows on the downward swing of the rope, jumping through the loop of the rope formed in front of the body. The player uncrosses their arms on the next downward swing of the rope. The crossovers are done with a bounce in between and with the right and left arms alternating as the top arm.
Double jump The player makes a single bounce with their feet together while making two turns of the rope. They bend down at the waist and speed up the rope with wrist rotation.
Front and back The player bounces with their feet together, alternating jumping forward and backward. Swing the hips forward and backward as well.
Side to side The player bounces with their feet together and jumps from side to side.
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2.2.4 Stationary Footwork
Players spread out on the floor and execute each of the following skills on the spot: Jumping Hopping Running Scissors Star Jumps Tuck Jumps Jumping from side to side Jumping front to back Slalom – Jumping with feet together, pointing diagonally one side then the other
2.2.5 Hop Dribble
On command, players perform the following sequence of manoeuvres: 1. Hop on left foot, dribble with left hand 2. Hop on right foot, dribble with right hand 3. Hop on left foot, dribble with right hand 4. Hop on right foot, dribble with left hand 5. Hop on both feet, crossover dribble
The manoeuvres can be performed while stationary, moving forward or backward. Drill for 15-30 seconds each.
2.2.6 Slow – Fast Exchange
Players have a ball each. On command, they dribble as fast as possible with the right hand while jogging as slowly as possible on the spot. Repeat with opposite hand. The second phase is to move the feet as fast as possible while dribbling slowly.
Variations: ball dribbled low while feet are raised high ball dribble high while feet stay low
2.2.7 Non-preferred One on One
One on one with the following restrictions: Dribbles must be with the non-preferred hand (allow one steadying dribble with preferred hand).
First shot of each possession is taken with the non-preferred hand
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The drill can be extended to three on three, with the restriction that all passes must be push passes with the non-preferred hand.
A full court version involves an offence player starting with the ball on the baseline and a defender. Using the corridor of the width of the circles (elbows), offensive player must attempt to advance ball up floor. When player gets to centre circle, either hand may be used. Defence should attempt to force and keep ball on offensive weak hand.
Figure 2-1 Full court non-preferred hand contest dribbling drill
2.2.8 Muscle Awareness Drills
Developing a sense of “feel” is primary to developing muscle awareness. A good technique is to close the eyes while performing different skills. This helps in establishing movement patterns as well as developing a sense of how the successful execution of the skill will feel. All players have a ball and execute the following skills with their eyes closed:
Perform dribbling manoeuvres in place – low dribble, high dribble, fast dribble, slow dribble, forward three dribbles, backward three dribbles, crossover, between legs, alternating hands, behind back, etc. Practice shooting release, follow through and full extension against the wall. Shoot right hand/left hand layups off the backboard. Shoot free throws. Pass the ball off the wall. Practice correct jumping technique (step, gather, release). Practice footwork (pivoting, change of direction, etc.). Practice defensive slides.
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3. Offensive Fundamentals
3.1 Introduction
Coaches often lament their players’ lack of fundamentals, but do not devote enough training time to skill development. If players spend half an hour at training shooting the basketball, their shooting will improve more than if they spend half an hour scrimmaging, as improvement comes from repetition. When teaching offensive fundamentals, it is vital that coaches have a thorough knowledge of the technical details of every skill. It is not good enough to run a shooting drill without being able to diagnose and correct problems in shooting techniques. Similarly, players should not be allowed to take shortcuts in drills to sacrifice technique – for example, a missed basket with a good shooting technique is preferable over a made basket with a poor technique. Players should not be allowed to take layups with the incorrect hand, or jump off the incorrect foot, as although this may have no immediate impact at a younger age, it will limit their ability to play at a high level when older.
3.2 Shooting
Shooting is often regarded as the most important skill in basketball, but is not drilled nearly enough at trainings. Shooting will only improve through repetitive drills, with an emphasis on technique rather than result. This section describes the proper technique for shooting. Coaches should ensure that they know and understand proper shooting technique and emphasise it during all shooting situations.
3.2.1 Balance and Stance
Good balance is the first step to successful shooting. Key teaching points for good balance are:
• Feet shoulder width apart, and pointing at the basket. • Right foot slightly in front of left (opposite for left handers). • Knees slightly bent. The knees need to be bent more as the distance of the shot increases, for power in the shot. • Shoulders square to the basket. • Head still to allow better balance
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3.2.2 Ball Position
Proper grip of the ball is essential:
• Fingers spread comfortably wide. • Ball rests on finger pads, not the palm. • Wrist cocked back.
3.2.3 Elbow Position
Correct position of the elbow and the supporting hand help the ball to go straight on each shot:
• The elbow is relaxed and held underneath the ball. • The elbow forms a straight line with the knee and foot. • The support hand, with fingers spread, rests gently on the side of the ball, not underneath or on top of ball.
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3.2.4 Release and Follow Through
The following points should be emphasised before, during and after the release of the ball:
• The wrist is cocked back and with the elbow forms the letter U. • The ball should be above the right eye (left for lefthanders). • Lock elbow. • Snap wrist – this should result in back spin. • After the wrist snap the fingers should be pointing forward, in line with the forward shooting foot. • Players should have their fingers spread and shaped like they were when the ball was in their hand • Hold the wrist snap and elbow extension after each shot, to establish good habits.
3.2.5 Power and Rhythm
The power or force behind the shot comes from the legs, not by pushing the ball at the basket like a shot put. The arms are to provide the accuracy and 'touch' on the shot – the legs provide the power to get it there.
• Bend knees for the shot. The further out, the more bend. • Straighten knees at the same time the elbow extends for the release of the ball.
Good shooters are described to have “shooting rhythm”. This means the shot is smooth, and all parts of the shooting motion move together.
3.2.6 Eyes
Players must keep their eyes on the basket the whole time. Watching the ball forces the shooter to tilt their head up and disrupts the rhythm of the shot.
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3.2.7 Flight of the Ball
A medium arch of about 45o is the ideal flight of the ball for consistent shooting. The ball has the full width of the basket to enter and is able to drop straight down. A high arch also opens the ring up and allows the ball to drop straight down, however the increased length of the shot is harder to control than the medium arch. A flat low arch, greatly reduces the chances of making baskets.
3.2.8 Drills
3.2.8.1 Shooting Technique
All teams in Under 12s, 14s and 16s must do this for 15 minutes at training every week.
All players have a basketball and are divided up between available baskets. Players shoot the ball, with the following progression:
1 hand, ball starting above shooting eye 2 hands, ball starting above shooting eye 2 hands, ball starting in the triple threat position As above, but with a jump As above, but starting by swinging the ball through and pivoting towards the basket Coaches walk around giving feedback on players’ technique.
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3.2.8.2 Two Ball Shooting
Players are in groups of three per basket, with two balls between them. One player shoots from various specified positions, while the other two rebound. The drill can be made competitive by playing to a fixed score (say 7) or by counting a score in a fixed time period (say one minute).
Figure 3-1 Two ball shooting
3.2.8.3 Sevens
Players are divided into teams, with each team lining up at a specified spot with one ball. The first team to make seven shots wins. The drill can be varied by requiring a one or two bounce jump shots.
3.2.8.4 Kentucky
Make five shots from a specified position. If you miss while on 1 or 3, the score goes back to zero.
3.2.8.5 Three Shooters, Two Basketballs
Players 2 and 3 shoot then get the rebound. Whoever gets the first rebound passes to player 1, then runs to the perimeter to receive the next pass. Player 1 shoots and the drill continues.
Figure 3-2 Three shooters, two basketballs
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3.2.8.6 Five Shooters, Three Basketballs
As above, except now there are five shooters and three basketballs. Shooters must communicate to the passers that they are free for a shot.
3.2.8.7 Pair Shooting
Player 1 passes to player 2 and follows the pass, playing token defence. Player 2 catches and shoots. Player 2 rebounds and repeats the sequence.
Figure 3-3 Pair Shooting
The position and type of the shot can be varied. For example, you could progress through the following sequence: Catch and shoot jump shot Catch, shot fake, jump shot Catch, drive fake, jump shot Catch, shot fake, drive fake, jump shot Catch, one dribble onside, jump shot Catch, one dribble crossover, jump shot Catch, drive fake, shot fake, one dribble jump shot Catch, drive fake, shot fake, layup Catch, drive fake, shot fake, one dribble step back jump shot
3.2.8.8 Foul shooting
Shoot foul shots, two at a time. This can be varied by only allowing a second shot if the first is made. This is to force players to achieve focus early. Emphasise technique, and using the same routine for every shot.
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3.2.8.9 Shoot the Arc
Take three point shots from the five spots shown. Make a specified number of shots before moving from one spot to the next. Increase the difficulty, by requiring that the shots be made in a row.
Figure 3-4 Shoot the arc
3.2.8.10 Horse Shoe Shooting
Player starts behind coach / chair, cuts to one side for catch & shoot, runs around coach to other side of coach / chair for catch & shoot. Emphasis is on catching the ball in the air, showing target hands and squaring up on inside foot. It is important to have fluid action in the shot and eliminate the “twist” of the body in the shot.
Figure 3-5 Horse Shoe Shooting
3.2.8.11 Baker Gate Drill
2 cones situated 1 metre apart at or around foul line are 3rd cone situated in middle of the 2 cones, about 1/2 metre in front Player must dribble at speed to the line of the cones, pull up and shoot before the 3rd cone Drill useful in working a quick "pull-up" from the dribble to the shot. The 3rd cone can be replaced with a coach, who can place pressure on the shot.
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3.3 Layups
The most common mistake in teaching layups is to neglect drilling the non-preferred hand. Players in all ages and divisions must be able to make a layup in a game situation with either hand, in order to protect the ball from the nearest defender. Coaches should not allow players to shoot a layup with the incorrect hand at trainings or games.
3.3.1 Types
The following layups should be taught and emphasised at all age groups:
• Normal – right hand and left hand. • Hook – right hand and left hand. • Reverse – right hand and left hand. • Power – right hand and left hand.
In under 12s and below, players will be taught to shoot overhead layups, as per normal shooting style. In under 14s and above, players will be taught to shoot both overhead and underarm layups.
3.3.2 General teaching points
The following points should be emphasised: • Shoot with the correct hand. • Jump off the opposite foot to the hand you are using (except for power layups). • Raise the knee of the hand you are using, for balance and elevation. • Focus on the target. • Maintain balance. • Use the backboard, unless straight on to the basket. • Cut 45° to the basket, and through the block. • When doing a hook/reverse layup, the shoulder should be close to the ear. • When doing a hook/reverse layup, the shoulders should be at 90° to the basket. • When doing a power layup, jump off two feet, with feet perpendicular to baseline.
3.3.3 Drills
3.3.3.1 Half court layups
Players are lined up in two lines in the half court – a shooting line at the half way line with two balls, and a rebounding line, either at the three point line if there are 7 or less players in the group, or at the half way line if there are 8 or more. Players in the shooting line dribble hard to the basket and do a layup, and players in the rebounding line rebound the ball before it hits the floor and pass to the shooting line.
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Ensure players in both lines start at the designated positions, and that layups are always completed at game pace.
Figure 3-8 Half court layups
3.3.3.2 Two Pass Layups
As per half court layups, except instead of dribbling, players pass to the rebounding line, then back to the shooting line before doing a layup. Emphasise that the ball must be kept off the floor, and that passes must be flat and hard.
Figure 3-9 Two pass layups
3.3.3.3 Layups Under Pressure
Players line up in two lines at the half way line, one at the sideline and one at the centre circle. The player at the start of the line at the sideline is in offence with a ball and the player at the start of the line at the centre circle is in defence. The offensive player dribbles to the basket for a layup. After the first dribble, the defensive player chases and attempts to either block the shot or draw a charge. The drill can be varied for older age groups by allowing the defence to foul the offence.
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Figure 3-10 Layups under pressure
3.3.3.4 Weaves
Weaves are described in section 3.5.5.6.
3.3.3.5 X-out layups
Players are in pairs at a basket and start at one elbow with a basketball each. Players alternate between right hand and left hand one dribble layups for a minute and count a score between them. The type of layup is specified by the coach.
Figure 3-11 X-out layups
3.3.3.6 Mikan Drill
Players perform successive right hand and left hand hook layups, without allowing the ball to drop below shoulder height. The drill can be varied by doing power layups (2 foot take off), or by doing reverse layups rather than hook layups.
3.3.3.7 Turn the Corner Lay-ups
- Group outside the 3 point line in the middle lane - Cone or witches hat at either elbow - Coach or another cone located about 1 metre down the lane from cone - Players dribble outside of the cone, "turn the corner" hard for lay-up
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Coach can bump or slap at the ball to ensure the player is protecting the ball and focusing on the shot.
An excellent drill to ensure players are not moving in wide arcs to the basket. Works on shooting lay-ups both sides and finishing under pressure.
Figure 3-12 Turn the corner layups
3.3.3.8 Espoirs Dribble / Shot Drill
• Player 1 speed dribbles around the cone at half way and makes a layup. • 1 gets the ball out of the basket then dribbles around the circle at the top of the key then takes a jump shot from the block. • Player 2 starts as soon as 1 gets to cone
Figure 3-13 Espoirs dribble / shot drill
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3.4 Ball Handling
3.4.1 General Teaching Points
The following points should be emphasised when teaching/drilling ball handling: Vision - keep eyes up, and see whole court. Stance - legs bent, back straight, feet shoulder width apart. Finger pads - shoot the ball into the ground with finger pads. Low dribble - keep ball just above knee height, unless doing a speed dribble in the open court. Long first step - when making a move, take a long first step, to get past the defence. Either hand - players should be able to do all moves with either hand. Stutter - short, sharp stutter steps, to get the defence off balance. Receiving hand low - the receiving hand should be low to the ground.
3.4.2 Skills
This section contains a list of ball handling skills. They are listed in order of difficulty from easiest to hardest, although most should be taught at all age groups.
AGE SKILL EMPHASIS U10s Control Low dribble Protect ball with body U10s Speed Waist high dribble Push ball out in front As few dribbles as possible U12s Hesitation One high dribble Shoulders back Ball at shoulder Change of pace – fast to slow to fast U12s Retreat Shuffle backwards Keep ball close to body U12s Crossover Plant outside foot Fast, low, crossover dribble Step past defence with new outside foot Sharp change of direction Change of pace – fast to slow to fast U12s On side Step sideways in direction of fake (fake crossover) Roll shoulder over ball Roll hand on side of ball Change of pace – fast to slow to fast
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AGE SKILL EMPHASIS U14s Through legs Jump stop Sharp change of direction Step past defence with new inside foot and dribble at same time U14s Behind back Wrap ball around back Push ball in front of body Brush body with hand Sharp change of direction U14s Reverse pivot Keep ball close to body Don’t change hands until after move Only use when safe (see below) U16s Combinations Sell the first move
A reverse pivot should not be used against full court defensive pressure, as it results in a loss of vision. It can, however, be used in the open court or in the front court. Because of this, reverse pivots should not be taught until at least U14.
3.4.3 Drills
3.4.3.1 Stationary Ball Skills
Players spread out on the court, and perform a variety of ball skills on the spot. The drills can be made competitive by playing to a target, or achieving a score in a fixed time period.
There are a huge number of possible activities that can be done. The following are taken from a video and booklet developed by Ganon Baker.
Ball wraps Ball wraps with dribble Head Outside right leg, 2 dribbles Waist Outside left leg, 2 dribbles Head / Waist Inside right leg, 2 dribbles Legs Inside left leg, 2 dribbles Single right leg Outside right leg, 1 dribble Single left leg Outside left leg, 1 dribble Step back (double leg, single leg) Inside right leg, 1 dribble Waist / Legs Inside left leg, 1 dribble Lunge Right hand left leg 2 dribbles Head / Waist / Legs Right hand left leg 1 dribble Left hand right leg 2 dribbles Left hand right leg 1 dribble Right hand left waist 2 dribbles Right hand left waist 1 dribble Left hand right waist 2 dribbles Left hand right waist 1 dribble
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Stationary passing with ball Butt busters – shoot ball between legs front to back as hard as possible Throw in front, catch behind Throw in front, catch between legs Throw behind, catch between/through legs Hikes – flip ball between legs Alt hikes – flip ball between legs, alternating hands 1 hand hikes – flip ball in front and behind legs with 1 hand Spider – left/right hands in front, left right hands behind Rhythm drill – left hand in front, right hand behind ball, drop ball and switch hands
Finger pad dribbling Figure 8 dribble – low dribble around right and left legs in a figure 8 pattern Figure 8 walk – figure 8 drill walking Spider – tap ball with left and right hand in front then behind Spider walk – spider drill walking
Stationary dribble moves Inside out1 dribble through legs Behind back, 2 dribbles Between legs, crossover Behind back, 1 dribble Between legs, behind back Left to right, 1 hand Between legs twice Forwards and backwards, one hand Crossover, through legs 2 dribble crossover Behind back, crossover 1 dribble crossover Around same leg 2 dribble through legs Around opposite leg
3.4.3.2 Two Ball Dribbling
Players dribble with two balls, either stationary or moving. Variations include:
• Simultaneous - balls hitting floor at same time • Alternating - balls hitting floor at different times • Around back - one ball around back, the other ball crossover • Through legs - one ball through legs, the other ball crossover • High/low - one ball bounces twice for each bounce of the other ball • Side to side • Forwards and backwards • One to the left, one to the right • One forwards, one backwards • Around in circles • Double crossover
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3.4.3.3 Paired Dribbling
Each player has a basketball and stands on a sideline opposite a partner. On the coach’s command, the players dribble to the split-line, make a specified move, and then dribble to the opposite sideline.
Figure 3-14 Paired dribbling
3.4.3.4 Station Dribbling
Six markers are placed evenly around the court, and all players have a basketball. Players dribble around the court, making a specified move at each marker, finishing off with a layup at each end.
Figure 3-15 Station dribbling
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3.4.3.5 Lane Dribbling
Player are grouped in 4 or 5 lines on the baseline, and dribble up and down the court, making a specified move at the near foul line, half way line, far foul line and end line.
Figure 3-16 Lane dribbling
3.4.3.6 Creative Dribbling
Players are grouped as for lane dribbling, but must make a different move each step. Encourage combination moves.
3.4.3.7 Individual Ball Handling
Players spread out on the court with a ball each and make random moves in their own space.
3.4.3.8 Knockout Dribbling
Players spread out inside the three point line with a basketball each, attempting to steal the ball from other players. If a player’s ball is knocked out of the area, they are eliminated from the drill, until there is only one player left. This drill encourages players to protect the ball from the defence, and develops their ability to dribble the ball without looking at it.
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3.5 Passing, Leading and Receiving
Passing is the fastest way to move the ball up the court or around an offence. In a fast break situation, players should be encouraged to pass the ball rather than dribble it. In a half court offence, players should use the pass to quickly reverse the basketball from one side to the other, in order to shift the defence.
3.5.1 General Teaching Points
The following points apply to all types of passes:
Aim for a target. In most cases, the target is the receiver’s chest, though for bounce passes is the receiver’s waist. Don’t telegraph the pass. Make use of pass fakes. Keep vision. See all defenders, and don’t pass into a crowd.
3.5.2 Types of Passes
The table below contains a list of different types of passes.
AGE SKILL EMPHASIS U12s Chest Hands on either side of ball, fingers spread Step towards receiver Snap wrists Ball should spin backwards U12s Bounce As above Hit the floor 2/3 of the distance to the receiver Don’t use a bounce pass when a chest pass would do the job, as a bounce pass is slower U12s Push Use outside hand – don’t pass across body Cock wrist Snap wrist Finish with elbow locked, thumbs down U12s Lob Throw ball out in front of receiver’s (Open court) leading hand Let receiver run onto ball
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AGE SKILL EMPHASIS U14s Curl Pass fake first (high or low) (Post feed) Step away from defender Pass away from post defender Encourage a bounce pass U16s Overhead Snap wrists Finish with elbows locked, thumbs down Useful when making a skip pass U16s Lob Use when post is fronted (Post feed) See help-side defenders U16s Baseball Hand behind ear U16s No look Know where receiver is U16s Through legs Jump stop U16s Behind back Turn shoulders Flick wrist Point to target with passing hand at end of pass U16s Behind head Turn shoulders Flick wrist Point to target U18s Lob/alley-oop Throw ball near the ring Timing
3.5.3 Leading
There are three techniques taught for leading for the ball on the perimeter.
V cut. Cut hard from the perimeter to the side of the key, then from the key to the perimeter, pushing hard off the baseline foot. Run in two straight lines.
Seal. Cut hard from the perimeter to the side of the key, plant high foot, pivot, seal defender with baseline foot and arm using the slash arm technique, then cut hard to the perimeter.
Triangle lead. Cut hard from the perimeter to the low block, cut up the side of the key to the high block, sealing the defender, then cut hard to the perimeter.
In general, players should use the V cut to get open, unless they are being defended so closely that it is difficult to do so, in which case they should then use the seal lead. The triangle lead should only be used if absolutely necessary. The seal lead is slower than the V cut, and the triangle lead is slower again.
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3.5.4 Receiving
When receiving a pass, the following points should be emphasised:
• Call for the ball • Hands ready early • Meet the ball
3.5.5 Drills
3.5.5.1 Pair Passing, Stationary
Players line up in pairs, facing each other, 5 metres apart. One player in each pair has a ball. The players pass the ball back and forth to each other. Use a chest pass first, then a push pass right handed and left handed. Step forward while passing, alternating feet each pass. Introduce the concept of pass fakes. Remember to receive the ball in the air, using a jump- stop to land with both feet hitting the floor at the same time.
The drill can be varied for Under 16s and above, by using two balls, with one player making a chest pass and the other a bounce pass.
Figure 3-17 Pair passing, stationary
3.5.5.2 Pair Passing, Full Court
Players 1 and 2 line up as shown. They move down the court making chest passes to each other. After reaching the end of the court, they cross to the other side of the court and repeat on the way back. The drill can also be used with bounce passes, push passes, behind the back or around the head.
The drill can be varied for Under 16s and above by having both players with a ball. One player throws a chest pass, and the other a bounce pass, or both throw push passes.
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Figure 3-18 Pair passing, full court
3.5.5.3 Four Lanes Pass and Change
Players 1, 2, 3 and 4 line up as shown. 2 and 3 have a basketball. All players move down the court. Players 2 and 3 pass to the outside players 1 and 4 respectively, then cross over. Players 1 and 4 pass back to the players closest to them. Players 2 and 3 make return passes to the outside players, then cross over again.
Figure 3-19 Four lanes pass and change
3.5.5.4 Espoirs Passing Drill
• Players 1 and 2 pass back and forth while running full court using the width of the key
• On the way back players 1 and 2 lob pass to each other using the full width of the court
Figure 3-20 Espoirs Passing Drill
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3.5.5.5 Passing Off The Dribble
The following drill practices push passing off the correct hip, and timing of passing and leading in game situations. Each of the following scenarios can be made more game-realistic by first adding a defender on the receiver, then adding a defender on the passer.
Player 1 stands at the half way line with the ball, half way between the sideline and split- line. As player 1 begins to dribble, player 2 leads from the low block to the forward position. Player 1 makes a pass of the dribble with the right hand. Repeat on the other side of the court.
Figure 3-21 Passing off dribble – guard to forward pass
Player 1 dribbles over the half way line. Player 3 flashes from the low post to the foul line. Player 1 makes a right handed push pass of the dribble. Repeat on the other side of the floor.
Figure 3-22 Passing off dribble – guard to high post pass
Player 1 dribbles over the half way line. Player 4 flashes from the weak-side low post to the strong-side low post. Player 1 dribbles to the wing and makes a right handed push pass off the dribble to player 4. Repeat on the other side of the court.
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Figure 3-23 Passing off dribble – forward to low post pass
3.5.5.6 Cat and Mouse
Players are arranged in groups of three, with two offensive players about 5 metres apart with a ball and one defensive player between them. The offensive players must push pass the ball back and forth for a set time period (say 30 seconds), with the defence mirroring the ball. The pass cannot be made until the defence has closed out to the ball, and lob passes are not allowed.
The emphasis for the offence is to: set up the pass with one fake pass with the outside hand, to avoid the defence aim at a target hand either pass by the defender’s ear, or make a bounce pass, based on where the defender’s hands are
3.5.5.7 Three Lane Passing, One Basketball
Players form three lines on the baseline. Player 2 starts with the ball. All players begin to run up the floor towards the basket. The ball is passed from player 2 to 1 to 2 to 3 to 2 to 1, who shoots a layup. The next group of three will commence when the previous group has reached the free throw line.
Figure 3-24 Three lane passing, one basketball
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3.5.5.8 Three Lane Passing, Two Basketballs
Players form three lines on the baseline. Players 1 and 2 have a ball each. All players begin to run up the floor towards the basket. Player 2 passes to player 3 and player 1 passes to player 2. Player 2 returns the pass to player 1 and player 3 passes to player 2. To commence, players are allowed one bounce between passes to prevent travelling. Eventually the drill should be completed without any dribbles and no travels. The drill can be modified by having players on the outside make bounce passes, while the middle player makes a chest pass, and vice versa.
Figure 3-25 Three lane passing, two balls
3.5.5.9 Three Lane Passing, Three Basketballs
As above, but all players have a basketball. The outside players make bounce passes while the middle player makes a chest pass, and vice versa.
Figure 3-26 Three lane passing, three balls
3.5.5.10 Three Lane Passing with Defence
As per Three Lane Passing, with a defender in each of the three circles. Initially, the defenders are allowed to play defence only in the circles, looking to intercept any passers. The offence is not allowed to dribble.
The drill can be varied, by increasing the area in which the defence is allowed to play.
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Figure 3-27 Three lane passing with defence
3.5.5.11 Dribble, Pivot, Pass
Player 1 dribbles from the low post to the wing then reverse/forward pivots and passes back to player 2. Player 2 catches the ball in stance, then repeats the sequence.
Figure 3-28 Dribble, pivot, pass – no defence
Next, player 1 begins to dribble to the wing and player 2 follows. When player 1 reverse/forward pivots, player 2 pressures the pass from player 1 to player 3.
Figure 3-29 Dribble, pivot, pass – defence on passer
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Next, player 1 begins to dribble to the wing and player 2 follows. When player 1 reverse/forward pivots, player 2 pressures the pass from player 1 to player 3 and player 4 defends player 3.
Figure 3-30 Dribble, pivot, pass – defence on passer and receiver
3.5.5.12 Four Corner Passing
Players line up in the four corners of a half court. To start the drill, players at the front of a line must:
pass to the next line around cut diagonally towards the opposite corner receive a return pass pass to the opposite corner, and join that line
Initially, the drill can be run with two balls, but eventually it should be done with four. Throughout the drill, the ball should not touch floor and when receiving a pass, players should show target hands, call for the ball and catch the ball in the air.
The drill can be varied by reversing the direction, using a variety of different types of passes, and walking the corners in to encourage sharper passing.
Figure 3-31 Four corner passing
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3.5.5.13 4 Corner Pivot and Pass
Group in each corner of the half court Players dribble to a jump stop and reverse pivot & pass on the coach's command ("right/left") If the command is "right", player reverse pivots on right foot and passes to the group to the right… Players follow their pass
Figure 3-32 4 corner pivot & pass
3.5.5.14 Vichy Hand-Off Drill
Player 1 dribbles from half way to the cone at the wing. 1 makes a cross-over dribble and comes to a jump stop at the elbow.
Player 2 runs around the cone at the wing then heads for the elbow receiving a hand- off from 1
Player 2 then dribbles to the corner, makes a spin move then passes to 1 for a layup
After making the hand off player 1 runs around the cone at the three point line, top, then cuts to the basket to receive a pass from 2
Figure 3-33 Vichy Hand-Off Drill
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3.5.5.15 Three/Five Man Weave
Players line up in 3 or 5 lines on the baseline, with a ball in the middle line. Players make chest passes to the next player, then cut behind all players in the direction that the pass is made. A layup is made at the far basket, and the drill is repeated on the way back. The number of passes in each direction should be limited to five.
The following points should be emphasised: • call for the ball • make flat, hard passes, with backspin • keep the ball off the floor • every player touches the sidelines and baselines • if necessary, come to a jump stop – this teaches good balance • continuity of drill on the way back
Figure 3-34 Three man weave
3.5.5.16 Three Corner Push Passing
Players line up in three lines in a triangle, a court width apart, with a ball in each line. Players take one dribble, make a push pass to the next line, then join that line. Later, the drill should be reversed, to practice passing with the opposite hand. The drill can be varied by alternating between passes in the air and off the bounce.
The emphasis should be on flat, hard passes, and flicking the wrist.
Figure 3-35 Three corner push passing
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3.5.5.17 Netball Drill
Players are positioned as shown in the diagram below. Players in the baseline lines make successive passes to both of the players on their side of the court, then make a layup. After each pass or layup, players move on to the next line.
The emphasis for this drill should be: • make flat, hard passes • keep the ball off the floor • call for the ball • get up the court quickly The drill can be varied by specifying a different type of layup to be made.
Figure 3-36 Netball drill
3.5.5.18 36ers Passing
Players are positioned as shown in the diagram below. Starting at the half way line, players: • receive a pass from the opposite line • make a pass to the next player in the opposite line • receive a pass from the opposite corner of the foul line make a return pass • run around the player on the foul line, then join the opposite line at the half way line
The points of emphasis are: • make flat, hard passes • keep the ball off the floor • call for the ball
Figure 3-37 36’ers passing drill
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3.5.5.19 Jacob’s Layups
Players are in three lines at the baseline, with one ball in the middle lane. A marker is place 3 metres in from the baseline and left sideline at the opposite end of the court. The first three players sprint up the court, and follow the passing sequence shown below, finishing with a layup.
Figure 3-38 Jacob’s layups, first sequence
Player 3 rebounds the ball before it hits the ground, then the players repeat the sequence in the opposite direction, as shown below.
Figure 3-39 Jacob’s layups, second sequence
Players must not leave the first baseline until the first passer has the ball and the ball must not touch the floor.
The emphasis is on: • flat hard passes • passing in front of the receiver • not travelling
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3.5.5.20 Circle Passing
There are two or three lines of two players around the centre circle, each line with a basketball. The remaining players are in a larger surrounding circle, three metre further out. Players pass the ball from circle to circle, moving to a position behind the person they passed to. The balls move in a specified direction around the circle.
Figure 3-40 Circle passing
3.5.5.21 Duke 4 man V-Cut
Players line up in four lines as shown, with 2 or 3 basketballs in line 1. The balls are passed from player 1 to player 2, to player 3, to player 4. Players receiving a pass at the front of the line make V-cuts as shown. Player 2 takes a dribble with their outside hand, before making a push pass to player 3. Player 3 squares up to the basket before making a push pass to player 4. Player 4 shoots a jump shot on the foul line.
The emphasis is on: • sharp cuts in straight lines • strong leads • flat, hard passes
Figure 3-41 Duke 4 man V-Cut
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3.5.5.22 Four Corners Change
Players line up in four lines on the corners of the key as shown. Player 1 passes to player 2, runs to their inside shoulder and comes to a jump stop. Player 2 hands the ball off to player 1, who does a quarter reverse pivot, and hands the ball back to player 2. The sequence is repeated around the four lines. On the coach’s command, the ball changes direction. Initially, the drill can be run with 1 basketball, although as many as four balls can be used.
The points of emphasis are: • Communication • Flat hard passes • Protecting the ball during hand offs
Figure 3-42 Indiana passing
3.5.5.23 Partisan Passing
Players line up in lines 1, 2 and 3 on the left hand side of the court. One, two or three players line up in line 4, under the basket, with a basketball. The ball is passed up the court as shown in the left hand diagram. After players 1, 2 and 3 pass the ball, they run to the same numbered line on the opposite side of the court as shown in the right hand diagram. Player 4 makes a layup, rebounds the ball, and then repeats the process down the other end. After players 1, 2 and 3 make their second pass, they move to the line numbered one higher than their original line number. An emphasis is placed on making flat, hard passes.
Figure 3-43 Partisan passing
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3.5.5.24 Single Exchange
Players align themselves as per a bicycle chain the width of the jumping circles, as shown below. 1, 2 or 3 balls are passed back and forth from side to side of the chain.
A variety of passes can be specified: • chest passes • push passes • around back • around head
Figure 3-44 Single exchange
3.5.5.25 Tennessee
Players line up in 6 lines around the court – positions 1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8. Lines 1, 5, 6, 7 and 8 have a ball at the front. Players 1, 2 and 3 pass the ball up the court as shown (similar to the 3 lane passing drill). Player 1 makes a layup. Players 2 and 3 cut diagonally to the opposite elbow, receive a pass from 6 and 5 respectively, and shoot a jump shot. Players 4, 5 and 6 repeat the sequence in the opposite direction. This is generally used as a conditioning drill, and is best run with a target number of baskets to make in a specified time limit (maximum 3 minutes).
Figure 3-45 Tennessee
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3.5.5.26 USA Drill
Players line up in four lines at positions 1, 2, 3 and 4. There is one ball in each line (in lines 1 and 2, the second player in line has the ball). Player 5 also has a ball, and starts under the basket as shown. Players 5, 1 and 2 advance the ball up the court with two passes and a number of dribbles, as shown. Players 5 and 1 receive a pass from 3 and 4 respectively, and shoot a jump shot from the block. Player 2 makes a layup, then repeats the sequence in the opposite direction with players 3 and 4.
This is generally used as a conditioning drill, and is best run with a target number of baskets to make in a specified time limit (maximum 3 minutes).
Figure 3-46 USA drill
3.6 Perimeter Moves
3.6.1 Introduction
This section describes perimeter moves. In the normal running of a motion offence, these moves start with a player receiving the ball on the three point line.
3.6.2 Squaring Up
Players should always square up towards the basket when receiving the ball on the perimeter, and get low to the ground. In U16s and below, players should always square up with a baseline pivot foot, to facilitate learning a variety of moves. In U18s and above, players should be able to make moves after squaring up on either foot.
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3.6.3 Triple Threat
Players should square up into the triple threat position, allowing them to pass, dribble or shoot, with: • legs bent • ball at shooting hip • head up
3.6.4 Fakes
In order to break their defender down and get open for a shot, players should have the ability to combine one or more fakes into their moves. The following two types of fakes should be mastered:
FAKE EMPHASIS Shot fake Keep legs bent, to allow a quick move Keep both feet stationary Get ball above head Realistic fake Drive fake (also known as a Short jab step towards basket jab fake) Keep back leg bent, for increased power Dip shoulder Move ball to knee height Realistic fake
3.6.5 Moves
The following table describes a set of perimeter moves that should be progressively taught from U12s upwards. Initially, these should be used after a square up as described above. In U16s and above, these moves can be drilled out of a situation where the ball is already being dribbled, however it is important that players do not dribble the ball unnecessarily.
When making a move off the dribble, the ball must be moved into the shooting position after the last dribble. If the dribble was on the non-preferred side of the body, the ball should be transferred diagonally from low on the non-preferred side to high on the preferred side, in preparation for a quick release shot.
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AGE MOVE EMPHASIS U12s 1 dribble crossover, Lead foot crosses over pivot foot jump stop Ball hits floor same time as foot One step, jump stop U12s 1 dribble on side, Lead foot goes away from pivot stride stop foot Ball hits floor same time as foot Three steps U14s 1 dribble crossover, Lead foot crosses over pivot foot stride stop Ball hits floor same time as foot Two steps U14s 2 dribble crossover 1 crossover dribble, then as per 1 dribble on side jump shots Four steps U14s 2 dribble on side As per 1 dribble on side jump shot, but with an extra dribble Five steps U16s 2 dribble crossover, 2 crossover dribbles step back When second dribble hits floor, push backwards and sideways off inside foot, to evade defence Five steps U16s 1 dribble crossover, As per 2 dribble crossover step step back back, but with only three steps U16s 2 dribble on side, 1 on side dribble, then as per 1 step back dribble cross-over step back. When second dribble hits floor, push backwards and sideways off outside foot, to evade defence Four steps
3.6.6 Drills
3.6.6.1 Motion Shooting
The motion shooting drill is described in section 4.6.1.
3.6.6.2 Perimeter move from a lead
Players lead from the side of the key to the three point line and receive a pass, either from another perimeter player, or from themselves. Players square up to the basket, and perform a specified move as described in this chapter. Later, a defensive player can be added and players can play one on one, with a restricted subset of moves and a limited number of dribbles.
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3.6.6.3 Perimeter moves from a dribble
Players dribble the ball from the half way line to the three point line, do a stutter step, then perform one of the moves described in this chapter. Later, a defensive player can be added, and players can play one on one, with a restricted subset of moves, and a limited number of dribbles. This drill should only be used once players have mastered the previous drill and is generally for U16s and above.
3.7 Post Moves
3.7.1 Introduction
Players in U14 and above are taught motion offences involving post players. As such, post moves should be taught in the same age groups. As for all skills, it is important that all players are taught post skills, not just tall players, in order to increase player versatility.
3.7.2 Leading and Receiving
This section describes the skills necessary to allow a player to receive the ball in the post: • v-cut - if the offence allows it, V-cut from the opposite post, diving low first • seal defender - use body to keep defence away from passing lane • hands high and wide- as per stance for boxing out • bottom foot on double hash - this provides room for high and low side moves • jump to the ball – this makes it difficult for defender to steal pass • catch the ball in the air - this allows either foot to be used as a pivot foot • chin the ball - this provides better protection from the defence • elbows out - this provides better protection from the defence • balance - bend legs shoulder width apart
3.7.3 Feeding the Post
When feeding the post, players should: • pass fake - this is usually necessary to avoid the passer’s defender • curl pass away from the post defender • relocate – the passer’s defence will often focus on the ball and lose sight of the passer
3.7.4 Moves
After receiving the ball in the post, players should immediately look over their high shoulder to see the rest of the court and read the defence to decide which move should be made, or indeed if a move should be made at all. A post move can consist of the following components: • fakes • primary move • counter move(s) • shot
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An example of a complete move is: shoulder fake low, drop step high, shot fake, step through.
The following four sections describe each of these components. The fifth section lists complete moves, in the order they should be taught.
3.7.4.1 Fakes
FAKE EMPHASIS Shoulder fake Twist shoulders (to start a back to Move ball to waist height the basket move Keep feet on the ground Realistic Drive/Jab fake As for a perimeter drive fake (to start a front to the basket move)
Shot fake As for a perimeter shot fake
3.7.4.2 Primary Moves
MOVE SITUATION EMPHASIS Pass to an open Player is double teamed, or See whole floor player a player is open for a shot Forward pivot Defence is playing back a Bend legs, staying low to ground step, or directly between Be ready to shoot the ball offence and basket Reverse pivot As above As above Drop step Defence is playing close, on Seal defence with long step one side or the other backwards Hard dribble Ball hits floor when foot does Jump stop Feet parallel to basket for high move, or perpendicular to baseline for low move Spin Defence is slow to close out Quick forward pivot, including a step towards basket Ball hits floor when foot does Stride stop – two steps only
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3.7.4.3 Counter Moves
MOVE SITUATION EMPHASIS Crossover Defence is playing close, or Seal defender with long step dribble jumps at shot fake, after a Start as per perimeter crossover forward/reverse pivot moves Finish as per drop step move Onside dribble Defence is playing close, or Long first step jumps at shot fake, after a Start as per perimeter on side forward/reverse pivot move Step through Defence jumps at shot fake Protect ball after a drop step or Keep ball above shoulders onside/crossover Jump off two feet dribble Step back Defence reacts to dribble in Step back and shoot a jump shot, crossover or drop step as per perimeter step back move move
3.7.4.4 Shots
The following shots can be used to finish a post move. The teaching points for jump shots and power layups are described earlier in this chapter. When performing a jump hook, the player should be side on to the basket, and release the ball with their shooting arm behind their ear.
MOVE SITUATION EMPHASIS Jump shot Defence is a step away Quick release Power layup Player with ball is close to Feet pointing to baseline side of basket Two foot take off Protect ball with opposite hand Jump hook Player with ball is close to Feet pointing to sideline basket on split-line Two foot take off Protect ball with opposite hand
3.7.4.5 Post Moves
This section describes complete post moves, made up of the above four components. The moves are listed in the order they should be taught. Moves that start with a fake can be drilled initially without the fake, in order to simplify the teaching process.
The following low post moves should be taught at U14s and above:
Forward pivot high, jump shot Forward pivot low, jump shot Reverse pivot high, jump shot Reverse pivot low, jump shot Forward pivot high, shot fake, crossover dribble, power layup
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Forward pivot low, shot fake, crossover dribble, jump hook Reverse pivot high, shot fake, crossover dribble, power layup Reverse pivot low, shot fake, crossover dribble, jump hook Forward pivot high, shot fake, crossover dribble, shot fake, step through Forward pivot low, shot fake, crossover dribble, shot fake, step through Reverse pivot high, shot fake, crossover dribble, shot fake, step through Reverse pivot low, shot fake, crossover dribble, shot fake, step through Forward pivot high, shot fake, jab fake, jump shot Forward pivot low, shot fake, jab fake, jump shot Reverse pivot high, shot fake, jab fake, jump shot Reverse pivot low, shot fake, jab fake, jump shot
The following low post moves should be taught at U16s and above:
Shoulder fake low, drop step high, jump hook Shoulder fake high, drop step low, power layup Shoulder fake low, drop step high, shot fake, step through Shoulder fake high, drop step low, shot fake, step through Forward pivot high, shot fake, crossover dribble, step back Forward pivot low, shot fake, crossover dribble, step back Reverse pivot high, shot fake, crossover dribble, step back Reverse pivot low, shot fake, crossover dribble, step back Shoulder fake low, drop step high, step back Shoulder fake high, drop step low, step back Spin high, power layup Spin low, jump hook
The following low post moves should be taught at U16s and above:
Forward pivot, jump shot Forward pivot, shot fake, crossover dribble, power layup Forward pivot, shot fake, crossover dribble, hook layup Forward pivot, shot fake, onside dribble, power layup Forward pivot, shot fake, onside dribble, hook layup Reverse pivot, jump shot Reverse pivot, shot fake, crossover dribble, power layup Reverse pivot, shot fake, crossover dribble, hook layup Reverse pivot, shot fake, onside dribble, power layup Reverse pivot, shot fake, onside dribble, hook layup
3.7.5 Drills
3.7.5.1 One on Zero Post Moves
Players cut from one low post to the other and receive a pass either from a wing player or themselves. Players then execute a specified post move.
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3.7.5.2 One on One Post Moves
As above, but with a defender. Start with passive defence, then increase to game tempo.
3.7.5.3 Two on Zero Post Moves
One player is in the post, the other on the wing. The wing feeds the ball to the post, who can either make a move, or pass out to the wing player, who has relocated and shoots the ball.
3.7.5.4 Two on Two Post Moves
As above, but with a wing defender. The wing defender may double team the low post player, or hedge and recover. This teaches the ability of the post player to recognise a double team, and for the passer to relocate to a shooting position.
3.7.5.5 Continuous Post Moves
Players are lined up at both wings, with a ball in each line. A player without the ball cuts to the basket, then V cuts to the opposite low block, receives a pass from the wing and makes a specified post move. The passer, meanwhile, does the same thing on the opposite side of the basket. After making a post move, each player returns the ball to the same line, and defends the next pass, to create a more game-like post feeding situation.
Figure 3-47 Continuous post moves
3.7.5.6 Post Reaction Drill
Player 1 is in stance in the middle of the key. The coach rolls the boll to the block in either direction. The player sprints to the ball getting in a split stance establishing the foot nearest the basket as the pivot foot. The player then powers up and shoots the ball of the backboard. They must keep the initial pivot foot in contact with the ground. When the ball goes through the basket the player then jumps up and touches either the net, backboard or ring. This promotes an offensive rebound mentality.
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Figure 3-48 Post reaction drill, roll ball
The drill can be varied by instead throwing the ball off the backboard. The player pivots quickly to the basket and rebounds the ball at its highest point, landing while keeping the ball high, then shoots the ball off the backboard.
Figure 3-49 Post reaction drill, throw ball off board
3.7.5.7 High/Low Seals
One offensive and one defensive player are situated at the low post. Also, there are offensive players at the wing and point positions. The offence attempts to feed the ball to the post from the wing. If this pass is denied, the ball is passed to the point, and the post player seals the defence, looking to receive the pass.
Figure 3-50 High/low seals
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4. Motion Offence
4.1 Introduction
Motion offence is a fundamental component of the Basketball Australia Intensive Training Centre Program. Teaching motion offence means teaching principles of play rather than set structures. These principles can be later adapted to any offensive system.
For motion offence to work, fundamental dribbling, shooting and passing skills are essential. Players must also be given the opportunity to practice these skills under defensive pressure, to allow them to transfer these skills to game-like situations. It is important that coaches “multi-skill” their players –i.e. teach them the fundamentals to play any position on the floor and not restrict them based on size or talent. Motion offence encourages this principle, as the perimeter positions are generally interchangeable, but it is important that post players are given the opportunity to develop their perimeter skills too.
Woodville junior teams should play predominantly motion offence at all ages. Set plays can be introduced in Under 14s and above, but for the majority of the time, all teams play motion. Continuity offences such as “flex” should not be taught at a junior level, as they limit the decision making ability of players.
This chapter describes the motion offence principles which are taught at Woodville. It is important that coaches use consistent terminology and teaching cues, to enhance uniformity across teams and age groups. Most of the points in this chapter can be taught from Under 12s and above, however screening is not introduced until Under 14s.
4.2 Alignments
This section describes the three standard motion alignments - 50, 41 and 32. In general: U12s play 50, U14s play 50 and/or 41, U16s, U18s and U20s play 50 and/or 41 and/or 32. 41 and 32 are not taught until higher ages, because introducing post play too early can discourage penetration and reduce the ability to teach players good individual motion fundamentals.
4.2.1 Five out (50)
In this alignment, all players start outside the three point line and are spaced out as follows: Player 1 is at the point position, Players 2 and 3 are at foul line extended, Players 4 and 5 are at the baseline corners.
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Figure 4-1 Five out offence
4.2.2 Four out, one in (41)
In this alignment, four players are outside the three point line and one player is in the post. Players are spaced out as follows: Players 1 and 2 are at the top of the 3 point line, just wide of the foul line, Players 3 and 4 are at foul-line extended, Player 5 is at a post position - either on the double hash mark, corner of the foul line, or centre of the foul line.
Figure 4-2 Four out, one in offence
4.2.3 Three out, two in (32)
In this alignment, three players are outside the three point line, and two players are on the side of the key. Players are spaced out as follows: Player 1 is at the point position, Players 2 and 3 are at foul-line extended, Players 4 and 5 are at post positions - either on the double hash mark or corner of the foul line.
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Figure 4-3 Three out, two in offence
4.3 Points of Emphasis
The following points should be taught in the order below, and continuously emphasised.
4.3.1 Spacing
Ensure players are aligned as per one of the three diagrams above. At younger ages, coaches can use masking tape on the floor to indicate the correct positioning. Players should stay outside the three point line, unless cutting, screening or penetrating. Don’t allow players to drift between spots, or lead to more than one step outside the three point line. Ensure wings are no lower than foul-line extended, in order to create good driving and screening angles.
Drills can incorporate a “cut-throat” rule which results in a turnover if players are not spaced evenly.
4.3.2 Square up
Perimeter players with the basketball should always square up to the basket in the triple threat position, as per section 3.6.2. This allows players to be in a good position to shoot, pass or penetrate. This rule may only be broken as part of a quick ball reversal to an open player.
Drills can incorporate a “cut-throat” rule which results in a turnover if a player does not square up to the basket.
4.3.3 Ball reversal
Players should be encouraged to swing the ball from one side of the court to the other. This has the effect of shifting the entire defence, and opens up opportunities for penetration.
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4.3.4 Front cuts
After making a perimeter pass, players should always move, by either cutting or screening. When cutting, players should:
Cut in front of their defender, looking to receive the ball, Cut all the way to the basket, Fill the gap in the offence away from the ball, to facilitate spacing and ball reversal.
The player receiving the pass should be encouraged to make the return pass if the cutter is open, particularly if the defence has lost vision of the ball.
4.3.5 Back cuts
A back cut is a pressure release which allows a motion offence to keep moving. It also opens up opportunities for easy baskets, and discourages opponents from playing denial defence.
Players should always back cut in the following circumstances: If they make a lead to the three point line and do not receive the pass, If the player with the ball pass fakes at them, If the player with the ball dribbles at them.
When back cutting, a player should: Get both feet outside the three point line, Show their hands, as though to receive the pass, Back cut hard all the way to the basket, looking to receive the pass.
4.3.6 Post Up Cut
A post up cut is like a back cut, except that after cutting to the basket, the cutter returns to the low post, ball side.
4.3.7 Shallow Cut
A shallow cut is like a back cut, except that after cutting to the basket, the cutter moves to the point position.
4.3.8 Flash Cuts
A flash cut is a cut from the weak-side to the high or low post. Flash cuts are an effective way to get a post player open, because help-side defenders often “ball watch”, losing sight of their player.
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4.3.9 Dribble Penetration
Only the following three types of dribble are allowed: Driving lane penetration, Organisational dribble, to regain spacing/alignment, Perimeter dribble at a team mate, to initiate a back cut or hand off.
When teaching dribble penetration, the following points should be emphasised: Driving lane/passing lane (i.e. first attempt to drive to the basket, then use the passing lane if the driving lane is covered) See past your own defender (i.e. don’t dribble into trouble) Penetrate off ball reversal (as this is the time when the defence is most vulnerable) Penetrate middle (as this is the area where the defence is most vulnerable) Penetrate to score
4.3.10 Receivers off Dribble/Pass Penetration
Whenever there is dribble or pass penetration, we want the other four players to work without the ball and get into receivers positions: Two players must get inside the key, and attempt to seal their defenders, for a potential pass or offensive rebound, One player must get to a shooting position, within line of sight of the dribbler, One player must be a safety, and cover the back court.
The following four diagrams show how this can be achieved in a four out one in alignment when there is dribble penetration. Similar rules apply for pass penetration.
Figure 4-4 Receivers – Figure 4-5 Receivers – weak side wing penetration strong side wing penetration
Figure 4-6 Receivers – Figure 4-7 Receivers – weak side point penetration strong side wing Penetration
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4.3.11 Receivers off Post Feeds
Whenever a pass is made into the post, the following rules apply: For high post feeds, the player at the nearest wing position cuts. For low post feeds, the player at the nearest point position cuts (shown), or the player at the wing sets an up screen for the player at the point position (not shown). If the passer’s defender double teams the post, the passer cuts to the basket or relocates to a shooting position.
Figure 4-8 Receivers off high post feed Figure 4-9 Receivers off low post feed
4.4 Screening
There are a number of different types of screens which should be progressively taught from U14s upwards. Screening should not be taught until the basic motion skills described in the first half of this chapter have been mastered.
The following principles must be emphasised for all types of screens: Verbal/visual - call the player’s name, and raise your fist Find a body/headhunt - set screen on defenders body Strong stance – with one hand grasping the opposite wrist Cut late – walk defender towards screen , and delay cut until screener is stationary, Brush shoulders – brush shoulders with screener Read defence - choose your cut based on the defender’s reaction, then cut hard 1 player to the basket, 1 player to the ball
The section describes perimeter down screens, post down screens, on ball screens, up screens and post cross screens. There are a number of other different types of screens which were left out for brevity and which may be taught, though only after the above screens have been mastered.
4.4.1 Down Screen - Perimeter
The diagram below shows the ideal positioning for a point-to-wing down screen. The diagram assumes a one guard front, however the principle is the same for any perimeter down screen. The screen should be set on a defender and the screener should have their back to the passer.
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Figure 4-10 Perimeter down screen
There are three possible cuts off this screen:
Defence Option Cutter Screener attempts to fight Curl cut cuts shoulder to opens up to the foul over the screen shoulder with screener, line, or rolls to the and curls into the key, basket if the defence or to the three point line switches if the defence switches overplays cutter’s back cut leads high, then cuts opens up to the foul line high side backdoor to the basket Cheats under the flare cut cuts towards screener, re-screens, then rolls to screen then flares to perimeter low post
Figure 4-11 Perimeter Figure 4-12 Perimeter Figure 4-13 Perimeter down screen - curl cut down screen - back cut down screen - flare cut
Straight cuts (perimeter cuts directly towards the passer) are discouraged, because they are too easy to defend (by cheating under the screen).
4.4.2 Down Screen - Low Post
A low post down screen can be used to exploit a mismatch in the low post, or just simply to get a player open for the ball.
The following diagram shows the ideal position for a wing to low post down screen. The screen should be set near the low post and the screener should have their back to the wing.
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Figure 4-14 Low post down screen
There are three possible cuts off this screen:
Defence Option Cutter Screener gets caught on straight cuts shoulder to seals and posts up in the screen cut shoulder with screener, low post and cuts to the perimeter attempts to fight curl cut cuts shoulder to opens up to the high over screen shoulder with screener, post and curls into the key cheats under the flare flares to the baseline posts up in the screen cut corner low post
Figure 4-15 Post down Figure 4-16 Post down Figure 4-17 Post down screen - straight cut screen - curl cut screen - flare cut
4.4.3 On-Ball Screen - Wing
An on-ball screen is an advanced screening technique which should only be taught in under 14s and above, because there are a large number of defensive reads which can be made off it.
The following diagram shows the ideal positioning for an on-ball screen at the wing position. The screener should have their back to the foul line.
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Figure 4-18 On-ball screen at wing
The following reads can be made off an on-ball screen in the wing position:
Defence Option Ball Carrier Screener attempts to get jump shot at dribbles shoulder to rolls to the basket over screen, or elbow, or layup shoulder with screener, switches for screener shoots a jump shot if open, or hesitates, then passes to screener, if defence switches overplays high side Baseline drive drives at the basket flares to foul line cheats behind Shoot shoots three pointer re-screens screen screener’s defence slip the screen drive fakes, then passes starts to set screen, overplays high side to screener rolling to then cuts hard to the of cutter, and their basket basket, looking for the low foot is further pass from the ball from the basket carrier than the screener’s low foot
Figure 4-19 On-ball screen at wing Figure 4-20 On-ball screen at wing - Jump shot at elbow pass to screener
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Figure 4-21 On-ball Figure 4-22 On-ball Figure 4-23 On-ball screen at wing – screen at wing – screen at wing - baseline drive three point shot slip the screen
4.4.4 On-Ball screen – Point
The following diagram shows the alignment for an on-ball screen at the point position. The screener should have their back to the corner.
Figure 4-24 On-ball screen at point
The following reads can be made off an on-ball screen in the point position:
Defence Option Ball Carrier Screener fights over screen penetrate dribbles shoulder to flares to the foul line, shoulder with screener, looking for return pass and penetrates to the for jump shot basket cheats behind Shoot shoots three pointer dive to the basket screen switches screen and roll passes to screener dive to the basket rolling to the basket overplays penetrate changes direction, and flares to foul line, screener’s side drives at the basket looking for return pass for jump shot
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Figure 4-25 On-ball screen Figure 4-26 On-ball screen at point – penetration at point– shot
Figure 4-27 On-ball screen Figure 4-28 On-ball screen at point – pass to screener at point – reverse penetration
4.4.5 Up Screens
An up screen is a perimeter-to-perimeter screen, usually from the wing to the point. Note the difference between an up screen and a back screen, which is usually a screen from the low post to the wing.
We will consider two different types of up screens - an up screen to get a player open on the wing and an up screen to get a player open near the basket. The choice on which screen to use can be based on defensive positioning, and the shooting ability of the player being screened. For example, the former could be used to get a good shooter open for a three pointer, while the latter could be used if the defence is playing close the their player.
In the first case, the screener sets the screen with their back to the corner, and the cutter flares to the wing. The screener then opens up to the ball.
Figure 4-29 Up screen for a flare cut
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In the second case, the screener sets the screen with their back to the basket and the cutter cuts to the basket. The screener then opens up to the ball.
Figure 4-30 Up screen for a back cut
4.4.6 Cross Screens
The cross screen is a screen from one low post to the other. Ideally, the screen is set on the split-line, allowing the ball side half of the key to be used by the cutter to post up, and the weak side half of the key to be used for a lob pass, if necessary. The screener has their back to the wing.
Figure 4-31 Cross screen
There are a number of possible reads off this screen - three are described below:
Defence Option Cutter Screener attempts to fight low cut cuts to low post looks for lob pass, then over screen, high clears out to opposite side block attempts to fight High cut cuts to high post seals, and posts up in the over screen, low block side cheats behind Re-screen looks for lob pass, then re-screens cutter’s screen clears out to opposite defender, then posts up in block block
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Figure 4-32 Cross Figure 4-33 Cross Figure 4-34 Cross Screen - low cut Screen - high cut Screen - re-screen
4.5 Entries Into Motion
There are many combinations of player movement which can be used to initiate a motion offence. These “entries into motion” allow coaches to provide a more structured start to a motion offence and can be a good way of making the defence move prior to allowing the offence the freedom to start playing “pure motion”.
Most motion entries generally prevent transition offence, so should only be used in the half court. A good guideline is that an entry should only be used if the ball is dribbled over the half way line. If it is passed over the half way line, the team should run their transition offence and simply get the ball to the wing position as quickly as possible.
4.5.1 Guard to Forward Pass
This is the most common and obvious motion entry. An emphasis should be placed on passing off the correct hip and timing the lead.
Figure 4-35 Motion entry – guard to forward pass
4.5.2 Dribble Entry
Dribble entries are usually used when the guard to forward pass is denied. They should be used sparingly as they put the ball carrier under close defensive pressure. Wing players should use V cuts, seal and triangle leads to get open on the wing.
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Figure 4-36 Motion entry – dribble entry
4.5.3 Swing the Wings
Swinging the wings involves the two players on opposite wings cutting through both blocks to the opposite side of the court. This forces two defenders to cover a lot of ground early in the offence. If the alignment of the offence has one or two low post players, then these players can be used as screens.
Figure 4-37 Motion entry – swing the wings
4.5.4 Diagonal Cuts
This entry involves the strong side forward and the weak side guard cutting to the basket and exchanging positions. If there is a low post player ball side, this player can be used as a screen.
Figure 4-38 Motion entry – diagonal cuts
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4.5.5 Weak Side Up Screen, Strong Side Down Screen
This entry involves the weak side forward setting an up screen on the weak side guard and the strong side forward setting a down screen on the low post.
Figure 4-39 Motion entry – weak side up screen, strong side down screen
4.6 Motion Breakdowns
This section contains a couple of drills to exercise motion offence principles, however there are obviously many possibilities. When drilling motion offence, coaches should: use breakdown drills to work on different components of their team’s motion offence using 2 on 2, 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 situations, be inventive, isolate skills - ensure that a small number of skills are emphasised in each drill, use cones or masking tape to ensure correct floor alignment
A breakdown drill is a drill which focuses on a particular component of a team’s offence. This is achieved by reducing the number of players involved, thus reducing the complexity of the drill.
Following are some examples of breakdown drills for motion without screens. Similar drills can be devised for motion with screens. Most of the examples below use three players, but you could just as easily use four.
These drills should initially be run with no defence, then with passive defence, then with live defence. They should be run on both sides of the floor.
4.6.1 Drills
4.6.1.1 Pass Penetration
The ball is passed from 1 to 3 to 2 to 1. After each pass, the passer cuts to the basket and fills the gap on the perimeter. The ball should be passed to one of the cutters for a layup.
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Figure 4-40 Motion breakdown – pass penetration
4.6.1.2 Dribble Penetration
The ball is passed around the perimeter as above. After the second or third pass, the player with the ball penetrates to the basket and the remaining two players get to receivers positions.
Figure 4-41 Motion breakdown – dribble penetration
4.6.1.3 Pass Fake, Back Cut
The ball is passed around the perimeter as above. After the first or second pass, the player with the ball makes a pass fake instead of passing, initiating a back cut. The ball is passed to the cutter for a layup.
Figure 4-42 Motion breakdown – pass fake, back cut
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4.6.1.4 Dribble Back Cut
As above, but the back cut is initiated by a dribble entry. The ball is passed to the cutter for a layup.
Figure 4-43 Motion breakdown – dribble back cut
4.6.1.5 Low Post Feed
The ball is passed from 1 to 3. 1 cuts to the basket, and 2 replaces 1. The ball is then passed from 3 to 4 in the low post. 2 back cuts to the baskets and receives a pass for a layup.
Figure 4-44 Motion breakdown – low post feed
4.6.1.6 High Post Feed
The ball is passed from 1 to 3. 1 cuts to the basket, and 2 replaces 1. The ball is then passed to 2 and 4 flashes to the high post. 2 makes a high post feed to 4 and 3 makes a back cut to the basket for a layup.
Figure 4-45 Motion breakdown – high post feed
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4.6.1.7 Motion Shooting
Traditional curl shooting drills have players starting their cuts from behind the baseline, an unlikely scenario in a game. The following drill provides for more game realistic situations.
Cones or masking tape are used to mark the perimeter positions in the team’s offence. For the purpose of this description, a wing receiver in a two guard front is assumed, however the drill can also be designed around a point receiver, or a one guard front offence.
Players are lined up at the two point markers, with a ball at the front of each line. One player makes a pass to the wing, then cuts to the basket, then out to the other side, as in a game situation. The cutter then receives the pass on the wing, and makes a move to the basket, as designated by the coach. This move could be, for example: a layup a one dribble jump shot a back cut from a pass fake a back cut from a dribble entry etc.
Figure 4-46 Motion shooting
Points of emphasis: good spacing cut hard to basket square up to the basket pass fake = back cut dribble entry = back cut
4.6.1.8 Two Ball Screening
This drill can be used to drill all off ball screening situation. For the purpose of this description, we shall only consider down screens. Two players start on one wing, one with a basketball. The remaining players are positioned in two lines at the half way line, one in the centre with a basketball, and one on the opposite sideline, without. The first two players in the lines advance to the three point line, and the point makes a pass to the stationary wing then screens away. The wing player makes a cut as designated the coach (i.e., a curl, back or flare cut) and receives a pass from one of the players with a ball. The screener reacts, depending on the type of cut made and receives a pass from the other player with a ball. Both players score a basket before moving out.
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Figure 4-47 Two ball screening
Later, defence can be added, to force the offence to make realistic reads. Initially, the defence should be instructed by the coach to play the screen in a particular way (eg fight over, cheat under, overplay).
Points of emphasis: verbal/visual find a body cut late cut shoulder to shoulder
4.6.1.9 Vichy Screening Drill
Player 1 (without a ball) starts at half way then runs around a cone at the base line and cone at the three point line After running around the cone at the three point line player 1 sets an on ball screen at the three point line middle At the same time, player 2 dribbles around cone at the baseline and then three point cone then dribbles off the on ball screen set by 1 Make designated move
Figure 4-48 Vichy screening drill
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5. Half Court Man-to-Man Defence
5.1 Introduction
Woodville junior teams play predominantly man-to-man defence. Zones may be used for short periods as a variation tactic in U16s and above only, but in general all teams will play either half court or full court man-to-man. Players who have been taught good man-to-man fundamentals as juniors find it easier to adjust to zone defence in older age groups, than vice versa.
This chapter describes Woodville man-to-man defence principles. The following teaching cues should be taught and continuously emphasised: intensity – it is often said that 80% of defence is effort and only 20% is skill talk - players should be constantly communicating with their team mates, by calling “ball” when guarding the ball, “help” when in a help-side position, and “dead” when a player picks up their dribble between player and basket - in most cases, defensive players should be between their player and the basket jump to the ball - whenever a pass is made, all defensive players should move towards the ball
5.2 Defensive Alignment
This section describes defensive positioning based on the location of the ball and the player being guarded. The following diagrams show how these principles are implemented against a two guard front offence, where the ball is at the point, and wing respectively.
Figure 5-1 Man-to-man defence – Figure 5-2 Man-to-man defence - Ball at point Ball at wing
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5.2.1 On Ball
When guarding a player with the ball, the following two types of ball pressure are applied: Hand pressure must be applied at all times. This involves playing a step away from the player, and either mirroring the ball if the dribble has not been used, or digging at the ball if it is being dribbled. Body pressure is applied if the offensive player has picked up their dribble, is on the back foot, or is significantly slower than the defender. This involves standing close to the offensive player and mirroring the ball.
Players should aim to contain penetration, but if penetration does occur, dribblers should be forced towards the baseline or sideline. Teaching correct defensive stance is very important at all ages. The following points should be emphasised: legs bent feet shoulder width apart back straight step with lead foot first hands wide and active
5.2.2 Denial
When guarding a perimeter player one pass away from the ball, defenders should play closed stance denial one step away, meaning that players deny with the hand closest to the ball and with the palm facing the ball.
The following teaching cues should be used: hand in the passing lane - players should be taught not to play with their body in the passing lane as this encourages back door cuts. chin on shoulder - this allows players to see their player and the ball vision on the ball – players must be able to react to movement of the ball deny ball reversal - players should be particularly encouraged to deny ball reversal, as this disrupts a team’s offence
When guarding a low post player one pass away from the ball, two different techniques are taught: ¾ front - the defence plays on one side of the offence, with the hand closest to the ball in the passing lane. If the ball is above the foul line, the defence plays on the high side. If the ball is on or below the foul line, the defence plays on the low side. The exception is if the ball crosses foul-line extended on a dribble. In this situation, the defender stays on one side – i.e. the defender should only change sides while the ball is in the air. full front - the defence plays with their body between the offence and the ball, facing the ball. In this situation, it is vital that there is help-side defence. Players should be taught both techniques.
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5.2.3 Help-side
When guarding a player who is more than one pass away from the ball, the defence is in a help-side position. The exact position is determined by the position of the ball: if the ball is at foul line extended or below, help-side is at split-line (the line between the two baskets) if the ball is above foul line extended, help-side is at backboard line (in line with the side of the backboard away from the ball)
In U12s, help-side is always at split-line – i.e. there is no differentiation between whether the ball is above or below the foul line.
When playing help-side defence, the following points should be emphasised: ball-you-man - the defence should always be between the ball and the offensive player. flat triangle - there should be a flat triangle between the ball, the defender and the offensive player. vision on both/pistols- the defence should always be able to see both their player and the ball.
5.2.4 Closing Out
When a player closes out from help-side to denial or the ball, the following points are emphasised: move when the ball leaves the passer’s hands step with lead foot first long steps stutter step to come to a stop close out low in defensive stance contest the shot (carry hands high)
5.3 Guarding Cutters
5.3.1 Front cuts
Offensive players should not be allowed to front cut. To prevent this, the defence should always apply the ball-you-man principle by jumping to the ball into a denial stance when the offence makes a pass. Then, they should bump the cutter away from the ball.
5.3.2 Back cuts
When a player back cuts, the defence should attempt to shuffle towards the basket, staying in denial stance as long as possible. If necessary, the defence should snap their head to their opposite shoulder, losing sight of the ball for a split second, but retaining sight of their player.
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5.3.3 Flash cuts
Flash cutters should be denied, as per defence one pass away from the ball and bumped away from the ball.
5.4 Trap and Rotate
On any penetrating dribble, the defensive team must trap and rotate. This involves: the player guarding the ball attempting to stay with the ball carrier the nearest help-side defender trapping the ball outside the key another help-side defender rotating down towards the basket the other two players sagging towards the basket
It is important that this only happens on a penetrating dribble. For example, if a dribble is made to the corner or away from the basket, the help-side defence should hedge and recover.
The following diagram shows the defensive positioning for penetration in a 4 out 1 in offence from the wing position:
Figure 5-3 Trap and rotate
If a pass is made out of the trap, the defensive player closest to the ball should recover to it, and the remaining defensive players should rotate to guard the remaining offensive players. The diagrams below show the recover positioning when a pass is made out of a post trap to the ball side point, weak-side point and weak-side wing respectively.
Figure 5-4 Recovering from a trap and rotate situation
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5.5 Defending Screens
5.5.1 Introduction
This section describes the four most common ways of defending screens, all of which should be taught at under 16 level and above. Coaches are welcome to choose certain techniques for particular types of screens or for particular opponents, but it is important that players are exposed to a variety of techniques, as a technique which works in a younger age group may not work at a higher level. For example, at under 12 level, screens could be defended by always going “under”, because offensive players are not as capable at shooting from the perimeter, however this is obviously not a viable technique at a higher level against players that can shoot.
In each of the techniques described below, an example is given of how this can be applied to a down screen in a three on two situation, for simplicity, however all techniques can be applied to all types of screens.
5.5.2 Over and Trail
O1 passes to O3 and sets a down screen on ∆2. ∆2 is on the low side of the screen. ∆1 is on the high side of the screen.
As ∆2 is on the low side of the screen, O2 cuts high then curl cuts. ∆1 bumps O2 as O2 curl cuts. ∆2 goes over the screen high, following in O2’s footsteps. ∆2 recovers to O2. ∆1 recovers to O1.
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5.5.3 Under O1 passes to O3 and sets a down screen on ∆2. ∆2 is on the low side of the screen. ∆1 is on the high side of the screen.
As ∆2 is on the low side of the screen, O2 cuts high. ∆2 steps out, forcing O2 to cut higher. ∆2 goes under the screen, recovering to O2. ∆1 recovers to O1.
5.5.4 Through O1 passes to O3 and sets a down screen on ∆2. ∆2 is on the low side of the screen. ∆1 is on the high side of the screen.
∆1 jumps further towards the ball, creating a gap between them and O1. As ∆2 is on the low side of the screen, O2 cuts high. ∆2 goes through the gap between the screener (O1) and the screener’s defender (∆1). ∆1 recovers to O1. ∆2 recovers to O2.
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5.5.5 Switch O1 passes to O3 and sets a down screen on ∆2. ∆2 is on the low side of the screen. ∆1 is on the high side of the screen.
As ∆2 is on the low side of the screen, O2 cuts high. ∆1 switches to O2. ∆2 quickly gets to the ball side of O1. ∆1 calls “switch”. ∆1 jumps into the passing lane, denying O2 the ball.
5.6 Drills
5.6.1 One on One
Players play one on one from the perimeter, from a stationary start. The emphasis is on: defensive stance/ball pressure forcing sideline/baseline contesting the shot boxing out The drill can be varied by initiating with a pass from the defence, who starts under the basket, and a close out.
5.6.2 Wing Denial
There is a passer with the ball at the point position, and an offensive and a defensive player at foul line extended. The offensive player attempts to get open for the ball by leading between the side of the key and the 3 point line, while the defensive player attempts to deny the pass.
The emphasis is on: hand in the passing lane chin on shoulder vision on the ball
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Figure 5-5 Wing denial
5.6.3 Post Denial
There is an offensive and defensive player in the low or high post, and two passers – one below foul line extended, and one above. The passers attempt to feed the post, and pass between each other to create a better passing angle. The post defender moves from high side to low side as the ball crosses foul line extended. The drill can be varied by allowing the passers to dribble the ball across foul line extended.
The emphasis is on: preventing the offence from sealing staying between the offensive player and the ball
Figure 5-6 Post denial
5.6.4 Split Line Close Outs
Players are in pairs along the length of the court, with offensive players a metre in from the sideline facing the split-line, and defensive players on split-line facing the basket. On command, the defensive players close out. The offensive players shot fake, then make a specified dribble move.
The points of emphasis are as per section 5.2.4.
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Figure 5-7 Split line close outs
5.6.5 One on One Close Outs
A defensive player under the basket passes the ball to an offensive player on the perimeter and closes out. The players then play one on one. Restrict the offence to two dribbles. - Defence must cheat step with closest foot to offensive player. - Swing arms up to cover shot and assist the head moving backwards for balance. - Stutter last steps for balance and ability to change direction quickly. - Wider stance than offence and straddle lead foot. - Feet to ‘mirror’ 3-point line, removing the need of a possible drop step. By doing so, taking out the risk of drop stepping too far ‘opening up’, or a slow drop step in general. - Emphasis on keeping ball out of the keyway.
Figure 5-8 One on one close outs
5.6.6 Two on Two, Inactive Post
Offensive and a defensive player start at the point and wing. The coach starts at the opposite wing and a post player starts at the block on the same side of the post. The coach passes the ball to the player 1 and players play two on two. Next, the coach passes the ball to player 2 and players play two on two. Next, the coach passes the ball to the low post and the defence sags towards the ball. Then the post passes the ball out to the perimeter and players play two on two.
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Figure 5-9 Two on two, inactive post
5.6.7 Skip Pass Close Outs
A passer starts with the ball on one wing and a receiver starts on the other wing. A defensive player guards the receiver, starting on split-line, then closing out to the wing as the pass is made. The receiver and the defender play one on one to the basket.
The points of emphasis are as per section 5.2.4.
Figure 5-10 Skip pass close outs
5.6.8 Pointless Drill
Six players play three on three, with a point and two wings. The offensive point guard is not allowed to shoot or move – they can only be a passer. The points of emphasis are: force sideline/baseline help-side trap and rotate closeout
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5.6.9 Shell Drill
The shell drill is a 4 on 4 or 5 on 5 drill with a focus on defence. Teams score points by stopping their opponents from scoring and if there are more than two teams involved, new teams rotate into offence and must score a basket before being allowed to play defence. This drill can be used to emphasise any number of the points mentioned in this chapter.
Following is a logical progression for building up the drill:
Offensive Rules Defensive Rules Teaching Points No player movement or scoring No steals Ball pressure Denial Help side Allow scoring Allow steals As above Allow back cuts Guarding back cuts No front cuts, penetration or screens Allow front cuts As above As above No penetration or screens Guarding front cuts Allow penetration As above As above No screens Containment Trap and rotate Allow screens As above As above Guarding screens
5.6.10 Arizona
This drill involves 4 perimeter offensive players in a two guard front offence and a wing defender. The drill starts with a ball at the point and involves the following.
Offence Teaching Points Ball-side wing leads in and out twice, then receives the ball Perimeter denial Guarding back cuts Wing attempts to penetrate to the basket Guarding penetration Ball is reversed to the point Jumping to denial Ball side wing leads in and out twice Denial Ball is reversed to other wing Help-side Weak-side wing flash cuts to low post and drill becomes Flash cut denial “live” Guarding the low post Weak-side wing flash cuts to low post and drill becomes Post defence “live”
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Figure 5-11 Arizona drill – denial Figure 5-12 Arizona drill - contain and trap
Figure 5-13 Arizona drill Figure 5-14 Arizona drill Figure 5-15 Arizona drill – denial - recover - ball reversal
Figure 5-16 Arizona drill - bump Figure 5-17 Arizona drill Cutters - post defence
5.6.11 Bumping Cutters
This is a 3 on 3 drill, with the ball starting at the point. A point to wing pass is made, the point player attempts to front cut to the basket. The point’s defence should attempt to bump the cutter away from the ball. The weak-side wing then attempts to flash cut. Their defender should attempt to deny the flash cut.
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Figure 5-18 Bumping cutters
5.6.12 Close Out and Containment Drills
From baseline to centre 1 attempts to dribble to baseline 2 closes out to ball quickly then defends to baseline Head back to be able to push off front foot and contain Meet ball as soon as possible Slide and balance with drop steps
Figure 5-19 Close outs baseline to centre
From sideline to middle 2 sprints to sideline 1 goes strong to basket when 2 touches sideline Defence to remember to sprint 2/3rds and stutter last 1/3rd 1 on 1 to basket
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Figure 5-20 Close outs sideline to middle
From centre to wing Players go at coach drop off hand As above Remember to sprint then stutter last third Pull up ball at wing
Figure 5-21 Close outs centre to wing
Close out to wing then split line then back to wing 2 outlets and close out to 1 1 pass to coach and 2 get to split-line Coach pass back to 1 2 Close out to 1 and into 1 on 1 Defence to move while ball in air
Figure 5-22 Close outs wing to split-line to wing
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Close out to wing then denial then help then close out Defence to pass to 1 and close out to ball 1 pass to 2 and defence into denial 2 pass to 3 and defence to be on split-line Dribble penetration and defence to help out On outlet to either receiver, defence to close out to ball
Figure 5-23 Close outs wing to denial to help to close out
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6. Full Court Man to Man Defence
6.1 Introduction
The primary full court defence of Woodville teams is man-to-man. Woodville philosophy on zone traps is that although they may help to win games at junior levels, they are largely unused at senior level because in general, they are easier to beat. At junior level, zone traps may be taught, but only after a man-to-man trap has been taught and should only be used sparingly.
This chapter describes a basic full court man to man alignment and a man-to-man trap.
6.2 Defence on the Ball
On-ball defence in the back court is as per the front court, and as described in section 5.2.1, with the exception that after the ball carrier is forced to the sideline, they are then forced to change directions as many times as possible in the backcourt.
6.3 Defence off the Ball
Regardless of whether they are going to trap or not, defenders away from the ball should hedge (fake trap) and recover. Their initial location is determined by whether their player is ball side (on the ball side of split-line), help side (on the opposite side of split-line to the ball), front court or back court
Offensive Player Defensive Player Back court, ball side Denial Back court, help side Split-line (see player 2 in diagram) A step behind the line of the ball Flat triangle between the ball, themself and their player Front court, ball side Denial (see player 3 in diagram) Flat triangle between the ball, themself and their player One third / two thirds, i.e. one third of the distance up the line between their player and the ball Front court, away from the ball Split-line (see players 4 and 5 in diagram) Flat triangle between the ball, themself and their player One third / two thirds, i.e. one third of the distance up the line between their player and the ball
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Figure 6-1 Full court man to man alignment
6.4 Trap
In certain situations, depending on personnel and opposition, a team may decide to trap. This involves double teaming the ball carrier in the back court and rotating to deny passes. The trap occurs if: the ball carrier fumbles the ball carrier loses vision (for example, as a result of a reverse turn) on any sideline dribble in any other situation, as specified by the coach (for example, if a particular ball carrier is considered weak, or if a team needs to steal the ball to score quickly)
When the trap occurs, the following happens: the player one pass away from the ball in the back court aggressively traps across the floor the two players now guarding the ball carrier contain the dribble and force the dribble to be picked up. the next defender away from the ball rotates up the floor to deny the pass back to the open player (successive rotations also occur, if a pass is made out of the trap) all other defenders deny passes to the next closest players to the ball - the offensive player left unguarded should be the player furthest from the ball.
Woodville teams always trap across the floor, and rotate up the floor. Traps up the floor are more visible to the offence, and hence easier to avoid, whereas a trap across the floor is often not noticed until the double team occurs. If a pass is to be made out of the double team, we would prefer it be made across the floor than down the floor, as this is less advantageous for the offence.
Figure 6-2 Man to man trap Figure 6-3 Man to man trap and rotate
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6.5 Run and Jump
In certain situations, a coach may decide to “run and jump”. This involves the same alignment and rotation as for the trap, except that the on-ball defender rotates as soon as the trapper arrives, rather than waiting until a pass is made out of the trap. This defence provides less pressure on the ball carrier, because the trap is only fleeting, but provides earlier coverage up the court, because the trapper rotates sooner.
6.6 Jump Switch
In certain situations, a coach may decide to “jump switch” in the back court. This involves the defenders of the guards switching players in specified situations, such as: Any time there is a dribble towards split-line Any time the offensive guards cross Any time a specified ball carrier takes a dribble This is a low risk strategy that often causes the ball carrier to pick up their dribble in the back court, without requiring four defensive players to rotate.
Figure 6-4 Jump switch
6.7 Drills
6.7.1 One on One
Players play one on one in a lane between the side of the key and the sideline. In the back court, the defence forces the ball to the sideline, then forces as many changes of direction as possible. In the font court, the defence forces the ball to the sideline/baseline.
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Figure 6-5 Full court one on one
6.7.2 Two on Two
As above, but a second offence and defence are added in the back court. Initially, the offence is not allowed to make a forward pass in the back court - this should encourage the defence to trap the ball. The second defender hedges and recovers, and traps the ball if there is a fumble or loss of vision.
Figure 6-6 Full court two on two
6.7.3 Three on Three
As above, but a third offence and defence are added in the back court. Initially, the offence is not allowed to make a forward pass in the back court. The third defender hedges and recovers and if a trap occurs, rotates to the open player. This drill can be run with the three offence starting in parallel, or with one of the offence starting at the half way line.
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Figure 6-7 Full court three on three - Figure 6-8 Full court three on three - players in parallel third offensive player at half way line
6.7.4 Four on Four
As per two on two, but with third and fourth offensive and defensive players added up the court. The drill starts with the ball being passed back and forth between the guards a minimum number of times, in order to get all defensive players reacting correctly. The defence can be given an advantage initially, by specifying that the offence must dribble the ball to the sideline and back turn. The third and fourth defenders move from split-line to denial on any pass across split-line, and hedge and recover to put pressure on the ball. On any trapping situation, the split-line defender up the court sprints to guard the open player, and the sideline defender guards the two players in the front court.
Figure 6-9 Full court four on four – Figure 6-10 Full court 4 on 4 - rotate trap
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6.7.5 Five on Five
As above, but with fifth offensive and defensive players up the court. The fifth defender hedges and recovers, looking to steal the ball on any long pass up court. If a trap occurs, this defender generally stays on the player closest to the basket.
Figure 6-11 Full court five on five
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7. Trap Breaking
7.1 Introduction
With the introduction of the 24 second shot clock, more and more teams are using various types of full court defences. This section contains general principles for beating full court defences, applicable to any trap breaker. It also describes two specific trap breakers, which can be used against full court man-to-man and zone traps respectively. The initial alignment and entry for both trap breakers are identical, making it simpler to teach than two completely different sets. It is important to note, however, that these are just examples– coaches are free to use other alignments, as long as the points of emphasis are the same. The most important teaching point common to all trap breakers is composure. All too often, teams will make turnovers in the backcourt due to a lack of control resulting in rushed decision-making. It is important that when players have the ball in the backcourt, they have vision up the floor, before attempting to pass or dribble.
Players should punish teams for playing full court defence, by scoring transition baskets. This is the most effective way of discouraging teams from playing full court defence.
7.2 Entering the Ball
When entering the ball after a made basket, the player should: retrieve the ball from the basket quickly retain vision up the floor move to the baseline as quickly as possible move to a position away from the backboard The following diagram shows a technique for entering the ball from the defensive baseline. It starts with an up screen at the top of the key between two guards, after which the guards curls to positions between the key and the sideline to receive the ball. After making the pass, the passer cuts to the opposite side of the court to which the pass was made and runs down the sideline.
This technique is particularly useful against defences that attempt to deny the first pass, although it should be used consistently against all full court defences to develop good habits. At under 12 and under 14 level, players should first be taught to simply cut hard to opposite sides of the court, before the up screen is introduced.
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Figure 7-1 Entering the ball against full court defence
This entry is used to start both the man-to-man and zone trap breakers described in the following two sections.
7.3 Beating Full Court Man-to-Man Defence
A common technique against full court man-to-man defence is to clear out all players but the ball carrier, allowing him/her to use the entire backcourt to beat a defender one on one. It is assumed that all players are capable of advancing the ball into the offence if they have only one defender to beat. This technique fails, however, when teams double team the ball carrier, leaving them with two defenders to beat and no passing options. It also allows defensive players to hedge up the floor, which causes the ball carrier to hesitate, or even worse, pick up the dribble.
The following technique, called crossing the guards, prevents these problems. It starts with the entry described in the previous section, so that the two guards are parallel in the back court. All other players, including the original passer, clear out.
The weak-side guard runs towards the centre circle and the ball carrier dribbles the ball in the same direction, so that the guards cross in front of each other. If the defensive guards remain on their own players, i.e. do not trap the ball carrier, the ball carrier continues to dribble the ball across the half way line, as shown in the left diagram. If, however, the defender of the weak-side leaves his player to hedge or trap, the ball carrier passes to the weak-side guard at the centre circle, who dribbles the ball across the halfway line, as shown in the right diagram below.
The first guard should reach the circle well before the ball carrier, to ensure that there is a reasonable distance between the offensive players in order to make a decent pass.
This technique is most useful against full court man-to-man defences that attempt to double team the ball carrier in the back-court, however it should be used against all man-to-man defences, to develop good habits.
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Figure 7-2 Crossing the guards against full court man-to-man defence
7.4 Beating Full Court Zone Traps
Against a zone trap, due to the high potential for double-teaming, players should be taught to beat the trap with passing, rather than dribbling, as dribbling encourages double teams.
To achieve this, it is important that the player with the ball always has three passing options: across the floor down the floor towards the middle The following diagrams describe a trap breaker that can be used against a zone trap. It starts with the up screen technique described in a section 7.2. The guards, 1 and 2, remain parallel in the backcourt, the original passer 5 cuts down the sideline and the weak side forward, 4, cuts up the floor towards the ball. This situation, as described in the left diagram below, provides the three passing options above.
Figure 7-3 Breaking a full court zone trap
The ball carrier should attempt to advance the ball by passing either up the floor to 3 or to 4 cutting towards the middle. If this is not possible, the pass is made across the floor to 1, 4 curls towards the sideline, and 3 cuts to the middle providing a passing option. This situation is shown in the right diagram, above.
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If the pass is made to the centre, or up the floor, there is the potential for a 3 on 2 situation, or 2 on 1 situation, depending on the alignment of the defence. The offence should advance the ball to the three point line as quickly as possible, then decide whether to attempt to score a transition basket, as shown below, or run an offence.
Figure 7-4 Transition Offence against a zone trap
Update: May 2013 P a g e | 98 Woodville District Basketball Club – Coaching Manual Rebounding
8. Rebounding
Teams that win the rebounding contest usually win the game. Rebounding is the most common way for teams to gain possession of the basketball. There is a technique to rebounding that can allow players of all heights and athletic abilities to be good rebounders, but too often players rely on their height or jumping ability to rebound the basketball.
If our team is in defence and a shot is taken, all 5 players must be defensive rebounders.
If our team is in offence and a shot is taken, 4 players must be offensive rebounders and one player covers the backcourt. At the end of this chapter, there is a list of drills that can be used to practice rebounding. However, it is often the case that players will perform well in isolated rebounding drills, but that this will not translate to good rebounding in game situations.
The problem is a more general one of information transfer. Players find it difficult to transfer concepts from practice drills to game situations if the drills are not game-like. Any drill involving offence and defence should finish with a score or a fight in a “rebounding contest” to simulate game conditions. A rebounding contest involves offensive players crashing the boards and defensive players boxing out. 1 on 1 or 2 on 2 situations in which the offence is only allowed one shot discourages offensive rebounding, which in turn discourages defensive rebounding. Offensive and defensive rebounding must be emphasised in all competitive situations. Players who are in the habit of rebounding in any competitive situation are more likely to do so in games.
Blocking out, anticipation, footwork, timing, jumping, ball protection, body balance, and manoeuvring speed are vital ingredients in securing a rebound. The combination of these prerequisite movement skills provide a good foundation for rebounding. To be an effective rebounder, the player must be able to move and jump in that order.
8.1 Blocking Out
By far the most important skill in rebounding is blocking out, and this is applicable at both the offensive and defensive ends. An effective block out is always more useful than an athletic jump.
When blocking out, players should: make contact with the offence - arm to chest pivot towards the basket put both arms at head height As soon as a shot goes up, all defensive players should block out immediately, unless an offensive player is more than 15 ft from the basket. In this case, the defender should move to a prime rebounding position. Initiating contact must be done quickly and assertively; there is no room for hesitation because the offensive rebounder must be stopped before beginning the move toward the rim.
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8.2 Anticipation
Anticipation of where the basketball will go can provide offensive and defensive players with that extra split second needed to grab a rebound. Players should be taught that 70% of the time, the ball will rebound to the opposite side from which the shot was taken. Holding position and waiting for the ball to almost reach the rim allows the defensive rebounder to read the direction of the possible miss. This decreases the chances of jumping in the wrong direction. Being proactive and making the first hit is ideal.
8.3 Footwork
The moment the shooter begins the shooting motion, the screener makes a 180 degree spin pivot toward the offensive player and lands the backside into the thighs. There will be times when the offensive player makes a quick anticipatory move and the screener must react. When making the move to the rebound, the offensive player is limited to going to the middle or baseline. Therefore, the screener must learn two methods of footwork. If the opponent moves to the middle, the screener’s baseline foot crosses over, and the front pivot is made. The backside makes the impact on the opponent’s thigh. Hands are up and ready for the rebound. The body is in balance, ready to move toward the basket at the correct time. Not only is the backside in contact with the opponent, the screeners entire back is also derailing any ploy to get by, such as a swim move. If the offensive player makes a move toward the baseline, the screener makes a back, or reverse, pivot. Again, quick impact is made with the backside, but the back is also making contact. A traditional method of blocking out involves using a reverse pivot no matter which direction the offensive player goes.
The footwork involved with an offensive rebound requires faking and an explosive change of direction. It also requires a countermove in case the first move is hindered. Whatever part of the floor the offensive rebounder has determined the ball will bounce to, the player makes a fake in the opposite direction. When the screener reacts, the offensive player changes direction by shooting the outside hand past the defenders chin toward the desired area and moving the outside foot over the defenders legs toward that same area. When changing direction, the player accelerates toward the desired spot. When the basketball is about to hit the rim, the defensive rebounder makes the move to the rim.
8.4 Timing
Players must learn to catch the ball at the peak of their jump, in order to give themselves the maximum chance of getting to the ball first. A good timer can often out rebound a good jumper.
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8.5 Jumping
Jumping for rebounds requires a two foot takeoff, and this skill is often foreign to younger players who are used to jumping off one foot when shooting layups.
Following are the key teaching points for jumping: hands at head height knees bent feet shoulder width apart thrust hands upwards, with elbows out get two hands on the ball It is important to note that if contact with opponent is released too early, quite often the jump will be too vertical, making it difficult to ‘chin’ the ball. However, if the angle of jumping to the ball is at 45 degrees, the ball can be protected and often induces a rebounding foul by the opposing rebounder for making illegal contact over the shoulder.
8.6 Protecting the Ball
After gaining a rebound, players must protect the basketball. This involves: holding the ball firmly landing on two feet elbows out ball at chest height
8.7 Drills
8.7.1 Paired Box Outs
Players work in pairs, starting back to back in the middle of a circle. Players attempt to box their partner out of the circle. Emphasise keeping hands at head height.
Figure 8-1 Paired box outs
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8.7.2 Circle Box Outs
A ball is placed in the middle of a circle. Three or four pairs of players space themselves around the circle facing each other, with the defensive player on the inside. On command, the offence attempts to get the ball and the defence boxes them out for as long as possible.
Emphasise: make contact with the offence pivot towards the ball both arms at head height
Figure 8-2 Circle box outs
8.7.3 Stationary Box Outs
An offensive team of three players sets up inside the three point line and defensive players match up on them. A 4th offensive player or a coach acts as a shooter. When the shot goes up, the defence has to box out the offence.
Emphasise: make contact with the offence pivot towards the ball both arms at head height The drill can be varied by adding post offence and defence.
Figure 8-3 Stationary box outs
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8.7.4 Pass and Cut Box Outs
Three offensive and defensive players set up around the perimeter with one basketball. Players pass and cut. The coach calls “shot”, and the player with the ball shots. The defence boxes out. The drill can be varied by adding post offence and defence.
Figure 8-4 Pass and cut box outs
8.7.5 Random Movement Box Outs
Three offensive and defensive players set up around the perimeter and the coach has a basketball. Players screen or cut. The coach either shoots or passes to an offensive player, who shoots. The defence boxes out. The drill can be varied by adding post offence and defence.
Figure 8-5 Random movement box outs
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8.7.6 Post Box Outs
Two offensive and defensive players set up at the low post positions and the coach has a ball. The coach shoots or passes to an offensive player who shoots. The defence boxes out. The drill can be varied by moving the players to the elbows.
Figure 8-6 Post box outs
8.7.7 Rebound and Outlet Players form two lines, one at the elbow and one at the wing. The players at the elbow have a basketball. The first player at the elbow throws the ball against the back board, rebounds the ball, pivots towards the nearest sideline and makes an outlet pass to the other line.
The drill can be varied by: adding a defender who starts behind the rebounder and pressures the outlet pass adding a second defender who starts in front of the rebounder and pressures the outlet pass
Figure 8-7 Rebound and outlet
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8.7.8 Mongrel
Three players play one on one on one at a basket. The remaining players are in a line at the foul line. When one player has scored two baskets, they move to the end of the line and a new player joins in. Within reason, defensive players are allowed to foul – this encourages the offence to finish strongly.
8.7.9 Ball tips
Players line up in a row, tipping the ball of the backboard and running to the end of the line. Emphasise meeting the ball at the peak of the jump.
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9. Transition Offence
9.1 Introduction
Transition offence involves advancing the ball up the court and attempting to score before the defensive team has a chance to get set. Much of transition offence involves developing a mindset of advancing the ball to the three point line as quickly as possible, but then making good decisions as to whether to attempt to score, or set up an offence.
Transition offence is also a good way to reduce the effect of full court defences.
9.2 Points of Emphasis
The following points should be emphasised when teaching transition offence: When entering the ball from the baseline, player should head snap, have vision up the court, and avoid the backboard. Man ahead. If a player up the court is open, they must be passed the ball, regardless of ball handling ability. This ensures the ball is advanced as quickly as possible. Centre the ball. If there is no one open up the court, the ball should be centred early in the backcourt, either via a pass or a dribble, to allow both sides of the court to be used. Wide lanes. Players should fill the lanes on either side of the court, staying close to the sideline, until reaching foul-line extended. This provides a good cutting angle to the basket. Blocks. The players running the lanes must cut to the blocks, rather than flare to the perimeter. This encourages players to score high percentage shots (i.e. layups) off transition. Driving lane/passing lane. If a player has a driving lane to the basket, they should attack the basket, even if this means making contact with a defender. If there is a stationary defender directly between them and the basket, they should draw the defence then use the passing lane, if open. Trailer. If the ball is advanced to a player on the wing, the next player down the court should trail to the low post, ball side. Ball reversal/Skip pass/Secondary break. If there is no opportunity to score off the primary break, the ball should be quickly reversed to the opposite side of the court, in an attempt to find an open player.
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9.3 Drills
9.3.1 Full Court 2 on 1
Figure 9-1 Full Court 2 on 1
Players line up in three lines on the baseline, with balls in the middle lane. The middle player steps out to the foul line in defence, and passes to either of the players in the side lanes, who are in offence. Players play 2 on 1 to the opposite basket, then the next group of three goes. Emphasise man ahead, and driving lane/passing lane.
9.3.2 Full Court 3 on 2 to 3 on 3
Figure 9-2 Full Court 3 on 2 to 3 on 3
Players line up in three lines on the baseline, with every second player in the middle lane with a basketball. The first player in each line steps out to foul line extended in defence. The middle defensive player passes to one of the next three players on the baseline, who are in offence, touches the baseline, and joins the other two defensive players. Players play 3 on 2 to 3 on 3 to the opposite basket, then the next group of six goes. Emphasise centring the basketball, man ahead, and driving lane/passing lane.
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9.3.3 Full Court 4 on 3 to 4 on 4
As above, but with 4 lines. Emphasise centring the basketball, man ahead, driving lane/passing lane and trailer.
9.3.4 Full Court 5 on 4 to 5 on 5
As above, but with 5 lines. Emphasise centring the basketball, man ahead, driving lane/passing lane, trailer and ball reversal.
9.3.5 Full Court 3 on 2, 2 on 1
Figure 9-3 Full Court 3 on 2 to 2 on 1
Players start with three offensive lines on the baseline, two defensive players on one sideline, and one defensive player on the other sideline. When the offence starts advancing the ball up the court, the two defenders run into defence, after putting a foot inside the centre circle. After playing three on two, the defenders secure possession, become offence and play two on one against the third defender, who has entered the court via the centre circle. The rotation involves the three original offensive players filling the next three defensive spots – the last player to shoot the ball goes to one line, and the other two go to the other. Emphasise centring the basketball, man ahead, and driving lane/passing lane.
9.3.6 Eleven man break
Figure 9-4 Eleven Man Break
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Players line up in the eleven positions shown on the diagram above, with extra players in the corners. Players play 3 on 2, in one direction and after a shot is taken, all 5 players attempt to rebound the ball. Whoever ends up with the ball becomes offence, and makes an outlet pass to either of the corner lines, both of whom join him in offence. The wing players can only receive the ball inside the key, to encourage them to get to the basket, and to encourage the ball carrier to draw the defence. The offence is only allowed two passes.
Emphasise centring the basketball, getting to the blocks and driving lane/passing lane.
9.3.7 Continuous 3 on 2
Figure 9-5 Continuous 3 on 2
As for eleven man break, except there is only one outlet line down each end. After a made basket or defensive rebound, the defence always becomes offence and makes an outlet pass to the single outlet line. If a basket is made, the defence should take the ball from behind the baseline, as in a game situation. Emphasise head snap/vision, centring the basketball, man ahead, and driving lane/passing lane.
9.3.8 War
Players are divided into two teams and each team lines up on one side of the court at the half way line. Three players from one team start in offence down one end, two from the other team in defence down the other end and a third defender joins them via the centre circle when the ball crosses the half way line. Players play 3 on 2 up and back, and play to a fixed score. If a basket is made, the defence should take the ball from behind the baseline, as in a game situation. Emphasise head snap/vision, centring the basketball, man ahead, and driving lane/passing lane.
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9.3.9 Four on Zero Transition
Figure 9-6 Four on Zero Transition
Four players start in the backcourt as shown, and a fifth player or coach takes a shot. The players rebound the ball, make an outlet, centre the ball via a pass, and play transition down the other end, as shown in the diagram above. If a basket is made, the defence should take the ball from behind the baseline, as in a game situation. This drill can also be done with five players, and could be run in conjunction with a 5 man weave, i.e. players do a 5 man weave in one direction, then play transition offence on the way back.
Emphasise head snap/vision, centring the basketball, man ahead, trailer and ball reversal.
9.3.10 Three on Two to Two on Three to Three on Two
Five players are on the court, and play full court three on two. After the defence secures possession, they play two on three towards the other basket. Then, the original offence play three on two again. This drill encourages the offence to advance the ball quickly after securing possession.
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10. Transition Defence
10.1 Introduction
Transition defence involves moving from offence to defence without allowing a fast break basket. Defences are at their most vulnerable when they haven’t had a chance to set up, so offences are encouraged to advance the ball quickly to get cheap baskets.
10.2 Points of Emphasis
The first points of emphasis for stopping a transition offence must be made while the defence still has the ball: Three or four players must attempt offensive rebounds. Preventing the opposition from getting the ball prevents them from fast breaking. The player closest to the defensive end must guard the basket. Good shot selection is important. If a shot is taken when the offence does not have good rebounding positioning, it allows easy defensive rebounds, quick outlets, and fast breaks.
After the defence has secured possession, the following points are emphasised: Talk. In defensive transition, it is important for players to communicate match ups and loose players, as players may not always have full vision of the court. Pressure the ball. Someone must guard the ball carrier at all times, regardless of who is usually matched up on this player. Pressure must be applied to the ball carrier, in order to slow their progress. Find a player. The defence should scramble to find a player, even if this means guarding someone who you are not usually matched up on. Players should only switch back to their own match up when it is safe to do so. Get behind the line of the ball. All players must be behind the line of the basketball. Hedge and recover. In a disadvantage situation (eg 3 on 2, 2 on 1), the defence should hedge and recover and not give up layups by committing to the ball too early.
10.3 Drills
All the drills described in section 9.3 for transition offence can also be used for teaching transition defence, by simply emphasising the points above.
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11. Zone Offence
11.1 Introduction
Although Woodville teams are not encouraged to play zone defence, it is important to equip our teams with the ability to attack zone defences. As for offence against a man-to-man, an emphasis is placed on reading and reacting to the defence. Having some sort of initial structure can be helpful – for example, if the defence is aligned in a one guard front, the offence should have a two guard front, and vice versa.
11.2 Points of Emphasis
Following is a list of points to emphasise when teaching offence against a zone, in order of progressions:
11.2.1 Transition Offence
The best way to nullify a team’s zone is to score before it has a chance to set up. Transition offence is described in chapter 9.
11.2.2 Fill the Gaps/Play Behind the Zone
Regardless of the type of zone, offensive players should attempt to align themselves with the gaps in the zone. For example a one guard front should be used against a two guard front zone and vice versa. Post players should play behind the zone, by starting close to the baseline.
11.2.3 Ball Reversal/Skip Pass/Shift zone
Ball reversal and skip passes should be used to shift the zone. If the ball is not reversed from one side of the court to the other, the defence does not have to move and it makes it difficult for the offence to shoot or penetrate. It is often useful to have a rule that forces the offence to at least get the ball across split-line on every swing.
11.2.4 Dribble Penetration/Receivers
As for motion offences against man-to-man, dribble penetration is necessary to free up open shots. There are two types of dribble penetration which are useful against a zone: Freeze dribble – the offence dribbles directly at a defender, in an attempt to draw the defence and pass to an open receiver Gap dribble – the offence dribbles at a gap between two defenders in an attempt to either draw one of them and pass to an open player, or to split the gap and score a basket Both types of dribble penetration force the defence to work and make decisions.
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As for offence against man-to-man, whenever there is dribble penetration, three players should get to receivers positions and one should cover the fast break. Note that the receivers’ positions against a zone are different to a man-to-man. For example, consider the situation below where there is freeze dribble from the point – the wing might float to the corner.
11.2.5 Screening
Screening is often overlooked as a tool for attacking zones. Three examples of where a screen could be used in a zone are shown below:
1. On ball screen at the point. A screen is set on a player with the ball at the point position, to allow them to get open for a shot, or penetrate.
2. Up screen at the point. The ball is at one wing and the opposite wing sets an up screen for a player at the point position, to get them open for a shot.
3. Screen the low post. The ball is swung from one wing to another and the ball side low post screens a defender to allow the wing to get an open shot.
11.2.6 Overloading
Overloading involves having 3 or 4 players play on one side of the floor, making it difficult for a zone defence to cover a player without moving considerably from their initial position.
11.2.7 Inside/Outside
It is important to emphasise that the ball be passed to post players. Teams which rely solely on outside play will find it difficult to get an open shot up against a zone, because the defence is rarely forced to play inside the key. If the ball is passed inside, it opens up shots for the perimeter players. Players should be made aware that perimeter shots will always be available against a zone, but these shots are more likely to be open if taken late in the offence after having passed the ball inside first.
11.2.8 Flash Cuts
A flash cut is a cut across the middle of the key. Flash cuts are effective against zones, because they force responsibility for guarding a post player to be passed from one defender to another. When flash cutting, players should continue to move towards the passer until they have received the basketball and be aware that as the defence moves to guard the ball, there are likely to be other players open, in particular another post player inside the key.
11.2.9 Short corners
The short corners are located half way between the side of the key and the three point line, in line with the basket. Having post players float out to the short corners is effective against zones, because it forces the defence to either shift out and open up gaps in the key for penetration, or to stay in the key and open up shots at the short corner.
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11.3 Drills
11.3.1 Advantage/Disadvantage Drills
Advantage/Disadvantage drills are those in which either the offence or the defence has a numerical advantage. For example, the following drill involves 3 offensive and 2 defensive players, simulated part of an offence against a 2 guard front zone. The offence is encouraged to freeze or gap dribble, in order to get another player open for the shot. Due to the clear advantage for the offence, limitations must be placed on the offence, such as only allowing one dribble per player, or forcing each player to catch the ball outside the three point line. A similar drill could be run 4 on 3 or 5 on 4. The drill can be modified to suit the type of zone being simulated.
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12. Zone Defence
12.1 Introduction
Woodville junior teams will predominantly play man-to-man defence, as described in section 5. Zone defences may be used from U16s and above and zone traps may be used from U14s and above, but only for short periods (3-4 minutes) at a time, as a variation tactic. There are a large variety of zone defence and trap alignments which exist and this chapter does not attempt to describe them. Instead, it lists a number of key teaching points which are to be emphasised when teaching all zone defences and a couple of points that must be taught when using specific zone traps, to ensure consistency across the club.
12.2 Key Teaching Points – Zone Defence
Talk – As for all defences, communication is important when playing a zone. One to the ball – Always get one player to the ball. If there is more than one player guarding the ball, another player will be open. Rotation – A player guarding the ball should never be required to guard the next pass. The next closest player should rotate to the ball, even if it means moving away from their initial position. Cover keyway/deny post – The ball should be kept outside the keyway by denying post players and bumping flash cuts. Arms up – Playing defence with arms in the air discourages the offence from making penetrating passes and dribbles. Vision Help-side – When playing defence away from the ball, be prepared to help and recover, as for man-to-man.
12.3 Key Teaching Points – Zone Traps
There a wide variety of traps which may be run, and all have different points of emphasis. Following are some brief teaching points for a couple of common traps, however if coaches are considering running zone traps, they should consult with their division one coach or coaching coordinator/director.
12.3.1 2-2-1 Full Court Trap
When running a 2-2-1 full court trap, the double team should come from across the floor, rather than up the floor, in order to be consistent with our full court man-to-man principles.
12.3.2 1-2-2- Half Court Trap
When running a 1-2-2 half court trap, ensure that a release pass cannot be made up the centre of the court.
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13. Training Guidelines
Following are some general guidelines which must be followed for all Woodville training sessions:
Plan sessions. Head coaches should arrive at the stadium with a plan of the training session, including times, drills and points of emphasis. Attire. Players in U12s and above must wear reversible training tops to all trainings. Players in U10s must wear either a reversible top or a playing uniform. This helps to create an atmosphere of professionalism and respect. Be punctual. Players and coaches must arrive at trainings 15 minutes prior to the scheduled starting time. Warm up and stretch. The 15 minutes prior to the start of training should be used for a warm up and stretch, in that order. Agility ladders or skipping ropes can be used if there is no court space available. Attendance. Head coaches must keep a record of player’s training attendance throughout the season. Coach involvement. Ensure coaches of all divisions and assistants are involved in training sessions. All coaches must be on their feet coaching the entire session and not talking with players/parents/coaches on the sideline. In some drills, it may be useful to specify roles for coaches, i.e. each coach can focus on a particular point of emphasis. Use of equipment. The club has access to agility ladders, blocking bags, medicine balls, dribbling aids, witches hats, bibs and a video camera. Use of rings. Make the most of available baskets when training at school gyms. Points of emphasis. Emphasise specific points for every drill, and be strict on ensuring they are followed. Feedback. Players must be given as much individual feedback as possible. This should happen as a matter of course at trainings and games, but coaches should also set aside time to speak to players individually outside these times, as this kind of personal feedback is more likely to be taken on board. Player involvement. Plan drills to use as many players as possible at a time. Players are expected to bring a basketball to every training, so there should be plenty of opportunity for this. Movement between drills. Players should start drills quickly and not waste time shooting or chatting. Intensity. Players should work at a consistently high work rate at trainings, in order to simulate game situations. This has the added benefit of improving general fitness without the need for too many specific fitness drills. Drinks. Players must bring a drink to every training and should be given regular drinks breaks.
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14. Match Guidelines
Following are some general guidelines which must be followed for all Woodville matches:
Punctuality. Players and coaches must arrive at games 30 minutes prior to the scheduled start time, for warm up, stretching and pre game meeting. Attire. When arriving at the stadium and warming up, players must wear appropriate Woodville clothing, i.e. playing uniform, warm-up top and tracksuit or hooded top. Coaches must also wear appropriate Woodville clothing, i.e. polo shirt, or polar fleece top. Court time. In all grades below division 1 and all under 10 divisions, players should receive approximately even court time across the season, although issues such as training attendance, punctuality and attitude may affect this. For division 1 grades in under 12s and above, players need not be given even court time, although players should not be consistently given limited court time. Feedback. Give constant feedback to your players, both on the court and on the bench. Team spirit. – Encourage players to support their team mates, both on the court and off. Don’t allow players to be surly, or miserable, particularly after being subbed off the court. Discipline – Do not allow players, managers or spectators to talk to officials about umpiring decisions. Players receiving a technical foul should be benched for the rest of the half and any technical fouls should be brought to the attention of the coaching coordinator/director before the next training session.
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15. Player movement between divisions
When a player is to be moved between divisions, it is important that this is handled consistently across the club. Following is the procedure which must be followed when a change is proposed:
1. The coaches of the two teams involved and the division 1 coach discuss the proposed change.
2. The division 1 coach discusses the proposed change with the coaching coordinator/director.
3. The player’s current coach informs the player of the decision, and the reason it was made.
4. The player’s new coach informs the player of when the next training/game is for the new team.
This procedure is not meant to create a bottleneck, or prevent changes from happening. Changes can, will and should occur at any stage throughout the year. The procedure is to ensure that these decisions are considered carefully and are made consistently.
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16.Protocol for coaching material additions/changes
At times, you may wish to implement a particular offence and/or defence as a coach that is more suited to your team not contained in this coaching manual.
This is permitted (particularly for older age groups and higher divisions, such as U16/U18 division one and two). However, it is a minimum requirement that each player on the team is capable of executing the skills and principles contained in this document relative to their development pathway.
The club welcomes the additions to offence and defence structure and welcomes more ideas for drills related to anything contained in this document or beyond. However, the club would like to keep record of such material constantly approved and updated by the coaching director.
There is a form that can be completed to explain the offence, defence or drill that you would like to add. This form must be completed and sent to the coaching director (as well as your division one coach for those coaching division two and below) for approval and for update of the club coaching materials.
A form can be located on the following page or can be downloaded from the club website under the coaching section. Alternatively, you can speak to your coaching director to be assisted with this protocol.
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