At the mid-point of the season, no matter the level, many times teams hit a plateau in performance. Opponents have scouted and prepared for offensive systems and designed game plans to effectively reduce strengths. Players sometimes go through stretches of underperformance. Teams possibly lose focus and fall slightly off track. As all teams aim for consistency, coaches can focus on several little details that can mean a lot in helping teams stay on track or even possibly take the next step. The following article is designed to help coaches self-examine their teams and provide details and direction to help take the next step. After reading this piece, please evaluate your team and your offensive system in an attempt to self-evaluate where your team currently stands offensively.
5 SECOND TRANSITION
Especially when dealing with a FIBA 24 second shot clock, efficiency is important. Effective use of offensive time takes practice. Applying pressure in transition is a "team-trait" which can be developed as a habit. From the moment of "possession," no matter if it occurs from a make or miss, a team must immediately switch to attack mode. Practicing "reaction to possession" is important and often overlooked. Quick inbound plays, immediate ball-aheads in transition, explosively sprinting first three steps are little things that can make a team more effective in transition. Working in practice with a 5 second clock from possession to "entry" sets a team’s tempo and provides efficient use of early shot clock seconds.
SPACING IN TRANSITION
Basic fundamental basketball emphasizes the need for spacing in the half court and in transition. Proper spacing makes the game easy and often helps the next pass or next play present itself. Spacing often adds extra pressure, extra distance or extra decisions for the defense. Teams should stay sharp with quality spacing in transition. This includes breakspots and in "numbers" situations. Reinforcing running wide lanes on the wing, maintaining post-to-post spacing on the break and keeping spacing in 3 on 2's or 2 on 1's will help teams convert transition opportunities which keep an offense clicking when half court execution goes haywire.
ENTRY INTO ATTACK
Each coach has their own philosophy of offensive attack, but the three basic options fall into set plays, motion or secondary break. For teams working from transition to set plays, the five second count would apply from the moment of possession to "re-loading" the basketball and effectively getting into the set. Teams must practice the tempo and get into sets quickly which means sprinting to spots and cutting through contact. Communication is critical and "echo yells" or "echo symbols" help keep everyone on the same page in wild environments. Many teams also feature entry into motion which could feature a variety of rules which best suit your team. No matter the motion rules, working on the 5 second transition immediately into a smooth transition into motion helps offensive flow. Working with a FIBA 24 second shot clock, a "true" motion which breaks down the defense using ball-reversal and penetration is difficult because of time constraint. However, giving players a specific key (such as get to "breakspots then big men screen and be a target") helps them create situations difficult to defend quickly and effectively. Just as important as an efficient use of time in transition, effective offensive teams feature smooth and immediate entry into their attack.
QUICK PLAYS
Offense needs a tempo and a flow. Players must make quick reads and quick decisions that result in quick plays. Putting players in practice situations to increase the tempo of their reads, cuts, drives and moves can spark an offense. Working on every-day drills at a faster tempo emphasizes the point to players. Key words include: "Immediate Rolls and Flashes" from screens becoming a target, "passing and cutting in one motion," "Instant cuts" off post touches or ball movement and "Quick reads" of the floor. Helping players learn to use their peripheral and become aware of the "entire floor" takes time but is worthwhile. Making quick plays helps maintain "leads" on defenders and helps an offense dictate the game to the defense through tempo.
BALL MOVEMENT
Hand in hand with "Quick Plays," tempo and flow come from ball movement. Efficient offenses feature fast ball movement and teamwork. Players who "pound the dribble," "hold the ball" or "stand" eventually stymie an offensive attack. Coaches should consistently stress "teamwork" and "playing together." "Ego Plays" are not "Championship Plays," yet some guys love to have the ball in their hands, selfishly must make the play or intentionally slow the offense down. The first thing to look for is a
player’s instinct - does the player instantly dribble after the catch or hold onto the ball. Will the point guard hold the ball and dribble it up the floor rather than ball ahead to a streaking teammate? When a player holds or pounds the ball many times an offense slows to a halt and becomes stagnant. Work with players to "see" the floor first and help them understand the effectiveness of playing the "pass and cut" game. The next step is increasing the tempo of "reading the floor" and the "pass and cut" game. Teamwork is the key and unselfish play leads to success. Ball movement is a product of both teamwork and unselfishness and is the sign of a healthy offense.
PERFECT PASS PLACEMENT
Emphasizing passing and paying attention to this important detail can help a team take better care of the basketball and shoot a higher percentage. Perfect pass placement, in ball movement or leading to a shot attempt, is a little thing that means a lot. A crisp pass, on target pass with tempo and backspin helps shooters rhythm and comfort. Feeding the post and delivering a catchable ball away from the defense can also mean a lot to tempo and flow. Perfect pass placement is a trademark of effective offensive teams.
SCREEN AND SPREAD
Every offensive game plan includes screening. While most emphasis focuses on "Solid Screens," another important aspect of screening which can improve offensive play is spacing the floor after the screen. Attacking the defense with two targets - the user and the screener - is the goal. Both screens away from the basketball or ball screens apply the same principle. While the user effectively varies the cut, set the screen effectively and "instantly" roll or pop or cut opposite the user creating separation with tempo. A direct dive cut down the lane pressures defense just as a fast pop into space for a 3 point shooting big man. Spacing after a screen is part of quality offense.
EXHAUSTED SETS
Once a team has executed their set play action without attempting a shot, a team’s attack must be organized to make efficient use of remaining shot clock time. Working in the FIBA 24 second clock, a 5 second transition and efficiently executed set often still provides opportunity to attack after all options of the play have been exhausted. At this time, "floor spacing," "screening" and "active cutting" become critical. Of course individual skills of penetrating and slashing create opportunities, but emphasizing "team play" should be the next step and priority before being bailed out with one on one brilliance. Teams can work on executing their post-set motion by practicing 5 on 5 half court set plays without shooting until play has progressed into motion.
POST TOUCH SPACING
Many offensive sets and motion situations result in a post touch. Once the ball is entered into the post, offensive teams must clearly space the floor to be most effective. Helping players understand "Post-reaction" is one aspect of "playing off the post touch," but often overlooked is "floor spacing." A properly spaced floor provides clear passing lanes and cutting opportunities which pressure the defense and result in open shots.
NEW MOVES
At the mid-point of the season opponents have scouted the strengths and limitations of every player on your team. Just as you prepare game plans to stop their team, opponents work to take away strengths and find tendencies in your players and your team. Coming up with "counters" to "Bread and Butter" plays can be effective from a team perspective, but individually there are also some things to consider. For example, maybe your best player is strong driving left. Perhaps teams are playing the left hand. Along with individual workouts to help skills and moves going right, take a day in practice where that particular player can only go right (have fun calling a travel every time they go left!). The same thing can be applied in the paint with a post player learning to make moves to the "other shoulder" or "use their left hand." Helping players expand their game is a slow process but it takes awareness and creativity from coaches.
DRILL PROGRESSION FOR PRACTICE
(drills can be used as pre-practice, position breakdown or part of regular teamwork)
5 on 0 transition (5 second transition)
3 on 0 pass and cut (quick plays/pass and cut)
2 on 2 screen and spread
3 on 3 post feed/post reaction
4 on 4 motion no post
4 on 4 motion with post passer
5 on 5 no dribble
5 on 5 motion no ball screen
5 on 5 half court set into transition
5 on 5 conversion breakspots-reload-set-motion
In summary, the fantastic and fun part of coaching is the challenge of helping your team play well and find ways to improve. Not only should individuals focus for improvement, but teams should strive to improve together. Whatever your offensive system or tactical attack, fundamental details of the game can often "jumpstart" or "spark" an offense. After reading this article, I hope you will take some time to think about the ideas presented and consider how to apply these fundamental details to your team. Hopefully, one or two details will make a meaningful difference to your team and help you find success this season!
