Prior to the late 1960’s, defense was split between zones and man-to-man just like it is today. However, the uniqueness of man-to-man defense was the fact that it was NOT zone. Some coaches might switch on picks while others didn’t and some would play tighter and tougher than others, but for the vast majority of teams, that was extent of man-to-man defense.

Then along came Dean Smith with his man-zone hybrid; split the court in two, creating “ball side” and “weak side”; deny one pass away on the ball side while those on the weak side assume a “zone” position on the midline. This was radically new and changed the way man-to-man defense is played by the majority of teams around the world. Presently, the majority of the coaching community (anyone born after 1970) looks at man-to-man defense without recognizing that it is Dean Smith’s scheme. Most of the community simply assumes that the way man-to-man is taught is the way it’s always been.

That’s not the case.

Within Dean Smith’s defensive scheme, (currently called “Man-to-Man Defense”) there are as many variations as there are coaches. My man-to-man defense does not look like your man-to-man defense, but they both are working from Dean Smith’s “base”.

What does this have to do with the Read & React Offense? To answer the question, I must lay aside humility and take a bold and brash position. Here it is: I don’t view my Read & React Offense as ANOTHER OFFENSE. I didn’t invent it to be something a coach “RUNS” in the same sense as a coach might “Run” the FLEX, or the UCLA High Post Game, or the Triangle Offense, etc. I invented it to do the same thing to offense that Dean Smith did to man-to-man defense. EVERYONE should “run” the Read & React because everyone should be TEACHING the Read & React, because in essence, everyone would be TEACHING OFFENSE. (It only strikes me now that I should have named it “The Read & React System of Teaching Offense” rather than “The Read & React Offensive System”. There’s a difference between the two.)

The difference between Set Plays, Freelance, or Continuity Offenses and “running” the Read & React is the difference between “everyone pick up a man” and the “ballside-weakside-denial-help-force-fan-switch-rotate” defensive schemes that are taught in today’s defensive game. In other words, it’s the difference between playing basketball in the 1930’s or 40’s and playing it today. No one in his or her right mind would go back to playing defense the way it was taught in 1930. But when it comes to offense, the basketball community is stuck in the past.

In just 9 short months, the paradigm shift has already begun. A few thousand innovative coaches have “bought in” to the Read & React, experiencing not only more offensive success than they’ve had in the past, but also experiencing a rejuvenation in their ability to teach offense in general.

Will variations grow out of the Read & React System?

It’s already begun. In just one season, since the release of the R&R, we’ve received hundreds of emails regarding the personal variations on the Read & React theme. Invariably, the coaches go through the same process:

1. They teach the appropriate Layers to their team.

2. They find points of emphasis, formations, use of personnel, etc. that works best against their opponents and fits their style of play, transition game, bench depth, etc.

3. With the team and the coach on the same wavelength, they experience a boost to a level they’ve not seen before.

4. The coach writes me and shares this “successful twist” on the Read & React.

5. I celebrate with an extra shot of espresso and everyone in the coffee shop wonders why the weird guy in the BB polo is smiling at his laptop.

Here’s my prediction: In a few years from now, the coaching community will not view the Read & React as “another” offense. With everyone teaching it as their offensive “base”, it will probably lose the title: “Read & React”, just as Dean Smith’s man-to-man defense eventually lost his name. When it is viewed as a fundamental way of teaching the offensive side of the game, then the name “Read & React” will lose its ability to define.

And that will be fine with me.

NOTE: Although I use Dean Smith in this analogy, by no means do I view myself as being even in the same room with Dean Smith. Coach Smith is one of the true innovators of the game, right up there with Bobby Knight, Pat Summit, etc. (I have to stop there, because the list of Hall of Famers would be too long!) All I’ve done with the Read & React is put together all of the tried and true fundamental actions of the game, in such a way that “team offense” can be taught in a layer-by-layer, fundamental-by-fundamental, progression. I didn’t invent “spacing”. I didn’t invent “the give-and-go” or balancing the floor or stretching the defense. I’ve simply found a way to put it all together that makes sense to coaches and cuts to the natural instincts of the players.

Over the past several years of designing, testing, writing, and finally editing the Read & React Offense, as well as speaking at clinics and just talking with R&R coaches, I’ve compiled a list of what I consider the benefits to running the Read and React. I’m sure there are more – some I haven’t thought of or even seen, but below is that list.

And coaches who are running the R&R, feel free to add any others that you’ve found. Just submit them in the comments section.

1. The offense is a BASE from which players can play by principle. If a set play doesn’t work, then players can continue to play without resetting for another play.

2. The offense encourages players to work on their fundamentals of shooting, ball handling, one-on-one, etc. Even their off-season pick-up game skills would “sharpen the saw” for regular season.

3. The offense allows great players to play with not-so-great players. This allows the not-so-great players to learn from better teammates while not hindering or holding back the best players.

4. The offense can be worked on LEGALLY in the off-season. Two players at a time is all that’s needed. This opens up more practice time during season.

5. The system builds on itself year after year. A team might only use the first eight layers in the first year. Each consecutive year, they don’t start over. Instead, they pick up where they left off. In the second year they might understand all of the layers, but only master the first twelve. The third year, they master it all. The fourth year is basketball on a level that we haven’t seen!

6. The layered system is perfect for basketball organizations that have different age levels. New layers are added year by year as the player progresses through the organization.

7. The offense is ADAPTABLE to:

» The type of players,
» The style of play,
» The age or skill level of the players,
» Any kind of defense.

8. You don’t need 5 players to work on your offense. Example: The R&R can be used 4-on-4, 3-on-3, and even 2-on-2. Not only is this an advantage during season, but especially in the off-season.

9. There’s no need to teach a separate zone offense. The Read & React not only adapts to zones, but to ALL types of zones.

10. Set plays and quickhitters can be used “in front of” the Read & React. If the set play doesn’t work, no big deal – a coordinated 5-player offensive attack continues – called the Read & React.

11. Once the offense is “in”, a greater percentage of practice time can be spent on Player Development. And of course, the better the players, the better the Read & React becomes.

12. Defensive Development is a natural by-product of using the Read & React:

» Those who defend the R&R cannot “play the play” because there is no “play” to defend. Defenders must defend HONESTLY, every day. The fact that anything can happen at anytime not only raises defensive intensity, but also trains defenders to focus for longer periods of time.

» The R&R is developmental in nature. Each layer of the offense raises the offenses ability to counter the defense. If the defense is going to keep up, it must develop as well. As an example, being in good defensive position might work with the first level of R&R, but soon the defense must learn to change positions, close out, etc. As the R&R introduces higher levels of action, the defense must learn help, rotate, switch, etc. When R&R raises the offensive bar, the defense must rise to that level also.

» Once the R&R becomes a working offense, the need for “offensive time” in practice decreases. This allows a coach to spend even more time on defense and usually during the latter part of the season – tournament time.

13. Without the need to micro-manage every offensive possession during a game, the R&R coach has more time to manage the game, i.e., manage momentum, match-ups, substitutions, defense, rebounding, etc.

14. Players typically develop their Basketball I.Q. through experience. Experience is a good teacher but how many of us can wait on players to build their B.I.Q? By the time their B.I.Q. is built, they’re no longer in our programs. The R&R builds the basketball I. Q. of the individual player in a step-by-step progression that can be controlled and quantified by the coach. Something as important as a player’s B.I.Q. is NOT left to chance with the Read & React.

15. If the Read & React is the “curriculum” for a program consisting of age or grade levels, then all of the coaches in the program will benefit from each other’s work. The Read & React allows coaches to be on the same page and most importantly to build on each other’s efforts. I often refer to this as “standing on each other’s shoulders.” An example would be: If a 7th grade school team runs the first 3 layers of the Read & React, then the following year, as 8th graders, they do not need to start over. Instead the 8th grade coach can begin with the 4th layer and continue to add the grade-appropriate layers. In this manner, the 8th grade coach is “standing on the shoulders” of the 7th grade coach and in doing so, can take the team to a higher level of development compared to the traditional method of coaching.

The question still comes up time and again: If a guard from up top, say on the right side, drives right handed toward the goal, will a player in the right corner cutting to the opposite corner foul up the guard’s ability to finish at the basket? Is this bad timing? Does this mess up spacing? Will both players arrive at the basket at the same time?

Answer: In the beginning, when reactions are still slow and still in the stage of development, you might see a few cases where the baseline cutter and the penetrator are arriving at the same time or even cases where the penetrator gets to the goal BEFORE the baseline cutter gets to the lane. If this happens, then the baseline cutter can always stop in the short corner and become a passing “window” or target for the penetrator. This would be the same “window” that a post player would fill in the same situation, if there was a post player on the right side of the lane. (See Layer 4)

BUT, given a little bit of time, the corner will not only clear the lane before the penetrator gets to the goal, but the cut along the baseline will be a passing/scoring opportunity.

Here’s why I can speak so confidently:

Any player in the right corner has only TWO cuts, or TWO directions to go as a result of ball movement:

1) Run the baseline if the ball handler drives right
2) Fill the right wing above him/her. (To the corner’s left).

Filling the wing above could result from a pass and cut, speed dribble, power dribble, circle reverse, or even a post feed by the ball handler.

Now notice how SIMPLE the baseline cut is: no options, no complexity. It’s this SIMPLE: anticipate the ball handler putting the ball on the floor with his/her right hand. If so, by the time the ball hits the floor on the first dribble, the corner player’s feet should be moving in a SPRINT toward the other corner while looking for a pass. If the ball is being driven from anywhere above the FT line extended, then by the time the ball handler breaks the FT line (or FT line extended) the corner cutter should be between the short corner and the goal depending on their foot speed. Even the slowest player can be a half-second away from the goal by the time the ball breaks the FT line.

There are NO other options for the right corner player to consider if the ball handler penetrates with his/her right hand! With no other options to consider, even a non-basketball player can be trained to sprint corner to corner with this “one-and-only-one” action by the ballhandler.

Training a player to do this begins with a simple, firm explanation. Raise the bar of expectations: This is NOT a difficult, high level, basketball action! Present it like this, “You don’t have the option of STANDING, so get in a stance that allows you to sprint the baseline or sprint up to the wing. Now, watch the ball handler and ANTICIPATE.” If the right hand dribble turns out to be an EAST-WEST dribble, then the first step toward the goal is easily stopped and corrected.

Consider the special case of the RIGHT WING teammate with the ball (above the FT line extended). ANY DRIBBLE WITH THE RIGHT HAND will force a basket cut by the right corner player. If the right wing is driving to the goal, then the right corner is supposed to Circle Move to the other corner (Layer 1). If the right wing’s first, quick, hard dribble with their right hand is an EAST-WEST dribble, that is, a Speed Dribble (Layer 5), then the right corner’s reaction is to BASKET CUT. So, in either case, the corner is running the baseline! Simple, simple, simple for the corner player to read and anticipate.

If you’re wondering about a Power Dribble by the right wing and how this forces the corner player to circle left toward the wing for the pick and roll, consider how the Power Dribble is executed: It is not a “face-toward-the-goal-hard-quick-right-hand-dribble” action. In order for the right wing to Power Dribble, he/ she must step or pivot in such a way as to place their back toward the goal and then slowly “crab dribble” toward the corner. The moment the right wing makes such a pivot, the right corner knows that “basket cutting” is out of the picture.

Without beating a dead horse, the corner player without the ball has only two movements to consider whenever an action is taken by the ballhandler: move to the wing or cut the baseline. When the players realize how simple their options are, they can more easily anticipate and therefore move more quickly. Taking the option of STANDING out of the picture helps to speed up their reaction time.

Let’s pretend your team has learned all of the reactions to the ball necessary to run the Read & React from any formation. But your players don’t yet understand all of the types of basketball actions that can occur depending on their own formation and defensive schemes that they’ll encounter. In other words, they don’t yet have the basketball IQ to match certain R&R actions against certain defensive scenarios. What follows is a crutch for this intermediate stage that will help them bridge the gap between the weapons of the Read & React and the ability to use them effectively.

Red = emphasize all dribble weapons: Layers 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, 10
Blue = emphasize all pass and cut weapons in Layers 3 & 12
Green = emphasizes all screening actions: Layers 6, 8, 9, 11, 14

5 = Five Out
4 = Four Out, One In
3 = Three Out, Two In

With numbers and colors, the coach can change formations and the basketball actions that are to be emphasized:

5-Red = Five Out Dribble Attacks
5-Blue = Five Out Pass & Cut
5-Green = Five Out Screening Actions

4-Red = Four Out Dribble Attacks
3-Green = Three Out, Two In Screening Actions
Etc…

For higher level teams, add Post locations when using formations 4 OUT or 3 OUT to “dial” even more specific actions:

Low = Post(s) set up in the short corner
Mid = Post(s) set up in the Mid-Post
High = Post(s) set up in the High Post

Now the coach can call something like: “3-High-Green” which would mean a 3 OUT, 2 IN formation with the posts at the high post and the emphasis of action would be Setting Screens. This action might imitate John Wooden’s high post offense or a “High-High” Blocker Mover offense.

How would the coach use these calls to help the team learn about effective formation and effective actions? An example would be the end of the game situation: you have a one point lead with 2 minutes to go. “5-Blue” would be the best call. Your opponent must pressure you on the perimeter or they will lose. So empty the post, spread the floor, and use Layer 3 to Rear Cut them for lay-ups. Take nothing but a lay-up. If the team understands the code, 5-Blue is all you have to tell them.

A close friend of mine let me know through an email that he was buying the Read & React. Having known him since the early 90’s, (he was coaching a college men’s team at the time), I replied with the “prep” below:

As you watch it, keep in mind that the goal is to train the team to maintain 5-player-coordination at all times, in any formation, with any combination of players, with any and all levels of skill and I.Q., and against either a man or zone defense. It is NOT a matter of throwing together a bunch of good principles and hoping that good things happen when you turn the players loose. I’ve tied every basketball action together in such a way that the whole team can flow from one action to another and know exactly what each teammate will be doing (accountability).

That sounds predictable and it is from the offense’s point of view. But it is unpredictable and un-scoutable from the defense’s point of view because the 10-13 basketball actions can flow together in any sequence. As an example, if you take just 3 actions like Drive & Kick, Pass & Cut, and Screen & Skip and consider that they can flow in any sequence from any 5 spots in any of the 3 basic formations (5 out, 4 out 1 in, or 3 out 2 in) then you create 90 unique combinations - no two are alike. There are 360 unique combinations of 4 basketball actions; so forth and so on.

In other words, I’m trying to get coaches to see that they can teach and “control” the uncontrollable, random, breakdown, “let’s just play basketball” aspect of the game. I mean “control” it from a standpoint of making it better, more efficient, and with concrete actions that the players can understand. If they can understand it, then they can get better at it. If an aspect of the game can be defined, then it can be refined. (That was pretty good!) There’s a lot of refinement going on around the country with coaches who are digging deep into the Read & React System. I’m convinced that this small community of R&R coaches (that’s growing slowly, day-by-day) will redefine how the game is best taught.

Can you still run a few set plays and quickhitters? Of course, but they only work about 30% of the time - even with the best of teams. What happens when they get stuffed? Read & React as a 5 player coordinated unit is what should happen. We teach and demand 5-player-coordination-by-principle-and-just-by-reading-the-ball on defense. Why not offense? Anyway, welcome to the “Innovator’s Club!”

In order to be an effective coach/teacher, I must be able to tell every player whether his movement at any time is correct or incorrect. Set plays make that possible. It is more difficult or even impossible to do with a principled offense. R&R is a principled offense that enables the coach to tell each player what to do in any situation from any position with or without the ball. So, how does R&R keep that quality of predictability and be a principled offense that can take advantage of whatever the defense “gives” at any time, from any position, and from any formation?

ANSWER: Combinations of A, B, and C.

A. There are 13 possible things that a player can do with the ball that initiates a unique 5-player-basketball-action:
1. Drive right
2. Drive left
3. Speed dribble right
4. Speed dribble left
5. Power dribble right
6. Power dribble left
7. Pass right
8. Pass left
9. Skip Pass
10. Feed the Post, cut East
11. Feed the Post, cut West
12. Feed the Post, laker cut right
13. Feed the Post, laker cut left

B. Any player could execute these 13 possible things from any of the 5 spots on the floor:
1. Top
2. Right Wing
3. Left Wing
4. Right Corner
5. Left Corner

C. The 13 possible moves could be executed from any of the 5 spots in the 3 general Formations:
1. 5 OUT
2. 4 OUT 1 IN
3. 3 OUT 2 IN

The possible Total Combinations: 13 X 5 X 3 = 195

But this is only the possible SINGLE unique actions that could occur within the framework of the Read & React. The fact that any combination of the 13 actions could occur while maintaining 5-player-coordination is perhaps the strongest part of the offense and is what makes it most difficult to defend. So, how many unique sequences could occur given 13 possible actions taken 2 at a time or even 3 at a time?

13 possible actions taken 2 at a time in any order = 156; from any 5 spots = 780; from any 3 formations = 2,340

13 possible actions taken 3 at a time in any order = 1,716; from any 5 spots = 8,580 from any 3 formations = 25,740

There’s even more when you consider what happens with the unplanned Circle Reverse action or what happens when players can backscreen their way onto the perimeter. Since post players are only required to react correctly to dribble penetration, then post players could add an almost infinite amount of unique combinations to the offensive action with the freedom they are given. They could screen for cutters, screen each other, go inside and out, set screens on the ball, play strongside or weakside, etc.

And here’s the kicker: even with these unbelievably high number of basketball actions that can occur, the coach can tell every single player whether their movement was correct or not. No guesswork, no principles. Like a set play, the coach can pinpoint EXACTLY what every player should do in every one of these actions.

Some teams get to a level of expertise where their FORMATION (or SET) changes each possession depending on how they mold themselves around the defense. On the other hand, some teams change their FORMATIONS by which offensive players are in the game. Simply stated, the players are not forcing themselves into a FORMATION; instead, the FORMATION is determined by the fact that 5 guards are in the game or 4 guards and 1 post player, etc.

However, there’s another way to look at the FORMATIONS. The coach might be calling out the FORMATION for the players ahead of time, the same way a coach might call a set play. A change of formation might be the way a coach changes what he wants the team to look for. In other words, the FORMATION might simply be a different way to “get into” the offense. Until a team gets to an expert level with the Read & React, the coach may have to change the formation for the players depending on who’s in the game. Also, this might be needed as a crutch for the players UNTIL they master the Read & React. In fact, this type of temporary control by the coach is needed in most cases; especially in the beginning. How long it’s needed varies from team to team.

Changing your FORMATION verbally, during a “live” possession, might be needed if the players are losing their spacing and can’t work themselves out of the knots that sometimes occur. I don’t see anything wrong with it. But the players need to understand that they can’t depend on the coach to always “bail them out” by shouting verbal instructions. The players must take ownership sooner or later. Stress to them that until they master the R&R, you may have to provide a crutch like a verbal command, or a quick-hitter type of entry for them to get the offense started. Understand it for what it is, though: a crutch until they can stand on their own.

Even when the players are approaching the mastery level, the coach will not quit this type FORMATION manipulation. But now you’ll be manipulating the SETS or FORMATIONS for different reasons: like what aspects of the offense will work best against the next opponent; or how to hide the team’s weakness and force the other team to play to your strengths; or what combination of players are the best at 5-out or 4-out or 3-out or whatever formation you like. A simple example would be if the tempo of the game is too fast and you want to slow it down, then you have a verbal command that signals the players to emphasize Layer 3 (Pass & Cut) from a particular formation. Of course they can score with a drive or a post up or a backscreen, etc., but at least their emphasis will be on passing and cutting and not taking a quick shot . Another example would be if your opponent’s post player is in foul trouble. It would be nice to have a verbal command that signals a 4-out set with the emphasis on feeding the post and drawing the foul. It would be nice if the players could spot these things, but I think it will always fall into the coach’s responsibility.

I wrote this for a couple of teams just recently after watching them play:

1. Each “counter” in the R&R is designed without regard to size and strength. Most games can be defined by which team can force their style of play on other team. Instead of allowing a bigger or stronger or otherwise more physical team to force you into playing their game, choose the correct counters in the Read & React layers to negate their defensive strength. Force does not have to be met with MORE force. Instead, counter their force with your skills. That’s what the Read & React offense is set up to do.

Example: You’re being denied on the perimeter. The counter is not to be stronger and more physical than the defense. The counter is to REAR CUT and turn the game into a foot race. Any offensive player moving forward can outrun a defender moving backwards. So, don’t get caught up in the physical game. Use the smart skills in the R&R to counter physical aggression.

Another example: If the post defender is bigger and stronger and can keep you pushed off of your “scoring position” in the post, then don’t fight it. Instead, receive your pass from the perimeter and let the cutter create a scoring opportunity - either the cutter can score or the post will have an opportunity to score after the cutter goes by.

Another example: If you’re trying to dribble penetrate and the defender is stronger and pushes you off the line of your drive, then depend on the player in the natural pitch position to Circle Reverse and create a different basketball action.

If the other team has great help position defenders, then don’t try to beat them by attacking 2 or 3 defenders. Instead, Pin & Skip, Pin & Skip, Pin & Skip.

2. Anytime ANYONE has the ball, they need to focus on making READABLE movements with the ball. The ballhandler is the MOVER in the R&R offense. Everyone else must be able to read what the ballhandler is doing. So the ballhandler must resist “playing around” with the ball. Do something that has been clearly defined by the R&R offense. There are plenty of movements that fall into this category:
    a. Drive right or left
    b. Pass right or left
    c. Speed dribble right or left
    d. Power dribble right or left
    e. Feed the post and cut
    f. Shoot

3. The secret to getting better as a team is not adding more and more in terms of complexity. The complexity will come as the team coordinates more of the layers together in seamless sequences every possession of the ball. In other words, every practice and every game should seem simpler to the players as every basketball action becomes more familiar and more of a habit. Every practice and every game should be characterized by greater 5-player coordination. By now, your expectations can be high enough to punish players with substitution if they don’t react correctly. As an example, if a teammate drives the baseline and no one is in the opposite corner for the natural pitch, then someone’s got to come out of the game. The players must see their reactions as important enough for substitution and never as an option. In my humble opinion, this is how your team gets better even while they are winning.