Written by Rick Torbett on October 23, 2009 – 3:08 PM
Q: I purchased and recently started implementing the R&R for a 5th and a 6th grade girls team. Currently, I am only using the R&R against man-to-man defense. I really like it in this application since it keeps the entire team involved. I have been using a 1-4 High set against a zone, but would like to switch to the R&R against a zone as well – that way the players are only learning one system.
I do, however, need some help with this transition. In the past, I’ve really emphasized the post entry pass, but I’m not sure how to properly utilize it in the R&R. I know that when the entry pass is made, the guard can cut through on a give-and-go, but how does the rest of the team know which way to rotate?
Also, in a 3 OUT set, what are your recommendations for the weak-side post player when the ball is entered. Right now, when the entry pass is made, the weak-side post cuts down to the opposite box behind the defense, but with the point guard cutting thru, it seems like that would crowd the bottom of the key. Thanks for your time.
A: Whenever a guard feeds the high post, the guard has a choice of 4 cuts: 2 Laker Cuts to the goal and 2 X-cuts in East-West directions. With the 2 X-cuts, the decision about who fills the empty spot is easy to figure out: the spot will be filled by the player that is screened.
The two Laker Cuts are less obvious. My preference is for the non-passing guard to fill the empty spot and therefore the opposite wing will fill the opposite guard’s position. The reason that I like this action is that it allows the other post player to set a flare screen for the wing who is filling up to the guard position. Now, the wing can use the flare screen back in the direction from which he/she came. This answers the question about what to do with the other post.
If there’s no “fill up empty spots” action on the weakside, then the post without the ball can work on Pin Screening the opposite wing’s defender. Not only will this provide skip pass opportunity, it will also occupy the post defender and the wing defender, while your cutting passer can work the action on the ballside.