Written by Rick Torbett on February 6, 2009 – 3:10 PM
Q: Thank you for the R&R offense. It has helped some of our youth learn how to play basketball. My question is how to implement the zone layer in the beginning. I know the kids can’t do pin and skip, but in a short amount of time I have to make sure they understand how to play against a zone.
A: The one zone adjustment that you can get the most out of in the shortest period of time is the Pass & Cut Layer. The passer who is cutting should not cut all the way to the basket. Instead he should cut into the seam of the zone and look for the ball; stay there until another pass is made; look for the ball immediately from the new ball handler; then get out to one of two places: (1) Any open spot on the perimeter, or (2) fill the short corner on either side of the goal. When a player is occupying the short corner, they can move to “anywhere” after the next pass or they can remain where they are. By “anywhere”, I mean to either an open spot on the perimeter, the other short corner, or the posting area which in reality is just the open spot in the seam of the zone.
If the ball is passed to the short corner, then the other four players should react as if a baseline drive has occurred and fill the opposite corner, 45, 90, and safety valve positions.
Dribble penetration does not change vs. a zone. If there is a gap, then penetrate and score or look for teammates sliding where they’re supposed to (Layer 1, 2, & 4). Combine Dribble Penetration with Pass & Cut and you’ll have a fine zone offense even without the Pin & Skip. By the way, experiment with all 3 formations to find out what’s best for your personnel: (5 OUT, 4 OUT, or 3 OUT).
Hi Coach,
Here’s another question about adapting the R&R to youth teams (7th grade boys). Less than half of my team can hit the rim on three point tries and the rest aren’t that lucky. Would you recommend that during circle movement the perimeter players behind the three point line keep their spacing at that distance, then upon catching a pitch or safety valve pass have them take a one or two dribble north/south drive to get a shot within their range? Or maybe, upon release of the pass, have the reciever step inside the line and catch the ball within their catch and shoot range? The answer is probably somewhere in between. Any thoughts will help. Thanks for your time and R&R system.
Dave,
Great question! You aren’t the first to have asked it. I’ve just written a post about that topic as it relates to 7/8 year old players, but the same applies to any age player without a 3-point shooting range.
It is posted in the “Youth Coaching” category titled, “Adjusting the Read Line for Youth Players”. Here’s the link, http://www.betterbasketball.com/read-and-react-offense/youth-coaching/adjusting-the-read-line-for-youth-players/. Hope that helps.