Setting a screen (also referred to as setting a pick) is a move by an offensive player to position him- or herself to block the path of a teammate’s defender in order to set up an advantage for the teammate. Defensive players want to avoid screens…
Defending the Backdoor Cut
A backdoor cut is used by an offensive player when the defender is overplaying the pass-that is, when the defender has a hand and foot in the passing lane to prevent the offensive player from receiving a pass. The offensive player sees this…
Switching on a Screen
Switching on a screen is a defensive tactic where two defenders switch defensive assignments in an effort to prevent the offense from gaining an advantage on the screen. When an offensive player sets a screen, the defender guarding the screener…
Forcing Shooters Out of Position
A team’s defensive strategy should focus on not allowing shooters to catch the ball in a position where they can make a good shot attempt. If the defense can successfully prevent the offensive players from taking good shots by forcing them out of…
Limiting Fast Break Opportunities
When playing defense, limiting fast break opportunities for the offense can have a major impact on the game successful fast breaks can lead to quick and easy shots. The defensive transition against the fast break should be organized in such a way…
Taking a Charge
An offensive charging foul occurs when a defensive player establishes good defensive position and contact is initiated by the offensive player. Typically, a charge happens when a defender is guarding a dribbler going to the basket and the defender…
Coaching Players in a High Tech World
I remember being hired as the head coach of Marquette University 16 years ago as if it were yesterday. It was a dream come true for me since I had decided in college that one day I would be the head coach of a Division I women’s basketball program…
Iowa’s Blueprint for Practice Organization
Regardless of what level we coach, we all basically have the same amount of time to prepare our team for the season. In college, we are allowed 30 practices before our first game with no more than 20 hours per week spent with our athletes…
Behind the Lines
Maryland coach Brenda Frese waited in the wrong airport line for an hour. She takes son Tyler to his doctor’s appointments at Johns Hopkins every 10 days. Montana State coach Tricia Binford likes Carrie Underwood, especially those blue shoes she…
Are You A Leader?
I try to build my success, brick by brick, and aim to get a little better every day. One of my focal points is improving my leadership. The words ‘coach’ and ‘leader’ are synonymous – so if I want to be the best coach I can be – I must continually…
Building a “Rock Solid” Championship Defense
Winning games or winning championships? If this question was posed to every basketball coach in the nation, undoubtedly, the answer would be to win championships. Championships on any level are hard to come by and when I begin to study champions…
Structuring team workouts that also focus on individual needs
Every player has strengths and weakness in their game.
Some players are great shooters, but lack the physical speed and strength to be great defenders. Others possess tremendous speed and explosive power, but lack the body control to be…
Important Points to Consider When Planning a Basketball Practice
When you think about it, is there anything more important in your coaching responsibilities and duties than planning an effective practice session? John Wooden once said, “Failure to prepare is preparing for failure.” Obviously the level of player…
Finishing Drills
One of our program’s “non-negotiables”, or program staples, is valuing the ball. While this certainly means that we are to be strong and sure with the ball, not turning it over, it also means getting quality shots that we should not miss. Valuing…
Early Offense Strategy and Keys
I consider myself an avid golfer and a few years ago I heard a great analogy about early offense in basketball and how it relates to golf. I heard University of North Carolina’s Roy Williams, also an avid golfer; say that if he played Tiger Woods…E
Down Play – Perimeter Plays vs. Zone Defense
For this play to be effective inside, you need a piaymaker in the short corner, three-point spot-up shooters, and players who can read a spread floor and make good decisions. The 4 is your best post playmaker. The 1 is your most intelligent player…
Attacking the Zone
ATTACKING THE ZONE is a comprehensive book that explains our fundamental thoughts in attacking zones. As a Coach try to understand the plans of the enemy and how it thinks once you learn how the Zone thinks and what it reacts to you then can…
Rebounding
Many different theories have been advanced relating to the effective offensive and defensive rebounding. Ball possession is such an important facet of the game, it is only logical for a coach to study the various methods and approaches and teach…
Quick Shot Plays – Duck In
To create scoring opportunities for four players using 12 seconds or less of the clock.
To create high-percentage scoring opportunities for back-to-basket players, taking little time off the shot clock.
To allow guards to attack the basket…
Out-of-Bounds Plays
As any basketball coach knows, out-of-bounds plays can significantly affect the outcome of a game. Not counting the inbounds passes that follow a score by the opponent, a team might inbound the ball one to two dozen times a game. Assuming each…
The Best Drills for Basketball
The right tools can be the difference between success and failure in life. It follows that the right basketball drills could give you the edge you need to get to the next level. As a basketball player, I was blessed to play at the Division I…
Dribble Drag Shooting Drill – Tara VanDerveer – Stanford Univ.
Watch as Coach Tara VanDerveer runs her squad through the Dribble Drag Shooting Drill.
Line Dribbling Drills – Charles Glotta – Fort Zumwalt North HS (MO)
Coach Charles Glotta explains and player demonstrate Line Dribbling Drills
Post Ball Screen Drill – Jamion Christian – Mt. St. Mary’s Univ
Watch as Coach Jamion Christian explains and players demonstrate the Post Ball Screen Drill.
Special Play vs a Zone with Fran McCaffery – Univ. of Iowa
Coach Fran McCaffery explains this Alley Oop play vs a zone
Man Defense – Live Ball Reaction Drill – Sherri Coale – Univ. of OK
Coach Sherri Coale and Squad demonstrate a Man Defense – Live Ball Reaction Drill
Defense – Switch in the Post – Bob Knight
Coach Bob Knight explains and players demonstrate Switching in the Post
5-on-0 Offensive Drill with Rob Fulford – Huntington Prep
Coach Rob Fulford’s squad runs 5 on 0 Offensive Drills
Ball Screen Shooting Drill with Gregg Marshall – Wichita State Univ.
Coach Gregg Marshall and Squad demonstrate a Ball Screen Shooting Drill
Defensive 3 on 3 Drill – Steve Wojciechowski – Duke Univ.
Coach Steve Wojciechowski explains and demonstrates a contest and interchange drill