Offense

Ok, let's start to talk about offense.  I have spent a considerable amount of space on the blog talking defense, teamwork, and communication, so I guess it's only fair to make some mention of the other side of the floor.

First things first.......RUN.

The first offense should always be a result of...you guessed it...defense.

Good defense produces turnovers and rebounds, and therefore opportunities to score early, in transition, before the defense can get set.  So lets start with some basics about the break.

* you need the ball before you can go, it's better to rebound it than take it out of the net
* you run faster without the ball than with it, so if you get it, look up the floor, pass it, and run
* there are more options if the ball gets to the middle of the floor, than if it stays on one side
* the less dribbles the better
* go to the basket strong
* three's in transition are usually good looks, with good opportunity for put-backs
* if you are shooting a three in transition, make sure it is in rhythm
* if the defender is in the lane in front of you, jump-stop
* if the defender is not in the lane in front of you, take it to the basket hard
* talk on the floor, if you're open call "ball", if you're the trailer, call "trailer"
* after you score, don't celebrate, put your head down and get back on defense
* reward your bigs with touches when they run
* keep your spacing
* the guy who rebounded and made the outlet pass, is often the best option on the secondary break

Offense in the half court set is a matter of movement, communication, spacing, timing, and trust. Offense is the product of practice, individually, and together.  Hope is not a plan.  Here are some basic principles:

* movement on offense should be constant and purposeful, if you are standing around, you will probably find yourself sitting next to your coach before too long
* when you cut to the basket, ball, or open space, cut hard, and look for the ball
* when you get the ball, establish your pivot foot, and look to get to triple threat
* if you can take your man to the basket, do it, if you are open, and in rhythm, shoot it, if your teammate is open, get him the ball
* when you pass the ball, get it to your teammate where (it needs to be), when (it needs to get there), and how (it needs to be delivered)
* force the defense to react to what you do, know how they react, and create opportunities
* if you draw a 2nd defender, than someone is open, find him
* over dribbling is counter-productive to offense, and boring
* set screens, hard-legal screens
* after you set a hard-legal screen, open to the ball, and either roll or pop to space
* reverse the ball - swinging the ball from side to side, exposes weak defenders, especially vs. a zone
* look to get inside touches - this collapses the defense and creates good looks, especially for the weak side offensive players, it also keeps your bigs happy and working hard
* attack the offensive glass, put-backs should never involve a dribble
* never make an underhanded pass
* no finger rolls

A scared offensive player is the easiest to defend.  He looks to get rid of the ball as soon as he touches it, and hides within the movement of the offense.  He shies away from contact, and is worried about missing or having his shot blocked.  Offensive confidence comes from hard work in the gym, at practice and on your own.

A selfish offensive player is the next easiest player to defend, because they are one-dimensional. This is not the same as a scorer, who can create and make shots within the system. The selfish player is the one who is thinking of himself every time they touch or don't touch the ball.  The guy who stands at the three point line with his hand up, and has decided to jack it up even before it comes to him.  The guy who pouts on the third trip down the floor if he hasn't taken a shot in the last two trips.  You can get in this guy's head a hundred different ways, and a good defender will always own him.

The shooter/ballhandler is an important part of the team.  The shooter is capable of making open shots, and carrying a team when they get hot.  The ballhandler can break down a defense, and get the ball to his shooters and scorers, and can get to the basket, or create his own shot.

The scorer/rebounder/screener is tough to defend, they have ability, and know what they are capable of.  The scorer can shoot or go to the basket, the rebounder always has to be accounted for, and the screener gets other guys open, often causing mismatches and scoring opportunities.  A team with a scorer, rebounder, screener, and shooter can be very successful if everyone knows their ability and potential, and plays to it.

The playmaker is the toughest guy to defend.  Confident and purposeful, this is the rare player, who sees the game in slow motion, seems one step ahead, and makes great decisions.  They know how they score, and how their teammates score, and can beat a defense in a variety of ways.  One or two playmakers can make the difference in a team, guys rally around them, and want to be on the floor with them.

Every player should constantly be working on all parts of his game.  Figuring out strengths and weaknesses, building on strengths, and turning weaknesses into skills, and be open to honest evaluation.  Be honest with yourself as well, and take pride in doing whatever you can to contribute, and pay attention to the impact you have on the guys you play with.

Ball don't lie.