My experiences
Over the last 6 years the youth teams that I have been lucky enough to be associated with have won over 90% of their games. With my partners in crime, Dan Schulz and John Matson, we have identified five keys that help us win games.
Why Win?
Trying to win has become unpopular in the "age of participation". We believe that achieving the goal helps the kids understand how hard work can pay off. We want to develop self confidence as well as solid basketball players. Most importantly, we want the kids to have fun. Winning is fun and someone has to do it. It might as well be our kids.
1. Defense
Since we are only able to practice one or two days a week, we
can’t have it all. Even though we work on offensive skills we understand
that they are behind at this age. Focusing on tough man/man defense will
give your team an instant edge in every game. We follow Dick Bennett’s
teachings for our man/man:
Pressure ball
Deny one pass away
Five players on ball side
Front the low post
Help and recover (no switches)
2. Offense
Our offense is the fast break. Breaking teaches more offensive
fundamentals quicker than any pattern offense. We run a simple motion when
we have to. We believe it is easier to score in the open court as opposed
to attacking five defenders. We measure our success by how many lay up
opportunities we have. Fast breaking wears out players. We need to use
our bench and that involves everybody. Other teams get tired also. Fast
breaking stresses transition identification. This is one of the most overlooked
areas of basketball. We encourage the rebounder to dribble up court, looking
to pass ahead. This is the most efficent way to break. Our players are
drilled on looking and passing up court.
3. Most Important Defensive Fundamental
SEE THE BALL. All of our defensive breakdowns come from not knowing
where the ball is. We run drills in practice and watch players during games
to help them remember the importance of this. This is the number one need
in basketball. Take any situation and apply seeing the ball. Transition,
rebounding, defense, offense, everything is better when the players know
where the ball is going.
4. Most Important Offensive Fundamental
TRIPLE THREAT POSITION. When your players are comfortable in the five-foot circle with the defense, they will be able to run an offense. Not before. The players need to attack pressure, see and pass through the defender, and shoot when open. The triple threat position is the key to all of this.
5. Master Your Inbound Plays
We force about 20 tie ups a game with aggressive defense. This,
plus the turnovers in a youth game provide many under the basket inbounds
opportunities. In our games, zones are not allowed. Man/man under the basket
is trouble for the defense. We spend a lot of time mastering our four inbound
plays. We use cross screens, back screens, screen the screener from the
box formation. We also use a straight line beginning at the opposite side
elbow. The front player in line cuts to ball side block. Second goes to
ball side corner, the third turns and screens for the fourth player. The
fourth player cuts to the opposite block for an easy lay up opportunity.
Closing
