Ahmet Dedeoğlu
06-16-2008, 04:45 AM
How to Coach the Basketball Secondary Break - Part 1
Before getting into offensive sets, I want to point out that my basketball offensive theory. In the past several years the basic offense has been the sideline fast-break. In fact, it proved so successful, there was little need to set up a half-court offense.
My teams have always tried to get at least two-thirds of their scores off the fast-break and secondary offense leading into our set offense; however, as much as you would like, we all know you can't run a fast break down the court with every possession.
My theory is that if a team walks the ball up the court it plays right into the hands of the defensive team and is headed for a long night. The point I'd like to make is you should push the ball up the sidelines quickly as possible every time and be prepared to set up an offense should no easy shot develop.
The secondary break actually begins with either the Big Dog's or Safety's hustle, depending upon who happens to be the rebounder or in-bounder of the ball. This illustration shows the secondary break beginning when the offense has failed when the defense has done the job of getting enough players back in time to stop the first scoring opportunity.
This play is triggered when either "Big Dog", #5 or #4, post up after beating their defensive opponent down-court. The first option is for the "Fly" to get the ball into #5 or #4 at the low post position where they can take advantage of a smaller defender with a drop step, turn-around-jumper, hook shot, or duck-under move to the basket.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links]
Diagram #1 - Secondary Break [Only Registered Users Can See Links] #2 - Secondary Break Play Option #1 - In this diagram, Player 2, "Outlet", has followed his pass up-court to player 1, the "Fly" and player 4, the "Safety" and designated in-bounder, trails the play and delays in the back-court to defend in case of a sudden turnover.
"Big Dog" uses his body to seal his defender behind and calls for the ball. In the meantime "Fly" dribbles the ball into a better passing angle for getting the ball into "Big Dog".
Other options that develop from this secondary break include "Fly" hitting teammate 4 at the free throw line for a jumper, skip passing to player 3 for a three-pointer attempt, or reversing the ball to teammate 5.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #3 - Secondary Break Option #2 - In this diagram "Big Dog's" defender has prevented a pass into the low post by fronting. Here, again, is our position at the conclusion of an unsuccessful sideline fast-break. Here we go into our secondary attack mode with our "Fly" (#1) with the ball in the corner and unable to feed the "Big Dog" (#5) at the low-post position.
The "Wing" (#3), always, must observe how the defensive player guarding "Big Dog" is playing him. In this case, he is fronting and the "Wing" should cut to the high post ball side and call for the ball.
At the same time "Big Dog", sealing his man on his hips motions "Fly" to pass to the high post or skip pass to "Safety" (#4) in the backcourt.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #4 - Secondary Break Option #2 - This diagram shows "Wing" #3 receiving the ball at the high post position.. If "Big Dog" does his job and keeps defensive player #1 on his hip, "Wing" can pass him the ball for an easy lay-up as shown in Diagram #3.
Continued on next page
How to Coach the Basketball Secondary Break Part 2 - Continued
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #5 - Secondary Break Option #2 - This diagram shows a successful completion of Play Option #2.
We all know that "Big Dog" will not always be able to fend off his defender and sometimes he is able to get around "Big Dog" and prevent a successful pass from "Wing". In this case he can pass to either teammate #2 or #4 as shown below and the secondary attack continues.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #6 - Secondary Break Option #3 - "Big Dog's" defender prevented a pass to him at the low post; however, teammate "Wing" with the ball still has 3 options. He can shoot, dribble or pass. As shown in the illustration, he elected to pass to "Safety" #4 who slides from the free throw line extended. When "Big Dog" sees the ball leave "Wing's" hands he sets a screen on "Fly's" defender, then opens up toward the ball ready to receive a skip pass from "Safety".
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #7 - Secondary Break Option #3 - All players should catch the ball in a triple threat position where he can either shoot, drive or pass the ball. In this diagram he has elected to pass the ball into teammate "Fly" who has used "Big Dog's" screen and made a flex cut to the basket ready to receive s pass from "Safety". After passing the ball, "Wing" sets a screen on teammate #2 "Outlet's" defender, then continues to the position outside the circle and opens up toward the ball. Using "Wing's" screen, "Outlet" slides to the opposite wing looking for a possible skip pass from "Safety".
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #8 - Secondary Break Option #3 - This diagram shows the ball in "Fly's hands and his successful execution of Option #3.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #9 - Secondary Break Option #4 - In this diagram, "Outlet" has opted to pass to "Wing" at the top of the free throw circle. "Wing" catches the ball in a triple threat position ready to shoot, drive or pass which is always the rule. Immediately after passing the ball, "Safety" sets a down screen on "Fly's" defender.
Continued on next page
How to Coach the Basketball Secondary Break Part 3 - Continued
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #10 - Secondary Break Option #4 - In this diagram "Big Dog" cuts to the basket looking for a lob pass from #3 "Wing". Should nothing develop here, "Big Dog" sets a screen on #4 "Safety's" defender.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #11 - Secondary Break Option #5 - This diagram shows "Big Dog" setting the screen mentioned in the preceding diagram. This is the signal for "Wing" to pass to #2 "Outlet".
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #12 - Secondary Break Play Option #5 - Immediately upon passing, "Wing" screens away and #1 "Fly" cuts to the top of the circle. Simultaneously #4 "Safety" cuts across the lane and, if open, keep his defender sealed on his hip and calls for the ball. In this example, #2 "Outlet" has dribbled in an effort to improve his passing angle.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #13 - Secondary Break Option #5 - Here #1 "Fly" and #3 "Wing" have exchanged positions on the perimeter as #2 "Outlet" feeds the ball into #4 "Safety" at the low post.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #14 - Secondary Break Option #5 - Here #4 "Safety" jumps toward the ball catching it with both feet off the floor coming down simultaneously on both feet. This way, either foot can be the pivot foot. With ball tucked under the chin and both elbows extended, he looks over his baseline shoulder. If he doesn't see anyone, he simply drop steps an puts it in the basket. If he does see a defender when he looks over his baseline shoulder, he pivots the other way and executes one of four other pivot moves (turn-around-jumper, left-handed hook, step-in-direction left-handed hook, or shot-fake-and-duck-under move).How to Coach the Basketball Secondary Break Part 4 - Continued
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #15 - Secondary Break Option #6 - This diagram shows a defender preventing a pass into the low post and #2 "Outlet" opted to pass out to #1 "Fly" (Point Guard). This concludes the Secondary Break Options (Quick hitting offense).
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #16 - Secondary Break Option #7 - For illustration purposes, the transition has been made into a one-three-one offensive set. The transition could just as easily been made into a two-one-two, Wheel, Motion, Passing Game, Stack, or any other offense you may devise to fit the ability of talent at hand. Good luck!
Before getting into offensive sets, I want to point out that my basketball offensive theory. In the past several years the basic offense has been the sideline fast-break. In fact, it proved so successful, there was little need to set up a half-court offense.
My teams have always tried to get at least two-thirds of their scores off the fast-break and secondary offense leading into our set offense; however, as much as you would like, we all know you can't run a fast break down the court with every possession.
My theory is that if a team walks the ball up the court it plays right into the hands of the defensive team and is headed for a long night. The point I'd like to make is you should push the ball up the sidelines quickly as possible every time and be prepared to set up an offense should no easy shot develop.
The secondary break actually begins with either the Big Dog's or Safety's hustle, depending upon who happens to be the rebounder or in-bounder of the ball. This illustration shows the secondary break beginning when the offense has failed when the defense has done the job of getting enough players back in time to stop the first scoring opportunity.
This play is triggered when either "Big Dog", #5 or #4, post up after beating their defensive opponent down-court. The first option is for the "Fly" to get the ball into #5 or #4 at the low post position where they can take advantage of a smaller defender with a drop step, turn-around-jumper, hook shot, or duck-under move to the basket.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links]
Diagram #1 - Secondary Break [Only Registered Users Can See Links] #2 - Secondary Break Play Option #1 - In this diagram, Player 2, "Outlet", has followed his pass up-court to player 1, the "Fly" and player 4, the "Safety" and designated in-bounder, trails the play and delays in the back-court to defend in case of a sudden turnover.
"Big Dog" uses his body to seal his defender behind and calls for the ball. In the meantime "Fly" dribbles the ball into a better passing angle for getting the ball into "Big Dog".
Other options that develop from this secondary break include "Fly" hitting teammate 4 at the free throw line for a jumper, skip passing to player 3 for a three-pointer attempt, or reversing the ball to teammate 5.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #3 - Secondary Break Option #2 - In this diagram "Big Dog's" defender has prevented a pass into the low post by fronting. Here, again, is our position at the conclusion of an unsuccessful sideline fast-break. Here we go into our secondary attack mode with our "Fly" (#1) with the ball in the corner and unable to feed the "Big Dog" (#5) at the low-post position.
The "Wing" (#3), always, must observe how the defensive player guarding "Big Dog" is playing him. In this case, he is fronting and the "Wing" should cut to the high post ball side and call for the ball.
At the same time "Big Dog", sealing his man on his hips motions "Fly" to pass to the high post or skip pass to "Safety" (#4) in the backcourt.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #4 - Secondary Break Option #2 - This diagram shows "Wing" #3 receiving the ball at the high post position.. If "Big Dog" does his job and keeps defensive player #1 on his hip, "Wing" can pass him the ball for an easy lay-up as shown in Diagram #3.
Continued on next page
How to Coach the Basketball Secondary Break Part 2 - Continued
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #5 - Secondary Break Option #2 - This diagram shows a successful completion of Play Option #2.
We all know that "Big Dog" will not always be able to fend off his defender and sometimes he is able to get around "Big Dog" and prevent a successful pass from "Wing". In this case he can pass to either teammate #2 or #4 as shown below and the secondary attack continues.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #6 - Secondary Break Option #3 - "Big Dog's" defender prevented a pass to him at the low post; however, teammate "Wing" with the ball still has 3 options. He can shoot, dribble or pass. As shown in the illustration, he elected to pass to "Safety" #4 who slides from the free throw line extended. When "Big Dog" sees the ball leave "Wing's" hands he sets a screen on "Fly's" defender, then opens up toward the ball ready to receive a skip pass from "Safety".
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #7 - Secondary Break Option #3 - All players should catch the ball in a triple threat position where he can either shoot, drive or pass the ball. In this diagram he has elected to pass the ball into teammate "Fly" who has used "Big Dog's" screen and made a flex cut to the basket ready to receive s pass from "Safety". After passing the ball, "Wing" sets a screen on teammate #2 "Outlet's" defender, then continues to the position outside the circle and opens up toward the ball. Using "Wing's" screen, "Outlet" slides to the opposite wing looking for a possible skip pass from "Safety".
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #8 - Secondary Break Option #3 - This diagram shows the ball in "Fly's hands and his successful execution of Option #3.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #9 - Secondary Break Option #4 - In this diagram, "Outlet" has opted to pass to "Wing" at the top of the free throw circle. "Wing" catches the ball in a triple threat position ready to shoot, drive or pass which is always the rule. Immediately after passing the ball, "Safety" sets a down screen on "Fly's" defender.
Continued on next page
How to Coach the Basketball Secondary Break Part 3 - Continued
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #10 - Secondary Break Option #4 - In this diagram "Big Dog" cuts to the basket looking for a lob pass from #3 "Wing". Should nothing develop here, "Big Dog" sets a screen on #4 "Safety's" defender.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #11 - Secondary Break Option #5 - This diagram shows "Big Dog" setting the screen mentioned in the preceding diagram. This is the signal for "Wing" to pass to #2 "Outlet".
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #12 - Secondary Break Play Option #5 - Immediately upon passing, "Wing" screens away and #1 "Fly" cuts to the top of the circle. Simultaneously #4 "Safety" cuts across the lane and, if open, keep his defender sealed on his hip and calls for the ball. In this example, #2 "Outlet" has dribbled in an effort to improve his passing angle.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #13 - Secondary Break Option #5 - Here #1 "Fly" and #3 "Wing" have exchanged positions on the perimeter as #2 "Outlet" feeds the ball into #4 "Safety" at the low post.
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #14 - Secondary Break Option #5 - Here #4 "Safety" jumps toward the ball catching it with both feet off the floor coming down simultaneously on both feet. This way, either foot can be the pivot foot. With ball tucked under the chin and both elbows extended, he looks over his baseline shoulder. If he doesn't see anyone, he simply drop steps an puts it in the basket. If he does see a defender when he looks over his baseline shoulder, he pivots the other way and executes one of four other pivot moves (turn-around-jumper, left-handed hook, step-in-direction left-handed hook, or shot-fake-and-duck-under move).How to Coach the Basketball Secondary Break Part 4 - Continued
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #15 - Secondary Break Option #6 - This diagram shows a defender preventing a pass into the low post and #2 "Outlet" opted to pass out to #1 "Fly" (Point Guard). This concludes the Secondary Break Options (Quick hitting offense).
[Only Registered Users Can See Links] #16 - Secondary Break Option #7 - For illustration purposes, the transition has been made into a one-three-one offensive set. The transition could just as easily been made into a two-one-two, Wheel, Motion, Passing Game, Stack, or any other offense you may devise to fit the ability of talent at hand. Good luck!