Weekly Hoops Roundup - August 2023
Defensive schemes, Euroleague Sets & recent clinics/podcasts I've loved
Hope everyone’s summer has been going great. It’s been awesome to have a wee bit more free time to continue learning and studying the game, let’s get right to it!
DEFENSE
Two possessions of Indiana’s Box and 1 defense against Ohio State.
OBJECTIVE: To limit the scoring opportunities and overall touches for a specific offensive player.
The scoring threat in this case for Ohio State is Taylor Mikesell who is being “chased” by Chloe Moore-McNeil. The chaser has one job - make the player you are defending’s life miserable! Every team’s rules will vary slightly but generally speaking the rules for the chaser are…
1. No easy catches - deny all over the floor
2. No help responsibility - defend your player!
3. Go OVER the top of any screening action in scoring range
The other four players form a “box” on the elbows and blocks when the ball is centered at the top of the key, as shown below. Their responsibility is to defend their area while providing help to the “chaser”.
Protecting the elbows and blocks helps to “shrink” the floor minimizing open gaps and forcing the offense to operate outside of the paint
Like most “junk” defenses, the box & 1 Indiana used vs. Ohio State was used sparingly (less than 10 possessions) and initially run right after a time out as an element of surprise that the offense may not be prepared for.
The two possessions result in a “win” for Indiana. The primary objective is achieved as Mikesell is not involved in the offensive action. Both end in semi-contested jump shots taken by less “threatening” shooters.
One additional benefit of the Box & 1 is that most teams are not prepared for it. Because it is used so infrequently, it can take multiple possessions for the offense to recognize and let alone execute against it. The clip above is a great example of the disruption it can have on an offensive’s ability to flow into their normal concepts/plays.
OFFENSE
EUROLEAGUE 2023
AS MONACO - SIDE “SPAIN” P&R
The traditional “Spain” Action is almost always executed in the middle of the floor. Love the variation here as the action is run on a side with the corner empty. The backscreen almost becomes a flare screen as the angle is slightly different forcing the defense to chase over the top. The simultaneous screening leads to a wide open 3 for AS Monaco.
MACCABI BLOB - STS Ghost Out
Lots of trickery in this set as it looks like normal screen the screener action but Maccabi takes advantage of poor switching communication and gets a great look from 3. Notice how the shooter quickly exits to the 3 point line not worrying about actually setting the screen. The “touch and go” and “ghost screen” are useful concepts when playing against switching defense.
New podcast dropped with Juwan Brown (NBA G-Leauge Player Development Coach, Texas Legends)
For the basketball junkies…
Currently…
READING: Thinking Basketball by Ben Taylor
WATCHING:
Teri Moren, HC Indiana WBB on favorite warmup drills, chin action and quick hitters
Dusty May, HC Florida Atlantic MBB on teaching offensive concepts, not just plays
LISTENING:
Any and all podcasts with Eric Musselman, HC Arkansas MBB
My other stuff…
YouTube VLOGS & FILM BREAKDOWNS