SECTION 4 ON COURT SKILLS TRAINING. 4.3 Scoring Offense

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1 SECTION 4 ON COURT SKILLS TRAINING 4.3 Scoring Offense From the youngest players all the way to the NBA players, being able to handle the ball to make plays is a critical part of basketball. In this section, we talk about a major part of any development program: being able to create space and make plays using the jab step and dribble moves. When I am coaching young players I always spend a lot of time talking to them about what makes good players. And, as simple as it sounds, I tell them, great players make great plays. Period. While most of the moves we will discuss involve a process to score the ball, they will also open up passing opportunities, shift the defense to create open shots for teammates, and really making the game easier for everyone. Being a threat to make a play using the dribble from anywhere on the court makes a player uniquely valuable to his team. We have discussed and drilled shooting and ball handling, now it is time to put it all together and create shots and make plays off dribble moves. As coaches and trainers striving to develop our players, we must teach them how to get open where they want the ball, and then to create space to gain an advantage with proper footwork, and utilize the dribble. This will create and offensive advantage and, most often, a scoring opportunity for himself or teammate. Scoring off of the dribble is a skill that combines the ball handling and shooting skills that you must also develop with proper intense training. As we do with all areas of development; we build a puzzle and keep building. Once your players have improved their shooting and ball handling, the possibility of being dangerous off the dribble arrives. If the player cannot handle the ball and cannot shoot, how do we expect him to be able to execute these moves off the dribble? We should not expect it, and must make sure the base is in place before we move on. I have trained 100 s of players who look very good in the drills on 1 and 2-dribble pull-ups, or cross over moves. Then, when they get in a game, or a defender is present in the drill, they cannot perform the drill because their ball handling is not good enough. Or they make the move then miss every shot because their shooting is weak. We all know that if a player is known to be able to knock down open shots, the defense will play him tight and recover to him hard, opening up opportunities to drive. If you look at Rajon Rondo, one of the bet point guards in the game, his ability to create off the dribble improve as he improves his jump shot. Defenders could once play far off him, closing passing lanes and driving lanes, but as his shooting improves, these lanes will open up more and more since they cannot leave him open on the Perimeter. Not a fancy discovery but, the more things a player can do, the tougher he is to defend. There are certain shots and simple counters that every basketball player should be able to execute successfully at all levels. We will train these skills extensively at highintensity in order to increase game-time proficiency. Elite players will have the opportunity to advance into more elaborate offensive moves, but the foundational, universal scoring skills must be in place and sharp. Just as we will discuss for post plays, players do not need 8 moves - they need a very strong go-to move and a few counter moves. Developing a wide variety of scoring skills takes intense training and high-repetition. Players must repeatedly work on new dribble and finishing moves in order to develop full repertoire as a scorer. Your players should be able to attack and finish in so many different ways so that the defense is always guessing and never able to shut down your offensive game. We will guide you through 1

2 the complete process of scoring off the dribble; from getting open, to creating space, to reading the defender, to finishing the play. Our drills will be combinations of scoring moves that will train you to react to defenses and their adjustments while being able to utilize the most efficient scoring skill. We tell our guys preparing for the NBA Draft - You must learn how to create space. Creating space means just that - being able to have room away from your defender to score, pass, or make a play. No matter what offense the players are in, if they can create space, the offense will be much better. Then, if all 5 players can create space, the defense is at a serious disadvantage and good things will happen on the offensive side. THE ESSENTIAL DRILL SECTIONS FOR SCORING OFF THE DRIBBLE JAB SERIES The Jab Series will begin the process of how to train creation of space upon catching the basketball. The Jab will often serve as the foundation of many offensivescoring moves of all types. Using the jab to make a defender lean in one direction or overreact to the threat of a dribble drive will open up lanes to score. Like we have said, defenders are at their most vulnerable when they are uncomfortable and off-balance, the jab is a great way to make this happen. I do not see enough youth players or high school players using, and understanding how to use, the jab step. The jab is a key in being able to get your defender to commit to a side, fall off balance, or lunge, to be able to then take advantage of them and create space to make a play. With the foundation set and players becoming comfortable using the jab, we can build an offensive repertoire of scoring moves off the dribble. * The jab drills section will be incorporated into the other scoring sections When a player makes a jab step at the defender, he must remain low and in a position of power, ready to attack as soon as the defender moves one way or another. If the jab is made upright, the offensive player will have no power to explode past the defender or enough power in the shot to get a quick shot off. Player must also protect the ball when making the job step and not show the ball to the defender. This is a critical part of the move. Then, the read is made. If the defender backs up, player will shoot the ball - which is why you have to make sure he is catching it in shooting range. If the defender lunges at the jab, player attacks the top foot and makes an aggressive move to the rim or for a scoring move. If the defender is too tight, player rips through and finishes the play to the rim or to a pull-up jumper. Watch any NBA game and you will see the best scorers and playmakers, Durant, Billups, Chris Paul, Garnett: all catch, stay low, and jab if they do not attack immediately (defense will dictate). The jab step series is the foundation of all moves. Every move we do below can be started with a jab step when you want to insert it. ONE DRIBBLE PULL-UPS The simplest way to effectively use the dribble is to be able to react to an over-extending defender and execute a one-dribble pull-up jump shot. We use the one-dribble pull-up to quickly escape from a defender and score before the defensive rotation has a chance to react and become effective. The technique of the one-dribble pull-up is absolutely essential to its success. Due to the shot s relative simplicity, many players often relax on the fundamentals and compromise their percentages. Players must remain in an athletic stance; with hips low, feet wide and balanced, and shoulders and chest upright. The player s first step should be long and explosive, at a sharp angle with respect to his defender s positioning. The best player s will be able to out-quick their defender, take a sharp angle, and reduce the defender s chance of stopping him. 2

3 Upon completion of the dribble, players must again settle into a low and balanced stance with feet wide and then extend upward into a jump shot. The foundations of proper shooting footwork from our Shooting section apply to all jump shots in our scoring off the dribble section. MULTI-DRIBBLE MOVES Multi-dribble moves are a way of extending past a defender with an additional dribble. We also use multiple dribbles in transition to set up pull-ups and other offensive attack moves. The principles of a one-dribble move apply here as well; a low center of gravity and wide foot base will increase balance and consequently shooting percentages. Ball handling proficiency will be important to scoring off of multiple dribbles. Players must pound the ball forcefully in order to generate the most power and explosive speed. The multi-dribble drills will be incorporated with our change of direction, ball-screen, transition, and floater/ runner sections. CHANGE OF DIRECTION MOVES Changing direction while using the dribble is a skill that players at the elite level have mastered in order to score the ball at any time, from any position. In addition to elite ball-handling skills, players must also be able to control their bodies and possess the agility to move their feet quickly. A player is required to change direction when the defense has cut off one option and therefore a player needs to go in another. Therefore, offensive players must keep their eyes up and visualize the entire court in order to make the necessary change of direction. Our counter moves will all be predicated on being able to change direction upon reacting to a defense. The ball handling section of the Impact Training System provides the essential foundation of all of our dribble moves. You must be able to handle the ball with both hands equally well while maintaining proper posture. BALL SCREEN SERIES As a primary tool of many team offensive schemes, ball-handling players, usually but not always guards, are required to be able to make plays using the onball screen. The game, at all levels, has evolved into a game of skill. And therefore, the best players, regardless of position or size, are able to play off of ball-screens, especially when there is a perceived advantage that a coach wants to exploit. Angles and body positioning are the key factors to ballscreen proficiency. Because the defense can realistically only defend the action in so many ways, there are basic reads that we will train in order to gain comfort with making the necessary play. Players that are able to score the ball in many ways possess the biggest threat to the defense and are therefore the most difficult to defend. Players that can make shots, get to the rim, and make offbalance shots are tough to defend and cause defenses many problems. If your offensive game is limited, you give the defense an advantage and they will work to force you to use your weakness, and therefore limit your effectiveness. RUNNERS/FLOATERS/AT-RIM FINISHES Runners and floaters are a great way to finish a drive to the basket and score while your defender doesn t expect it, or before he (or his help) has time to react. These shots are very difficult and low percentage, unless you extensively train them. Runners and floaters are often indefensible because they are used when a defense is in the process of rotating and can t recover in time to deter the shot attempt. There are a wide variety of runners/floaters that players can work on with the idea of gaining elite comfort with a few options that the player can rely on and trust to work. Many coaches will attempt to dissuade players from using these shots, and they re often correct because the shots can be difficult low percentage. If players shoot a low percentage on any type of shot, coaches should look elsewhere for scoring options. But, when mastered, runners/floaters are a great way to expose a defense and score. 3

4 JOE S KEY ELEMENTS OF SCORING OFF OF THE DRIBBLE Getting Open Players must be able to create enough space between themselves and a defender in order to receive a pass from a teammate. Efficient footwork is essential to gaining a step or angle on a defender in order to get free from a defender. Balance, agility, and strength are major factors in getting open, along with precise movements and understanding of the defense s strategy. Combining physical skills with sharp angled V and L cuts and impeccable inside and outside pivots off of both feet will allow a player to get open frequently and with ease. A player that is a threat to attack in many ways, with speed cuts, open shots, or attacking off the dribble is likely to be able to get open by making a defender overreact to a fake. Changing speed and body positioning will be major factors of your ability to get open. Defenders are least effective when they re uncomfortable, off balance, and unsure of the offensive player s intentions. Therefore, you must tirelessly work to keep your defender uncomfortable in order to create an opening to receive a pass. Creating Space Upon the Catch Once a player has received the ball, he must alleviate the pressure of a defender through aggressive and assertive footwork, pass or shot fakes, or escape/attack dribbles. Creating space will force the defender to present his strategy to the offensive player and allow for the offensive attack. Creating space requires players to be in a balanced and functional body position in order to utilize their footwork and strength to stop a defender from crowding them, or forcing them into an undesirable position. Player must also see and comprehend the opposing team s defensive position in order to take advantage with the proper and most effective offensive move. Angles Once a player has received the pass, created space, and read the defense, he must now attack. Taking the proper and precise angle is very important to being able to get where you want to go. Sharp attack angles that limit a defender s ability to cut off your lane are most effective. When an offensive player takes a flat angle, a defender is more likely to be able to beat him to the spot and thwart his scoring attempt. The best offensive players are able to get by their defender with the sharpest angles that put the most pressure on the opposing team s defensive rotations. The most direct line to the basket, from any scoring position on the court, will usually be the most effective. Shoulder/Hip Height The player that is able to lower his shoulders and hips in order to maintain balance and power, will much more likely to get to where he wants to go on the court as well as hold off physical contact by a defender. Players must maintain a low center-of-gravity starting with their lower body in order to generate the most power possible from their explosive offensive attack movements. The best players are able to use their shoulders to gain leverage on an defender; with the ball, coming off of screens, and in the low post. Ideally, when making an attack move with the ball or speed cut, your shoulder should be about the height of your defender s hip. As with your low hips, keeping your shoulders low will help you maintain your balance will pushed as well as keep a defender from gaining advantageous positioning. Reading the Defender Once the pass has been received and space created, the player must quickly and accurately read the primary defender s foot and body position. Rip Through Once the ball is caught, players will need to be strong and aggressive in order to maintain position and possession of the ball. When a defender is reaching 4

5 for the ball or attempting to dislodge a player from his position, the offensive player aggressively, but not maliciously, rips the ball from side to side The Rip Through is also used to generate momentum in a desired direction when beginning a dribble move. Players will be more explosive and resist defenders better when the ball is ripped toward where they want to go. Executing the Attack By utilizing your ball handling and athletic skills, you must now capitalize and score the ball through well-trained scoring moves and their counters. Impact players are able to quickly react to the defender and utilize a wide array of pull-up jump shots, mid-range runners and floaters, and finishes at the rim. In order to fully use a complete set of scoring moves, your dribbles must be crisp, your body balanced, your first step quick and explosive, and your change of direction and speed precise. Foundational Scoring Moves Pull-Up Jump Shot Runner and Floater Fade-away Finishing at the Rim One foot, two feet, euro-step, goofy-foot, scissor step, inside hand, hooks, Counter Moves Step back + re-cross, pull back + go, spin, hesitation, euro-step The footwork and skills trained in this section can be slowed down and trained at a low speed pace in order to gain comfort making each move. As the player gets more comfortable with the skill set, the pace and intensity can increase. Technique is paramount here, if you compromise the proper footwork and basics in favor of the speed and intensity, the skill is less likely to be fully developed. Many of the skill drills are position-specific and therefore can be used/adjusted based on your player s position and skill level. DRILL SECTIONS FOR SCORING OFF THE DRIBBLE JAB PULL-UP SERIES We now add the jab to our one-dribble pull-up action as a way to get a defender off-balance or leaning in one-direction while we attack the opening. The jab is performed from a low, balanced, and athletic stance by simulating an aggressive first step while maintaining balance and therefore body position. The ball must be protected and shielded from a defender s reach while the jab is made. Players eyes must be up and alert to recognize the defender s reaction to the jab and capitalize on it. We will make a set of jab series shots from both corners and wings, and the top of the key Jab and Go same direction, make 5-7 Jab and go opposite, make 5-7 JOE S KEY POINTS FOR DRILLING EFFICIENCY ONE DRIBBLE PULL-UP DRILLING SECTION This topic will be covered in its entirety in the drill sequencing and workout building section. Some basic points to keep in mind as you are reading through this drill section: Footwork: There Are 2 Types 3 step The 3 step pull-up is completed by stepping with the foot which is closer to the direction you want to go; right foot when going right, left foot when driving left. Many of these drill options will be advanced and more than some players can handle. This is not always a bad thing, players often respond well to being thrown out of their comfort zone and sometimes discover that they re capable of doing things that they did not realize. 2-Step/Cross-over Step The cross-over step is completed by stepping across your body with the right foot when going left, and left foot when driving right. 5

6 Drift and Pull-up Player begins on the wing and drifts laterally to the corner where he receives the pass He then executes a one-dribble pull up 5 makes of each of the following sets of mid-range pull-ups on each side of the court, from each corner 3 step pull-up left and right Cross Over Step left and right Curl and Pull-Up Beginning in the corner of the court, player performs a curl cut to the mid-wing where he receives a pass. Footwork is all based on the shooting section; players will plant their inside foot first and follow with their second foot. Player completes the following sets of 5-7 makes on both sides of the court: One-dribble pull-up to the right and left Players will utilize both sets of footwork; 3-step and crossover step Trail In and Pull-Up Beginning at half-court, player trails (runs hard) into the mid-range area where he receives a pass and executes the following sets on the right side, left side, and center lane of the court: One Dribble Right 5-7 makes One Dribble Left 5-7 makes *Because the trail cut is directly toward the rim, player can utilize either footwork set. The proper footwork usage depends on which foot the player establishes upon catching the basketball and which direction he would like to go Spot Pull-Up Series Player will make 5 pull-up jump shots in each direction from both corners and wings, and the top of the key. Drift + Curl Pull-Up Series In this drill, we combine a drift to the corner cut and a curl to the wing cut, both with dribble pull-ups. The player alternates from each cut on consecutive shots and performs sets of the following on both sides of the court: 10 makes, all going left from both spots 10 am, all going right from both spots Drift to the Wing Pull-Up Series Player begins at the top of the key and quickly slides laterally to the wing where he receives the pass Right Wing 7 makes, one-dribble pull-up right 7 makes, one-dribble pull-up left Left Wing 7 makes, one-dribble pull-up right 7 makes, one-dribble pull-up left Alternating sides between each shot 8 one-dribble pull-up makes all going middle 8 one-dribble pull-up makes all going toward the block CHANGE OF DIRECTION DRILLING SECTION We add changes of direction now to our drills in order to simulate reaction to a defender taking away an angle or option. Players must continue to gain proficiency with ball-handling and agility drills to be at their best when making change of direction scoring moves. The Jab Series continues to be an option to add to any drill as a way to begin each scoring move. We will leave that option up to the coach. Change of direction is best accompanied by a change of speed, which is something that coaches should be encouraging on almost all of our drill movements. Change of speed is another element that makes a defender uncomfortable and ineffective, especially when combined with the hard change of direction angles we will be training. Coaches will add a getting-open move to each set to simulate receiving the pass with defensive pressure and executing proper footwork. One Dribble Cross-Over Pull-Up Series In this set, the player take an aggressive dribble in one direction and then crosses his dribble over to his other hand and then makes a pull-up jump shot. 6

7 From each wing and top of the key: One-dribble right, cross over to left, make 5-7 One-dribble left, cross over to right, make 5-7 Transition Cross-Over Series We begin this set with players dribbling from behind halfcourt toward their team s basket, as if in transition game action. When reaching the 3pt line, player performs a cross-over dribble and then a pull-up jump shot. From right side, left side, and down the middle Cross over from right to left, make 5-7 Cross over from left to right, make 5-7 Step-Back Series We now add a step-back move for advanced players who possess elite body control, agility and ball handling. Players must remain with a low center-of-gravity with proper body positioning in order to make a jump-shot after a step back. Players attack in a direction, and plant hard on their inside foot, driving their body backwards at about a 45-degree angle while maintaining a low hip and shoulder position with their chest up. Player then gathers himself and rises for a jump-shot by keeping his feet wide. The step-back requires a player to protect the basketball with forceful dribbles and proper body position. By using the ball as a tool to gain momentum toward the step back, players will be able to gain the separation that is necessary to make a clean and undeterred jump shot. The step back can be made at any time in an offensive move when the offensive player senses that the defender has over-extended or is off-balance in one direction; after one or two dribbles, in transition, off of a jab step, etc. Complete each set of 5-7 made jump shots in each direction, from right and left wings, and top of key: Jab, go opposite, step-back pull-up Jab and follow, step-back pull-up Cross-over, step-back, pull-up BALL-SCREEN DRILLING SECTION Many coaches will often have varying directions on how to utilize ball screens, and not many of them will be wrong; there are so many ways to score using a ballscreen, and some specific elements of a team s offensive system will dictate their usage. However, most of the simple reads will be universal, and these are what we will train in this section. Again, body positioning and ball-handling will be very important to a player s ability to successfully use a ballscreen, so continue to train your ball-handling. Typically ideal body position is parallel to the screener, with the screener being underneath the 3pt line. This positioning will yield the most options and most concerns for a defender. The ball-handler will need to utilize low shoulder positioning (near the level of the screener s hip) and change of speeds in order to best thwart the defender s options. Again, the more off-balance and uncomfortable the defender is, the less effective he is. Sideline ball-screen 5-7 made shot sets, will be completed on both sides of the court: Pull-up middle (defender gets caught in screen) Step-back middle (defender going under screen and playing the dribble-drive) Snake (defender trailing) Pull-up behind screener (defender going underneath and getting pinned by screener) Reject and pull-up (defender forcing to baseline) Reject and float (defender forcing to baseline) Slip and pull-up/float (simulated soft hedge) Drag out and attack (simulated trap/hard hedge) Re-screen and pull-up (defender gets through screen and screener sets another screen in opposite than original direction) TRANSITION DRIBBLE DRILLING SECTION We again simulate the offensive player dribble at his basket in a transition setting in this section. Players 7

8 must be proficient in ball handling and in elite physical condition to be their best in the transition game. Much body-control and muscle endurance is required when attacking off the dribble in transition; players must be able to see openings, attack them, and execute the precise and proper scoring method that the defense yields. Transition Pull-Ups Sets on right/ left sides and middle 5-7 makes each set: From half-court, full-speed 3-5 dribble pull-up From half-court, change of speed (hesitation) at 3pt line into a mid-range pull up From half-court, change of direction into a mid-range pull-up RUNNERS / FLOATERS / AT-RIM FINISHES DRILLING SECTION This section is an additional drill compilation dedicated solely to finishing shots nearer to the rim, often offbalance, with varying runners, floaters, etc. Coaches can add one of the following scoring moves to any drill sequence that we have trained so far. Scissor step into 2-foot finish Euro-step Goofy-foot 1-foot runners 2-foot push floater Running hook Spin and finish, spin and react Fake spin and add finish Floater Finishes The finishes above are added to the following drill sections, 5-7 makes of each set. Change of Direction Ball Screen Transition 8