These notes from Arkansas’ Mike Neighbors. The topic starts as Transition offense, but there are a few ideas from other areas as well. They were originally posted on Bob Starkey’s HoopThoughts Blog
Two clinic curses:
1. Can’t take it all back
2. I can’t do that because…
“Be good at the things you do a lot.” -Pete Carril
Chart success of your line ups
How fast can you function
Reward role players
1. Win race
2. How many screens set
Transition is about race and space
MN: Player loses two races in a row and she comes out.
Not running floor you’re either tired or unengaged
Rim runners (MN calls “Rabbits”) make for a great transition offense.
Goal for rabbit is to occupy the deed defensive transition player
“Locks” are the left and right corner runners.
“Ball” refers to point guard
“Dragon” refers to trailer
Defender back peddling can’t defend offensive player running down hill
“Make the defense wrong.”
“Reward decision making, not actions.”
Outlet — must be quick or long (or both)
Point guard is passing up the street or crossing the street with the dribble
Doesn’t like to feed the “rabbit” below the foul line on the run — chases her opposite the ball.
“Boom” is call for double drag when Rabbit is late.
“Pirate” = roll and post up
Need a good zone offense because people don’t want to guard you.
MN: We only have 4 players (with options)
Man: defense decides match up
Zone: offense decides match up
“If your best player isn’t getting the most shots, you suck as a coach.”
Key ball screen concepts: Arrive w/out a defender (change speed, direction, angles)
How are you occupying the help
“Argue with an idiot long enough and no one will know who the idiot is.”
Green light shooting…player is given “green light” on game day because she met a set numbers from a series of shooting drills. Players have to earn their “license.”
Ball screen defense — you need to play it more than one way. “Switchin’ and Fixin’”
Post defense: chin on shoulder
Wall up because their aren’t enough good post players to score
If transition defense walls up as a team to take point guard penetration away, your trailer has to be open.
Don’t let coaches pass in drills…use players do all the passing to improve their passing.
Advice he got from Coach Gary Blair: Be great at something.
