Wow! What a cursed scrimmage that was last night!
Other than that, you guys put in a lot of great effort. I wanted to get across the idea of moving without the ball. That’s what most of the drills were about, if you notice. Good quick passing (and catching) and moving without the ball.
On a couple of drills we tried some ball-faking. It’s important to fake out the defense. That’s a big part of being successful in basketball. Don’t make it obvious where you’re passing. Make a convincing fake pass, before making the real pass. On the other hand, don’t get sooo wound up making the fake that your real pass is lousy. It’s better to make a good hard pass right back to the one who passed it to you — and do it quickly — than it is to worry so much about the fake that you mess up the pass.
The bottom line is to keep the ball moving moving moving.
And if you are being closely guarded — CUT! That’s what that first drill was all about. Pass and MOVE, and then look for a pass!
If you’re closely guarded, on the wing (2 or 3 position) try a back-door cut. Remember this? You’re basically just running behind your defensive player, toward the basket. BUT DON’T FORGET THE IMPORTANT STEP (or should I say “two steps”) that comes first!! Not just one tiny step, or little lean away. No! Two hard steps away!! Then cut hard back!
I repeat: Before you make a backdoor cut, take two hard steps in the opposite direction. Then cut back fast and hard, toward the basket, looking for the ball!!
You have to draw your opponent AWAY from where you’re going, first. THEN cut hard where you REALLY want to go (to the basket, in this case) looking for the pass.
Finally. We worked again on sprinting down the court. We still have a little problem with this. I’ve begun to believe we’re just NOT a fast-breaking team. Which is too bad, because it’s the easiest way to make points. When we get a rebound that puts us on offense, EVERYONE has to sprint down the court, looking for the ball as they go. CALL for it if you’re open. CALL the guard’s name that has the ball: “KELLY!” “JULIA!” “SARAH!” “DANIELLE!” whoever it is…
THEN GIVE THE GUARD A TARGET (with your hands) to throw to. Then Kelly, Julia, Sarah, Danielle, or whoever, will make a GOOD HARD PASS to you, and you’ll take it right into the hoop.
OK. This weekend I want to see TONS of boxing out. You got to play your Sumo game, now I want to see it in action against our opponents!!
Thanks!!
Coach Jim
