Hakeem teaches Dwight Howard

Known for his attention to detail of footwork in the post, Hakeem Olajuwon is absolutely qualified to teach post moves to anybody - even Dwight Howard, one of the NBA's current dynamic and powerful bigs. Simply put, this is a fantastic 8 minute tutorial regarding post footwork, positioning, counters, quickness, etc. Watch as Coach Olajuwon shares his knowledge with his younger student:

http://www.youtube.com/user/dr34mshake#p/a/u/0/mArHU1ewSog

Post Defense Strategy

An example of a defender digging on the post to disrupt the offensive player's post move Digging on the post is a great way to disrupt the offensive post player without committing 100% to a double team. How to execute a dig: The closest ballside defender faces the baseline or top (depending on your preference of positioning. When the ball is entered into the post, the ballside wing defender moves into position halfway between the post and their check. On the post offensive players dribble they attack the ball for a second and recover to their check.

Continued wisdom from Coach Don Meyer

Although coaching creativity is definitely encouraged, much is still to be learned from those that have paved a solid path before us. Among many successful coaches leading that way is Don Meyer. Due to his discipline, work ethic, unquestionable character, and countless attributes, Coach Meyer is to be greatly respected. He is also responsible for the following gems:

• importance of body language, he asks "how does your team sub?" - need to hustle on and off the court
• on communication, players need to "yell what they are in" - shows leadership, makes sure everybody is paying attention
• regarding confidence, players need to be strong and not worry about getting shots blocked
• importance of ball reversal, critical for getting a good shot, two or three reversals may be needed
• know how to draw fouls - get out quickly on the break, take the ball to the rim, get the ball in to the post
• on rebounding, play hard, rebound "out of your range", pursue the ball, secure it with two hands

Learn from games you watch

This time of the year offers plenty of basketball to be watched, whether on TV or in the gym. Beyond the enjoyment and scouting aspects, there is much personal learning that can take place. Based on what coaches see, they should take time to evaluate their own teams. Ask the simple question - "when I see movement such as those listed below, am I happy with how we run it or defend it?"

• side or wing ballscreen
• quick ball reversal to low post entry
• slip to the rim (out of ballscreen) by a big
• high ballscreen
• split (of ball and screen defender) by a ball-handler
• perimeter shot opened up by a back side screen after a skip pass to weakside
• dribble handoff at the wing
• lane penetration to a kick out pass
  

Offence - overload cross screen

The action commences out of a traditional 3-2 set with the ball high. The next movement is based on the post match-up that we want and where that match-up is located (5 or 4). 1 dribbles off the top at the wing that is opposite our desired post (in this example, we have 5). The push by 1 sets 2 and 3 in motion, with 2 using the screen set by 4 and then screening in to the lane for 5. The opposite wing, 3, does not space for 1 up top (that will be saved for 2) but sprints to the ballside corner (spaced for a kick out corner catch and shoot). After screening for 2, our 4 then sprints up the lane to reset a high screen for 2.

5 uses the screen set by 2 in the lane. 2 uses the second (now high) screen set by 4. The responsibility now falls to 1 to make the proper read of the defensive help and then make the right pass. Options are to 5 establishing inside, to 2 shooting behind the screen of 4, to 4 on a weakside roll/slip, and to 3 for an open shot. If 1 hits 5 inside then they need to remember to space for a kick out pass from the post.

Defense - defending the post

As with any aspect of basketball, there are several ways to execute a move and there's always plenty to consider. That thinking applies to defending a ballscreen, attacking from the wing, making a pass, defending the post, etc. Today's topic, defending the post, gives rise to the following:

• where to defend the offensive post player - need to know where they are a threat (4, 7, 10 feet away) to score
• what are the post player's dominant and counter moves - know their routine (i.e. hard dribble before move), know their favourite shoulder, know their usual counter
• how do you defend the post player - based on coach's decision and your personnel, will you front, play behind, or double (if so, with whom and from where)
• post D need to know where they have team help, then force their offensive post match up into that help
• defenders need to gap the catch
• must be positioned in balance and be strong, lower and wider than offensive player
  
• post D must have high hands, and box out on rebounds (catch the ball high with two hands)
  

Enjoy a brief glimpse of Coach Dave Odom

For those coaches that are interested in the Can-Am On-Court Basketball Coaching Clinic and/or Coach Dave Odom, please link to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tVlz7GTEtvM. This clip shows Coach Odom hard at work, doing something he does best - teaching zones with great passion.

Coaches that have enjoyed Coach Odom's sharing at previous clinics report that he not only provides plenty of technical knowledge, but also brings a tremendous amount of enthusiasm. The brief clip, with thanks to http://www.sportsnationvideo.com/, clearly illustrates Coach Odom's skills.

As a reminder, the Can-Am clinic runs June 4th-5th in Windsor, and features respected coaches Don Casey and Dave Odom. Simply go to www.cobacamp.com/New/2010 Basketball Clinic Brochure.pdf to print a form and register for the upcoming clinic.

Offense - team objectives

All coaches, based on their respective philosophy, have points of emphasis and objectives for their teams. As mentioned previously, those points will be based on personnel, desired style of play, and a host of other factors. On the offensive side of the ball, consider stressing the following to achieve success:

• want to get a shot EVERY possession, so we must take care of the basketball (that concept of possession value requires constant reinforcement)
• ideally want a layup or post up - if not available then need crisp ball movement (always preach and appreciate the unselfish extra pass)
  
• need to generate three point shots that come as a result of inside out passes (again the emphasis of patience after post reception and shooters moving/spacing)
• want to change sides of the floor because defense is strongest on the first entry (ball pressure and help side is in place - need to break that down and beat in recovery)
  

Offense - post play fundamentals

Post players need strong fundamentals in order to be effective close to the rim. They must put in the necessary individual work and repetitions to establish good footwork. Beyond their feet, post players must use their hands wisely, and exercise good common sense. Mentally, the challenge for players that do most of their work in the paint is that they need to play both urgently and patiently. With respect to positioning, sealing, and receiving the ball, some suggestions for post players follow:

• need to have bent knees, a wide base, and feet wider than shoulders
• arcing with your feet
• based upon where the passer gives you the ball, the passer is telling you where you are open
• must control the HIGH foot - whatever side the defender goes to, post player needs to sit on that front thigh
• if defender is fronting the post, the offensive player needs to get both arms up so they eliminate the possibility of being called for a push off
• anytime there is a post feed, the game needs to slow down - react to the post feed but emphasize patience for the post (to allow the match-up to develop)
• you can hide a lot of things in basketball but you can't hide somebody who is not a good receiver of the basketball
  

Offense - thoughts for post players

Whether in transition or in the half court, no matter what teams run on offense, strong post play is a significant contributing factor to success. Playing in the post requires a specific mindset. In the post, every practice or game, it is a war - players must be prepared to battle. They must be tireless workers, and always be looking to gain an advantage. Just as they need good physical balance, post players also require mental balance - they need to play with both an urgency and patience at the same time. Want to be strong in the post? Consider the following:

• be aggressive, must WANT the ball
• the game slows down in the post (on catch of the ball)
  
• the lowest player is the strongest player - need to be lower, wider, longer
• do NOT worry about blocked shots - score, draw a foul, or get the ball back
• make and maintain contact (for a proper read, need to know location of defender)
• finishing school - follow through with EYES and hands
• must have a jump hook and be able to shoot that hook from an 11-12 o'clock position
• EVERY shot needs to be considered a potential rebound (eyes on the ball)
• need to have a go-to move, a counter, AND a third move - must have enough to get it done
• develop a European Post style of play - play big down low, have a three point shot, be effective with dribble drive attack
  

Offence - penetration and kick

On offense, there are several keys to an effective penetration and kick attack. Coaches should emphasize:

• sprint all cuts and fill positions with a purpose (nothing easy for the defense)
• bring speed to all screens
• make use of the six perimeter spots - two each of corners, 45 degree wings, and elbow extended
• on penetration, the four players without the ball must be moving (harder for defense to react and recover - beat them on recovery from help)
• post players need to move with their hands high - cut, react, and roll
• on the weakside of the floor, the ball must always be able to see you
• teams need to work on defensive balance and offensive rebounding from day one
• after the kick out pass, pause in the lane to read the next attack and maintain proper spacing
  

Offence - high handoff

This play sets up well to provide opportunities for a big that can attack the rim after a handoff and for a wing that can shoot well off a screen. Shooters (2 and 3) are spaced to corners, ball (1) is up top with both posts wide and out. Another option is to have the rim post start low and join the action up top with the trail post opposite. 1 penetrates and kicks to 5 and then sets a flex screen (away and low) for 2 to use cutting across the lane (looking to catch and play). If no low feed materializes then 2 continues to screen away for 3 while 4 replaces the vacancy of 1 at the top.

After flashing to the weakside elbow, 1 receives a pass back from 5. 4 looks for a handoff from 1 on 4's basket cut - 4 must read the defence and cut based on how they are being defended. 5 and 2 stagger screen to open 3 for a shot on the weakside. 3 has to read both screens and cut based on the defensive reaction. 3 could receive the pass from 1 (early or late) or 4 (as a kickout from a prevented drive) and needs to space to the smart spot of the court. If no pass received (hence not a shooter), 2 looks to roll from the weakside . 5 must be aware, plus shot and rebound ready. 1 stays top as a fill for the drive by 4 or as a step-back shooter from a kickout pass by 3.

Offence - screen of screener for high-low

This movement has plenty of options and gets every player involved. To begin, shooters (2 and 3) are spaced as corner threats, post (5) is ballside above the low block, trail big (4) is outside of three and opposite the ball (1). 4 sprints across and turns/hooks to set a ballscreen for 1 to use and read off the top. 5 clears the post to set a corner screen away for 2.

4 sets a second screen as the top of the stagger (with 5) to open up 2 sprinting from the corner. 1 finds 2 with a pass coming off of 4's stagger. 1 must be thinking a dive (give and go) off the top and is reading their defender (move with the pass?) as well as the play of 2. For 1, there is also the possibility of setting a ballscreen for 2. 3 is looking to space accordingly opposite and is 'shot ready' at all times.


4 continues and sets downscreen for 5, then rolls to pinch post or iso. 5 is reading the defence and uses the post screen with the intent to catch and play off the high-low pass from 2. In order to best take advantage of the defensive reaction and recovery, the timing of the pass from 1 to 2 and the second screen of 4 for 5 should be highlighted and emphasized. If 5 catches inside, but is not able to play, then 3 must be spaced and ready for the kick opposite for an open look.

Strategic thoughts and concepts

Some general thoughts and specific strategies:

• when teams trap your ball screen action, the easiest pass for them to defend is the pass to your rolling screener (especially if they use a zone concept to protect the lane)
• when defending a 2 on 1 break, the defender should bluff at the ball then plant both feet with shoulders square to the drive and take a charge
• teams need trust in order to be a great defensive group (especially if you press) - players, when doing their job, must know that teammates have their back
• strong offensive rebounders don't accept being hit on box outs - they spin or swim, keep their feet moving, and watch the ball NOT the rim
• a trapping team should have a "no trap call" in order to disrupt the rhythm and movement of the opposition's press break
• in the offensive post position, the key to a post player's balance and power is a flat foot on a drop step or post move