Bob Knight - switch screens

In the brief clip below, legendary coach Bob Knight, reviews the defensive reads when switching a downscreen. Watch carefully as he patiently goes through the scenarios of the cutter accepting or rejecting the downscreen. Coach also gives some teaching points for if the cutter accepts then pops back from the screen (as if about to catch a pass and shoot behind that screen). Thanks to the YouTube channel of Championship Productions for the clip.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPd1zS-umwY&feature=channel

Side ballscreen teaching points

Some good reinforcement, especially given current popularity, on teaching side ballscreen. Presenters at this past weekend's UDM coach clinic provided solid reminders and instruction:

• angle of the screen is ALWAYS important, think where the ball is going next (get to the paint)
  
• space is required for the screen action, ball needs room to work all directions
• location of the screen is ideally foul line extended, between elbow and 3 point line
• awareness of not screening too far out, don't want ballhandler to step out of bounds with a pivot
• screener needs room to work too, must be able to flare, roll, step back, or pop
• other 3 players need to be spaced (and ready) far enough away that screen has room to execute
  

Keep on learning

The summer sessions of COBA camp may have ended but the learning continues - for campers and instructors. The last two weeks have been fantastic and intense. Basketball boot camp is challenging, both physically and mentally. The planning for next year has already begun. Bookmark the COBA site and watch for updates and details. In the meantime, amongst many topics, players are reminded to work on the following skills:

• first step footwork
• shot fakes (remember it is "a shot not taken")
• offensive ballscreen reads (have patience)
  
• high post series
• ball handling (get the work done but also be creative)
  
• perimeter attack series
• low post footwork (start from the proper area)
• ball tough stance (varies based on location on the court)
• spacing off of ballscreen and dribble drive action
  

Downscreen into a Ballscreen

Goal of the screener on a ballscreen is to arrive before the hedge arrives - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afsWkgsZEfw - Consider distorting the action that leads to the ballscreen - One way is to create two actions (downscreen into a ballscreen) because it is difficult for the defense to stop two things at once.

Horns Ballscreen Action

The horns action is a simple double high ballscreen play that is run by many teams. The difference here is how Barcelona distorts the screening angle and position by moving the screeners prior to the point guard using the ballscreen. If you do run a lot of ballscreen consider changing the angle and position by using 1. Late Pivots (screener changes the angle at the last possible second), 2. Sprint to Screen (screener sprints to screen to disrupt the hedge defender), 3. Screen to Screen (The screener is screened before they go to set the ballscreen, again with the goal of disrupting the hedge) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSTrD8PtBA0