HoopClinics

by Coach Ken Sartini

“Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity.” – Seneca

Have you ever been in a situation late in the game where you were up by three and  the other team was going to get ONE shot? Have you ever had a decent lead that you knew that the other team was going to have to shoot three’s to get back in the game?

Are you prepared to defend that? NOT giving up a good look for the shot that ties the game or brings them back quickly?

There are a few options… one is to ring the arc matching up with their players… switching every screen… allowing any shot inside, giving up the two and NO fouls……….  two, you can foul and give the other team 2 free throws.. but you had better be able to rebound a miss (making sure that it does NOT look like it is intentional– going for the ball and stripping his arm) three, IF you have fouls to give, you can let them inbound the ball going away from the baseket, let him take a few dribbles and then foul.  You can repeat that until they get into the bonus.

I like the first option and IF you are not prepared for this… having a defense in place that your players had worked on even a little bit, the pressure of a game can cause them to chase someone inside the arc ( a mental error )  and open up a perimeter player for the 3…… Regardless of which one you like…. its like every other “situation”… it is something that needs to be addressed in practice so that everyone is on the same page.

Coaching Basketball