HoopClinics

Brian Williams
The Coaching Toolbox

Take some time to tweak your press offense and half court trap attack to find ways to get your best player the ball in the middle of those defenses.  If you can get your best player the ball in the heart of the defense, and with the defense spread, you gain the upper hand and can make the defense pay in several ways from there by creating opportunities for himself and his teammates both off the dribble and with the pass.

It is important that your teams have the mentality to not just  break the press or the trap, but to punish it by scoring.  Positioning your best player in the middle of the defense or moving him in there as you run your offense has several benefits.  Your best player is more likely to be active for the ball in the middle than a player who is more of a role player.  It is also natural for all players to look to the best in times of trouble, so there is a better chance that your players will look to the middle when your player is there. The defense will need to make a more concerted effort to keep your best from getting the ball in the middle which will open up the other options that you have in your attack.

Spacing, faking, and crisp passing are essential to beating trapping and pressure defenses, but the placement of your personnel to take advantage of their strengths and stay away from their weaknesses is also an critical factor.

Basketball Coaching