[UCCBball] This weekend's game - offensive setup

[tommo at ucc.gu.uwa.edu.au]

Hi guys,

I wanted to test out a basic offensive setup for our last game, just  
to see how it works. I think it'll help tighten up our ball movement  
and get us a few more good shooting options. These things are tricky  
to describe via email, but here's the gist of it...

1. We start out with the point guard at the top with the ball, with  
wings out to either side, and both big men (eg me and Accy) in the  
post position on either side of the keyway.

2. Now, usually when we start out like this, we begin with the point  
passing straight to the wing. What I'd like to see us do is have the  
point dribble the ball towards the wing area (either side).

3. When the point does this, the wing on the same side drifts down  
towards the bassline, and the forward on the other-side post cuts up  
to the high post.

4. From here, the point can pass either down to the bassline wing (5a)  
or straight across into the high post (5b). If neither of these  
options prove to be viable, and the point gets into trouble, then the  
other side wing should cut up to the top to provide a bail-out option  
to reset the offense.

5a. If the pass goes to the bassline wing, then they have the option  
to either shoot, drive or pass in to the low post up. A big reason  
we've been getting fewer good postups this season is because we don't  
tend to move the ball far enough down towards the bassline for a good  
passing angle. Hopefully this setup will fix that. If the pass does go  
into the low post then the high post and the other-side wing should  
both cut in towards the hoop, creating passing options and extra help  
for boards should the shot go up. Timing is important here - don't cut  
until the post has turned to face the hoop, so they can see you.

5b. If the pass goes to the high post, then there's actually quite a  
few options - shoot, drive, pass out to the other-side wing (either  
stationary or on a cut to the basket), pass straight back to the  
point, pass it down to the low post (a good play to do on the end of a  
drive, as it'll draw the defense away from the low post), there could  
even be a passing option for the bassline wing cutting to the keyway.  
If the high post decides to either shoot or drive, it's important for  
the other-side wing and the high post himself to go in hard for boards.

There's lots of little, unplanned things that can happen off this  
setup, but the basic structure is there. Most of it will come pretty  
naturally, the important stuff to remember is the initial movement -  
guard dribbles to side, wing drifts down to bassline, other-side post  
cuts to high post.

Did that make sense to everyone? If it didn't, say so and I'll try to  
clarify. I'm thinking we can have a couple of practice runs before the  
game, but if people have a reasonable understanding of it beforehand  
then it'll be easier to set up on the day.

I've also got an idea for tightening up our zone in defense, but that  
can wait for another time. Don't want to overload everyone's brains ;)

Cheers,
Tom.