[UCCBball] Training

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

Hey Chris,

I wanted to talk to you about the training stuff I had in mind, to get  
your take on it, plus any suggestions if you think there's other stuff  
we should cover.

Have you watched the clip of the offense that I emailed? I really like  
this setup because it starts out the same way our team always does  
with the shallow swing to wings, but then involves swings to the deep  
wing, constant cutting and side-overloads. I love the cut-and-switch  
between the 2-out-1-in and 1-out-2-in triangles, and think it'll be  
great for encouraging some of our more timid players to attack the key  
a bit more, not to mention the wealth of passing options it'll open  
up. And because it's so closely modelled on what we do already, I  
think it should be easy for everyone to remember and put into practice.

The only slight adjustment I had in mind was that our point would  
probably want to drift a little left and right on the swing, so they  
could lend support to the deep-wing if they get stuck after the wing  
cuts to the key. Especially when the deep-wing is a less confident  
ball handler.

I also like this because it's an offense where either Accy or I can be  
the big guy inside. It'll probably be me most of the time, but if Accy  
works the middle from time to time (thus making me one of the three  
wings), it frees me up to cut through the keyway and into the low-post  
area, as well as for the occasional outside shot. Regardless of which  
of us is inside, it'll also allow Accy and I to work in tandem a lot  
better.

I think there's a bit too much of an attitude of "playing an offense  
that 'suits' the players", ie. me and Accy (and to a slightly lesser  
extent Kieron and Alwyn) cut and penetrate the defense and create  
offensive threats, while anyone else on the court stays outside the  
defense where it's safe. I really want to help our guys get over that  
attitude, because it doesn't take long for other teams to realise they  
just need to play hard on me and Accy and then everything will collapse.

The other stuff I was planning on covering tomorrow were some basic  
exercises in setting screens & some pick-and-roll drills (if you have  
any suggestions for good drills there please say so), as well as  
talking about cuts - making sure there's clear visibility between you  
and the ball handler, if they drive high you cut backdoor and  
vice-versa, in general either cut to space or "past" the hoop and out,  
v-cuts, etc.

And here ends the longer-than-I-intended email. What do you think? Any  
input or suggestions?

Tom.