1on1 Offensive Fundamentals |
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This lecture will cover the topic of Offensive 1on1. It will mainly focus on some very often forgotten, overlooked or simply undermined aspects. We will first analyse two situations that take place before the 1on1 on the ball: i.e. leading to get free and the use of screens. In this respect, it is paramount to highlight how the increased athleticism of player has led to a much higher prevalence of defensive anticipation, thus making the execution of this two fundamentals ever more important. MOVEMENT OFF THE BALL TO GET FREE (LEADING) One particular leading type of move that is normally underused is the back door. Such move can actually be very successful against high pressure, in the lane, anticipation defence. Far too often we see an offensive player that while leading to get free doesn’t play the back door effectively, making the move in a slow and mechanic way and never finishing the cut to the basket. However if the back door move is made with determination, all the way to the hoop, the offensive player could receive a good pass for an easy finish. In every leading footwork off the ball and more so in the back door move, making contact with the defender is an overriding priority. If this contact doesn’t take place it’s very hard to get free effectively. Making contact forces the defender to adjust to the offensive player and therefore limits the chances to react and thus imposes our choice upon the defender. This provides the necessary groundwork to be able to finish our offensive move in a much simpler way. To further familiarise our players with the action of establishing contact, we propose a few drills in which the defender (initially the coach) is just looking to anticipate the pass. In this situation, the offensive player will have to move towards the ball, make contact with the opponent to then beat him back door (Diag 1). The pass to the cutter will have to be high or a bounce pass to minimise the chances of an interception by the defender.
USE OF SCREENS (READING) When coming off a single screen, be it a vertical (down) or a horizontal (side) screen, it is very often believed that the offensive player must beat the defence on speed. In reality, also in this game situation it is compulsory that the offence makes contact with the defender, thus taking him into the screen. This also helps with avoiding the blocking foul on the screener when he adjusts his position to hit the defender. If we are using consecutive or staggered screens, then contact has to be made on the first pick to then explosively come off the second one. A common problem in these two situations is interpreting the various reads at the offence’s disposal. Very often, in the case of trailing defences, the offensive player curls without getting the desired advantage, the reason being the screener’s defender stepping out in the lane. However, if the curl is extended and continued longer by the runner, space opens up for the picker who is now free since his man has steeped out (Diag 2).
Due to its difficult execution, this kind of pass demands a lot of courage by the perimeter player who will have a free team mate inside. If the defender does not trail the cutter, the most effective choice is to flare to the corner (Diag 3). Very often this difficult pass to the cutter does not take place. It is very important to work on this pass creating the confidence on the player to make it successfully, particularly on their weak hand.
This aspect of the game requires a lot of hard work, particularly at grass-root level. Not being able to pass with both hands is similar to players who can pivot only on one foot or players who use the dribble only after squaring up. All this situations contribute to players being predictable clearly diminishing their efficiency. DRIBBLE STARTS (DRIVING) We will be mainly talking about dribble starts done mainly after catching the ball with feet not yet squared up to the basket. This situation happens after leading to the ball against a very aggressive defence. It can be used to beat a defender who is recovering using a quick cross over step, after a change of direction or using a spin move. Whenever the defence is not being very aggressive it is important to square up to the basket first before putting the ball on the floor. As far as lead/on side starts, the big question is whether or not it is effective to teach them and use them. If done slowly it doesn’t create any advantage, and if done at a higher speed it is very easy to commit a travelling violation. In our view, it is better to teach a good cross over step. Another common mistake when driving to the basket is not to head to the basket in a straight line, thus not making the most of the advantages of making contact with the defender. Indeed, making contact with the defender and heading directly to the basket, going past as close to the defender as possible increases the efficiency of the action enormously. Another very useful tool in the execution of the 1on1 is the change of hands (crossover dribble) after the first dribble. This is a lethal weapon that must be taught to players in very tight spaces and at great speed. PULL UP JUMP SHOT This fundamental is one more tool in the technical arsenal of a player and separates mediocre players from the really good ones. It is very important to teach this skill after a one count stop which has to also be used when using a lateral jump stop to pull up and shoot. FAKES When talking about shot fakes it is necessary to differentiate between two situations: - Against a stationary defender who is well set in front of the ball, it is better to make a short shot fake not to slow down the dribble start in excess - If the defender is recovering, it is then possible to bring the ball over head to make the fake more believable SHOOTING There are certain shots that are seldom coached due to being “not very aesthetic”. These are: - the third tempo: shot with a very high arch like a rainbow - the second tempo: popularised by Juan Carlos Navarro “La bomba”, it is a long lay-up with very short steps to avoid the help side and launching the ball really high - the one step shot - semi-hook from close range These are all moves not seen very often and very underused. They are however very valid and dangerous options particularly if used by smaller guards on dribble penetration against bigger players PERIPHERAL VISION While playing 1on1 it is vital to keep your head up to achieve optimal peripheral vision. Far too often though, those playing 1on1 don’t see what is happening around them and end up positioning themselves in spot already occupied by someone else. A very useful drill to teach this is to play 1on1 while a team-mate takes position on ball side. This will force the offensive player to choose coherently whether to dribble penetrate through the middle, laterally or down the baseline (Diag 4-5-6)
1on1 FOR A TEAM MATE We can also choose to play 1on1 with a view to free up another player for a good shot. To do this we must beat our defender first to attract a defensive help. The player freed up in this way must take a good position on the court with his feet to the basket and the determination to take the shot (Diag 7).
If the player being freed up is a perimeter player the pass will have to be sharp, crisp and direct. If it is a big man it is advisable to make either a bounce pass (since most big men help with their hands up) or a high and quick pass. The free player must be ready to catch either pass. It is useful to remember that usually the player that got beaten by the ball in the first place is not in a very good position to recover on his own man who may have kicked or dished the ball. This delay in recovering is even greater if the player relocates to the corner after passing the ball and allows for a wide-open and easy shot (Diag 8-9).
Translated by Sergio Lara-Bercial Manchester Mystics Head Coach (England Women’s Division 1) Great Britain Women’s Assistant Coach |
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