Don't read the defense? [Mailbag Q & As]

  Welcome to the mailbag! We’ve received some great questions and comments on our recent articles and content lately.  Before we get to the articles and questions, we wanted to share an exciting announcement . . .  New Product!  We are excited to share an update on our newest coaching product:  We recently released “[How To Run Championship Practices With Nate Steege](  Coach Steege provides you with practice tips and philosophy as well as how he organizes his practices. Then, viewers will see two complete practices that feature 23 different drills.   For those looking to sharpen the sword as the season approaches, this product is for you! Additionally, if you found [Coach Steege’s Zoom Offense]( this product will give you more helpful coaching tips on how to properly install and run that system!  Fall 2024 Camp Schedule is Live! With the Summer Camp season behind us, that doesn't mean we're done yet. We still have 54 different Fall camps and training academies for you to choose from.  These are the perfect preseason tune up to hone your skills and confidence before the season officially starts--it will be here before you know it!  [See ALL 54 Fall Camps & Training Academies Here](  Get Your Coaching Diagrams!  If you’re looking for [coaching diagrams]( to get your plans down on paper, look no further!  We now have all the diagrams you’ll need. They are printer-friendly and save as PDFs!    Also, if you have any feedback on how to make the printable diagrams better for your use, please REPLY to this email and let us know.  NEW Coaching Articles, Plays, Drills & Videos:  [Planning Your Preseason - Part 2 - Athleticism](  [Planning Your Preseason - Part 1 - Play!](  [Play Breakdown - Cleveland Cavaliers - “Get To Spain”]( (YouTube video)  [Use This Creative 1-4 Set To Mask Your Zoom Action](   NEW YOUTH Coaching Articles, Drills, & Videos:  [Coach Your Child Without The Power Struggles](  [Why FIBA 3x3 Is Gold For Youth Basketball Players]( (Great for High School and College/Pro Teams Too!)  [Save Practice Time & Energy With The Power Of Platform Drills](  [What The Bad News Bears Got Right About Youth Sports](   NEW Training Articles, Drills, & Videos:  [Add Steph’s Gold Medal Move To Your Arsenal](  [3 Finishing Drills To Train Game Situations]( (YouTube video)  [Why You Should Join Adult Basketball Games This Summer](  [5 Dribble Moves To Destroy Your Defender]( video)   Today’s Mailbag  New Play Breakdown - Cleveland Cavaliers - “Get To Spain” We recently shared a [high level ball screen play]( from the Cleveland Cavaliers. Here are the diagrams of the play for those interested in adding it to their [playbook](   As 1 brings the ball down the floor, 5 sets a down screen for 4.  1 passes to 4 at the top of the key.   1 immediately follows their pass and gets the ball back from 4 with speed.   5 turns and sets a ball screen for 1.  As that’s happening, 3 and 2 cross under the rim.   After 1 comes off the ball screen, 2 comes up and sets the “Spain” ball screen for 5.   5 rolls hard to the rim. 1 should look for 5 on the lob.  4 clears to the weak side.   After setting the back screen, 2 pops to the top of the key. If 2’s defender helps on the lob, 2 should be open for a 3.  New Drill Breakdown - 3 Finishing Drills For Game Situations!  We also posted a [video of 3 Finishing Drills]( from [Next Level Finishing Moves]( with Coach Jim Huber.   In the video, coach Jim Huber takes you through the 3 most common situations you’ll encounter in a game: - A defender trailing you - A defender on your side - A defender in front of you See below for a breakdown of the 3 [drills]( from the video.  Drill 1: Defender Trailing   Setup:  Place 1 cone above the elbow and 1 at the same side wing.   Players in the line above the elbow should have basketballs.  Instructions:  1 passes to 2. On the pass, the drill is live.  2 looks to catch and rip the ball to the basket as quickly as possible.  2’s goal is to beat 1 to the rim and finish with speed.   Key Teaching Points:  1 - Rip - step - dribble: the offense must create length by ripping first, stepping second and then extending a long dribble.  2 - Get low and take an aggressive first step  3 - Possible finishes: stretch, veer  Drill 2: Defender Alongside   Setup:  Form 2 lines on the elbow.  The inside line is defense. The outside line is offense.  The inside line has basketballs.   Instructions:  2 take the ball from 1. When 2 grabs the ball, it’s live.  2 looks to rip and attack the rim physically and finish.  1 tries to prevent 2 from scoring.  Key Teaching Points:  1 - Offense should try to get lower than the defense  2 - Don’t be afraid to make contact  3 - Possible finishes - floater, veer, stride stop, jump hook  Drill 3: Defender in Front   Setup:  Form 2 lines where the lane lines meet the baseline.  On the side where players have basketballs, place a cone on the wing.  On the side without basketballs, place a cone just inside the 3 point line towards the corner.  Instructions:  The drill is live when 1 starts dribbling.  1 must dribble around the cone on the wing.   At the same time, 2 is sprinting around the cone in the corner.  1 circles and attacks 2, who simulates a help defender coming across to stop the drive.  Key Teaching Points:  1 - Attack in direct line once you circle the cone  2 - Possible finishes: Euro step, runner, push shot, back pivot  For all 3 drills, make sure you get reps on both sides!  Question: Should You Really NOT Read The Defense? This Facebook post featuring Don Kelbick and his [Attack and Counter Skill Development System]( generated some feedback on Facebook. In the video, Coach Kelbick specifically tells players NOT to read the defense. Some followers took exception:   Coach Dre commented: “Not liking the coaching instruction in this one. Telling players not to read the defense is bad coaching.”  Jeff Huber’s response:  Coach Kelbick’s choice of words do surprise a lot of people! That said, he is coaching a mindset - so when he says not to read the defense, he means that in a different way than some are taking it.  The [Attack & Counter System]( is based on attacking. Players are coached to do what they do best. They don’t catch and hold and observe (read) their defender before choosing the appropriate action.   They catch thinking shot - no reading of the defense involved.   If they can’t shoot, they attack. That’s the choice - not shooting.   Once they attack, their thought is on getting to the rim and scoring. If they can’t, they counter.   That’s what makes the system so effective - its simplicity. Players think less and play more instinctually and aggressively.   Facebook Comment: Swimming To Seal Your Defender  We recently shared this concept from Coach Kelbick from his [Attack and Counter Skill Development]( videos on Facebook. In it, he talks about the value of post players staying opposite the ball. Then, when the ball is reversed, they can duck in and seal their defender at the rim.   Coach Andre added this comment: “Add the ‘swim’ move, in this case with the right arm.”  Jeff Huber’s Response:  Great point! Proper technique on the duck in is crucial. Most post players don’t have the patience to wait for the ball to come back to them.  And to be fair to Don, this is just a short video clip from his comprehensive [Attack and Counter Skill Development]( video series.  For those who do, ducking in can create easy scoring opportunities.   To duck in effectively, players must get their inside foot on top of the defender’s foot. This puts the defender on their back.  As Coach Andre points out, players should use their arms to help achieve this position. By swimming their inside arm in front of the defender, they help create leverage to gain scoring position.  After swimming players arms should be come “goal posts” to create a target for a pass and prevent the defender from reaching around and poking away the entry pass.  Twitter Post: What Is An Appropriate Development Environment For Young Players?  This tweet on youth development prompted an interesting response:   Joe Haefner’s response:  While this may be true, this is often the RARE EXCEPTION rather than the rule.  Having a 3rd, 4th, or 5th grader that is ready to shoot at a ten foot hoop doesn’t mean you should have them shoot at a 10 foot hoop.  In France, the generational talent Victor Wembanyama played on a 9 foot hoop in 5th grade. Since he was really tall and coordinated, he was actually dunking in the league.  Did that really hurt his development? I don’t think so.  But I do know that advancing too quickly results in young players using awful form and chucking the ball. This is bad shooting form that needs to be corrected later.  And more importantly, I know players get discouraged because they have very little success shooting at 10 foot hoops at too young of an age. Your average team with 8 to 10 year olds might make 10% to 20% of their shots on a 10 foot hoop… if that!  This even leads to kids quitting the sport and less participation!   I’m actually working with some of my children’s friends who had similar experiences and quit basketball by 4th grade. That’s insane! Basketball is a late developing sport.  One of the children I see often is coaching his brother in soccer and basketball. I finally convinced him to go out and play. And he’s an excellent athlete!  Having SUCCESS is the foundation of learning and developing a passion for any activity… especially with young kids.   Article Feedback: How Should Players Mix Shooting Footwork & The Side Step Without Travelling?  We recently shared a training article on the [side step 3]( The article includes a video of Coach Jim Huber teaching the move.   The video prompted this response from Ben:  “On the player’s second rep of the demo (slide to his left) he correctly used a x-over step as his left foot was his pivot. In the feedback / correction, Jim demonstrates picking up the left foot for a side step rather than x-over step - if the player does this with a left foot pivot foot he will have traveled the way Jim shows. The only way to avoid this would be to have the ball leave the hand before the pivot is lifted, to do this and then lift the pivot as the first step is both slow and awkward. Something to consider as people watching may misunderstand and practice a travel or an inefficient technique.”  Jeff Huber’s response:  Ben, thanks for sending in the comment below. You bring up a good point. I actually went outside this AM and tried it myself, lol! I think you can time it up to dribble and step simultaneously and avoid a travel call without it feeling awkward. That said, it would be worth noting that the timing has to be that way or else you risk a travel call. I think the advantage of stepping with the left foot first is you don't have to turn your body like you do when you crossover step.   The truth is, it's probably ideal to be able to do both. It's also a good example of where a hop footwork on the catch would be beneficial.  Nevertheless, I appreciate your attention to detail! Made me think, which is always a good thing.   Facebook Question: What Happens To Player 1 On This Play?  We [recently shared]( an out of bounds play from [The Complete Offensive System With Coach Tim Schuring](   The video prompted a couple of comments:   Jeff Huber’s response:  A good point and a good question! Graham makes a great point in favor of running your plays against defense. On almost every play, the timing is critical. It is hard to simulate that without defense.  Some coaches teach their plays with defense on the floor. They may not allow the defense to touch the ball, but having them out there gives the offense a more realistic view of what they’ll see in games. Something to consider. . .  Coach Terence, see below:   The play starts with 2 screening up for 3.   2 then receives a stagger screen from 4 & 5.  5 looks to slip the screen and catch a pass at the rim.  As for what the 1 does, it depends on where they pass. As a general rule, they want to provide space to the ball. So if they pass to 3, they should go to the ball side corner.  If they pass to 2, they should go to the weak side corner.   If they pass to 5 at the rim, they should just get out of the way as hopefully 5 is in a position to score!  Twitter Post: Great Shooters vs. Everyone Else  This image was posted on Twitter this week.   Jeff Huber’s response:  I love this visual. I would encourage coaches, players & parents to use it as a checklist. Have players go through and evaluate themselves. You do the same.  In each row, circle the ball that more closely aligns with them. Compare your results. Use this as a basis of discussion and to plan future training.   Breakthrough Product Review - 5 Star Reviews Rolling In: “Perfect for my small groups,” “Nothing to improve,” “Excellent video”  We continue to receive great reviews on many of our products, and I want to share a few with you today so you can see if they’re the right fit for you.  Here are 2 recent review of [3v3 Drills For Offense & Defense]( Nick LoGalbo:  “I'm at a tiny school with kids who play multiple sports. In the offseason, I have only a handful of kids. These drills and concepts are perfect for my small groups and will translate well into the regular season.” - Justin  “I like the way he explains how the drills work and how to incorporate them into my practices. Nothing to improve.  I’ve bought three of Coach LaGalbo’s videos and I have liked them all a lot. I enjoy the way he talks and demands attention and uses coaching points when the team makes mistakes or aren’t running the instructed drills. Excellent video!”  - Steve   “Targeted on skill development”, “Amazing camp” “Kids have a blast” and “best camp my son has attended”: Soundbites From Breakthrough Camp Attendees  Check out these camp reviews from parents and an observing coach:   Fall Breakthrough Camps Starting Soon!  I want to remind you that, with Labor Day weekend upon us, we have a wide variety of Fall camps and training academies for you to tune up your game before the season officially starts!  You can[view the full Breakthrough Basketball camp schedule here](  There are still a few spots left at most of them (you can also join the waitlist if they're sold out), so if you’re interested and in the area, just click the link below for more info.  [See ALL 54 Fall Camps & Training Academies Here](   Closing Notes  Thanks so much for reading this edition of the Breakthrough Basketball Mailbag! Stay tuned for upcoming editions, featuring more of your questions and comments. We value your input and look forward to helping you on your journey to success.  If you have any thoughts on the type of content you’d like to see more of in upcoming mailings, please feel free to shoot us a reply and let us know!  All the best, Jeff Huber Breakthrough Basketball  This email was sent to {EMAIL} because you indicated that you'd like to receive emails and updates from Breakthrough Basketball on 2016-12-16 05:42:39. If you don't want to receive such emails in the future, please [Change Your Email Preferences]( or [Unsubscribe All]( Copyright © Breakthrough Basketball, LLC. All rights reserved. Breakthrough Basketball, LLC. | 5001 1st Ave. SE, Ste 105 #254 | Cedar Rapids | IA | 52402 [email.gif] . It’s our mission to build a strong community centered around basketball, personal development and most importantly - fun! We love to create extraordinary and useful products and share them with you! 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