Thoughts on Guarding the TRIANGLE

Some quick thoughts on guarding two aspects of the TRIANGLE offense:  The Guard Around and the Wing Pick & Roll.

GUARDING THE TRIANGLE

Guarding the Triangle

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Defending Flare Screens

John Noonan Ursuline Academy

In prepping for an “X’s & O’s” phone conversation with Ursuline Academy coach John Noonan one of the many things we were going to talk about was defending Flare Screens, both at the top and on the wing.  It got me thinking…

Like all of you, this is the time of year when it’s getting to be crunch time.  Being able to “steal” a play or two during a game (either offensively or defensively) can make a difference in the outcome of a game and potentially play-off seeding.

Talking basketball again with John was great!  John is a quality teacher of the game and an even better person.  His ideas on teaching fundamentals, defending actions as well as teaching players “HOW” to play are fantastic.

Follow the links below for ideas of defending FLARE SCREENS:  FLARE SCREENS 1 and  FLARE SCREENS 2.

I’ve become a much bigger believer in SWITCHING many things, including FLARING SCREENS.  The size and athleticism difference isn’t that great for one or two possessions to scare me out of the benefits of switching the action and killing the play.  You see most every coach during a late game situation say, “SWITCH EVERYTHING!”  With the game on the line, most people switch… why be afraid to do it as a steady system or scheme?  Not sure it isn’t the best way to handle most screening actions.  I wouldn’t do it all the time either, but it’s still probably the best way to kill the play.

One of the most over looked areas of defending flare screens is ball pressure.  Ball pressure, with “HIGH HANDS” that limits VISION is critical.  As a side note:  isn’t BALL PRESSURE a key to disrupting offense period?

Would welcome any thought and ideas in a reply or at: ideas@allbasketballreview.com

Good luck the rest of the way and in the tournaments.

Popularity: 4%

Mind Tools: The GROW Model

I’ve referenced Mind Tools several times.  I’ve enjoyed and found several helpful leadership development ideas there.  The most recent of which is the GROW Model.

There is a wide variety of subject areas on the website:  Leadership Skills, Problem Solving, Decision Making, Project Management, Practical Creativity, Time Management, Stress Management, Information Skills, Communication Skills and Memory Improvement.  I have yet to explore all of the various areas and focused mainly on leadership.  As I explore further I will pull the best things I discover and publish them here.

The GROW Model jumped out at me right away.  Business people are always making “coaching” references.  Stressing to management teams the need to develop the ability to coach and using coaching strategies to improve their business.  Trying to find a way to harness those skills that we as coaches have developed over the years and sometimes take for granted.

GROW is an acronym standing for Goal – Current Reality – Options – Will.  As you read through it, think about what it is saying… isn’t it what we do everyday?  Doesn’t it seem as common sense as coming in out of the rain?  It is fundamentally so simple, yet we can re-apply it to our basic philosophy.  I think it is valuable and helps reaffirm many good teaching points.

Enjoy.

The GROW Model

Coaching team members to improve performance

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Jim Jabir – University of Dayton

Jim Jabir was my RA in college, Nazareth College of Rochester, in the early 80’s.  I have known him since I was 17 years old.  Jim truly cares for those around him more than he does himself.  He is the epitome of “selflessness.”  His ability to communicate with those around him, to get in touch with who they are and to connect with them is better than anyone I have been around.  He is caring; he understands the total student-athlete experience and makes it a priority.  He is genuine and real.

Graham Hays does an exceptional job of capturing “who” Jim is and what his relationship is with his players.  As you read this one thing jumps off the page… the article is being written about him and all he talks about is his players, the university and how fortunate he is to be part of their existence.  Humility.  This isn’t just because Jim had a brush with death, it is who he has been since I met him in 1983.

There is no question that if Jim had stayed at Marquette they would be the “UConn” of the Big East as well.  Jim has the plan and the process and Dayton is his vehicle.  Enjoy this.

Jabir making most of second chance

Five seasons after dealing with cardiac issues, coach has Dayton on brink of NCAAs

By Graham Hays ESPN.com

HANOVER, N.H. — Kendel Ross embodies just about everything Jim Jabir believed Dayton women’s basketball could be when the school gave the veteran coach a second chance seven years ago. But for any of those plans to come to fruition, Jabir first needed to receive a second chance at something far more substantial than a profession.

Tim G. Zechar/Icon SMI Jim Jabir hasn't taken a team to the NCAA tournament since 1995 (Marquette), but his Flyers are 17-5 overall and 5-2 in the A-10.

Dayton’s coach admits he’s harder on Ross, now a senior, than just about any player on a Flyers team that remains in control of its postseason fate despite a loss last weekend at Atlantic 10 leader Xavier. Coming out of Canada four seasons ago, Ross was, in Jabir’s words, “the first kid we shouldn’t have got that we got.” He expects excellence out of her, and her mistakes pain him more.

For lack of a more accessible comparison, she is Dayton’s Shane Battier. She does everything that shows up in the box score and half a dozen things that don’t. For better and occasionally worse when stubborn will meets stubborn will, she has a motor and a competitive streak that will not shut off. Tell her you need 15 rebounds in a game and the result is predictable.

“She’s gonna get you 15,” Jabir said. “It’s like clockwork; she’s going to do what you ask her to do. Or she’ll die trying. So it’s this great intensity, it’s this intangible — this will is tremendous. I mean, she’s got this will — and sometimes it works against her, but for the most part it’s been beneficial to us. And I tell her this all the time, too, I love her and I hate her. I mean, she’s so stubborn, you know what I mean? I literally love her and I hate her. There are days I want to kill her and days I can’t get enough of her.”

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Arizona Men’s Basketball Newsletter

Here are the links to the Arizona Men’s Basketball Newsletters:  November through February.

NOVEMBER NEWSLETTER

DECEMBER NEWSLETTER

JANUARY NEWSLETTER

FEBRUARY NEWSLETTER

A lot of good stuff… articles, sets, BOB’s.

Popularity: 5%