Bellahouston Academy Structures & Strategies

Structures are the designs or formations which teams use in different activities. Strategies, which often include game plans, are used in different individual and team activities to make the best use of selected structures. They are used to manage the tactics and skills of the game. Within any strategy, you can opt to vary the game plan by using tactics, thus exploiting the opposition and creating the best possible strategic advantage Definitions

Basketball Court Terminology

Advantages of planned strategies are as follows: All players are clear about their responsibility Speed – provides a fast route to the goal Creates depth and penetration in attack. Ensures space and players are readily available to support alongside and behind the ball. Planned Strategies

Positions GUARDS FORWARDS CENTRE

Guards Usually smallest in team Quickest players in team Excellent ball handling skills Have good long range shooting ability Have vision and creativity to play the most suitable pass at the correct time Control tempo of the game and set up the majority of offences

Forwards Taller players in team Have high upper body strength Excellent rebounding skills Have good close range shooting ability High C.V. Endurance to go from basket to basket (defence to offence)

Centre Tallest player in team Excellent defensive/blocking skills Excellent rebounding skills Have good close range shooting ability High C.V. Endurance to go from basket to basket (defence to offence)

FAST BREAK

Fast Break – Option A REBOUND OUTLET FILL THE LANE DRIBBLE TO MIDDLE

Fast Break – Option A FILL THE LANE BOUNCE PASS CHEST PASS LAY-UP

Fast Break – Option B REBOUND OUTLET FILL THE LANE DRIBBLE TO MIDDLE

Fast Break – Option B FILL THE LANE CHEST PASS REVERSE FAKE SET SHOT

Fast Break – Option C REBOUND OUTLET FILL THE LANE DRIBBLE TO MIDDLE

Fast Break – Option C FILL THE LANE CHEST PASS REVERSE FAKE FAKE SHOT LAY-UP

MAN-TO-MAN DEFENCE

HALF COURT RETREAT TO YOUR OWN HALF WHEN YOU LOSE POSSESSION TRACK YOUR PLAYER AS YOU RETREAT DEFEND PLAYER AS SOON AS THEY CROSS HALF WAY LINE MARK BETWEEN PLAYER AND BASKET - WITH HAND IN PASSING LANE MATCH UP WITH PLAYER OF SIMILAR PHYSICAL AND SKILL ABILITIES USED TO PLAY TIGHT TO MAN AND LIMIT TIME AND SPACE ON THE BALL USED AGAINST EFFICIENT OUTSIDE SHOOTING TEAMS WEAKNESS : CAN LEAVE A 'MIS-MATCH' VERY EXPOSED NEEDS EQUAL ABILITIES BETWEEN ATT + DEF

MARK OPPONENT SIMILAR IN SKILL LEVEL AND PHYSICAL ABILITY PRESSURE YOUR PLAYER WHEREVER THEY GO ON COURT STAY BETWEEN PLAYER AND BASKET - WITH A HAND IN PASSING LANE DEMANDS HIGH LEVEL OF STAMINA, SPEED AND CONCENTRATION USED TO CREATE TURNOVERS (STEALS/MIS-PLACED PASSES/OR OPPOSITION FOULS LIKE TRAVELLING, ETC) USED TO INCREASE GAME TEMPO FULL COURT PRESS WEAKNESS : HIGH FITNESS LEVELS REQUIRED IF BROKEN DOWN LEAVES TEAM VERY EXPOSED

ZONE DEFENCE

SMALLER / QUICKER GUARDS AT FRONT - GET OUT TO SHOTS / BREAK OUT IN ATTACK 1 TALL / AGILE CENTER IN MIDDLE - COVER PASSES THROUGH KEY 2 TALL / STRONG FORWARDS AT BACK - BLOCK SHOTS / WIN REBOUNDS USED TO PREVENT PENETRATION INTO KEY (DRIBBLING INTO KEY FOR LAY-UPS) STRENGTH - WHEN YOU HAVE TALL PLAYERS IN TEAM WHEN YOU ARE SLOWER THAN OPPOSITION OPPONENTS ARE POOR SHOOTERS ALLOWS THREE TALL PLAYERS TO REBOUND WEAKNESSES - VULNERABLE TO FAST BREAKS NEEDS ALL PLAYERS BACK AND IN POSITION TO WORK ALLOWS SPACE AT FRONT CORNERS FOR SHOTS (SEE SHADED AREAS)

ZONE DEFENCE SMALLER / QUICKER GUARDS AT FRONT - COVER OUTSIDE SHOTS / FAST BREAK 2 TALLER / STRONG FORWARDS AT BACK - BLOCK SHOTS / WIN REBOUNDS STRENGTHS - ALLOWS MORE WIDTH AT FRONT TO COVER OUTSIDE SHOOTERS PREVENTS DRIBBLE BREAKING THROUGH FRONT OF ZONE (DOUBLE TEAM ALWAYS ON) THREE GUARDS CAN BREAK QUICKLY IN ATTACK WEAKNESSES - MIDDLE OF ZONE VULNERABLE ( SEE SHADED AREA) ONLY HAVE TWO STRONG REBOUNDERS

Use of Space The aim of good tactical team play is being able to make the best use of space when attacking but close down opponent’s space when defending. For this to be successful you need : Good awareness of space Understanding of individual role and role in team Co-operation within structure Support play

Describe a time when you have used space effectively within a structure/strategy.

By changing the speed of play it can be possible to gain an advantage over the opposition. In basketball the fast break makes use of speed to get past the defence and set up a scoring opportunity with the least amount of pressure. Changing Tempo

Describe a time when you have changed the tempo within a game and give reasons for doing so.

By pressurising the opponents, the defending team will cause the opposition to make mistakes which will allow for more opportunities to score. This can come about by denying space, changing tempo etc. Pressurising Opponents

Deciding which strategy to employ against your opponent or opponents in a given situation, which maximises your strengths and gives you the best possible strategic advantage.

Diagram 1 REBOUND FAST BREAKYESNO SET UP OFFENCE OPTION A SUCCESSFUL UNSUCCESSFUL BACK TO START PLAYER ERROR DEFENSIVE STOP OPTION BOPTION C

Roles and Relationships The success of any strategy will depend upon the effective performance of individuals. It is essential that each player has a clear picture of performance in a number of key areas. For example, you should possess many of the role related technical skills necessary to play a particular position effectively. You should also possess the appropriate physical and mental skills for meeting the specific positional responsibilities. Additionally, you must demonstrate good teamwork and recognise how your role relates to your teammates. Identification of Strengths and Weaknesses

FORMATIONS The successful application of a team or group structure or strategy will depend on the combined tactical, physical and technical skills of the players involved. When planning your structure or strategy, it is essential that you consider your overall strengths and weaknesses. This will allow you to select the most appropriate formation to meet the game demands. For example, in basketball using a zone defence, offers little space for the opposition to manoeuvre, it forces them to take long risky shots and the tight 'rebound triangle' ensures that your team is at an advantage for a fast break attack when a rebound is taken.

As part of your game plan, you will include the use of tactics. 'Tactics' are quite simply the variations of play that can be used within a strategy. The overall aim of a tactic is to play to your individual strengths whilst attempting to exploit your opponents’ weaknesses. Tactics offer variation in play and are often well rehearsed during practice sessions. TACTICS

Fast Break Analysis Fast Break ReboundOutletDribble to Middle Fill the Lanes 1 st Pass2 nd PassShot 1 XXXXX 2 X 3 XXX