NBA EFFORT PLAYS

As coaches it seems we are fighting a constant battle with our teams about understanding how hard they must play at all times. With a the media outlets showing the big time dunks, the unbelievable shots, and the other exciting plays its difficult to get our players to buy in to executing the hustle plays. These videos show the best players in the world playing with high energy and giving maximum effort. Hopefully you can show your players these videos so they can see it for themselves.

TOM THIBODEAU ON LIMITING FOULS ON DEFENSE

“You have to have a lot of concentration on body position. We want to play the ball well, with technique, but we’re not a passing lane, deny, steal, gamble-type team. So we play more body position-type defense. I think that helps. We try not to be reckless. I believe in pulling back your hands at the end, and when we challenge shots, we try to go straight up, straight down. I think your technique and your discipline is important, and studying, knowing your opponent — there’s a lot of guys that are great at utilizing shot fakes, both before and after the dribble — so knowing when you’re guarding those guys, at the end, not to reach in. …

JOAKIM NOAH ON THE IMPORTANCE OF IMPROVING DEFENSIVELY

Nick Friedell of espnChicago.com shares with us some thoughts from Joakim Noah regarding the importance of improving defensively even if the numbers say your good:

"You guys look at it as numbers," he said. "You guys look [and say] 'Oh, look, we're good defensively.' It doesn't matter. At the end of the day you have to go out there and go get the stop at the end of the game. So you're not thinking, 'Oh, well we're going to get the stop because we're a good defensive team. You have to get better every day. We work on the same things that we worked at from the first day of practice. And we can still improve defensively.

"It's not like just because we're a good defensive team doesn't mean we can't improve. To be a championship caliber team, you can't loosen up. You have to have an edge to you all the time. All the talk, all the media talk, all that doesn't help you win basketball games."

WHAT'S YOUR DEFENSIVE LANGUAUGE

As I study great defensive teams, I am continuing to see a common denominator that sets them apart from the rest. It’s the language they use. I don’t want to undermine the importance of effort, but effort without communication is useless. Since communication is based upon a language, having a communication system in place is just as critical as having offensive and defensive systems. The language we use as coaches must be understood and used by the players. It doesn’t do our teams any good if the coaches use a language that can’t be comprehended because it’s too difficult or too long. Ultimately, the rise and fall of defense boils down to having an effective communication system that is combined with intense effort. I want to share 4 characteristics your language must have in order to have success defensively:

1. It must be consistent. It is imperative that the language that is used to describe an action is the same word or phrase every single time.
2. It must be clear. When the language is consistent it then becomes clear, allowing no doubt regarding the term that is used to describe an action. Its essential that players talk clearly by using the Early…Loud…Continious method. I believe clarity empowers an athlete to perform at their highest potential.
3. It must be concise. Using as few words as possible to communicate defensively will greatly benefit a team defensively. Less is more when it comes to communication. This allows for ELC to be very effective.
4. It must not be complicated. Your language must not be so complicated that the players have difficulty understanding. What really matters is that the players understand the language. If your language is consistent, clear, and concise, it won’t be complicated.

TOM CREAN TALKS DEFENSE

In article that appeared in the JournalGazette in Fort Wayne, IN. Tom Crean shares some very good reminders of the fundamentals that are needed to be a great defensive team.

“Your hands have to be right. Your feet have to be right. You have to be on the balls of your feet constantly and you cannot move on the catch when you are playing a team like Ohio State. So those are the things that we continue to drill. No matter how we are defending scheme-wise, it always comes back to the fundamentals – the effort, the footwork and the team concept of how we are moving.”

Here is the full story:
http://www.journalgazette.net/article/20110104/SPORTS0301/301049969/1008/SPORTS

LAKERS ASSISTANT JIM CLEAMONS ON WHAT IT TAKES TO WIN A CHAMPIONSHIP

The 2008/2009 playoff series presented different challenges, each team Utah, Houston, Denver and Orlando had quality players. In order to win a championship you must see yourself worthy of winning and achieving the goal. Talent alone will not get the job done. There are certain traits which are required, some more than others, but to name a few:

leadership, mental toughness, you need a happy community – good chemistry among the team, and you need to be able to make adjustments in order to accomplish the task. Each team has its own style of play, Utah executes very well at the half court offense, they run well in transition and they are a sound fundamental defensive basketball team. The Houston Rockets, with a healthy Yao Ming and Ron Artest, and Luis Scola provided a strong front court and two small quick guards in Aaron Brooks and Kyle Lowry, with Battier and Landry giving plenty of support. So it goes in playoff basketball, to win you must first know who you are playing personnel-wise and knowledge of their talent and ability within the team concept. The secret to winning is realizing that you will not stop them, but how can you slow them down that you can win the series and move on.

In playoff basketball, it is truly win or go home. Each team and player alike have to raise his level of play – to win and to be a member of a championship team. However, to raise your level of play does not mean scoring points. Knowledge of how to play is critical in order to win a championship. Players who win championships buy into the system and what they have to do in order to win. Players who win championship accept coaching and they realize that it’s about “we” and not “me.” The mental attitude that develops in the social setting around championship caliber teams is that is not how I act, but more important is how I react to the challenges that are before me. Each playoff series presented matchups that created multiple problems – for example with players such as Deron Williams, Carlos Boozer, Millsap, Okur and Kyle Korver in Utah - where is the strengths and weakness of the team and personnel that you are playing? This is the question that must be dealt with before each playoff starts and sometimes before and after each game – if things are not working out. If you are losing in a series you question everything that you are doing and why you are doing it. Not being successful breeds and questions – on the only hand success breeds confidence and momentum. Lack of success drains your energy – where success keeps you energized. It is all a mindset – championship teams can talk themselves up and turn things around and teams that do not have the mental toughness to overcome fall to the wayside along the championship journey. Teams that will win championships will have players that usually will embrace their roles on the team in order to win. Acceptance to the place you are “right now” is a mature look at life, it does not mean you are going to be at the same place tomorrow or the next day but this is what you need to do now in order to continue to move ahead. Championship teams see the big picture, you need workers to support and believe in the task. Willing workers and passionate people drive the marketplace to successful teams.

Over the years, defense has always been a major part of our success as a basketball team.

There are seven defensive principles:

1. Work at being a good defensive player, be ready, anticipate and work hard.

2. Apply pressure on the ball.

3. Limit penetration – stop the ball.

4. Limit post passes.

5. Seal the lane.

6. Contest shots.

7. Limit second shots.

These seven principles are what we talk about in order to prepare for games. In each series the questions are basically the same – the answers will vary. Some match-ups will not be in your favor, speed, quickness, athletic ability, size but a plan must be in place to deal with limiting the production (not always stopping) to win the series so that we can move on. In order to understand the plan of attack, strength versus strength, the team must see the larger picture and give of themselves to get the job done, not "me," but "we" mentality.

The process is based upon “risk” and “reward” values. Our defensive schemes are designed to bend, but not break – when teams get to playoff basketball they are usually sound (good players and teachers) at both ends of the floor. At some level this team is going to score points, what we try to do is limit, damage control the offense. The same can be said with unfavorable match-ups. This goes back to the first principle: defense is at times hard work.

Defense will get broken down and teammates must be ready, willing and able to give help. Knowing how, when and where to rotate and support each other is paramount for defensive-minded teams to have success. Defensive execution

is knowing personnel, contesting passes and shots, being active (quick), challenge the offense without committing fouls. Being aggressive without crossing the line. Offensive execution is built around spacing, player and ball movement and the ability to make shots. The Magic offense that we saw in the finals had a very good transition offense which put points on the board with layups and 3-point baskets and a post player who could dominate the lane area at both ends of the floor. By following our principles one through seven, we were able to defeat the Magic. Take away their transition points opportunities, limit the points. Solid pressure on the ball – make them earn shots behind the arc, no gifts. Fight the post passes and touches (lane catches and dunks). Limit dribble penetration, contest shots without fouling and limit their offensive rebounds and second chance opportunities.

Like most things in basketball, sounds very easy and simple things to do. Championships are won because of trust, individuals come together and they commit to each other. In the end, there is but one goal, who shoots and scores does not really matter. To win a championship, it is the ability to get a stop! In the end, defense will win championships.

DEFENSIVE THOUGHTS FROM KEVIN EASTMAN

As the Boston Cavs series heats up here are some thoughts from Kevin Eastman:

5 Things in half court defense
1. Get back and SET
2. Be a great help team
3. Be a no paint team
4. Be a no corner three team
5. Be a alert and aware team

Best defensive teams can still defend in disadvantage situations.

6 Musts of Defense

1. Communication

• Talking intimidates
  
• It gives defense head start
• It gives man on the ball more confidence
• You can wake up an disengaged defender
• It catches the mistake before it happens
• Energizes the team

2. Trust

• Teams that don't trust foul more

3. Position
4. Awareness
5. Alertness
6. Multiple Effort mindset

3 Must Haves of Communication
1. Early
2. Loud
3. Continuous

6 Can't Haves of Defense

1. Lack of the 6 must haves
2. Personal Defense
3. You can't have gambles/ Leads to open shots and fouls
4. Dare shot- Dare offensive player to shoot
5. Close byes- going past offensive player on close out
6. Helping with outside foot

5 Areas of Consistency

1. Focus
2. Effort
3. Positioning
4. Awareness
5. Alertness

You can play any defense and be good if you have 4 things.

1. Player commitment
2. Habits
3. Focus
4. Passion

Del Harris on Defending Pick and Rolls

Del Harris just recently retired as a Bulls assistant after being involved with the game for over 50 years. Here are some of his thoughts on defending pick and rolls:

• All players involved must be in athletic stances to be effective, but especially the two involved directly in the pick/roll action. The straight up defender has no chance.
  

• All coverage is relative to distance from the goal and the abilities of the picker and the ball handler. In all cases it is important to body up on the ball handler-push toward help in athletic stance.

• The picker's man must communicate to the ball hander's defender to call out the coverage, even when they are all supposed to know what they are doing.

• Do not allow a picker simply to run into a pick. Be up with your man and try to bump him up off of his preferred angle without fouling. This will break their timing, their angle and will put the picker defender right on his man in the best position to apply whatever type of coverage is selected.

• One plan for determining to go over or under the pick is to go under and make the ballhandler pull up and shoot until he makes a couple. This takes the rest of the team offense out of the play.

• You must evaluate quickly the abilities of the ball handler. Is he a shooter or a penetrator primarily? This will determine the over/under priority for his defender. If he is a star and both, then trapping may be in order.

• Evaluate quickly the ability of the picker. Is he a roller or a pop and shoot player primarily? If he is a pop/shoot, then the aggressive coverages on the ball favor him since it will generally call for a rotation by another player as the aggressive defender can't get back to prevent the shot

• If the picker is a roller, then the less aggressive angle coverage call allow his defender to plug the middle better and make it harder to ge the roll pass.

• Do thye have a player in the low post as the pick/roll is set? If so, there is help behind the pick/roll adn the aggressive coverage on the ball has a better safety valve

• If there is no player in the post and thus the offense is spread in an open attack, then it's difficult to use an aggressive sho or trap because there is little help at the basket to defend the roll

• When a team starts with a man in the low post and quickly rolls him up or out to the perimeter as the pick/roll is set, his defender must yell out a signal such as "Lift" or "Clear" to alert the picker defender in the event he is supposed use an aggressive coverage

• The picker defender must learn to be vocal. He has to call out Help Right or Help Left because many pickers will start to pick one side and then quickly change angles.

• The picker's defender should call out the type of coverage as well when at all possible, even though the game plan should be clear.

• Don't allow the ballhandler to reject the screen and get to the open space away from your help. Push to help.

• Keep coming, especially when you get hit by the pick. It is your job to try to catch up and square back up the ball

• Late Switching. When it becomes obvious that the ball defender will not be able to catch up and is badly beaten, the picker defender can call for a late switch by calling "late"

• When you switch, the man who switches to the roller must get to the basket side of the picker to prevent an easy roll to the goal and to stay with him if he pops.

• A good time for automatic switches, even to a mismatch is when the shot clock is under 6 seconds. This gives limited time to attack the mismatch. You must drill this before you use it.

• Do not allow a splittable gap between you and the picker when you switch, hard show or trap.

• Drop the inside hand when you switch, blitz or tap to prevent a dribble split or quick bounce pass.

• Your shoulders should be lower than the pickers and the ballhandlers to ensure the proper stance. On all coverages of pick and roll, just as in 1 on 1 defensive play.

• In the event there is a bad switch for whatever reason, quite often a bigger weakside defender can call out "GO" to the smaller player and take the bigger player on the roll. This is called "passing off the mismatch" most commonly.

• If a picker slips to the goal instead of holding the pick, the defender must quickly go with him with his hands held highto help block vision in case a pass is made to him.