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Preseason Thoughts (Parts 1&2)

“Success leaves clues. Go figure out what someone who was successful did, and model it. Improve it, but learn their steps. They have knowledge.” — Tony Robbins

One of the great pleasures of running a platform like Slappin’ Glass is it allows us to study, write about, and converse with some of the best coaches in the world about the things that are most impactful to winning. One of our favorite questions to ask both on and off-air is “What are you thinking about right now?” And then, the more important questions of “why and who are you studying in that area?”

As we turn to the preseason we wanted to take a moment to reflect on some ideas and concepts that have been at the top of coaches’ minds that we’ve covered in the podcast, deep-dive breakdowns, newsletter, SG Plus Roundtables, as well as in casual conversations with coaches on the recruiting trail, at the NBA Summer League, clinics, and through emails and DM’s. 

Here we go…

Thinkin’ About…The Possession Battle

The correlation between winning and being on the right side of the possession battle is strong, and coaches are thinking a lot about how to go about achieving this. Last year, Toronto Raptors Head Coach, Nick Nurse, mentioned that he wanted to have at least five more possessions than their opponents saying “Most of the analytics say that once we get to that number the chances of winning improve greatly.” 

Here are some of the ways we’ve explore about how coaches are thinking about gaining those ever-important possessions:

1. Offensive Rebounding: Since releasing our podcast episode with Coach Aaron Fearne last year we’ve been involved in more discussions about “Tagging Up” then we can count. Coach Fearne is credited with developing this system of sending all five players to the glass and “scrumming in” from the high side in a way that aids both your offensive rebounding and transition defense since the players are taught to stay with their “tag” on the defensive rebound. Coach Fearne is a staunch believer in running the “Tagging Up System” with hard and fast rules, but we’ve also heard from coaches who prefer a more hybrid approach. The obvious benefit of a better offensive rebounding system is increased possessions, but also that offensive rebounded putbacks and kick-out threes have two of the highest PPP’s in the game.

Another way of gaining extra possessions is through offensive rebounding on Free Throw Misses. We discussed this with newly hired Fairleigh Dickinson Head Coach, Tobin Anderson, on the podcast and what they call “Bobcats.” We dove into how he spends time teaching different strategies to come up with these potential game-changing rebounds. 

A final thought on Offensive Rebounding comes from the link between a team’s Shot Selection and how that impacts a team’s ability to be a great offensive rebounding team. We talked recently with BYU MBB’s Coach of Video and Strategy, Keegan Brown, on how they use Shot Quality metrics to help shape their overall offensive actions, we also discussed this with Dartmouth Head Coach, David McLaughlin. Teams that have a firm understanding of where and when shots are coming within the overall offensive flow can better prepare to send any of number of players to the glass.

2. “Late-Clock “Hitting and ‘2 for 1 Opportunities”: We had a really fun conversation with Grand Rapids Associate Head Coach, Nate Babcock, all about possession battles in the NBA and how teams look for little advantages in that realm. Within our conversation about getting to a potential “2 for 1” opportunity, we talked about “Hitting”, or a system of doubling an unsuspecting ballhandler at the end of a quarter or half with the aim of forcing a quick shot so the offense can gain another possession going back the other way. In the podcast Coach Babcock discusses some of the math behind this tactic from an analytical standpoint, as well as the potential pitfalls. A fun discussion. 

3. Turnover Margins: Not breaking any news here, but winning the Turnover Margin goes a long way towards being on the right side of the Possession Battle. Easier said than done, though, and we’ve enjoyed discussing different ways coaches think about cutting down turnovers Offensively. Here’s a couple ideas:

  • Limiting Offensive Turnovers on Post Entries
    • Bully/Barkley Drives: One of the passes with the highest turnover percentage in the game is a Post Entry pass. Last year we discussed with Stan Van Gundy about his preference to have Zion Williamson dribble into the Post to help limit the potential for a turnover on that pass. Smart. We also looked at how teams like Wyoming used Hunter Maldonado in similar fashion. 

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Thinkin’ About… Cutting and Spacing Concepts

We’ve enjoyed both studying and discussing a variety of ideas from coaches on the art of teaching Cutting and Spacing within an offense. Here’s some food for thought on both…

The Art of Cutting

1. “ABC” Cutting: Coach Scott Morrison joined us on the podcast this past year and in it he walked us through how he prefers to teach cutting concepts to his teams by a concept called “ABC” cutting. This is a simple and easy to understand system for players and coaches to understand who will be cutting and from which location. In brief, an “A” is a Cut from the corner, a “B” is a cut from the Wing/45, and a “C” cut is from the middle of the floor. This system is especially helpful when talking about cutting in and around a Pick and Roll, and also allows a coach to potentially change cutting actions mid-game by adjusting the call. 

2. “Exit” and Pin Down Screens for Cutters: The topic of how to get your better players and/or shooters to cut was a topic that came up a few times this offseason, and we found some nice ideas from Colgate Head Coach, Matt Langel, as well as again with Grand Rapids Associate Head Coach, Nate Babcock. Both coaches discussed the idea of using “Exit Screens” (a screen coming from a player in the corner for a player exiting the paint under the rim) as a way to entice their better players to give themselves up and cut. This idea of screening for a shooter after they cut also came up with UC San Diego Head Coach, Eric Olen, where they build a backside Pin Down screen into their Flow Offense for shooters after they cut. 

3. The Value of “Space Clearing” Cuts in Early Offense: With more and more teams interested in playing with both pace and a “5 Out” look, a quick space clearing rim or “Ghost” cut can have big benefits as an offense begins its flow. We’ve looked at this a couple of times recently through both Coby Carl’s Offense Flow with the Blue Coats, as well as SE Melbourne Head Coach, Simon Mitchell’s, “Bolt Transition Offense. With the Blue Coats, a simple “Dribble At” Cut from the slot helps open up their next set of “5 Out” actions, and with Coach Mitchell, their transition “Ghost” screens/cuts out of their Pistol alignment helps put the offense on their heels early in the possession. 

Interesting Spacing Concepts

1. It’s All About the “Gaggle” Action: There is obvious value in having proper spacing, but at times, the predictability of traditional Corner-Wing-Slot backside spacing can be easier for a defense to communicate through. In that sense, we enjoyed diving into the film with Indiana St. Head Coach, Josh Schertz, to learn how he teaches “Gaggle Action” on the weakside and why it can be so valuable. The unusual closeness of the “Gaggle”, (when three players come together at or around the elbow before getting into some type of cutting/screening action) makes it difficult for any defender in the Gaggle Action to know who the “low helper”. As we dove into in a past breakdown, this has a ton of benefits for both the cutters/screeners as well as the two players not involved in the Gaggle.

2. “Two Below the Break” Spacing: We haven’t done an entire breakdown or podcast (yet) on this concept, but another interesting spacing action on the weakside of a PNR is the putting two players “below the break” of the three point line. One example of this was with the Milwaukee Bucks in their series against Boston, as they could space a player in the dunker spot and in the same corner while Giannis was Short Rolling after an on-ball screen. This spacing, like the Gaggle, is interesting as it looks a bit bunched for a moment but ultimately opens up a nice pocket for a Big to roll into and can create a bit of confusion for the defense as to who should be tagging the Roll. 

Thinkin’ About…Pick n Roll Defense

Probably the number one topic on the top of most coaches’ minds heading into the season, especially at higher levels, is defending the PnR. Over the course of the previous season and into the summer we’ve explored a variety of defensive schemes and coverages in the PnR through podcast conversations, deep dive video breakdowns, and clinics, here are a few thoughts that have stood out…

1. Rethinking “Strongside” or “Weakside”: It has been a revelation watching and learning how teams in Europe view the PnR and how they help around the action. As Monbus Obradoiro Assistant Coach, Gonzalo Rodriguez, shared in his “Next” PnR Clinic, many teams are determining their coverage largely based upon the direction in which the ballhandler is attacking off the PnR and whether that side of the floor is “Full” (two or more players) or “Single” (one player). This is an important distinction as defenses try and help from the “Full” Side as much as possible and eliminate “Single Side Tag” situations when possible. Communicating and understanding the direction of the ballhandler also aids in determining the aggression of their coverage on the ball and the nature in which they will help around the action. Here’s an example of an offense attacking to the “Full Side”…

As mentioned, communicating the shape of the floor and where the loaded help is in relation to the direction of the ball allows the defense to routinely help from the side with 2 defenders. 

This PnR philosophy has given rise to “Next” Defense with the next closest defender stunting or switching onto the ball when the ballhandler is attacking towards the “Full” Side…

A great study on this type of Defensive System is Alba Berlin who, as shown above, will provide “Next” help when the ball attacks toward the “Full” Side and, alternatively, help from the bottom or “Last” defender, when the ball attacks toward the single side…

For coaches not wanting to go all in on “Next” Defense but would and prefer a more conservative coverage, basing a coverage around the direction of the ballhandler can ensure the roller is always being tagged by the low man from the “Full” Side…

A great study comes from Reggio Emilia out of the Italian 1st League. Regardless of strong- or weakside, Reggio Emilia always looks to tag first with the low man from the side with two defenders. From there it is a matter of positioning to protect direct passes to the corners and rotations after the first pass out of the PnR.

What we have found by thinking of the PnR in Directional terms, rather than Strong- or Weakside, is defenses have been able to impose their will or dictate more terms than previously. Of course every coverage has its weakness, but offenses have had to work harder in order to manipulate the coverage and create advantages. Offenses need to exert more energy and more off ball movement to confuse the defense or create single side tag opportunities.

2. Quick Show on the Ball: Perhaps we started this newsletter a bit backwards, as we looked at rotations and help around the PnR without first looking at the coverage on the ball. Regardless, no matter what the coverage is, what still rings true is…the best help is no help. This is why Drop Coverage is still such a valuable coverage because of its ability to contain the PnR to a 2v2 game, prevent spray out passes, and drive analytics departments crazy by baiting players into long pull-up twos…

* Note: See Sertac Sanli’s Drop Coverage breakdown below to gain insight on his footwork and how he uses the Lane Line to shape his coverage.

Aside from Drop Coverage, also of interest and prevalent in the European game is the use of the Quick Show to solve the action 2v2. The first benefit of this coverage is that it puts more impact on the ballhandler at the point of the screen. With a quick one step lunge and stab at the ball defenses can pick up an occasion steal, but, more importantly, prevent the ballhandler from turning the corner. Forcing a retreat/hesitation by the ballhandler provides valuable time for the guard to recover back to the ball…

The second benefit of the Quick Show is that it gives the illusion of an aggressive coverage and can trick the ballhandler into picking up his dribble and/or moving off the ball with a pass thinking the big is going to stay in the coverage.

* Note: A quick tangent to the offensive side of the ball, we learned in our “Inside the Set” session with Coach Martin Schiller how he teaches his guards to treat the Quick Show coverage as if it were a Drop Coverage so they don’t prematurely pick up the ball like shown above.

The Quick Show is definitely a coverage predicated on the mobility of the Bigs, but is a viable solution for teams looking to be more active on defense rather than reactive, especially when lacking the luxury of a shot blocker.

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Thinkin’ About…Mental Health, Performance Anxiety, and Finding Balance

As much as we love exploring the tactical nuances of the game, we also understand that on-court excellence is hard to sustain if players and coaches are struggling off of it. 

Coaching is a complex profession that can fill one’s life with a deep sense of purpose and unique life experiences while at the same time test relationships and physical and mental well-being. 

Over the past year we’ve enjoyed entering into conversations with coaches from various levels about how they view working on the well-being of both themselves as well as their players. Here are a few…

On Mental Health Awareness… When it comes to bringing awareness to more difficult subjects like Mental Health, if helps when someone like Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations, Brad Stevens, is unafraid to do so to help normalize the conversation. We were fortunate to stumble into a conversation about the importance of working on one’s Mental Health with Coach Stevens on the podcast last year during a “Start, Sub, or Sit?!” question about Ted Lasso quotes ???? Coach Stevens tells a nice story about taking the staff on a bike ride over the Golden Gate Bridge before a game against the Warriors to blow off some steam. 

On Mindfulness and Managing “In-Game” Stress… Pacific Lutheran University and the 2022 NWC Conference Coach of the Year, Chad Murray, joined us earlier in the year on the podcast and discussed a variety of subjects relating to balancing the emotional and mental tolls coaching can take us on throughout the season. In the episode he details why he invested in working with a Sports Psychologist, conducting team breathing excercises, and much more. 

On Public Humiliation, Losing, and Understanding Performance… Performance Coach, Dr. Gio Valiante, gave one of the best interviews of the year on the podcast this summer as he detailed the ins and outs of the work he does with clients in “high performance” situations. In it we discuss how losing and public humiliation can enter the psyche of coaches and players, as well as striving for the right amount of confidence, and developing a Mastery Mindset. 

On Anger, Stress, and “Coaching in Isolation”…This summer the founders of the company, Movement, coaches Alan Keane and Simon Turner, came on the podcast to discuss the work they do with helping coaches work through issues like anger, isolation, stress, and much more. 

On the value of “Check-Ins”… The wife/husband coaching duo leading FIU WBB, Jesyka Burks Wiley and Dan Wendt, explored why they invest so much time to understand both their player’s and their own Emotional IQ throughout the season. In the episode they discuss how little daily “check-ins” to get a barometer on player’s emotional well-being can pay big dividends both on and off the court. Another episode that touched on the value of off court “check-ins” with players came from Lake Oswego HS Head Coach, Marshall Cho, where he discussed how a refrigerator full of chocolate milk was a great way to get kids to come by his office to check in throughout the day. 

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Thinkin’ About…Loop Step Up Screens

A versatile action we are thinking about and seeing more and more with top teams lately is the “Loop Step Up Screen.” Whether out of a turnout, double drag (Spain NT) or Iverson entry (German NT) teams all across Europe are using this action to great effect…

What we admire about the action is its ability to manipulate the spacing in order to execute different finishes. As shown above, looping the empty side ballscreener to the strongside dunker creates a single side tag for a rim rolling big or corner shooter…

This spacing also presents the ability to play to the strength of a popping big… 

Prefer to play to the speed of your guard? Pop the empty side ballscreener to the corner and allow the guard to attack with speed off the step up screen…

Or, just for funsies, manipulate the defense further and loop the first screener directly into a Spanish PnR…

The Loop Step Up Screen’s unique spacing in keeping a guard high toward half court in the middle third gives the defense one less helpside defender to work with and more ground to cover when guarding the initial empty side ballscreen and then subsequent actions. What we are finding too in our conversations with coaches is these types of offensive manipulations shown above can be called on the fly through the development of naming offensive cuts and/or actions.