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 Full Court Play |
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FULL COURT PLAY
OVERALL PURPOSE OF PLAY
In full court play, teammates should strive to get the ball as quickly as possible to the hole or point positions in the fast break triangle. Full court play includes play in the outlet set, the mid-court set, and the fast break triangle.
PHASES OF PLAY
Full court play can be divided into several phases: transition, entry, big triangle, small triangle, and fast break triangle.
The Transition Phase
This phase begins the moment teammates anticipate ball possession, such as a defensive rebound or a baseline or sideline throw-in. At the moment of transition, players move quickly to occupy positions in the outlet set.
Grouping players. During transition, players need to know which positions to occupy. I prefer a 3 and 2 grouping. In this grouping, the three most experienced, quickest, and best ball handlers occupy the 3 group and the other two players are assigned to the 2 group. In transition from offence to defence, the 3 group players occupy the long and short safety positions and the free safety position. The group 2 players are always hitting the offensive boards.
The 3 group of positions are the two lead and the middle outlet positions. The 2 group of positions are the two trail positions.
stunting - experienced players may stunt, that is, switch assignments. Consequently, a player from one group may stunt with a player from the other group.
Occupying positions. Players within each grouping occupy positions on a first-come, first-served basis. For example, as an opponent shoots, all the defensive players should be in or moving into the middle lane. As they anticipate, a teammate getting a defensive rebound, they turn and look up the court. Should, for example, a 3 group player seeing no 3 group player ahead of him/her, he/she should immediately move to occupy one of the lead positions. The rule is that the teammate ahead of another has priority to occupy a lead position. Consequently, the two lead positions should be occupied by the first two 3 group players up the court. The last 3 group player occupies the middle or point position.
However, during, for example, a baseline throw-in, I may assign a particular 3 group player to occupy the middle outlet position. The system is very flexible.
Note: As soon as a 3 group player gets the ball, he/she is in the point position, as shown in the basic outlet set in the section on offensive sets.
The Entry Phase
There are two basic kinds of entries into the outlet set, live ball and dead ball. Live ball entries include defensive rebounds, steals, intercepted passes, and loose balls. Dead ball entries include sideline and baseline throw-ins. Depending on the kind of entry, the location of the positions in the basic outlet set will change to meet each particular situation.
Live ball entries. One of two possibilities occurs during live ball transition, a 3 group or a 2 group player gets possession of the ball. (see diagram A below)
2 group player - Should a 2 group player, for example, get a defensive rebound, then the 3 group players occupy the two lead and the middle outlet positions. The other 2 group player occupies the trail position in the offside half of the court.
The basketball court is divided along its length into halves. When possession occurs in one half by 2 group player, the 2 group player occupies the trail position in the other half. Should the rebound occur on or very near the dividing line, the 2 group player would normally move to occupy the nearest trail position.
3 group player -When a 3 group player gets possession in transition, she/he automatically becomes the point. The 2 group players occupy the two trail positions.
Dead ball entries. For throw-in entries, I designate which group and which player within the group should occupy the throw-in or entry position. Doing so, gives that player a specific task - to get the ball and occupy the entry position as quickly as possible. In appropriate situations, he/she and a teammate may stunt.
A 2 group player executes baseline throw-ins, and a 3 group player executes sideline throw-ins in the outlet set.
baseline throw-ins - Before each game or during time outs, I designate which side of the basket to execute the throw-in. If the right side, then the trail position to be occupied is in the left side lane. The middle outlet position is located about 20 feet directly in front of the entry position. (see diagram B below)
sideline throw-ins - the 2 group players occupy the offside lead and trail positions. The middle outlet position is directly opposite the entry position on the border separating the side lane from the middle lane. The ball side lead position is in the side lane about 20 feet ahead of the throw-in position. (see diagram C below)
Note: During any entry, the players in the positions on the court may shorten or lengthen their passing lanes depending on the what the defence does and the passing ability of the player in the entry position.
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The Big Triangle Phase
Using the big triangle during the entry phase. During each live or dead ball entry phase of play, the player occupying the entry position, first, checks off the passing options in the big triangle. The first passing option is a penetrating pass to the hole. The second is a relay pass to a player in a side lane. On receiving a relay pass, the player immediately checks off a penetrating pass to the teammate cutting to the hole.
Using the big triangle during play in the small triangle. While teammates are using the small triangle to advance the ball out of their back court, either with a pass or a dribble, they check off the play options of the big triangle, before continuing play in the small triangle.
Play in the big triangle. Three players are involved in big triangle play, the player with the ball and two lead players. If the player with the ball is, for example, in the right half of the court, then the lead player in the left side lane is the off-side lead and the lead in the right side lane is the ball-side lead. The off-side lead has priority to cut to the hole, and the ball-side lead is ready to relay the ball.
the off-side lead - When cutting to the hole, the off-side lead runs parallel to the sideline and cuts directly to the basket as he/she crosses the free throw extended. That cutting angle is forty-five degrees to the basket. The cutter and the ball should arrive at the hole simultaneously. The cutter should be moving at full speed. To achieve this, he/she should not begin the cut to the basket, that is, cross the free throw line extended, until the ball is on its way to the hole.
At times it might be necessary for the off-side lead to cue a stunt. For example, during baseline throw-in, the defence may protect the basket and deny a relay pass to the ball-side lead, leaving a passing lane open to the off-side lead. Reading this situation, the off-side lead should call for the ball cueing the ball-side lead to release.
the ball-side lead - The ball-side lead should call for the ball only after the off-side lead releases, in the event that the off-side lead cues a stunt. On receiving the pass, she/he should immediately check off a relay pass to the hole.
the player in an entry position or the point position - The player with the ball must be ready instantly to attack an unprotected basket by using the big triangle. To do this effectively, he/she should see the basket at all times. Also, in order not to violate the no man's land principle, the player will pass the ball only to hole position.
Using the big triangle during the entry phase. Following are diagrams showing examples how teammates may use the big triangle to attack the basket, either with a penetrating or relay pass to the hole. diagram A is a live-ball entry, a defensive rebound. Diagram B is a baseline throw-in, and diagram C is a sideline throw-in. Note: In diagram B, the middle outlet player calls for the ball as the ball-side lead releases.
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Play in the small triangle. When using the small triangle to advance the ball, the player with the ball checks off the big triangle options before continuing play in the small triangle. The first play option is a penetrating pass to the hole. The second option is to use the ball-side lead as a relay.
Following are some diagrams of example of executing big triangle passing options by 3 group players who occupy the positions in the small triangle. In diagram A, after the middle outlet is cued to call for the ball, he/she chooses to curl to the side-outlet position. The curl cues the off-side lead to cut to the middle, thus establishing small triangle. On receiving the pass, the point of the small triangle checks off the penetrating pass to the off-side lead and chooses to execute a penetrating pass to the hole.
In diagram B, after receiving an entry pass, the middle outlet chooses not to execute an outlet pass to either lead, thus cueing the off-side (a 3 group player) to cut into the middle lane. He/she then chooses to use the ball-side lead as a relay.
In diagram C, after receiving the entry pass the middle outlet chooses to advance the ball with a dribble, after checking off the big triangle passing options. This cues the other two players of the 3 group to establish a small triangle. At that moment, the point of the small triangle uses the ball-side as a relay.
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The Small Triangle Phase
Principles of play. Several principles of play govern the movement and the decision-making of the 3 group players using the small triangle, triangle symmetry, play option sequencing, no man's land, calling and releasing, playing tall,and initiating and executing.
triangle symmetry - The shape of triangle should be constant, that is, the length of the passing lanes from the point position to the other two positions, one in the middle lane and one the side lane, should fall within a 15 to 25 foot range, that is, not too short or not too long. The length of a passing lane depends on a number of variables, such as the location of the defence and the passing ability of the player in the point position.
Keeping the passing lanes within this range, prevents players from running away from the ball. This principle of play is explained under the head Offensive Principles of Play in the Offensive Sets section.
play option sequencing - At the moment, a player gets possession the ball, he/she checks off a penetrating pass to the hole (big triangle), then a relay pass to the lead (big triangle), then a penetrating pass (small triangle), and then a relay pass (small triangle).
A player should always check off the passing options before choosing to dribble. However, there are times a player may need to dribble before passing; to get clear of one or two defenders or to advance the ball to shorten passing passing lanes. While advancing the ball with a dribble, the point should be checking off the passing options, first, in the big triangle and, second, in the small triangle.
no man's land - the 3 group player executing a penetrating cut into the middle lane should receive the pass only in the centre of the middle lane. Knowing this, the cutter can read the defence while moving from the side lane to the centre of the middle lane. His/her read will determine the angle of cut, thus lengthening or shortening the passing lane. The space from his/her starting point in the side lane and to end point of the cut is called no man's land. A player should never receive a pass in no man's land.
calling and releasing - A player who has priority to receive a pass must call for it. Calling for the ball involves presenting a target hand to the passer. The target hand gives the passer a cue as to where the receiver wants the ball. For example, a player in the left lane who has priority to cut to the hole will use his/her left to reach above his/her head and toward the basket. However, should that player choose to transfer priority to the teammate in the right lane, he/she would call for a relay pass by calling for the ball with the right hand, the one farther from the defence.
In small triangle play, the player executing a perimeter cut to centre of the middle lane has priority. Calling for the ball as he/she approaches the centre of the middle lane cues the 3 group player in the side lane to release. Releasing involves moving up the court parallel to the sideline, so that should the cutter receive the pass, his/her teammate will be approximately 20 feet ahead of the ball.
Consequently, in small triangle play, while one player is calling for the ball, the other is releasing. For example, if the ball is not on its way as the player who is cutting into the middle calls for it, he/she must release. This action transfers priority to the teammate in the side lane who should quickly reverse direction and call for the ball.
Implicit in the principle of calling and releasing is that the player who does not have priority keys on the player who has priority. Two players in the small triangle calling for the ball at the same time is a symptom of poor organization in team play.
playing tall - When executing a penetrating pass in full-court play, the player with the ball should check off an overhead pass, before using a bounce pass. Players executing a relay pass should check off an overhead pass before executing a chest pass. A player in a relay position who receives an overhead pass is able to execute an overhead pass quicker than after receiving a chest or bounce pass.
initiating and executing - As soon as a player receives a pass, he/she should initiate a pass to the player who has priority. That player should be ready to receive the pass. During that initiation phase the passer reads the defence. Based on that reading, she/he may execute the pass or check off the next sequenced play option.
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When a 2 group player gets a defensive rebound, the 3 group players occupy the two lead and the middle outlet positions and the other 2 group player occupies the off-side trail position. Not quickly executing a big triangle option transfers priority to the middle outlet who can choose one of several options to create a small triangle.
This live-ball situation is similar to those during dead-ball transition. These options are explained immediately below.
creating a small triangle during dead-ball transition - Having priority, the middle outlet executes one of three play options, releasing, swinging, and calling. During a live-ball entry and base-line throw-in, the middle outlet may choose to release, swing, or call. However, during a side-line throw-in, he/she can only release or call.
Which option the middle outlet selects depends on his/read during the big triangle phase of play.
Releasing involves moving quickly up the court and calling for the ball. If the ball is not on its way shortly after releasing, the middle outlet curls into the ball-side lane to occupy the ball-side lead position. The curl cues the off-side lead to execute a penetrating cut into the middle lane and the ball-side lead to move parallel to the sideline to occupy the side-outlet position (diagram A).
Swinging involves moving quickly to the side-outlet position in the ball-side half of the court. The swing cues the off-side lead to execute a penetrating cut and the ball-side lead to release. The penetrating cut cues the off-side trail to occupy the off-side lead position (diagram B).
When calling for the ball, the player in the middle-outlet position seals his/her opponent to create a passing lane. After passing to the middle outlet who on receiving the pass becomes the point in the small triangle, as the passer moves on to the court, she/re keys of the ball-side lead who either stays in the side lane or executes a penetrating cut into the middle lane. Executing a penetrating cut cues the off-side trail to occupy the relay position of the small triangle. Staying in the side lane cues the ball-side trail (the passer) to execute a penetrating cut (see diagram C).
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Creating and using small triangles after the entry phase. Once the ball is entered, the point (the 3 group player with the ball) can cue 3 group teammates to create another small triangle. He/she can do this in three ways, by not quickly executing one of the two passing options in the big triangle or by not putting the ball to the floor immediately after checking off the big triangle passing options. The third way is, while advancing the ball with a dribble, to do so slowly or to stop advancing, but to continue dribbling.
How the players use the triangles depends on a number of variables, such as what the defence does and the abilities of the players occupying the triangle positions. There are many particular examples of how players might use a small triangle. Following are some examples.
The examples are based on diagram B immediately above which illustrates a base-line throw-in when the middle outlet swings.
In diagram A, the off-side lead sees an opening in the middle lane in front of a defender. When he/she receives the pass in the centre of the middle lane, she/he neither passes or puts the ball to the floor quickly. This situation transfers priority to the ball-side lead. Having priority, the ball-side lead executes a penetrating cut, cueing the ball-side trail to occupy the lead position.
In diagram B, the off-side lead seen an opening in the middle lane behind a defender. Not able to execute a penetrating pass, the player taking the baseline throw-in relays the ball to side outlet who executes a penetrating pass.
In diagram C, the side outlet executes a relay pass to the ball-side lead who executes a penetrating pass.
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The Fast Break Triangle Phase
After checking off the passing options of the big triangle, players can execute an entry into the fast-break triangle, using either a dribble or passing entry. Diagrams at the end of this section illustrate example of each type of entry.
Occupying positions in the fast-break triangle. A 3 group player has priority to occupy the point position. During the entry phase of play when there is no small triangle, a 3 group player will occupy the hole position. However, once a small triangle is created, it will be 2 group player. A 3 group player occupies the baseline position.
Play in the fast-break triangle. Play options are assigned to each of the three position in the fast-break triangle.
the point position - As a player enters the point position, he/she must, first, check off the one-on-one play options, taking the ball to the hoop or shooting. Deciding to attack the hoop, the point must not bury himself/herself in the paint, that is, drive past the free-throw line, end the dribble before reaching the hoop, and then try to pass.
Not driving or shooting, she/he then checks off a penetrating pass to the player in the hole position. Ideally, the player in the hole should receive the pass in the sweet spot, the spot near the rim from which a player can either dunk or lay the ball off the back board, while at the peak of his/her jump.
The point should pass to the baseline player only after checking the pass to the hole,
Not executing one of these options quickly cues transition into the front-court set.
the hole position - As mentioned earlier, the player in the hole position should receive the penetrating pass from the point in the sweet spot, ideally at the peak of his/her jump. That player is a rebounder when the player in either the point or hole position shoots.
the baseline position - Receiving a pass, the player in the baseline position shoots quickly. Not doing cues transition into the front-court set. He/she may shoot after initiating a pass and choosing to drive by an opponent who closed out too aggressively.
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