Eight Winning Basketball Plays, Part 4

Communication

Talking on defense and calling out screens is another statistic that is never charted. Nonetheless, rarely will you find a championship caliber team that does not have several outstanding communicators. I love the following motto: "If you call out a screen that does not occur, that is merely a misdemeanor. However, if you fail to call out a screen that does occur, that is a felony." It is imperative for coaches to identify basketball plays that take no talent to execute and make sure their team members are aware of them. It takes no talent to yell out the word 'screen.' Furthermore, identifying what defense the other team is in so that you can properly attack it is another form of communication. The simplest form of basketball communication occurs when substitutions are made. How many times does a player check into a game and the teammate he is replacing fails to tell him who he should be guarding? This often leads toa basket and if this happens often enough will decrease your chances of winning the game. Championship teams do not make these types of mistakes.

Play Withing Yourself

The late great Rick Majerus had a simple philosophy when it came to coaching offense. "Focus on what guys can do, not what they can't do, and put them in a position to be successful." In other words, get shooters open looks, create space for players that can attack the basket, and get the ball to post players in an area of the floor where they can be most effective. Former Charlotte Hornets coach Mike Dunlap, takes this concept one step further. Throughout his trainining camps, Coach Dunlap works at identifying 'kill spots' for his players. He defines a 'kill spot' as an area of the floor where the player is almost certain to make the shot. Kill spots vary depending on the individual player's offensive strengths. If you are a below average three-point shooter, game time is not the time to prove your critics wrong. If your strength is attacking the basket, play within yourself and stick to your strengths. Work on improving your range in the offseason and practice, not in the middle of a game! Too often players attempt to do too much on the offensive end of the floor. This leads to contested shots, missed shots, or turnovers. Playing within yourself requires team members to check their egos at the locker room door. It also requires discipline and commitment to the team goals, which should always come before an individual's goals. Throughout the season, 'kill spots' can evolve and weaknesses can become strengths; work on evaluating your team members offensive strengths and clearly communicate yoru expectations to them.