::  BASKETBALL 101 ::

 

3-ON-3 AND 4-ON-4 TO TEACH BASKETBALL

One of the best ways to “teach” the game of basketball is to use 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 play. This will allow players to work on fundamentals and on some of their individual weaknesses. There is an abundance of players who lack correct fundamentals—they are poor shooters, cannot drive, cannot dribble with their off hand, are poor passers, and poor defenders. This lack of fundamentals requires that a coach use a great number of fundamental drills to teach the necessary skills. However, as players begin to understand the fundamentals, they need to get “playing type” action to measure their progress and to better understand how these fundamentals will be used in actual play.

“Playing type” action does not mean just playing 5 on 5. Actually, playing 5 on 5 may be the worst method for players to practice their fundamentals and to get a total understanding of how each fundamental works in actual play. In 5 on 5, players are “in the way” of other offensive players, and defensive congestion around the basket does not let the player practice his drives to the basket, cuts to the basket, or passes to open cutters.

The best type of play to allow players to practice their fundamentals in game-like action is to play 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 in controlled conditions. When I say controlled, I mean the coach instructing players as to how they will play and changing the type of play from time to time to add variety to practices and create different situations for play.

3 ON 3 PLAY:

The following types of 3 on 3 can be used:

1. 3 on 3 Regular. This is the normal way players play 3 on 3 on the playground. They play to a certain number of points and can either play “make it-keep it” or change possession with each score. The problem with this type of 3 on 3 is that the better players tend to dominate the ball and much 1 on 1 action and over-dribbling usually occurs.

2. 3 on 3 with Required # of Passes. A coach simply requiring a certain number of passes before a shot, usually 3 or 4 passes, can reduce the individualism of regular 3 on 3.

3. 3 on 3 with every rebound considered an offensive rebound. Players can play either regular or required passes. On each shot, the player who rebounds the ball, even the defense, can put it immediately back up. This really puts an emphasis on blocking out.

4. 3 on 3 with no dribbling. This cuts down on the better player monopolizing the ball, forces the offense to move to get open, and puts an emphasis on setting and receiving screens.

5. 3 on 3 with Coach. This is perhaps the best type of 3 on 3 play. A coach is stationed at the free-throw line and is always open for a player to pass to. The coach can receive the ball and pass it to whatever player he would like to pass to. Adding a coach can be played with any of the preceding types of 3 on 3. The coach can go to other positions, such as the low post, to add variety to the drill.

6. 3 on 3 Full Court. Playing 3 on 3 full court can be used as a conditioner and it also gives players practice on fast breaking situations.

4 ON 4 PLAY:

4 on 4 play can be used exactly as the situations above. The main advantage of 4 on 4 is it begins to simulate 5 on 5 action in that screens are better set and received and players get a better understanding of floor balance.

USE IN OFF-SEASON!

Both 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 are great for the off-season. As players learn the different ways to play 3 on 3 and 4 on 4, they can easily play it in the off-season without a coach being present. Most state high school associations have rules against off-season practice. Simply organizing a 3 on 3 or 4 on 4 league and letting the captains run it is a great way to get productive off-season practice without a coach supervising. So many bad habits are developed when players play the usual 5 on 5 “pick up” games in the off-season. Teaching players how to play 3 on 3 and 4 on 4 and setting up leagues for competition will help players learn basic fundamentals of the game! In addition, it will give them a better understanding of how the game should be played than the normal pick-up game.


PLAY HARD - PLAY SMART - PLAY TOGETHER - WIN!

Playing for the fun of it is for pick-up games and recreational leagues. The fun is in winning.

Hard work is a must. We will recruit players who are hard workers. Through motivation and discipline our team will constantly strive for excellence. Not only will we work hard, but we will have the knowledge and organization to do things the right way. Our team will value team play.

UNA's basketball teams will be known for its toughness, hustle and ability to out work our opponents. We will aggressively defend our opponents. Will play hard, play smart, play together as a team and the end result will be winning. Our defense will be the cornerstone from which will build the team. Offensively we will play as fast as our talent level allows or as slow as we need to control the game. We believe in having players who can play multiple positions so that we can utilize both a motion style offense as well as on the has several quick hitting options.

This style will not only produce championship caliber basketball, but will also be a style which our fans will enjoy filling Flowers Hall to watch.

TEAM GOALS:
- Improve Daily
- Playing our best basketball in Feb. & March
- Win all of our home games
- Compete for the Gulf South Conference Championship
- Advance to post-season play
- Have the highest GPA among other student athletes

DEFENSIVE GOALS:
- Hold opponents under 60ppg
- Hold opponents below 38%FG
- Force 20 TO pg
- Out Rebound our opponents
- Take five charges per game
- Control every loose ball
- Limit opponents to 5 offensive rebounds

OFFENSIVE GOALS:
- 50% FG percentage
- 35% 3pt FG percentage
- 80% FT percentage
- Average 20 assists per game
- Less than 10 TO per game

WHAT CONSTITUTES A GOOD SHOT?

Range:
- The closer you are to the basket, the more likely you will score.
- Certain areas of the court are higher percentage areas than others.

Player:
- Who is taking the shot and what is his best shot?
- Certainly a poor outside shooter would be foolish to attempt a 20 foot jumper if our offense allows the easy lay-in or five foot jumper.
- Have I practiced this shot enough to know that it will go in?

Defense:
- Is the shooter being pressured?
- A good player does not shoot normally if being pressured.

Chance for offensive rebound:
- Do we have the boards covered?
- An uncontested free throw line jumper with two rebounders is a high percentage shot. At the same time, this same shot will be ill advised without our rebounders.
- A 3 on 1 situation is certainly a better percentage shot than a 1 on 3.

Priority:
- Could a better shot develop or could we get a better shot out of our offense.
- Why take a questionable shot when we know that with patience we can get the good uncontested shot?

Tempo Control:
- Many times it would be to our advantage to slow the tempo and be content to wait.
- The clock and the score are always a factor.


THE SIX MOST IMPORTANT WORDS

The 6 most important words: "I admit I made a mistake"

The 5 most important words: "You did a good job"

The 4 most important words: "What is your opinion?"

The 3 most important words: "If you please"

The 2 most important words: "Thank you"

The most important word: WE

The least important word: I

It is amazing what a team can accomplish when no one cares who gets the credit.

                  

© 2007 Bobby Champagne. AllCoachNetwork.com,
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