A pick is an action where a stationary offensive player stops a defensive player from defending a player with the ball. Also a pick can help an offensive player get open against a defender. A good pick or screen in the game is worth just as much as a score or assist. NBA’s Kendrick Perkins of the OKC Thunder and Reggie Evans of the Brooklyn Nets are each well known for their ability to contribute to the score without scoring. The Flex Offense is designed to give each offensive player the opportunity to help a teammate get open or score.

To start the Flex Offense, P1 with the ball and P2 (P=Player) are on each elbow extended to the 3 point line at the top of the key. P4 and P5 are on each block, and P3 is in the same side corner as the ball. P1 passes to P2, and then P5 sets a back pick for P3 to cut across the lane. If P3 is not open, P3 will finish the cut at the opposite block. Simultaneously, P4 will cut out to the same side corner. P1 will set a down pick for P5 to replace P1 position. After down pick, P1 will cut out to the same side corner. P2 observes scoring options then passes the ball to P5. Now we have the same action on the opposite side. P3 sets a back pick for P4 to cut across the lane, and then P2 sets a down pick for P3 to replace P2 position. This will be a continuous cycle until a scoring option is available.  

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The Flex Offense is perfect to play against aggressive defenses or even lazy defenses. Regardless, to defend this play the defense must work and fight through picks. Offensively, each player must be patient and set good picks resulting in scoring options every time. 

Brandon Chappell

Elite Hoops Basketball

Today is Black Friday! On days like today, consumers are aggressive, determined, and focused to get the best deal possible. Basketball teams should have the same mindset. Coaches and players must use the same qualities to be effective on the court.

Another play set to use against a 2-3 Zone is the “Dribble Series”.  Player 1 will be at the top of the key, and players 2/3 will be on each wing. Players 4/5 will be on each side of the block. To start the play, player 1 will dribble to player 3’s position, and player 3 will push to the corner. This indicates which player will run the baseline (player 3). Player 2 will replace player 1 position at the top. Now player 1 will pass to player 3 in the corner a shot if open. Player 5 will post up. If no option is available, player 3 will pass back to player then run the baseline to the opposite corner. When player 1 has the ball, player 4 will flash to the high post. Player 1 passes the ball to player 2, then 2 dribbles back to the original position on the wing and player 1 fills. Now, player 4 posts up and player 5 flashes to the high post. The ball is relayed to player 3 in the corner for option.

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This playset should run continuously until the best option is available. Stay tuned for the secondary option to Dribble Series Zone Offense.

Elite Hoops Basketball

Coaches and players constantly battle during the game to find the right rhythm and pace. Teams try to disrupt this battle by switching up their offensive and defensive strategies. Zone is a great way to change the rhythm and pace of any game, and today’s blog will feature just that.

To be prepared for a typical 2-3 zone defense, today’s playset is called “Zone Overload”. Player 1 will be at the top of the key, players 2/3 will be on each wing, and players 4/5 will be on each block. The beginning of the play should present a 1-2-2 (players in the gaps of the 2-3 defense). Player 1 and player 3 will pass the ball back and forth; this will notify the team which player will overload. After pass back, player 3 will cut to the opposite block. As player 1 reverses the ball to player 2, player 5 cuts to the same block as player 4. Now player 4 and 5 will set a screen on the zone defender in the corner. Player 3 will pop out to the corner to create an overload. This movement creates a man to man match.  Each player has several different options to create a scoring play.

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Zone Overload should be a continuous play. Player 3 is now the designated baseline runner or overloader. Stay tuned for different options using this playset.

Brandon Chappell
Elite Hoops Basketball

1-4 High is the name of this play. Player 1 has the ball at the top of the key, and players 2-5 are lined up evenly across the free throw line extended. Players 2 and 3 are on each wing, while players 4 and 5 are on each side of the elbow. Player 1 passes the ball to player 4. Once player 4 has the ball, player 2 will cut backdoor for a layup. If denied, player 1 will come for a ball handoff by player 4. Now, players 3 and 5 will set a double screen for player 2 to come off the opposite side. Simultaneously, player 1 will dribble towards the top of the key and player 4 will set a single screen for player 3. At this point the play should start looking familiar. Player 1 passes to player 2 then screens away for player 3. Player 5 will post up on the block and player 4 will flash to the high post.

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Figured it out yet? If you haven’t, the play started as 1-4 High but now has transformed into the previous playset “Stack”. 1-4 High can be used as an entry or a total playset with different options. Stay tuned for my advanced version of 1-4 High.

Brandon Chappell

Elite Hoops Basketball

One of the things I noticed while coaching college the past 3 years is that our players were lacking these fundamentals.  They would come in with a bad shot, horrendous footwork, or a weak handle.  I didn’t understand why they were lacking such important pieces of the game that I worked on at a young age.  I feel a lot of it is because parents are so worried about AAU at a young age that they are skipping over learning the basics first.  I like to compare it to building a house.  In order for a house to be sturdy and last a long time (without multiple repairs) it needs a great foundation.  The same comes with basketball, in order to be a great player, a solid foundation needs to be laid first. 

Does a great shooter become great by walking in the gym and shooting 3’s for the first shot?  The answer is no, they start in close and work repetitively on their form.  When I say repetitively, I do not mean 20 shots, I am talking about thousands of shots.  From there they have a solid foundation in which they can continue to increase their distance from the basket.  I see so many young kids come in the gym and jack up a 3 as soon as they touch a ball instead of staying close and getting their form down.  It is almost near impossible for an 8 year old to shoot correctly from the 3 point line, they just do not have the strength. 

AAU is a great tool for being recruited, and I am not trying to knock it any way.  I just know that without a solid set of fundamentals first, kids are missing an important aspect to the game.  People pay thousands to play AAU each year, and it starts at such a young age these days, that we are forgetting about the fundamentals.  I did not start to play AAU until I was in 7^th grade, and even that was young.  I do not feel it is necessary for 3^rd and 4^th graders to play AAU.  From what I know, the whole point of AAU is to play on elite teams in which you get noticed by college coaches.  However, no college coaches are interested in recruiting a 3^rd grader.  With the amount of AAU teams out there these days, are they even “elite” anymore? 

Everyone wants to be a great player and play at the next level, but are you willing to break down your game and develop the fundamentals first.  Yes, it can be tedious, but fundamentals can go a very long way.  It takes time, effort, and hard work, but in the long run it is worth it.  Like I stated before, build the foundation first and then work from there.  Get the fundamentals down and let the rest of your game develop around those skills.

Michelle Manfredi

Elite Hoops Basketball