FIBA EUROPE

COACHES - OFFENSE

DEVELOPING
by Sterling Wright

AN OFFENSIVE
STYLE OF PLAY
Sterling Wright was the head coach of the
Senior Men’s National team of Morocco at
2003 African Championship for Men’s, and
as well as the Technical Director of the Fe-
deration. He is FIBA Coaching Instructor,
and has been coach of French teams at
every level and of the Tabac Sports Club of
Casablanca, Morocco.

Developing an offensive style of play is one

of the most important tasks of a coach. To
analyze the strengths and weakness of the
group, find solutions, which will enable the
team to reach the maximum of their poten-
tial, are some of the goals of the coaching
staff. On the elite level, (club or National
Team), individual and collective develop-
ment are important, but winning is the un-
derlining factor to gage success.
A coach must have general knowledge of
both the controllable factors such as his
team, club, etc., and some of the uncontrol-
lable factors, such as the competition that
he is engaged, his adversaries (both known
and unknown), etc., to have a chance for
success.
After taking into account a general under-
standing of these elements, a style of play
consistent to satisfying players, coaches,
and crowd while having the greatest chan-
ce of winning should be developed. How
many times have we observed an unsuc- fensively, and defensively. We try to com- taller opponents. The same point holds true
cessful team become successful by chan- pensate our lack of height and physical den- for our perimeter players in that if they can
ging a few elements? Changing a player(s), sity, by speed of execution, and preventing receive the ball in movement, and have the
coach, or style of play to produce a different the opponent from playing their normal ga- proper spacing, they can take advantage of
winning style of basketball. We feel that it is me. To take advantage of our athletic but their creative skills. We feel that creating a
important to attempt to get the most possible physically limited players, we feel that if we style of play, which permits our players to
from everyone concerned to have a real can have a moving type of offence we can “read and react”, as opposed to “think and
chance to achieve expectations. neutralize some of our limitations. Our inte- execute” will give us the best chance of
We feel for the Moroccan teams to be com- rior players receiving the ball in a moving ty- success. To play pressure basketball, both
petitive on international level we must play a pe of situation, as opposed to “fighting it out” offensively and defensively, creates specta-
very aggressive style of basketball both of- in the low post position against stronger and cular style, which the players and the public

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enjoy. Since we have a young, developing other our scoring areas (diagr. 1)
athletic team, this style gives the maximum Actually our offense begins when we obtain
amount of playing time to nine-ten players possession of the ball. We try to have a conti-
as opposed to a more limited number. So nuous free flowing offense taking advantage
with a maximum number of players involved of any mistakes or weakness of our oppo-
and highly motivated, we have had some de- nents. When we gain possession we try to
gree of success in the present, while buil- get the ball in one of our attacking areas
ding for the future. (which is a couple of steps right over the half
court line) as rapidly as possible. It is at this
RAPID OFFENSE point that we want the ball handler to read
We like to use as our basic offense the fast the situation if: (a) there is a open teammate
break or what we call pressure basketball. ahead of him to pass the ball if possible (b) he D.3
Really we hope that rarely we have to run a has an advantage to attack the basket (c)
set half court offense. continue to advance the ball by passing, or
We try to take at least a third or more of our dribbling down the same side to the scoring
total shots from a fast break, or transition si- area. Advancing the ball down the side
tuation. Playing an up-tempo style of game, opens the middle lane for our big players to
while having the possibility to play from a set run to the basket, trailer, or offensive rebound
offense, is what we try to do. We feel that
this is the best way to create the easiest
scoring possibilities before our opponents
can set up their complete team defense. We
feel that if we walk the ball up the court
every time we will be playing against a set
defense that often has the physical domi-
nance against us. If we must play 5-on-5 ba-
sketball with almost every possession that
we are in for a long game without many ad-
vantages or possibilities to control the out-
come.
D.1
In our offense, fast break or half court, we
always want to create several advantages.
With the fast break, a team can create seve- D.4
ral advantages and through good passing
can find an open player for a high-percenta-
ge shot.
We feel that getting the ball in a situation
that our players feel comfortable with the
minimum constraints gives them the best
chance of success. This helps build con-
fidence in their abilities. In our half court
offense, through good movement, pas-
sing, and screens, we try to create a
quick 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 match up that can
yield a high-percentage shot. So it is im- possibilities. It also opens the opposite side
portant for us to create situations where lane for open shots on quick ball reversal.
the players have time and the proper Once the ball is in the attacking area we
spacing to react to certain situations, want to continue to have good ball move-
with a few rules so everyone under- ment looking to profit on what the defense
stands what we want to accomplish on gives us.
the floor.
Once we gain possession of the ball, we
Our first option in our offense at any time D.2 want to get the ball to 1-the point guard, as
during the game is our rapid attack. We soon as possible. We want our perimeter
like to run our primary break, which we players 2-the shooting guard, and 3-the
create from steals, rebounds, blocked small forward, to sprint to the attacking
shots, made or missed field goals, made areas on their respective sides of the court,
or missed free throws. looking back for the ball only when they ha-
We like to divide the court into three la- ve crossed the half court line. It is important
nes the traditional side - middle - side la- to have good floor balance and, if they find
nes. However after the half court line we themselves on the same side, then one must
like to designate two additional areas. One go to the far side lane. The rule is if the ad-
which we call our attacking areas, and the vanced attacker is in the attacking area,

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 FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - OFFENSE

The last man down the floor, the rebounder,

or the in bounder on a made shooting at-
tempt, is the trailer running the middle, but
going to the opposite side of the lane of the
ball side low post. As he reaches the post
area, he must read the situation. If the ball is:
(a) in the opposite side scoring area, he can
stop either at the high, or low post area
ready to play the offensive rebound; (b) in
D.5 D.10
the center lane, he can set a pick for the ball
handler, or stop at the high post. (c) on his si-
de, he can set a pick for the perimeter ball
handler, or slide low post (diagr. 2). 4 gets the
rebound and passes to 1, who comes to the
ball. Perimeter players 2, and 3 sprint to the
attacking areas on their respective sides of
the court. 5 sprints down the middle of the
floor towards the opposite basket. 1 passes
to 2 in the attacking area right over half
court. At this point we have the following ru-
les:
D.6 D.11
1-ON-1 SITUATION
This situation should always produce a hi-
gh-percentage shot, whether it be a lay-up
or a short jump shot. We want our players to
attempt a shot for two reasons: (a) chances
are it will be a good shot, and (b) in normal
conditions offensive players generally chan-
ge ends faster than defensive players, whi-
ch can result in a rebounding edge as offen-
sive teammates are hustling down the floor
in anticipation of a missed shot attempt.
D.7 D.12
We would like for our offensive player to
read the defender. If the offensive player
feels he can beat the defender on the drib-
ble, he should take it all the way to the ba-
sket. If the defender does a good job against
the dribble, then the offensive player should
pull up for the short jump shot.
Certain time and score conditions may force
us to tell our players to take only the lay-up if
it’s available. If it’s not, we may want to have
them pull back out and set up the half court
D.8 D.13
offense.

2-ON-1 SITUATION
then the second perimeter player crosses We try to teach our players that with the fast
the middle lane to go to the opposite side. If break they must try to get a good shot off
the advanced attacker is in the scoring area, when they have a numbers advantage. Ho-
then the advanced attacker should continue pefully, the shot will be relatively unconte-
to the basket then out to the opposite side sted and taken from a short distance. When
scoring area. we are in a 2-on-1 or 3-on-2 situation, we try
to shoot the ball (given the time and score si-
On a made basket, or foul shot we want 4- tuation). When a shot is taken, we can either
D.9 the post, in bounding the ball to 1. 5 - the cen- score, rebound the missed attempt, or, at
ter, sprints down the middle of the floor to least, prevent the defense from possibly
the opposite basket, then looks for the pass, scoring as a result of a turnover. We must
or offensive rebound. He should read the si- use a numbers advantage as quickly as pos-
tuation and if there is not a shot, or pass insi- sible because the remaining defenders are
de, he should go to the ball side low post eventually going to set up their defense.
looking for: (a) the pass; (b) the two-man ga- In a 2-on-1 situation, the offensive players
me with the perimeter ball handler. must fill the outside areas and spread out
PAGE 18 | 07 2004 | FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE
wide enough to prevent the defender from
playing them both at the same time. As the of-
fensive players enter the scoring area (which
is about a couple steps outside the three-
point line), the ball handler should take the ball
to the basket, while the other perimeter player
“spots up” on the opposite side area waiting
for a possible outlet pass on the dribble pene-
tration for an uncontested jump shot.
D.14 D.17
3-ON-1 SITUATION
If we have not created a scoring opportunity,
or the ball handler chooses to only advance
the ball to the scoring area, the other players
continue to run their lanes. 80 to 85% of the ti-
me our primary break is executed by our three
perimeter players. We teach them that every
time we gain possession to sprint to their re-
spective lanes to create the proper offensive
spacing. The middle lane is left open for the
point guard, who directs the break, and the
post and center, who are usually the slowest D.15 D.18
players, who serve as defenders in case there
is a turnover. As 1 crosses half court our pri-
mary break becomes a 3-on-1; or 3-on-2 situa-
tion with the point guard becoming the third
offensive player.
2, after receiving the pass in the attacking
area, drives to the basket until he has good
defensive resistance. At this point he passes
out to the point guard at the top of the three-
second lane. When 1 approaches the three-
point area he should stop, and this will create
D.16 D.19
space for 4 and 5 cutting to the basket, but al-
so to be in the best position for the quick re-
verse pass to 3 for a possible two or three-
point shot (diagr.3). If the up defender X1 co- gh percentage shot; or (b) a defensive mi- then we should be able to find the open of-
mes out to far to contest the reverse pass smatch giving us a physical advantage. fensive player. Also, it will be easier to exe-
from 2 to 1, then 3 must read the situation and 2 has advanced the ball to the side scoring cute player and ball movement.
cuts towards the basket, and the 3-on-2 situa- area. The defense has slowed the fast As stated earlier, the first interior player
tion becomes a 2-on-1 break. As 1 receives break as 5 beats his defensive player to the who crosses the half court line should cut
the ball, he swings the ball to 3 for a wide open lane looking for a quick return pass for a directly to the basket looking for a quick
jump shot. On occasion, 1 can take the jump lay up. If X3, who is the weak side defender, pass for a possible lay- up. You would be
shot, or penetrate, depending on the condi- attempts to help we want 5 to post him up surprised by how many easy opportunities
tions of the game (time, score, defensive posi- right under the basket taking advantage of we get by a lay-up, or offensive rebound by
tioning). a mismatch situation. If he does not recei- just running the floor. If he doesn’t receive
ve the ball, then he goes to the ball side low the ball he should go to the block on the
4-ON-2 / 4-ON-3 SITUATIONS post position. ball side and post up his defensive player
4-on-2 or 4-on-3 fast break situations are very looking for the ball. He can also screen the
rare. Usually the forth and fifth players beco- THE SECONDARY BREAK ball handler’s defender in the event the de-
me involved during the secondary break If the initial primary break does not produ- fense over plays the reverse pass from 2 to
when these possibilities occur. We want our ce a good high percentage scoring possi- 1 and play a two-man game with the wing
forth and fifth players to go to the same posi- bility, we want the players to continue mo- (diagr. 5 and 6).
tions as in our secondary break. The forth ving and our secondary break begins. It is
player (5 in diagr. 4) cuts down the lane to the very important not to stop the action after 5 receives the pass from perimeter player 2
basket looking for a pass for a lay-up, or to pi- our initial break, unless the time, score, or in the low post. 5 looks to score if possible.
vot when he gets to the basket to pin a possi- game conditions determine otherwise. So- If not, he must read the situation of his
ble defender for a post up basket and possible metimes our offensive players fail to exe- teammates movement. After the pass, 2
three-point play with a foul. If he doesn’t re- cute our primary break properly, or the de- reads the defensive situation and he can
ceive the ball in the lane, he should post up on fense does a good job in transition getting cut to the basket, looking for a quick return
the ball side. If any of the respective players enough players back in time to stop our ini- pass, then clearing to the opposite side
are slow in their defensive transition, with tial attack. We feel that if we continue to corner if he doesn’t receive the ball. 2 can
good intelligent ball movement we hope to run, and just one defensive player is slow slide to the corner for a jump shot if his de-
get: (a) an open player for an uncontested hi- getting back, or if the defense is not set, fensive player double-teams the low post

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE | 07 2004 | PAGE 19

 FIBA EUROPE
COACHES - OFFENSE

5. 2 can pick away for 1, who can replace him point guard reads the situation and determi- the ball to receive the pass looking for a post
at the wing, looking for a jump shot coming off nes when to stop our secondary break. shot, or high-low, two-man game with 5.
the screen. Any of these options are possible
depending on what the defense gives us. We 1 passes to high post and screens away for 3. 1 continues his cut to form a double screen
just don’t want 2 to stay in place, if he passes If there is a switch on the screen, 1 rolls to the with high post 4 at the foul line area. 2 cuts
inside. basket. 5 posts up in the lane for a possible hi- off the double screen, looking for a possible
gh-low post pass from 4. 4 can also look for three-point shot, while 5 is positioning low
5 can come out to set a on the ball screen for his shot (diagr. 10). on the strong side (diagr. 14). At this point we
perimeter player 2. This option helps us espe- are looking to get the ball inside for a two-
cially if defender X1 pressures the reverse This time 1 swings the ball to 3, who looks for point possibility, or a possible three-point
pass to the point guard 1 (diagr.6). Also, if we an uncontested shot, or pass inside to high shot by 2 at the top of the key. As 2 passes
want to get the ball inside to 5, this option post 4 cutting to the basket. 4 can also stay on the screen, 1 cuts underneath 4 to the wing
creates movement and, sometimes, a defen- high post with this pass, and 5 can cut to the area.
sive mismatch if there is a switch of the de- ball side low post (diagr.11).
fensive players on the screen. If 2 drives in the If 2 does not take his shot, he reverses the
middle we like the other perimeter players 1 SET OFFENSE ball to 1 in the wing area, while 4 cuts low
and 3 to slide to create space and position for From a set offense we like to have a lot of looking to post up his defender. 1 can look for
a possible outside uncontested shot if there is player movement to limit the “help” possibili- his shot, or pass to 4 posting up (diagr. 15). 5
defensive help. ties of the defense. All of this trying to keep it looks to position for possible weak side re-
simple while constantly having both “quick bound, 3 slides to the corner spotting up, and
The last player who crosses half court, 4, the hitter” and ball control possibilities in our set 2 slides opposite his pass also spotting up.
offensive trailer, has several options as he en- offence.
ters the attack area. The majority of the time With the ball in the wing area, 1 can play a
we would like for him to stop at the side high We use several man-to-man plays out of a two-man game with 4, if he does not shoot,
post opposite 5, the center. He can also conti- one-four set offensive pattern. This formation or pass inside. If there is not a shot, he looks
nue to the opposite low post, or set an on the gives us the proper spacing, floor balance, re- to pass to 3 coming off a staggered screen
ball pick, depending on the situation. He must bound positioning to satisfy our needs. The set by 5 and 2 at the top of the three-second
read the offensive ball position, and adapt, as following play we call “telephone” and it pro- lane (diagr. 16).
he is the last player to enter the offense. The- vides the possibility to constantly have post 1 passes to 3 at the top of the three-second
se are the options: play, three-point possibilities, and proper spa- lane as 3 looks for his shot. 5 and 4 go to the
cing for isolation and one-on-one play. It is im- lane, looking for offensive rebounding posi-
▼ 4 enters the attack area with the ball on portant for our players to read the defensive tion, and 2 slides to the wing area (diagr. 17).
the opposite side attack area. He can situation to take advantage of what the defen-
stop at the side high post, or continue to se gives us. 3 swings the ball to 2 and cuts away to the
the opposite low post looking for a pass opposite side. 2, when he receives the ball,
if he beats his man to these areas The basic line up is one-four with two high po- can look for his shot, or pass inside to 5 po-
(diagr. 7). sts, 4 and 5, positioned at the corners of the sting up, or play the two-man game with 5
foul lane, two wings, 2 and 3, positioned at the (diagr. 18). 4 positions for a possible offensi-
▼ 4 enters the attack area with the ball this foul line extended and 1 the point guard. ve rebound while 1 spots up in the
time in the center of the attack area. He corner(the same movement as diagr. 4, but
stops and sets an on the ball pick for 1. The play starts with 1 dribbling to either side, the opposite side).
He could also stop at the high or low in this case the left side, towards the wing 2.
post (diagr. 8). The wing 2 cuts to the basket looking for a At this point we have the same options as
quick pass from 1 on his back door cut. If we diagr. 5, but on the opposite side of the floor
▼ 4 enters the attack area and this time have a speed advantage over 2’s defender, with 1 coming off the staggered screen set
and finds the ball in his side attack area. we look for a bounce pass to 2 going to the by 3 and 4 (diagr. 19).
He can stop at the high post, low post, or basket (diagr. 12). If we have an athletic ad-
set an on the ball pick for 3 (diagr. 9). vantage with 2’s defender we can look for the We fell that this play gives to all three of our
lob pass. We can also post up 2, if we want to perimeter players a chance to shoot the th-
5-ON-5 SITUATIONS create an isolation situation with his respecti- ree-point shot, or run a two-man on the ball
Once the five offensive players have entered ve defensive player when 2 gets to the lane pick-and-roll situation with the low post.
the attack area, our rapid offense continues area. At the same time, 3 cuts over the top of It also gives our players a chance to play
until there has been ball reversal from one si- the key, using staggered picks set by the high one-on-one, while spotting up on the weak
de of the court to the other, constantly looking posts 4 and 5 to replace 2 in the wing area. side when and if there is defensive help. Al-
for the open player for the good open high so, we have good general floor balance, and
percentage shot. When the ball swings to the If 1 does not pass to 2 going to the basket, he weak side rebounding positioning. It beco-
point guard 1, he can pass to the post and split passes to 3 in the wing area, and cuts to the mes a continuous play action if we want to
with 3, screening X3, the perimeter defensive opposite side of the court. Upon the reception have ball possession while constantly ha-
player (diagr. 10). Or, 1 can swing the ball to 3, of the ball, 3 faces the basket looking for shot. ving low post, and perimeter threats. It is im-
who looks for an uncontested shot; or pass in- High post 4 sets a screen on 5’s defender, as portant that our players read the defensive
side to high post 4 cutting to the basket (diagr. 5 cuts to low post looking for the ball. 2 conti- situations, and it has brought us a great deal
11). The last option is for 1 to hold the ball, and nues his cut to the weak side low post (diagr. of success not only against man to man de-
we go right into our set offense, without any 13). If 4 and 5’s defenders switch their defen- fenses, but mixed defenses (box and one,
break in the rhythm of our offensive play. Our sive assignments on the pick, 4 steps back to triangle-and-two, etc.), as well.

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