Championship Productions Blog

Archives by Tag 'Geno Auriemma'

Transition Offense: How to Play Fast & Create More Possessions

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Current UConn women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma is a huge advocate of drill work that translates from practice to the game. In the latest team development feature, learn how to be a force offensively via transition while playing to create more possessions. The following drills and concepts are frequently used by Auriemma and the Huskies, who are fresh off winning the 2013 NCAA National Championship.

Transition Offense Mentality

The overall idea with this transition offense is to move fast. For instance, as soon as ball comes out of the net, your squad should be off and running. Coach Auriemma wishes that more offenses ran this way and carried this mentality. It really makes the kids play where all five players are involved. The bigs are involved and the guards are creating. This is real basketball.

Fast Break Drill

In terms of implementing this strategy/mentality, we can begin by putting our offense together. Start with a point guard, two wing players, and two bigs down low. The drill starts with a coach throwing the ball off the glass. Next, one big guy will rebound it and the other guy will run the floor. As for the player who doesn’t get it, it’s their job to beat the guy who’s guarding them down the floor. If they do, his teammates will pass it to them and they’ll get a basket.

After the rebound, there’s an immediate outlet pass to the wing. Kick it ahead again and then throw the ball down low to the sprinting big man for a layup. This is exactly how Coach Auriemma teaches all of his team’s options off the fast break.

Transition Options

There are a number of things you can do out of the transition break. First, look to pass to the wing player as you are coming down the floor. Once within the half-court area, look inside while the original passer cuts to the corner.

Now, the trailer comes into play. You can hit him with a pass up top, look inside, reverse the ball, and then the original trailer and farside wing player can set a double screen in the corner. The corner player comes off of it to the top. So now you are looking for a quick post up and a jump shot up top right out of transition.

From here, you can go with a ‘High/Low‘ scenario where one big man screens across for the other, he flashes to the ball, receives it, and then passes high to low to the other big for a layup or lob play.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Geno Auriemma: Dynamic Offensive Practice Drills.” To check out more videos focusing on team drills, visit our basketball library.

Filed in Basketball Newsletter • Tags: BasketballCoach Newsletter, Drills, Geno Auriemma, Issue #60, Offensive Drills, Transition Offense

Congratulations to Rick Pitino & Geno Auriemma on their 2013 NCAA Championship Titles!

By nate.landas - Last updated: Thursday, April 11, 2013

Take your team to the next level with time-tested instruction from 2013 NCAA Championship coaches, Rick Pitino & Geno Auriemma. Learn exceptional offensive and defensive drills in the Championship Classic DVDs from Coach Pitino. The collection of Coach Auriemma’s DVDs give you complete insight of a world class basketball team. Watch these incredible instructional DVDs to help you and your team start playing better basketball today!

Also, take advantage of our basketball special going on right now! Get any 3 Basketball DVDs($39.99 or under) for $99.99, click here!

Filed in Basketball • Tags: Basketball, Geno Auriemma, Rick Pitino

Behind the Scenes UConn Basketball Practice: Backdoor Cuts & Defensive Zig Zags

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, February 20, 2013

In this behind-the-scenes look, we travel to Storrs, Connecticut for a glimpse inside a University of Connecticut women’s basketball practice. Follow along as head coach Geno Auriemma leads his squad though a number of team drills, including backdoor cuts and defensive zig zags.

Backdoor Cuts

With backdoor cuts, it’s essential to time these so we catch the ball and then throw a backdoor cut at the same time. For this particular drill, ball handlers should look to cross half court opposite of where we want to set up the offense, crossover, and then make our play before we reaching the other dotted line.

It only works if all three people work together effectively, so stay wide and spread the floor more. The wider you are, the better you will be. If you get wide, you will know immediately if you are being overplayed (especially if your opponent comes out beyond the three-point line).

To recap, one player dribbles up from half court, crosses over, and passes to a flashing player at the elbow. This player then immediately dishes off to a cutting wing player toward the hoop for a layup. There is also the option to dish back to the original ball handler for a layup or jumper.

Tips: Ball handlers must always follow their first pass. Also, make that cut so you can get the ball back for a shot or layup. Make the cut every time regardless of what your teammate ends up doing.

<br />

Zig Zags

For this drill, players will go 1-on-1 down the court in zig zags. While the offense works on their ball handling, the defense must work on defensive slides and strong transition play. Do not just go through the motions. Don’t make this drill pointless with predictable movements. There is no point to it unless you do it exactly as you would in a game.

The defensive player should be taking the offensive player where they want without touching. To help, put your hands behind your back and use your feet to get where you need to go. Get your head right on the opposing player’s elbow. When you get to the lane, use your feet in order to turn the offense. Dictate where you want them to go.

Tips: Stay down low and always move your feet. Get your hands back. The offense should use this opportunity to work on ball handling. Don’t go so fast that you lose control. Stay balanced.

<br />

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “All-Access Practice with Geno Auriemma.” To check out more videos featuring Coach Auriemma, click here.

Filed in Basketball Newsletter • Tags: All Access Basketball Practice, BasketballCoach Newsletter, Geno Auriemma, Issue #56, UConn Women's Basketball

Brand New All Access DVDs featuring the Top Basketball Coaches in the World!

By nate.landas - Last updated: Wednesday, October 24, 2012

Get a complete look at some of the best coaches in across the world such as Geno Auriemma, Billy Donovan, Mark Gottfried, and Mike Rice. Take advantage of this unique opportunity to see hours of exceptional games, practices and meetings. Take a look at these world class Basketball DVD:

All Access Basketball Practice with Geno Auriemma (2011-2012)

Watch eight-time National Coach of the Year Geno Auriemma coach his team through five up-tempo practices
See how Coach Auriemma organizes his practices and designs his drills to fit his team’s style of play
Over 13 hours of fast-paced practices featuring individual skill work and offensive and defensive systems

All Access Florida Basketball Practice with Billy Donovan

Three live practices with 2x NCAA Champion Billy Donovan!
Use quick moving drills that reinforce fundamentals while getting players into shape at the at the start of the season
Learn how to run your offense while using the post to effectively create open shots
Learn to guard common offensive looks in a 4-on-4 shell situation

All Access NC State Basketball Practice with Mark Gottfried

Create break-down drills that emphasize 2-man/3-man interaction that equates to specific movements involved within the overall offensive scheme
Develop a shooting routine that will help your players develop proper footwork, form, and fundamentals to make them a better shooter
Incorporate an individual skill development session that involves core skill sets that translate into game action
Run defensive shell drill to teach multiple aspects of team defense
Install a 2-3 zone that is simple to play but hard to score against
Implement a strength and conditioning program to build muscular endurance, conditioning, and core strength
Plan an efficient practice down to the very minute

All Access Rutgers Basketball Practice with Mike Rice

Execute the Screen / Re-screen offensive system that details a screen the screen action for open layups and jump shots
Build a complete defensive mindset that involves defensive close-out technique, sideline/baseline emphasis, jumping to the ball, and help and recover responsibilities
Execute the Scarlet Knight Zone package
Break down segments of the offensive and defensive systems into 2-, 3-, and 4-man drills in order to isolate specific movements and teaching points critical to the overall scheme

We have more than 45 All Access Basketball DVDs in our huge library!

Filed in Basketball • Tags: Basketball, Billy Donovan, Geno Auriemma, Mark Gottfried, Mike Rice

3 Fast Break Drills for an Explosive Offense

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, April 18, 2012

University of Connecticut women’s basketball coach Geno Auriemma believes that teams should focus on drill work that translates directly from practice to the game. The following drills place an emphasis on fast break basketball and the transition game and replicate common game situations. The drills are also a staple of Auriemma’s practices and should make for a tremendous addition to your own this season.

Fast Break Layups

Get two lines of players just beyond half court. The player with the ball should be looking to get to the top of the key in two dribbles as fast as he/she can. Once there, stop, and then dish off to a wing player who’s making a hard cut and layup.

After a while, put a coach out there at the foul line and have them stand there. After the dish, the passer must run around the coach to the opposite side of where he passed it and go rebound the ball. Try to simulate like it’s a game situation. Rebound, outlet, and head to the back of the line.

Tip: Stop and go around the coach to prevent the charge.

Goal: Hit 10 straight with no misses, bobbles, turnovers, or fumbles. Then switch to the other side of the court.

Pull-up Jumpers

Start with three lines at half court. This drill is simply a 3-man weave for a pull-up jump shot. Be sure to shoot from just above the low block. Do not go in the lane. Also, get a coach positioned on the block to make sure of no charges. Always bank it in from this angle.

Meanwhile, the other two guys in the drill are fighting for the rebound (going 1-on-1) and boxing out. Whichever player gets the rebound, he/she must put it back up and in the basketball. Switch lines when complete. Also, don’t score twice, only go for the basket on a miss.

If you have 14 players, the goal should be to make 14 bank shots and then switch sides. Hit 14 more and then move on. This is a great drill for boxing out, offensive rebounding, shooting, and defensive rebounding. Plus, you can run this five minutes into practice and you’ve already gotten your guys warmed up. If you’re in a bad mood, go for 14 straight. How many in a row can your players get? All the while, this drill also puts a lot of pressure on the guys. You can quickly find out who can handle the pressure early in the season.

Long and Short Drill

The Set-Up: Start out with three lines. The first line is under the basket, the second line is near midcourt near the sideline, and the final line is on the opposite mid-court area near the sideline.

The Action: Start by throwing the ball off the glass, outlet to the nearest teammate up court (who is coming to meet the ball). That player will take the pass, turn, and pass to the other player who is cutting to the opposite hoop for the layup in stride. There should be no dribbles, no fumbles, and no misses. Simply catch the ball and lay it in.

The Finish: Next, he second passer runs to the top of the key and then starts heading the other way with the same three players. You’re now looking to get out on the break using the entire floor. Meanwhile, the big guy who first passed the ball must sprint all the way down and catch the layup on the other end before being the outlet man again. This time, he outlets to the player who just hit the layup.

Tip: Time the run for the transition. Timing and spacing are crucial.

The previous clips can all be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Geno Auriemma: Dynamic Offensive Practice Drills.” To check out more drills and set plays, simply visit our basketball library.

Got any fast break drills that work well for you and your squad? How do you get your players ready for specific game situations (i.e. transition defense, etc.)?

Filed in Basketball • Tags: BasketballCoach Newsletter, Fast Break Drills, Geno Auriemma, Offensive Drills

« Older Entries