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Archives by Tag 'Offensive Systems'

Lacrosse Transition Drill of the Week: The Bez Drill

By adam.warner - Last updated: Tuesday, December 27, 2011

The Tufts men’s lacrosse program is well known for its high-tempo attack and effective transition game. The squad’s proficiency in these areas is a major reason why the Jumbos are regarded as one of the best programs in Div. III lacrosse — particularly after posting a 38-4 record the last two seasons and earning the 2010 national title.

The Bez Drill is just one of many effective transition drills the team uses to prepare for game situations. This continuous practice drill moves at a quick pace and gives players a number of reps in a short period of time. With Tufts head coach Mike Daly leading you through the drill, make sure that you pick up some tips and insights and then see how you can incorporate the drill into your own practice plan.

Bez Drill Overview

This drill is named after one of the team’s all-time favorite players, Alexander Bezdek. The Jumbos use it all the time. It’s not only a great competition drill, but it emphasizes everything that we do as a team — stylistically, tempo-wise, philosophy, etc. While it may be somewhat similar to what other teams may run, we throw in a few wrinkles.

Drill Breakdown

The Bez Drill is a constant 3-on-2. Each team will come down on a 3-on-2 break every time. For the team that comes down, the guy that ends the play (whether it be from scoring, turning it over, or whatever) is out of the drill, and the other two guys get back. Immediately, the other teams comes down on those two guys on a 3-on-2 situation.

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Keys

There’s no time for a momentum mistake, no time to worry about a mistake. Instead, it’s back on defense or offense. No matter what happened previously, we’re focused on taking the next opportunity as it really mimics our style of play. There are a lot of things happening here, good and bad.

Meanwhile, this drill particularly helps with creating runs on offense and stopping runs on the defensive side of the field. It requires proper stick handling and a focus on fundamentals for our defensive personnel, especially because they are handling the ball and running the breaks.

For Tufts, the team is most successful when playing as a unit, sharing the ball, making that extra pass, and not settling for outside shots.

On the Field

Next, Coach Daly provides the play-by-play as the drill happens. It’s a constant 3-on-2, involves a ton of quick looks, and really develops confidence to shoot off the pass. It also develops confidence in defenders, like knowing when to cut or when to attack on cage. This is all developing here.

Also, it’s an effective drill because we can emphasize many of the little things we do on transition. It’s a very compettive situation. For Tufts, something is always on the line, like pushups, drink break, etc. Like in a game, it always matters.

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The previous clips can be seen in Championship Productions’ DVD “Transition Drills for Building an Up-Tempo Offense” with Mike Daly. Check out more videos focusing on transition lacrosse by visiting our lacrosse library.

Filed in Lacrosse • Tags: Inside the Crease, Mike Daly, Offensive Systems, Transition Drills, Tufts Lacrosse

Winning with the Princeton Offense: “5 Out”

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Back in October, we ran through the basics of the Princeton Offense, focusing on key concepts of the popular offense, proper spacing, and a basic Princeton formation “Chin.” This week, with coach Lee DeForest leading the way, we’re going to build off of that Chin concept and highlight the 5 Out formation, yet another effective set that will give your opponents fits this season.

5 Out Overview

The 5 Out set is initiated through Chin. For a full breakdown of Chin, be sure to read through our feature from last month. To start, the pivot player should be on the same side as the basketball. The play is initiated with a dribble weave before an interchange on the weak side.

Now, we have the forwards up and the guards down. As we are doing that, the pivot is moving to the high-post area. Next, we make the forward-to-forward pass up top and then get the ball to the opposite wing guard. After this, the opposite forward cuts through and to the near corner (closest to the ball). Next, the pivot screens for the forward up top just above the three-point line, and the forward sprints to the opposite (or right) corner.

Here’s where the adjustment comes into play. After the pivot makes the screen up top, he will then step out to the top of the key and the guard with the ball will hit him with the pass up top. Now, we’re in the 5 out set.

Check out all of the options now. When the pivot has the basketball, he has the option to dribble to the weak side (i.e. the right side in this case) at the wing guard before the wing guard cuts backdoor. As he backdoors, the corner forward takes the guard’s place on the wing. Next, the pivot can pass to the wing forward. We now want the pivot to get back to the post, so we have the backdoor guard set a “UCLA screen” at the foul line elbow for the pivot, and he cuts to the post.

When the wing forward has the ball, we can also look to post up the low post guard. The pivot will set a fake screen at the left top of key area and the opposite wing guard will act like he’s coming off of it before cutting backdoor. The corner forward will take his spot. Now, the guard — who was initially on the wing — is the new pivot.

5 Out – On-Court Demonstration

Follow along as Coach DeForest dishes out more tips and strategies – this time from the hardwood. This play is another way to get the backdoor look from the top to the wing out of Chin. Remember, once we are in the set, the pivot with the ball should dribble to the opposite side he received it from. Key: Hold the ball at the top of the key for a second. This gives the other team a chance to deny.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Winning with the Princeton Style Offense.” Check out more videos focusing on basketball offensive systems by visiting our extensive library.

Filed in Basketball • Tags: 5 Out, BasketballCoach eNewsletter, Lee DeForest, Offensive Systems, Princeton Offense

Man Up Offense: Special Situations and Plays

By adam.warner - Last updated: Tuesday, November 15, 2011

Former Johns Hopkins head coach and current UMBC coach Don Zimmerman has long been considered a mastermind of the extra man offense. With Zimmerman as your guide, learn how to prepare your team for special situations within a man up offense. First, Coach Zimmerman explains each situation via whiteboard diagrams before taking his team to the field for a live run-through.

Two Men Up

According to Coach Zimmerman, it often feels like there’s more pressure on a unit when they are two men up versus just one man up. Players feel that they have to score and that there is no way that they will be denied with the huge advantage. However, Zimmerman doesn’t take that approach. He will force his teams to stay within their sets and move the ball like they normally do in man-up.

Getting Shut Off

If a player is shut off, it’s key to take him out of the equation altogether. You should be satisfied going 5-on-4 versus getting him involved in that play.

Key: Stay consistent in your approach. This is far more effective than trying to make all kinds of adjustments if the defense does different things to try and throw you off.

Man Up Face Off

This happens when there’s a one-minute penalty on the other team and you have an opportunity to get the ball right back and face it off. Because the other team is a man down, they will have to bring one of their attackers up on a wing. Now, we have an extra man. If the other team gets the ball, we designate our open man as the Double Man.

Here’s what happens: On a release call, all of our other players will shut off and we will funnel the ball into an area where our double man and the ball man can go ahead and double the ball. Coach Zimmerman has seen a lot of instances where the double is split and suddenly the other team scores a goal because the team wasn’t proficient at doubling the ball. It should be organized and practiced. That goal can be a huge momentum changer in a game.

Key: Take the time during practice to work on doubling the ball. Both players must be patient and work together to squeeze the man simultaneously. Remember, practice what you are going to use in the game.

Man Up Ride

This occurs when you have a turnover and the other team gets the ball. They will try to clear out a certain area in which to run it out. However, we will try to prevent that by putting two attack players on the ball in an effort to give it up. We must have two middies up field, one in front of the cage, and one attackman on the opposite wing of the ball. Now, we have options, like a three-way bump.

The goal here is to get the ball out of the opposing midfielder’s hands. We don’t want this player to run the ball up the field. Instead, we want to force them into a cross-field pass. While the ball is in flight, we can then make the proper adjustments.

Don’t forget there could be a long pass by the defense all the way up the field to take time off the clock. Therefore, our defenders must be topside of their attackmen. If there’s a ground ball, they can beat the attackmen to the ball. However, if the ball is thrown into the air, we teach our defenders not to play the ball, but to play the man. If the ball gets to within five yards, our goalie will yell CHECK and now our defenders will play the attackman’s arms. You don’t want a shifty attacker to check the defenseman. Then they will have the advantage going the other way.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Extra Man Offense” featuring Don Zimmerman. Check out more offensive videos in our extensive lacrosse library.

Filed in Lacrosse • Tags: Don Zimmerman, Extra Man Offense, Inside the Crease, Lacrosse Instruction, Offensive Systems, UMBC

Chalk Talk: Formations and Strategies for the 2-3-1 Offense

By adam.warner - Last updated: Tuesday, November 1, 2011

Back in April, former Maryland head coach Dave Cottle took you through the 1-4-1 Zone Offense. In this week’s Chalk Talk feature, we’ll focus on the 2-3-1 Offense, an effective system that presents a number of problems for defenses and opens up a lot of possibilities for the offense. Follow along as Coach Cottle breaks down alignments, options, player roles, and demonstrates how to change formations.

Alignment and Ball Movement Within the 2-3-1 Offense

In the 2-3-1, two players will be up top, three wil be out in front of the goal, and one player will be behind the net. In this dodge-oritend offense, the first question we must ask ourselves is, “How will the defense slide to an out top dodge?” Well, if the defense is coming adjacent to an out top dodge, they might have three defenders up top versus our two players up top. That’s a win situation for us. So the key here is to try and dodge inside out and draw the adjacent slide.

Once we draw that slide, we will move the ball, whether it be one or two passes. Then, we are immediately attacking. Now there are two defenders on the left side of the field occupied by just one of our offensive players. Where the defense makes its next slide will determine who will be open on the backside.

When the ball gets moved from 6 to 2 and to 1, and the far side close defender crashes nearside, the far side top defenders might crash down low. We can now have the option for a skip to 5, or a pass to 4 down low. The basic spacing between players in this offense is very important to us. As a coach, it’s also vital to find out what the right relationship between players is.

**Key: Out of the 2-3-1, we will look to dodge from the wing or behind or out top. Essentially, we want to dodge, draw two defenders, and then attack.

Options Within the 2-3-1 Offense

There are a lot of options we can do within this offensive set: Roll off, pop off, carry, or follow to the outside.. For instance, we can roll off or pop off into a different formation (like to a 3-3), or even roll off or pop off into a 1-4. For more on these plays, read our feature from earlier this year breaking down the 1-4-1 offense.

In terms of a follow, this is when you throw the ball from out top to a wing and the player who made the pass will follow for a shot. It’s quite ideal for a great outside shooter, however, it’s not ideal for a player that doesn’t have an accurate outside shot as it disrupts your offense and allows the defense to pack it in tighter.

On a skip pass, it’s either a shot or down. Remember, never skip to a player who can’t shoot. This is why it’s key to get to know your players and what their strengths are.

Meanwhile, the 2-3-1 is a dodge-oriented offense. Therefore, we adjust our positioning as the ball is adjusted. Plus, if you are dangerous inside, it makes the defense collapse down, and this opens up chances on the outside.

**Ideal Scenario for the 2-3-1 Offense: 1 is a great feeder. 2 and 4 are great shooters. 5 and 6 are great dodgers. 3 is a great inside player.

On-Field Simulation: 2-3-1 Offense

We will start in a 1-4 and then change formations to a 2-3-1 and play on. Notice the following maneuver here as the crease pops off, leading into to a 2-3. In the 2-3 Freelance, we will start with a dodge out of this formation with 5 and come down the alley. He will then pass to 4, and on to 1, and back around to the other side. The important thing here is the spacing between the wings and the players up top.

The clips seen in this week’s Chalk Talk feature can be found on Championship Productions’ DVD “1-4-1 and 2-3-1 Adjustable Zone Offense.” To check out our entire offensive lacrosse catalog, click here.

Filed in Lacrosse • Tags: 1-4-1 Zone Offense, 2-3-1 Zone Offense, Dave Cottle, Inside the Crease, Offensive Systems

Winning with the Princeton Offense: “Chin”

By adam.warner - Last updated: Wednesday, October 5, 2011

The Princeton Offense is an effective style of play that enables coaches to maximize the abilities and scoring potential of their players. Overall, it’s a great equalizer and allows teams to dictate the tempo of a basketball game. In this week’s team development feature, learn about the keys to the offense, spacing concepts, and then get a basic overview of the “Chin” set. After getting an understanding of the system, look to add Chin to your playbook this season in order to throw a wrinkle at opponents.

Overview

If you have five players that can all pass, shoot and dribble the ball, the Princeton Offense allows you to dictate to the defense the things you want to do. The biggest X-factor is that you must have skilled players.

Keys to the Offense:

– Control Tempo

– Shot Selection. Emphasize layups first and then three pointers. Also focus on drives and kicks for threes or backdoor layups.

– Emphasize cutting and screening. Hard cuts allow you to do some of the same things as a screen. The cuts allow you to set a type of screen and gets teammates open for shots.

– Motion Concepts. You get better as the season progresses. You must totally commit to the offense for it to be effective.

– It’s a TEAM-BASED offense. It allows freedom, but if a guy makes a hard cut, he can score a layup at any given time.

Chalk Talk – Spacing

Spacing is the critical component of this offense. The ideal situation is to have the guards in the high slot area about 2-3 feet above the three-point line up top and at the elbows extended. Both forwards should start out at the free throw line-extended to start and beyond the three-point line. Then we have one pivot player. The rest of the players are interchangeable. This position is different than the rest, although some teams will even interchange all five spots.

Princeton Sets – Chin

This is the most basic play out of the Princeton Set. It begins with a dribble weave with the top right guard. He will then hand off to the forward on the wing. The pivot always starts on the ball-side block. After the hand off, the forward dribbles back up to the original guard spot up top.

While this is going on, we have an interchange on the weakside, and the forward and guard flip positions. After the interchange it tells the pivot what to do. The pivot will move up to the elbow area and now we have the forwards in the guard spots now and the guards in the forward spots. Next, there’s a pass between the two players up top.

The key to this offense is the forward to guard pass. We want to make this pass as quick as possible. If the defense denies, we’ll do a dribble at backdoor. Remember, any time someone dribbles at you, it’s an automatic backdoor. On this ball reversal to the left side, the opposite forward up top (on the right) must wait until the ball has left the hands of the other forward.

As soon as the ball is in the guard’s hands on the left side, the pivot will now come up and set a backscreen at the top of the arc; it’s like a weakside UCLA screen. The rightside forward will cut to the rim and sprint as hard as he can and then get out to the left corner.

We look to throw the ball there. If it’s not open, the pivot will then set another screen, this time a flare screen for the other forward on the top left. If the forward comes off the screen and doesn’t have anything, he will finish his cut to the rim. If there’s nothing there, then they will continue to the right corner.

If nothing is open altogether, then we start over, and the guards move back up top and the forward gets back to the wings and everything fills in. But now, the Pivot guy will start at the strongside elbow and set the opening screen and begins the play all over again.

Chin in Action

Remember, start the play with the dribble weave. The key here is how quickly the forward passes over to the guard on the wing. If the wing is denied, we dribble at them for a potential backdoor pass.

Also, make sure that your V-cuts are to the basket. We want to pull the defender away from where we want to go. We also want him to get up high and deny, so we must be patient. Also, the receiver should show a hand target on the backdoor. It’s also key to close the distance on the defender before making a hard cut backdoor.

Tips: When catching the ball, always land on two feet. Rip and sweep the ball. Be strong with the ball. Practice landing on two. Also, look to shoot layups as much as possible out of this set.

The previous clips can be seen on Championship Productions’ DVD “Winning with the Princeton Style Offense” with Lee DeForest. To check out more offense-oriented videos in our extensive basketball library, including new DVDs featuring Steve Fisher, Mike Jones, and Sean Miller, click here.