David Arseneault, Jr.: The 'Grinnell Fast Break' Offense

with Dave Arseneault, Jr., 
Grinnell College Head Coach;
2024 Midwest Conference Coach of the Year;
Reno Bighorns (NBA G-League) Head Coach from 2014 to 2016;
2015 NBA D-League Pacific Division Champions;
played college basketball for Grinnell College;
played for Dave Arseneault (his father) – innovator of the ‘Grinnell System’;
NCAA Division III All-Time Career Leader in Assists Per Game (9.4)

For anyone who has ever wanted to get their team to play at a breakneck pace and score points at will, Coach Dave Arseneault, Jr., unlocks the secrets of the Grinnell College fast break offense that has consistently led to Grinnell leading the nation in scoring. Arseneault’s unique approach to the fast break helped Grinnell average 109.7 points per game during the 2023-2024 season as they tied the school record for wins.

Shot Selection
The philosophy of Coach Arseneault’s offense is to get shots within the first 12 seconds. The premise is to get shots in transition before the other team can get set, especially after the other team scores. To make this work, shot quality has to be established.

To Arseneault, his definition of the best shots are as follows:

• Shots at the rim.
• Inside-out threes.
• Lateral pass for a three.
• Any shot after 12 seconds.

When the shot goes up, everyone except the shooter is expected to go after a possible rebound while the shooter rotates to the top of the key for another shot if the ball is rebounded and passed out to him. Arseneault also provides a rebounding tip having the rebounder wedge anyone underneath the basket if they are being blocked out.

‘Pecking Order’ and Options
Because the fast break offense can devolve into an equal-opportunity offense, a ‘pecking order’ needs to be established to get the best players the most shots. Even with optimal fast break organization, the establishment of a ‘pecking order’ to determine who is the best playmaker within a group needs to be put in place.

The break’s main structure can be adjusted depending on whether the rim runner is or is not a shooter. If the rim runner is a shooter, he touches the sideline and gets down to the left corner. If he is not a shooter, he will run to the rim after touching the sideline.

The options on the break are based around getting open threes in transition either by the point guard pitching the ball ahead or having the point guard attack the rim to either get a lay-up or an inside-out three. The inside-out three can either be for the trailer on the break or to a wing.

If the break does not produce a transition three or a driving opportunity, the break goes into “swing-swing” action. The ball is moved from side to side until it gets into the hands of the best playmaker. From there, the playmaker looks to make a play.

Adjustments to the Break
There are situations where the break does not always happen as designed. Despite this, the break is the same whether the ball was obtained on a made shot or a missed shot.

There are also instances where three players end up running on the same side on a missed shot and rebound. To remedy this, three players that are running on the same side must fill the dunker spot, corner, and wing.

Above all else, Coach Arseneault instills that players must have the attitude of committing to run. To achieve this, he coaches his team as if they are down eight points with a minute remaining in the game.

Features and Benefits:
By the end of this video - Coach Arseneault will teach you how to:

• Create a fast-paced, multiple-option offense that gets high-percentage shots.
• Establish a “pecking order” that allows your best players to get the most shots.
• Run a fast break with organization and rules regardless of a made or missed shot.

Good luck and enjoy!

43 minutes. 2024.