Lon Kruger: Scoring Against Man-to-Man and Zone Defenses

with Lon Kruger,
University of Oklahoma Head Coach from 2011 to 2021;
2024 Joe Lapchick Character Award;
2022 NABC Court of Honor Award;
2019 John R. Wooden Legends of Coaching Award;
2x NCAA Final Four (1994 - Florida, 2016 - Oklahoma);
2014 Big 12 Coach of the Year;
2008 MVC Coach of the Year;
2x SEC Coach of the Year;
The first Division I coach to take five different schools (Florida, Illinois, Oklahoma, Kansas State & UNLV) to the NCAA Tournament ;
Atlanta Hawks (NBA) Head Coach from 2000 to 2003;
as a player (Kansas State), was 2x Big Eight Player of the Year

A success with every college basketball program he has ever coached, University of Oklahoma head coach Lon Kruger uses this on-court demonstration to discuss his approach to offensive basketball and the fundamentals required for successful execution.

Coach Kruger shows the 3-on-0, 5-on-0, 3-on-3 and 5-on-5 drills that he uses with his team to teach the fundamentals of spacing, moving without the basketball, passing, on- and off-ball screening, and reading the defense. The details he covers can be useful from the professional level all the way down to youth teams.

3-on-0 and 5-on-0 Drills

Coach Kruger begins teaching offensive concepts with his 3-on-0 drill. The drill incorporates making passes with the outside hand, v-cuts, and balancing the floor with the dribble. Going at game speed and simulating game situations, this drill is designed to emphasize proper execution of fundamentals in half-court offense.

As a change of pace, the v-cut is replaced by the back cut, but the drill continues with many of the same elements as before. Working to the right and to the left, the basic elements of Coach Kruger's offense are emphasized and taught with the additional wrinkle.

Using a 5-on-0 transition drill, Coach Kruger teaches the spacing and different options of his transition attack. He teaches players how to run the floor by getting them into the right spots in the half court. With a full understanding of these spots, players can then successfully execute Coach Kruger's transition offense. He also discusses how to adapt this system to different types of skill sets, and shows several different options that his teams have used over the years.

Many of the concepts that were taught in the 3-on-0 drill are used in secondary break offense. Added into transition offense is the ball screen with the trailer screening for the posted big, who then comes out to set the ball screen at the wing.

Breakdown of the Ball Screen

Coach Kruger places an emphasis on proper timing, screening angles based on the player's abilities, and the execution of popping or rolling by the post player setting the ball screen.

For the guards, the skills vary and Coach Kruger teaches the importance of proper execution of screening angles by the on-ball screener. For players who can drive, he emphasizes setting the screen more inside the 3-point line. For those who are better shooters, setting the screen more above the 3-point line is recommended.

For post players setting the ball screen, Coach Kruger works to the strength of the player once again. Better shooters are given the freedom to step out behind the 3-point line and shoot the basketball, while those who are better inside players are taught to roll to the basket and look for the ball.

Offense Against Zone Defenses

Coach Kruger demonstrates concepts that are tried and true in breaking the 2-3 defense. Starting with a 1-3-1 look, the concepts of ball fakes, dribble penetration of the gaps, and misdirection are discussed and demonstrated.

Added to the 2-3 zone attack is the angled ball screen. By being able to distort the zone using the ball screen, defensive players in the zone get moved out of position or face giving up an open shot to the liking of the offense.

Also demonstrated are ways to attack the 1-3-1 zone, 1-3-1 half-court trap, and 1-2-2 zone. Using skip passes and many of the same offensive concepts presented against the 2-3 zone, Coach Kruger demonstrates an effective attack that can be used to get ideal shots.

In this video, Coach Kruger gives you everything you need to install and teach your own offensive attack in practice. You will learn how to teach every detail of a simple, yet difficult-to-defend offense that will help your team light up the scoreboard.

Produced at the Spring 2016 Myrtle Beach (SC) clinic.

65 minutes. 2016.