Matt Painter: Using the 3-Point Shot to Score

with Matt Painter,
Purdue University Head Men's Coach;
2024 Big Ten Regular Season Champions;
2x AP Big Ten Coach of the Year (2023, 2024);
2023 Big Ten Tournament Champions;
2023 AP Co-Big Ten Coach of the Year;
2022 Indiana Basketball Hall of Fame;
2019 NABC National Coach of the Year;
2019 Elite Eight;
4x Big Ten Coach of the Year (2008, 2010, 2011, 2019);
5x Big Ten Regular Season Champions (2010, 2017, 2019, 2023, 2024);
2009 Big Ten Tournament Champions;
2009 US U19 National Team Assistant Coach (Gold medal);
Purdue University Associate Head Coach from 2004 to 2005;
Southern Illinois Head Coach from 2003 to 2004;
2004 MVC Regular Season Champions;
2004 MVC Coach of the Year;
Southern Illinois Assistant Coach from 1998 to 2003;
Eastern Illinois Assistant Coach from 1995 to 1998;
Barton College Assistant Coach from 1994 to 1995;
Washington & Jefferson Assistant Coach from 1993 to 1994;
played college basketball for Purdue from 1989 to 1993 (guard)

Developing a balanced offensive attack that is designed to score consistently is a challenge that plagues every coach. Purdue head coach Matt Painter uses the on-court demonstration in this video to discuss his approach to offensive basketball, how he utilizes the post-up in his motion offense attack, and set actions, that can get easy baskets when necessary.

Offensive Approach

Coach Painter's success in back-to-back seasons is in large part due to players with high assist-to-turnover ratios, multiple players with 100 made 3-pointers in a single season, and record-setting offense for the Big Ten Conference. The mindset that is center to all of that is being "patiently aggressive." Coach Painter uses this term with his players to describe how he wants to push the tempo, but not so much that they are impatient. Looking for easy shots in transition and open shot opportunities defines this approach.

Painter discusses how he attacks with "numbers and angles" and by getting paint touches. By attacking in transition, Purdue looks to get easy baskets against an outnumbered defense. Drives, deep post-ups, offensive rebounds, and cuts to the rim are used to get paint touches. Both approaches allow for open looks from the 3-point line, which leads to a higher percentage of made threes.

Finally, Coach Painter explains why coaches need to chart how their team makes 3-point shots. He advices that you go back and look at where your 3-point shots come from and what kinds of actions are leading to them. Once this data is compiled, you can start to build drills that incorporate the 3-point shot off of the relevant actions and spots you've charted.

Posting Rules

As part of Purdue's inside-out motion offense attack, Painter demonstrates his rules for when the ball is posted. From a 4-out/1-in alignment, the use of getting the low post ball-side as a means of flattening the defense is explained. Also discussed his how the offense dives non-shooters going to the basket.

On the pass to the low post, a dive takes place. If the posted big gets the ball and is guarded 1-on-1, they are advised to shoot. Meanwhile, the perimeter player making the pass spots up in the corner while the dive man presents himself for a possible pass out of a double team.

Another option on a post entry is the use of a second diver. Typically, this is a guard who is not a very good shooter. The second diver will go through and exit opposite the posted big with the ball. This action sets up the possibility of an isolation for a post player capable of scoring on the low block.

Set Plays

Known for running inventive sets that can get open looks in the low post and 3-point shots, Coach Painter shows some of his best post-up plays and sets that can get open 3-point looks. He uses his team's motion offense as the basis for these plays. One series demonstrated to get the ball into the post is the Pro Cut series. With multiple ways to get the ball to perimeter players, the ball can be posted to a big who is being guarded 1-on-1 in the low post.

Additionally, Painter discusses how he utilizes his coaching staff. Using his three assistant coaches, he assigns one to the offense, one to the defense, and one to personnel. Whenever Coach Painter needs information, the assigned assistant coach gives him the information that he needs.

With the 3-point shot becoming more and more valuable in today's game, it's essential to provide your team with opportunities to get quality looks from downtown. This video will allow you to learn concepts from one of the best in the college game at blending a strong post presence with quality perimeter play.

74 minutes. 2019.