Positionless Fast Break

with Jake Erbentraut,
Wilmot-Union High School (WI) Head Coach;
fastest coach to 100 wins in Wilmot High School history

The game of basketball is changing at all levels! From the professional ranks all the way down to the high school and youth levels, more and more teams are choosing a "positionless" approach. Front court players need the skills of guards and guards need the skills of front court players.

Coach Jake Erbentraut runs an innovative system of concepts and roles that have made his team one of the highest scoring and most successful in their division. In this video, Coach Erbentraut takes you through his positionless fast break offense. You'll see:

• Game film of the offense at work
• Breakdowns of roles and concepts
• Plenty of drills to implement this style of play right away

Introduction and Rationale

Before any smart coach implements a new offense, they need to know the benefits and rationale for switching to something different. Erbentraut discusses why his program went to this style of play, the benefits and drawbacks to the system, and why it has been so successful for his team.

The numbers 70, 4, and 8 are explained as numbers that have tipped his teams toward success. This system will get you buckets, and 70 points per game has been the tipping point for Coach Erbentraut's teams in turning a corner in the win/loss columns. The numbers 4 and 8 are ideal time frames for pushing the ball and scoring in transition before the defense can set up. Different shots are outlined as the main looks that will occur within this fast-paced offense.

Next, Coach Erbentraut outlines the offense and the roles and responsibilities. On the floor at any given time, a player could be a "pusher," "outletter," or "sprinter." Each role is presented in detail, in addition to having a permanent pusher or outletter if you have players who excel at those roles.

Concepts and Scenarios

The drag screen option is presented for teams that may benefit from running a ball screen in transition and in a way that flows within the concepts of the system. The concepts for running lanes and how different spots can be filled by players regardless of size or traditional "position" are outlined as well.

Once the ball is secured by a rebound or steal, players make a read down the floor and assume the roles and lanes described earlier. Coach Erbentraut also briefly goes over how the offense can flow in zone offense and how it can be used as a press offense.

If certain players would be better suited sticking to a certain role, like pusher or outletter, Coach Erbentraut talks about how this would still work within the flow of the offense.

Drills and Game Tape

To complete the package, Coach Erbentraut shows multiple drills to help with implementing and acquiring the skills needed to run this positionless fast break. You will get 12 drills that will help your players learn the reads and speed to be efficient within the break. From outlet drills to 5-on-0, you will get a little bit of everything. The Quick Strike Drill will ensure your players understand the importance of scoring quickly in transition and is a great complement to 5-on-5 scrimmage drills.

Rounding out the video, Erbentraut goes through game clips to highlight the offense and give a better understanding of it as a whole. This is a valuable addition to the video that will help you visualize what it could look like with your own team.

Coach Erbentraut knows how to play fast. This quick style of play will keep all of your opponents on their toes. This video will help take your team to the next level and always win the transition battle!

79 minutes. 2021.