Quick Hitters vs. Man & Zone + Special Situations

with Jeff Walz,
University of Louisville Head Women's Coach;
2018 Final Four; 2x NCAA National Championship Runner-up (2009, 2013);
2018 ACC Coach of the Year;
2019 USA Women's Basketball U19 World Cup Team Head Coach (Gold medal);
2019 USA Basketball National Coach of the Year co-recipient;
2006 NCAA Championship (Maryland/Assistant Coach);
2008 WBCA Maggie Dixon Rookie Coach of the Year Award

Little things win championships. From everyday preparation, to knowing the rules and how to make them work in your favor, to having a loaded arsenal of flexible, quick-hitting set plays that work against either man-to-man or zone defense, are all the types of things that win those "little battles" that take place during every game.

Jeff Walz, one of the most highly acclaimed college basketball women's coaches in the game today, shares his favorite offensive plays - including quick-hitters versus man or zone defense, and special situation plays that have served as key difference-makers in tight games over the years.

Quick Hitters vs Zone Defense

A good zone defense can disrupt your offense and limit your high-percentage shot opportunities. Walz demonstrates two highly effective quick-hitter and third counter-play to use against a 2-3 zone to create advantageous situations in either the blocks or open up a good look at a perimeter three. The counter play works by creating a 1-on-1 opportunity for a stretch 4 to attack the rim.

Jeff Walz, one of the most highly acclaimed college basketball women's coaches in the game today, shares his favorite offensive plays - including quick-hitters versus man or zone defense, and special situation plays that have served as key difference-makers in tight games over the years.

Quick Hitters vs Man-To-Man Defense

With so many options to use against a man-to-man defense, having a few set plays that create misdirection - using the same alignment, yet throwing different actions into the mix for each, can confuse the defense and lead to quick-hitting scoring opportunities.

Walz outlines highly effective box set plays to run versus man-to-man defense, all using similar action, but each one containing a different twist that keeps the defense off-balance and guessing. These four plays include: "LA'' which utilizes player 3 to set a back screen for 5 to look for a scoring opportunity on the block. The play "Continuation" uses the same action as "LA," but creates misdirection by utilizing a ball screen from 4 to create a mismatch on the post. Plus, other options that offer excellent actions if you need a bucket late in a game or want to set the tone early.

Special Situation Plays

Every team has struggled to get the ball in versus a tough pressing defense at some point and time. In this video, Walz outlines the inside secrets to executing a simple and easy trick during inbound situations that your team can use to gain an advantage and execute an effective press breaker.

Known as an excellent teacher of the game and a winning coach who understands how to use little details to his advantage, Walz offers viewers unique coaching insight on the incredible value there is to spending practice time on special situations and quick hitters.

70 minutes. 2022.