Sean Sweeney: Special Situations Strategies & Secrets - Execution Under Pressure!

with Sean Sweeney,
San Antonio Spurs (NBA) Associate Head Coach;
Dallas Mavericks (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2021 to 2025;
Detroit Pistons (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2018 to 2021;
Milwaukee Bucks (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2014 to 2018;
Brooklyn Nets (NBA) Assistant Coach from 2013 to 2014;
New Jersey Nets (NBA) Video Coordinator from 2011 to 2013;
Northern Iowa Video Coordinator from 2010 to 2011;
Academy of Art University Assistant Coach from 2010 to 2011;
University of Evansville Director of Basketball Operations from 2007 to 2009;
Played college basketball at St. Thomas (MN)

The great Hubie Brown once said, ‘The notoriety of the coach is directly proportional to his team’s ability to execute under pressure.’ In this video, Dallas Mavericks’ Sean Sweeney shows you the strategies and fundamentals your players need to be successful in the most stressful late games situations.

Learn how the Mavericks determine strategy ‘in the clutch’ by identifying critical factors to special situations. Coach Sweeney describes each factor and provides examples of their impact on the outcome of the game. 

Creating Opportunities Late In Games

Coach Sweeney also shares his four key success indicators for late-game situations and how your team can improve in each area to maximize your chances for victory. 

The ability to steal a basket late in the game can be a huge advantage. Coach Sweeney breaks down how you can create these opportunities through transition offense. With his ‘5-on-4 Transition Drill,’ you will see how a great fast break forces an opponent into cross-matches and how you can exploit these advantages. This drill is also a fantastic way to build your transition defense.

In addition, Coach Sweeney also shares effective principles for getting back on defense.

Shooting, Finishing & Ball Handling While Under PressureHaving fundamentally sound players who are ready to excel in the clutch is more important than any X’s and O’s you can draw up. Coach Sweeney provides multiple drills that can be used to develop shooting, ball handling, passing, basketball IQ, and individual defense under pressure.  

Coach Sweeney shares three drills used by the Dallas Mavericks to improve shooting and finishing. ‘Rapid-Fire Shooting,’ prepare your players to shoot while fighting through fatigue.

The ‘Multi-Shot Drill’ trains players to shoot while executing seven different game-like movements. The ‘Short-Corner-Sweeps Drill’ helps your post players finish from the dunker spot by improving the efficiency of their foot organization on the flight of the pass. 

The impact of a turnover late in the game when you only have a few possessions remaining is significantly magnified. Coach Sweeney shows three drills that help your players improve their dribbling and passing to better handle pressure.

The ‘3-On-2 Dribble-Trap Drill teaches your players critical fundamentals for getting open and passing against full court presses.

When the opponent survives a few of your best quick hitters, can your team still make a play? 

Coach Sweeney showcases how the Dallas Mavericks practice their offensive principles through 2-player and 3-player drills. In these drills, you’ll learn important details for reading the position of defenders, attacking closeouts, angling drives and more so that you can put opposing teams ‘in a blender’ with a drive-and-kick offense.Getting Stops, End-of-Game Strategies

The best team defenses know there is a system of help to support each other but are individually capable of not requiring that help in the first place. Coach Sweeney shows how to prepare your defenders for getting a stop when it matters most by challenging them with the most difficult 1-on-1 and closeout situations. One example is demonstrated that also teaches the ‘slide-and-chest’ technique used in on-ball defense.

Knowing what plays and tactics to draw up is another important edge that coaches should strive to have developed and ready. 

Do you have a comeback game plan? Coach Sweeney offers two quick hitters that can be used to score fast when time is running out.

You will also learn how to modify your block-out strategy for free throws based on the score and time remaining. 

In addition, Coach Sweeney also provides three game-winning, sideline inbound plays to score against switching defenses. These plays are designed to take advantage of switches or attempt to confuse an opponent so you can score at the rim or create an open 3-point opportunity.

This is a must-see instructional video that is applicable to coaches of all levels of competition. Coach Sweeney will help you refine your game plan and strengthen your players’ fundamentals, so your team is ready to shine in the big moments of your next close game!

70 minutes. 2023.