Transitioning from Fast Break into Ball Screen Offense

with Chris Casey,
Fairfield University Head Basketball Coach;
Fairfield Assistant Coach from 2019 to 2023;
Niagara Head Coach from 2013 to 2019;
LIU Post Head Coach from 2010 to 2013;
2011 East Coast Conference Tournament Champions;
2010 East Coast Conference Regular Season Champions;
2010 East Coast Conference Tournament Champions;
St. John’s Assistant Coach from 2006 to 2010;
played college basketball for Central Connecticut

In this detailed video, Fairfield’s Chris Casey breaks down how he is easily able to transition from his fast break to an organized ball screen offense. Many times in a game, teams will have to reset after their transition attempt to set up their offense.

In the age of the shot clock this can be a liability. Coach Casey breaks down not only his transition but more importantly how he uses 4 simple triggers from his transition to get his team flowing into his ball screen offense!

Preparing for High Paced, Full Court Basketball
Coach Casey begins the video talking about how the percentage of your shots decrease as the shot clock wears down. With this in mind, developing a fast break that flows into an offense is a must if you want to get the highest percentage shot. Casey gets the action on the court going with some high paced, full court passing drills. Getting your team's energy up to start practice helps prepare the players for playing this style of basketball. Casey talks about putting a clock to the drill to challenge the players as well as help them see their progress through time.

Ball Screen Offense Triggers
Coach then jumps into transitioning into his ball screen offense. Multiple layers are included in this section however they all lead seamlessly into his ball screen offense. His “Triggers” are the key to this concept. Four different triggers or entries are given, demonstrated and performed for the viewer.

Each of these different triggers creates great opportunities to score but also, as mentioned before, lead easily into the ball screen offense.

Some of the triggers include:

• A simple wing pass,
• A DHO entry and
• Using the trailer to quickly initiate the offense.

Coach Casey ends the ball screen offense/triggers section with an informative Q & A session. There are some good coaching gems here including more details on how he drives home the details of making his players gain proficiency all season long. Casey also details how he attacks traps on ball screens and how they play transition defense.

The natural flow from transition into the ball screen offense are the highlight of this video. The multiple options from each entry creates great looks for his team and can be extremely valuable for yours.

Having a plan ready to seamlessly move from your transition offense into your secondary break and then into your core offense is so valuable. Coach Casey’s excellent, detailed concepts are ready for you to employ with your team immediately!

72 minutes. 2024.