O3 is the inbounder and gets the ball out of the net quickly to get the ball inbounds before the defense can get their press set. Below I’ll tell you why you should use it and I’ll show you how it works. We will show a few options in the next section, but you can use your imagination to adjust the press breaker to fit the personnel on your team. However, shot selection is crucial when playing against full court pressure. DIAGRAM 10: Even. This basketball article diagrams and discusses break-down drills for teaching the full-court match-up press. 5 slips the screen looking for the long pass from 4. There is also ball pressure which is important to make the full court man press work. The ball-handler can simply read the centerfielder and pass the ball ahead. If you want to pass to the middle, fake a pass up the sideline, or vice versa. If you look at the diagram to the right, you'll notice the players “1 pass away” are in denial position. One simple habit to teach your inbounders is to run the baseline after a made basket by your opponent. 1 then comes back to the ball in the middle of the floor. Most full court presses leave a player, sometimes multiple players, open down the floor. It is critical for 1 to wait for 4 to curl to the middle before proceeding up the floor with the dribble so that 4’s defender isn’t as readily available to double-team. In fact, having a player start high and then break down the floor is more difficult to guard than simply stationing a player deep for the whole possession. Player 02 cuts toward the ball to the left corner and player 01 cuts opposite to the right corner. If the ball is reversed, players fill both sidelines and the middle. The offense counters by all four potential pass receivers walking their defenders as close to the baseline as possible. Diamond Press Initial Formation . Plus, you may not have enough skilled players to duplicate the opponent’s press. Teach your players that the goal of press offense is to SCORE! Both 2 and 3 initially set up close to the foul-line extended. Finding a good inbounder is sometimes difficult. If 1 is being three-quartered or played behind, 1 seals the defender and breaks to the ball. Once the ball is inbounded, all offensive players should have an advantage. Use a 1-2-2 setup (diagram A). This is used against a 2-1-2 press. This is a great way to alleviate pressure by forcing the defense to become less aggressive. There are many factors that go into winning and losing basketball games: However, at the high school level and below, I don’t think anything will lose a game faster or more frequently than a team’s inability to handle pressure. 1 breaks to the middle of the floor and 4 steps in. Second, your post player should be able to seal an opposing guard. Most 1-4 press breakers eventually send a player down the floor. DIAGRAM 1:When the opponent scores, 1 immediately grabs the ball and passes it in, hopefully before the opponent sets up its press. No spin dribbling! 1 must release down the floor and loop out to the wing spot. The 1-4 alignment eliminates that confusion because it can be used against any pressing defense. 5 empties to the opposite free-throw line area. You don’t want them crowding 1. 3 now takes 5’s press break responsibilities and vice versa. The 1-4 press break is one sound way of attacking man or zone full court pressure. Blocker-Mover Offense – Complete Coaching Guide, Read and React Offense – Complete Coaching Guide (20 Layers), How to Score Against the Pack Line Defense (7 Strategies), Swing Offense – Complete Coaching Guide (Includes Images), 1-4 Press Break to Score on Any Full-Court Defense, Can be Effective Against Man and Zone Presses, The Alignment Makes Denial More Difficult, Forces Opponent’s Post Players to Defend Full Court, your screeners MUST be ready to receive a pass after screening, How to Create a Youth Basketball Practice Plan, Parents: Please Stop Ruining Youth Sports, Zone Defense is Terrible for Youth Basketball, 21 Life Lessons Kids Learn Through Youth Sports, How to Win Every Youth Basketball Game (8 Terrible Tactics), 1-3-1 Zone Defense – Complete Coaching Guide. This is used against a hard wing trap and denial of the three immediate receivers. You now are back in your regular press-break alignment. This press breaker is usually effective and is simple to teach and execute. If the ball is inbounded to a good ball-handler, you can clear out of their way vs. a man-to-man defense. If limited on time, we will have the offense start the drill over as soon as they pass half-court. 3. By bringing all players up, it eliminates back side help, opening up potential deep passes if the defense denies. DIAGRAM 9: 21 flash. If you'd like to learn more about breaking pressure and see on-court demonstrations, we have a few DVDs that we recommend. Simultaneously, 5 screens up for 2, who cuts to the left-side wing. There are a few options if the offense gets to the middle and beats your press: 1. Another way to beat the press is to use the "secondary" fast break (see " Secondary Break "). DIAGRAM 6: ‘5 Entry.’ If 1, 2 and 3 are having problems getting open, 5 flashes hard to the ball-side elbow. Different scenarios force you to adjust your press breaker. As a coach, there’s nothing more frustrating than helplessly watching from the sidelines as your team commits countless turnovers when the other team extends its defense. Against man pressure, you probably want to set screens to help your players get open. 4 always is the inbounder. 5’s job is to go to the ball-side sideline whenever the ball is in one of the wings’ hands. Facing a full-court or half-court press usually is disconcerting for youth basketball players. Many man or zone presses attempt to bait the ball handler into dribbling before coming to trap. Part 3 - Additional Press Break Resources . This sounds simple, but it is harder to execute when facing a double-team. Skilled ball handlers may be able to pullback and attack the other direction off the dribble (“pullback and reattack”), but most players will want to beat the press with the pass. First see "Attacking the Full Court Press" for general pointers. In the diagrams below, notice how the offense maintains sideline, middle, reverse spacing. 3 is halfway between the elbow and the half-court line aligned with 1. Ball fakes can take some of the aggression out of a defense. If your alignment has players deep down the floor, the defense will be able to do this more effectively. Some coaches like the fifth player to be diagonal, while others prefer him or her to be deep. Full court presses are, by nature, aggressive defenses. This is the most important type of dribbling against trapping defenses. This shortens all passing options and creates even more space to operate. If the defense wants to jump out and switch on all screening actions, screening your own defender makes it difficult for them to do that. DIAGRAM 5: Wing zone. Some teams will let the ball handler start to dribble, then will leave from another player and trap. If 1 reads a soft 1-2-2 or 1-3-1 three-quarter or half-court press, morph the press break into a half-court trap offense by calling out “Even!” and having 3 fill the middle, 4 and 5 fill the wings and 1 and 2 fill the guard spots. The 1-2-1-1 press is a solid trapping defense that will give your team headaches in your backcourt. This is usually a good idea because two advantages could be created against a switching defense. If a player screens a teammate’s defender, he or she should pivot in a way that keeps the switching defender on their back. If the press is beaten in the front court, X1 and X2 can look to double the ball or get a tap from behind. Spin dribbling increases the effect of a surprise trap or a run-and-jump attack. Some pressing teams try to deny all inbound passes. From Brian Kissinger, East Valley High School, Spokane Valley, Washington, Installing the 1-3-1 extended zone defense, 2-2-1 Full Court Pressure System Playbook, Dribble Drive Motion Offense Breakdown Drills Playbook, Dayton Flyers Continuity Ball Screen Offense Playbook, Get the ball inbounds with the triple-option sideline play, Shaka Smart’s 3 best inbound plays from a box set. However, shot selection is crucial when playing against full court pressure. 3 now is being trapped. Check out the diagrams and options below to see if this type of attack will work for your team.​. Good players don’t mind being trapped because they know that traps create openings for the offense. But there are schemes you can incorporate to not only break the press but get easy baskets. If 1 does catch the ball in the middle, 1 attacks the press on the dribble, since 1 is the primary ball handler. If this is the case, your guard should not have trouble and it is better to give them space. Teach your players that the goal of press offense is to SCORE! 2 and 3 maintain their 15-18 feet of spacing from 1. 1 and 3 backdoor with 3 continuing all the way to the opposite free-throw line and 1 curling back to the middle of the floor. If 4 is being locked up in the press by the middle zone defender, the opposite wing (in this case 3), flashes from behind the defense into the open area to give the defense another look. X1 plays a centerfield-type role at half-court. ... First we start with 1-on-1, then 2-on-2, then progress to 3-on-3, 4-on-4 and finally the 5-on-5 match-up press. The first is to 1, which is the primary look against most presses. The second entry goes to one of the wings. Get the ball in quickly before the press is set defensively, then a good long pass up the sideline and you've got a lay-up. How to attack it . The 1-2-2 Full Court Zone Press is utilised by coaches in a number of situations and for a variety of reasons. For example, do you want your point guard to receive the first pass, or would you rather he or she attack up the floor on the second pass? If 1 is fronted, 1 simply walks the defender to the block, seals the defender and 4 lobs the ball over the defender provided there isn’t any backside help. Execute a pullback dribble by turning your shoulders so that the ball is behind you, putting your chin on your top shoulder so that you can see the floor, and taking big push steps back to create space. Interested in the print edition of Coach & Athletic Director? 4 always is the inbounder. By emphasizing the proper skills, mindset, and alignments, you can prepare your team to excel in these high-pressure moments. This is because it is very difficult for the defense to put two players on the ball while still covering sideline, middle, and reverse options. This type of screen can free a teammate to receive the ball. 2 is in the same position as 3 on the other side of the ball. DIAGRAM 1: Alignment for press break. This avoids the risk of an over-and-back violation. Meanwhile, 4 steps in and 2 holds position at the opposite wing. Read the information on full court defense. First, your point guard will usually be quicker than the opposing post player. Consider the best way to use your personnel. If you're facing a full-court man-to-man press that is denying the inbounds, you'll want your outside players to break down the court as shown in the diagram below. Emphasize vision in practice and reinforce it through the use of film so that your players learn the importance of seeing what options are available. Think of the court in four sections. This is a crucial part of attacking man or zone presses that like to trap. The alignment of all five players in this press break provides good spacing and is consistent with their positions in our numbered fast break. This gives an additional look up the floor, occupies one of the defenders in the back of the press and opens up the back side of the press. DIAGRAM 7: Box. Emphasize both an attacking mindset and good shot selection. DIAGRAM 4: ‘Wing clear.‘ If 3 catches the ball (as in the diagram), 5 goes to the ball-side sideline in the back court. 4 passes to 3. Use the 1-4 Press Break to Beat Any Pressure Defense! Defensive side post stays just past half court as safety valve. If 3 reads man press, 3 yells “Clear!” and 1, 2, 4 and 5 clear down the floor keeping vision with the ball. Against a team that changes defenses, you don’t want your players looking to the sideline waiting for a play call. Setup: It's a 1-3-1 shallow look. This press breaker is usually very effective and is simple to teach and execute. Again, players can be positioned however suits your team, but notice one important detail in the diagram: Player 5, typically a post player, sets the second screen for Player 1, the point guard. 5. This is where the pullback dribble is necessary. If you run a three-guard system, 1, 2 and 3 are all guards. Talk to 1 about not dancing and moving a lot to get open. 1. Your first priority should be attacking the press for a layup. One of the keys to breaking a press is to teach players to beat traps, reverse the scenario and attack the defense where it is weak. Each of these elements is crucial – without one, the other two are not nearly as effective. There are two ways of playing the inbounds pass. DIAGRAM 8: Loop out & fill. In practice, work on press breakers more in 5-on-0 rather than 5-on-5. All rights reserved. Zone presses tend to have all five defenders on the ball side of the floor, so if 4 does receive the pass from 1, both wings should cut and 4 reads which one is open since the press defenders will not have committed to one side of the floor. 2 flashes hard to the area 1 has vacated, gets the ball from 3 and immediately passes to the back side to 1. I use this press break to attack the 1-2-1-1 full-court zone press. This alignment can be effective against any of these looks. Once 1 reads it is a man press, 1 yells “Clear!” and 2, 3 and 4 clear down the court keeping vision with the ball. This alignment is used against all types of full-court pressure. 5. From there, the offense tries to break the press and score. They need to find open spots along the sidelines to receive passes and then move up the court. If your press offense only creates quick long-range jump shots, you are probably playing right into the hands of the defense. As a ball handler uses a pullback dribble, his or her teammates should come back to the ball to shorten the pass. This shortens a potential pass to the opposite side. Post on offensive end breaks to near post. The only difference is the distance is much Two are at half court, near the sidelines. Often they are caught off guard by the press and feel vulnerable when the defense tries to force turnovers. The 3-1-1 zone press features three defenders across the free throw line area, one just beyond the 3-point line in the center, and one down-court in "prevent" (see Diagram A). This look is good for teams that negate your screening actions with effective switching. Any time there is a trap, you want (1) sideline, (2) middle, and (3) reverse options. In the diagrams below, the defense is in a full court man-to-man face-guarding defense with the inbounder’s defender playing “centerfield.”. Backside guard breaks to bucket on backside. X2 and X3 are on the side. There are five main coaching points to consider with these press breakers. a normal half court man to man defense. DIAGRAM 2:As soon as 1 has secured the ball and is ready to make the inbound … Jumpy defenders can be moved and manipulated with clever ball fakes. Against man pressure, emphasize to the guards to stay in the middle of the floor as they bring the ball up the court. This causes 1’s defender to follow. If 1 or 3 are not open, 5 gets the ball back to 4 and widens out to the wing spot vacated by 3. One of the most important jobs a basketball coach has is to equip players with the skills, mindset, and alignments needed to attack pressure. This is because many pressing defenses will switch all screens. Once again, 5’s job is to go to the ball-side sideline whenever the ball is in a wing’s hands (once the ball goes from the wing back to 4, 5 slants down the middle of the floor from his ball-side sideline backcourt position to the opposite foul-line area). 3 always is on the right side as your team heads down the floor, with 2 always on the left. 1 stays at the usual ball-side elbow. The players “2 passes away” are in help position sagging off their man. © 2021 Great American Media Services & Winning Hoops. This press could be the opponent's primary press, or could be an "adjustment" after you have beaten their press … You can vary the press between full-court denial, full-court, or 3/4 court (or anything else you think of) to adjust to the types of pressure you will face. Assuming the ball was not immediately thrown to one of the outside players, you'll want Player 1 and Player 2 to set screens for each other trying to get open. They may also be required to set quick screens to break a man-to-man press so the one man can dribble the ball up the court. Some defenses will not trap, instead choosing to pressure the ball handler 1-on-1. If you are content with simply getting the ball across half court and running offense each possession, there is no risk for the defense and they will just press more aggressively. Without taking too much time from your limited practice time, here is one way for youth teams to break a full court press. How to Beat a Full Court Zone Press 2-2-1 This is a simple and effective press break to use against 2-2-1. Realize that the weakness of the 1-2-1-1 full-court press is up the sideline at mid-court. 3 must read whether the press is man or zone. It takes advantage of the fact that most youth players cannot throw cross court passes. If playback doesn't begin shortly, try restarting your device. However, you must create space to make those passes. This player should be big enough to see over pressing guards who contest the inbounds pass. This still allows your team to hunt layups after it breaks the press. If 3 reads zone press, 3 calls “Zone!” and 1 stays in the middle trying to get the ball from 3, 4 or 2 as those players reverse or skip the ball to one another. Once across half court line dribble to draw coverage and then dish to players breaking to bucket. 4. There are three basic entries out of this press breaker. They also need to make extensive use of the crossover, pullback and hesitation dribble. The Diamond press is one of the most effective full-court presses at the youth level. Will your players be intimidated, or will they feel prepared to attack the defense for layups on the other end? Teach 1 to get a good seal and try not to catch the ball below the block, much like you would teach a low-post player when discussing half-court offense.