Structures and Strategies- Basketball Key Concept 2- Identification of strengths and weaknesses in performance in terms of: roles and relationships; formations; tactical and design elements Fast Break

Aims   To win the ball in defence   Transfer ball up the court as quickly as possible   Support the player with the ball   Score before the defence has time to set up Success Criteria   Pressure Defence/Block Out/Rebound   Quick Outlet to side (protect the ball)   Dribble up middle of court   Fill the lanes, supporting the ball handler, balance on court   Decision making – draw defender if necessary   High percentage shots – lay-up where possible

Fast Break- The Stages Initiation Stage   Win the ball   First pass to initiate the move (‘outlet’ pass) Transition Stage   Passing the ball up the court   Dribble up middle of court   Support ball – ‘fill the lanes’ Shooting Stage   Decision making- best option available? Basic principle of a fast break is to beat your opponents up the court on offence. ‘Overload’ more attackers than defenders.

Initiation Stage- Boxing out/Rebounding To emphasise the importance of the initiation stage of the fast break good pressure defence should be stressed. Blocking Out and Rebounding are two important components of this: Blocking out (Boxing Out)   This is gaining an advantageous position by getting between opponent and the backboard when the shot is taken   Watch the opponent’s centre of gravity   Pivot into the path with knees bent   Keep wide stance, with arms up and elbows bent so that the hands are above head height   Only when the opponent is blocked out should the defender look for the ball Rebounding   This is jumping to gather the ball from a missed shot   Timing is critical; players frequently jump too early to gather a rebound.

Roles and Relationships Order of Importance GuardsForwardsCentres Dribbling Passing Shooting Rebounding Shooting Rebounding Passing Dribbling Rebounding Shooting Passing Dribbling In every team it is important to understand what your individual responsibilities are within the team and how your role relates to your team mates. You should understand not only your role, but that of others also. Attacking Responsibilities in Basketball:

Roles and Responsibilities- All 3 players have a different role to play in order to work effectively as a team. The success of the strategy depends on how well the team operates as a unit. Guards Break to the side of the court to provide width and therefore space for the outlet pass. Look to transfer the ball up the court as quickly as possible by passing to players ahead of the ball. If no pass is on dribble down the middle of the court, providing the option of passing to either side. Shoot the ball if the opportunity arises. Forwards Break up the court ahead of the ball providing depth to the attack. Provide support to the guard on either side of the court giving width and the opportunity for a pass. Shoot the ball with a lay up if possible. If no shot is on look for a pass to a trail player. Centres Block out at the rebound making it easier to win the ball. Initiate the attack by winning the rebound and delivering an outlet pass to the side of the court. Follow the ball up the court as a trail player, providing support and depth to the attack allowing the opportunity for a pass or shot

Player Qualities Guards   Vision to see passes. Excellent movement anticipation   Accuracy so players receive passes and possession is not lost   Control in the dribble to transfer the ball up the court at pace   A fast change of space to beat defenders Forwards   Speed to get up the court ahead of the ball   Awareness to know where the opposition are   Good decision making to choose the correct option   Accuracy in shooting to ensure a high success rate Centres   A combination of height and a powerful vertical jump to beat opposing players to rebounds   Strength to hold off opponents under the basket (Box out)   Determination to win rebounds   Speed to chase the ball up the court All players require good CRE to sustain the strategy over a period of time in a game

Teamwork Co-operation   To support and stimulate each other   To apply the strategy at the appropriate time   Players linking together Centre/Guard: Outlet pass Guard/Forward:Transition Forward/Centre:Trail player Communication   Verbal signal- call is given to provide information on where a player is running   Visual signal- showing a hand to say to the player on the ball where you want the pass   Body positioning- moving into space to indicate where you want the pass Teamwork will always rely on individual player qualities as well as being able to work together

Principles of Play Width in Attack   Players breaking to the side during a rebound creating the opportunity for an outlet pass from the rebounder.   Supporting the ball handler down both sides of the court giving the ball handler options of who to pass to. Width in attack pulls defenders out of central positions therefore creating space for other players to run into. Depth in Attack   Running ahead of the ball allowing fast passes down the court, penetrating the opponents defence.   A trail player running up the court behind the ball supporting the play. Mobility Ideally, all players will be in the correct position to initiate the fast break when the defensive rebound is won. However, there will be occasions when this is not possible due to the unpredictable nature of team games. If players can interchange position and fulfil a variety of attacking roles comfortably then they will be a more difficult team to defend against.

Other considerations Support   Giving the player on the ball the opportunity to pass if they decide this is the correct option Structure   This is the shape of the team within the strategy and having players in particular positions in order to utilise their strengths e.g. Tall, strong players close to the basket to rebound, fast and agile players ready to break up court, players with good dribbling skills, decision making and movement anticipation ready to receive the outlet pass who will choose the correct option to pass or dribble Rhythm   A continuous, smooth attack allowing a quick transition of the ball from defence to offence. This is achieved by players selecting the correct options, accurate passing at speed, controlled dribbling at speed and players having awareness of what other players are doing. Awareness   Rebounders need to be aware of players breaking into wide positions. Ball handlers need to be aware of players breaking ahead and of supporting players filling the lanes. Having transferred the ball up the court, players need to be aware of supporting players running behind hem from deep positions. All players need to be aware of defenders movements to ensure correct decisions are made.

Other considerations continued Timing   Timing of the pass. It should be given immediately the option is available enabling the ball to be transferred up the court quicker. This will make it very difficult for the opposition to regroup and recover.   The pass may have to be delayed if a defender is covering the outlet pass   The ball handler may have to draw a defender towards them before releasing the pass. Timing is crucial here so as to prevent an interception or the breakdown of the fast break. Balance   The offence will be balanced if there are supporting players filling the lanes down both sides of the ball handler. Options   Making the correct decision will enable the strategy to be effective. Taking the wrong option could result in a loss of possession, losing the opportunity to score or breaking up the rhythm of the strategy. Overload   Having more attackers than defenders. This is created by the speed of the attack not allowing the opponents time to recover in defence. A 2v1 or 3v2 should allow the attackers to pass to free players in space who have time to shoot. Creating Space   Space is created for a pass by players breaking wide at a rebound away from the crowded area in front of the basket. A ball handler can create space for team- mates by drawing a defender towards them before releasing the pass

Tasks Task 1(4 marks)   Describe the strategy of the fastbreak. (Use of diagrams may help.) Task 2(6 marks)   Explain in detail the importance of the different roles and relationships involved when applying the fastbreak strategy.