Mater Dei Catholic Basketball
COACHES ORIENTATION
What Makes Us Unique. Strategy and tactics. The why and the what.
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Part 1 of 5
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE
What we do, why we do it, and how it helps us win.
1.1Section
Purpose
We all know basketball.But what gives us the best chance to win?We’re defining that.
1.2Section
Format
Mindset.Defense.Offense.
Part 2 of 5
MINDSET
We find our advantages.We prepare to win our league.We make opponents deal with what we do well.We focus on ourselves.
2.1Section
Unique for a Reason
We make opponents prepare for us.That takes up their practice time.
Next
- 2.1.1Cutting Edge
- 2.1.2How Underdogs Win
2.1.1Topic
Cutting Edge
We explore ideas and push at the edges of convention.
2.1.2Topic
How Underdogs Win
Be different.Execute like a machine.Don’t get pulled into one-on-one battles.
2.2Section
The Best Team Should Win
What makes a good team?Roles.Effort.Communication.
Next
- 2.2.1Together
- 2.2.2W.I.N.
- 2.2.3Do Your Job
- 2.2.4Multiple Efforts
2.2.1Topic
Together
We give ourselves a chance against bigger, faster, more skilled players by playing better together.
2.2.2Topic
W.I.N.
What’s Important Now.
2.2.3Topic
Do Your Job
Do the right thing.At the right time.Every time.
2.2.4Topic
Multiple Efforts
We give the second and third effort it takes to finish the play.
2.3Section
Talking
We must define the words and when to say them.Telling a player to “talk” is like telling him to “play” without giving him a play.
Next
- 2.3.1Vocabulary
- 2.3.2What to Say and When
2.3.1Topic
Vocabulary
Project The words we use, defined.
2.3.2Topic
What to Say and When
Project The specific calls, and the moment each one is made.
2.4Section
Anticipation
On defense, we see the next action coming and get there before it hurts us.On offense, we see the next opportunity and take advantage of it.This is the most important element of our basketball team.
2.5Section
Building to Win Our League
My San Diego High experience taught me to build every game plan around winning the league.
Next
- 2.5.1What My Experience Taught Me
- 2.5.2Current League Opponents
- 2.5.3One League Game Plan
2.5.1Topic
What My Experience Taught Me
Central League.City League.Eastern League.Western League.
2.5.2Topic
Current League Opponents
We’re preparing to beat Victory Christian, Bonita, Olympian, and Montgomery.
Next
- 2.5.2.1Victory Christian
- 2.5.2.2Bonita
- 2.5.2.3Olympian
- 2.5.2.4Montgomery
2.5.2.1Point
Victory Christian
Project What Victory Christian does well and what we need to do to beat them.
2.5.2.2Point
Bonita
Project What Bonita does well and what we need to do to beat them.
2.5.2.3Point
Olympian
Project What Olympian does well and what we need to do to beat them.
2.5.2.4Point
Montgomery
Project What Montgomery does well and what we need to do to beat them.
2.5.3Topic
One League Game Plan
We take what those four teams demand and work on one league game plan throughout tournament season.
Next
- 2.5.3.1One Unified Game Plan
- 2.5.3.2Tournament Games
2.5.3.1Point
One Unified Game Plan
We build one offensive and defensive plan that gives us a chance to beat all four teams.
2.5.3.2Point
Tournament Games
We use tournament games to work on what will win our league, even when another defense might work better that night.
2.6Section
Scouting
We scout to see what’s coming.We keep the way we play.
Next
- 2.6.1Their Players
- 2.6.2Their Actions
- 2.6.3Their Defenses
- 2.6.4Their Inbound Plays
- 2.6.5Train Like Number Two
- 2.6.6What They Do Best
- 2.6.7We Don’t Focus on Weaknesses
- 2.6.8What We Must Do to Win
- 2.6.9The Bishop’s Game
2.6.1Topic
Their Players
Who shoots.Who drives.Who they feed in the post.Who initiates their offense.
2.6.2Topic
Their Actions
We learn two or three actions they run so we see them coming.
2.6.3Topic
Their Defenses
We know whether they play zone or man so we can choose the offense we want.
Next
- 2.6.3.1Screen Coverages
2.6.3.1Point
Screen Coverages
We know how they cover screens so we’re ready to attack their choice.
2.6.4Topic
Their Inbound Plays
We know what they run on the inbound so nobody gets an easy one.
2.6.5Topic
Train Like Number Two
To be number one, we train like we’re number two.
2.6.6Topic
What They Do Best
We watch film for what they do well and prepare to beat them at their best.
2.6.7Topic
We Don’t Focus on Weaknesses
That’s my philosophy.We prepare for them at their best, not their worst.
2.6.8Topic
What We Must Do to Win
We say “We’ll lose to this team if we don’t…” and name the jobs we must get done.
2.6.9Topic
The Bishop’s Game
We lost the Bishop’s game because we watched for lowlights, underestimated them, and prepared like we should win.
Part 3 of 5
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE ON DEFENSE
We pressure the ball, deny the paint, help each other, and change defenses before the other team gets comfortable.
3.1Section
Disrupt Their Offense
We want the offense reacting to us and struggling to run what it came to run.
Next
- 3.1.1Make Them React to Us
- 3.1.2Control the Tempo
- 3.1.3Something They Haven’t Practiced Against
3.1.1Topic
Make Them React to Us
We make the handler put his head down so he’s reacting to us instead of organizing his offense.
3.1.2Topic
Control the Tempo
We use pressure and aggressive rotations to control the tempo and flow of the game.
3.1.3Topic
Something They Haven’t Practiced Against
We make teams play against rules and rotations they haven’t spent all week practicing against.
3.2Section
Our Defensive Rules
Individual moves every player owns.Team concepts all five play by.
Next
- 3.2.1Individual Moves
- 3.2.2Team Concepts
- 3.2.3Finishing the Possession
3.2.1Topic
Individual Moves
Moves every player owns.
Next
- 3.2.1.1Measure
- 3.2.1.2Stick and Move
- 3.2.1.3Jab and Melt
- 3.2.1.4Wall and Block
- 3.2.1.5Pop Back
- 3.2.1.6Sprint Our Cuts
- 3.2.1.7Don’t Wrestle
3.2.1.1Point
Measure
Stick your arm out like a measuring stick.If your fingers touch him, you’re too close.Measure out so you’re not.
3.2.1.2Point
Stick and Move
We keep the handler under pressure and disrupt what he’s trying to run.
3.2.1.3Point
Jab and Melt
We fake the trap and make the handler react.We cause the pickup.We melt back into the passing lane, ready to steal or force a bad decision.
3.2.1.4Point
Wall and Block
We cut off the drive.
3.2.1.5Point
Pop Back
Close out tight and make him put his head down.Then pop your feet back so he can’t blow by.
3.2.1.6Point
Sprint Our Cuts
We sprint every step of every rotation.Hurry up and wait: get there early and be ready.
3.2.1.7Point
Don’t Wrestle
When we front the post, we don’t run into his side and wrestle.We run straight into the passing lane without touching him.
3.2.2Topic
Team Concepts
Rules all five play by.
Next
- 3.2.2.1No Baseline
- 3.2.2.2No Middle
- 3.2.2.3The Funnel
- 3.2.2.4Front the Post
- 3.2.2.5Why We Front
- 3.2.2.6Free to Rotate
- 3.2.2.7Free to Help
3.2.2.1Point
No Baseline
We take away the baseline drive and send the ball toward our help.
3.2.2.2Point
No Middle
We take away the direct middle drive and keep the ball out of the paint.
3.2.2.3Point
The Funnel
Baseline and middle are gone, so the ball goes where our help is.The banana closeout takes away baseline in the corner.We know where the first help comes from and who helps the helper.
3.2.2.4Point
Front the Post
We front the high post and the low post.We post up like we want the ball.We track how many entries we allow.
3.2.2.5Point
Why We Front
Deny the entry.Show help.Rotate.
3.2.2.6Point
Free to Rotate
We front so we’re free to leave and make the next rotation.
3.2.2.7Point
Free to Help
We front so we can show help without being stuck behind a player.
3.2.3Topic
Finishing the Possession
We get the rebound and secure the ball.
Next
- 3.2.3.1Locate, Hit, and Go Get
- 3.2.3.2Chin and Pivot
3.2.3.1Point
Locate, Hit, and Go Get
We locate our man, hit to box out, and go get the rebound.
3.2.3.2Point
Chin and Pivot
We chin the ball and pivot to finish the possession with control.
3.3Section
Team Defenses
Six defenses, each one a project.
Next
- 3.3.1X-Ray
- 3.3.2Shark
- 3.3.3Point
- 3.3.4Caveman
- 3.3.5Pistol
- 3.3.6Soldier
3.3.1Topic
X-Ray
Project 1-2-2 matchup.
3.3.2Topic
Shark
Project 1-1-2-1 matchup.
3.3.3Topic
Point
Project 3-2 matchup.
3.3.4Topic
Caveman
Project 2-2-1 matchup.
3.3.5Topic
Pistol
Project Pack line man.
3.3.6Topic
Soldier
Project No middle man.
3.4Section
Changing Defenses
We change defenses when opponents start figuring us out and take away the opening they expect next.
Next
- 3.4.1They’re Starting to Figure It Out
- 3.4.2Change Before They Get Comfortable
- 3.4.3Take Away the Next Pass
- 3.4.4Every Defense Has a Weakness
3.4.1Topic
They’re Starting to Figure It Out
We watch for the moment they start seeing the passes and shots our defense can give up.
3.4.2Topic
Change Before They Get Comfortable
We change before they get comfortable, before they hit their first three.
3.4.3Topic
Take Away the Next Pass
We switch to a defense that takes away the pass they just learned to look for.
3.4.4Topic
Every Defense Has a Weakness
X-Ray: the skip wing three.Shark: the corner three.Point: the high post.Caveman: the high post.Pistol: the swing three.Soldier: the driving skip three.
Part 4 of 5
WHAT MAKES US UNIQUE ON OFFENSE
Push guard versus kick ahead.5 guys, 5 spots, 5 seconds.Hunting layups.Earned first-side threes.Touchdown screens.Rock the boat.The free throw line rule.Jump stop reverse pivot.Points per possession.Our ATO package.
Part 5 of 5
THE PLAN
The pre-tryout sprint, then post-tryouts.
5.1Section
The Pre-Tryout Sprint
Install our entire base offense and defense.
5.2Section
Post-Tryouts
Skill and shooting.