Paul Westhead Fast Break

LADYJACKET FAST BREAK OFFENSE LeTourneau University LadyJacket Basketball HISTORY/RATIONALE • I got this from Scott Monarch, the head men’s basketball coach at Panola College. I have adopted it in slightly to our situation. It is a very similar variation to what Loyola Marymount University (Coach Paul Westhead) used to run back in the late 80’s and early 90’s when they were setting all kinds of national scoring records. • Nathan Bedford Forrest (Civil War General)—“I want to get there the fastest with the mostest”

STATISTICS • Panola College was second in the nation in scoring during the 2002-2003 season using this offense. They scored more than 102 points per game. They also shot 50.8% from the field, 73.9% from the free throw line and 33.1% from beyond the arc. The 2002-2003 Panola College men’s team only averaged 9 turnovers per game while scoring 102 ppg.

GOALS • We want to get the good percentage shot by outnumbering our opponents, or while they are adjusting into their basic team defense. The success of this offense lies in its simplicity. • Get the opponents into a running game, which is normally not what they do best • Goal is to get quick and EASY scoring opportunities. The definition of a quick and easy scoring opportunity is any time a player is open in an area that they have demonstrated the ability to hit the shot. It is a “green-light” offensive philosophy, but not necessarily for three-pointers. If you can drive, then that is perfectly acceptable. The more we drive, the more opportunity we’ll have to get to the foul line, which is one of our specialties. Must attack and score (finish) against all out numbered defensive situations. Take advantage of any defensive player(s) out of position and recognize and take advantage of player mismatches. After awhile, the defense will know what is coming, but we will consistently beat the defense to the spot because we want it more, are more prepared, and are quicker physically than the opponents. “THE SYSTEM” • High energy fast break that begins with a great deal of structure, which then evolves into allowing players a great deal of freedom. • This is not solely a “primary” or “secondary” break, it is both—it’s our main offense. It is an offensive full-court play that begins with possession of the ball off the defense. We expect to get an open shot with this offense every time we run it.

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“The key for success is the consistent execution of the play in a rapid fashion. The defense may know what you are doing but you continually beat them to the spot.”— Paul Westhead, former head coach of Loyola Marymount Anytime that we gain possession of the ball, we want to advance the ball downcourt as rapidly as possible, in an organized manner. Every player must run each lane as fast as possible every time we gain possession. The player cannot run the floor in a selective manner. Pass for a score, not just to pass (the less passing the better) Will fast break on every possession First player that is open for a shot should get the ball Unlike Loyola Marymount and Panola College, L.U. will play tenacious defense that will create even more opportunities on the offensive end. 1 Transition begins 2 with defense (in particular, the boxout). Good 4 5 defense provides for offensive mistakes and errors which are foundation of a 3 successful break. Though it is extremely important to get out and sprint as quickly as possible, don’t do this until we have gained possession of the basketball. The offense is designed as a numbered break with each player having a unique and individual assignment. These responsibilities are not to be neglected nor deviated from until they are completed. Numbering each player and giving them definite responsibilities helps to eliminate indecision by each player and reduces the chances of errors or turnovers. It also enables the players to react automatically to their responsibilities as soon as we gain possession of the basketball. Both factors lead to a more successful fast break. The more positions (versatility) that you can play, the more of an opportunity you will have to play. Anyone can bring the ball up the court, if it’s quicker and gives us a better advantage It is predictable, but effective if executed properly—it plays on the fact that not all 5 defenders will play good defense on each possession. As a coach, you tolerate nothing less than everything Shoot the ball a lot—expect to make a lot of shots—expect to miss a lot of shots…what you do with the misses will be the key to your success.

PHILOSOPHY • Attack every possession (offensively and defensively)

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The offense requires total commitment to each of its rules and principles on a regular basis. If one player doesn’t execute their role on every trip down the floor the fast break system as he devised it cannot work. It can only work if the team plays as a 5-person unit and not as five individuals. To run this fast break most effectively, the players need to have a feel for each other and know where everyone will be in a certain situation.

KEYS TO SUCCESS • 1st Key—Get the ball (preferably on a turnover or rebound) 2nd Key—Outlet the ball quickly and successfully 3rd Key—RUN (If you don’t run, you’re done) 4th Key—Crash the boards on the shot (2nd chance points are crucial) • Fast break begins with the blockout. Each man must find and maintain contact. “Instant possession” is vital to successfully running the break • Timing and spacing is very important. ORDER OF PREFERRED OPTIONS (zero/one-pass) 1-to-3 (for layup)

2

1-to-2 (for jumper or layup)

2

1*

1*

5 3

5 3

4

1 (for jumper or layup)

2

4

1-to-3 (for layup off drive by 1)

1*

2

1*

5 3

x 4

5

3 4

1-to-4 (“top”—for jumper or drive)

1-to-4 (“bottom”— down on the block)

3

1-to-5 (for jumper or drive)

3

3

2 4

2

1*

Or

4

2

1*

4

5

1*

5

5

ORDER OF PREFERRED OPTIONS (two-passes) 1-to-3-to-4 (4 cuts to the basket)

2

1-to-2-to-4 (4 cuts to the basket or catches on the block, making a move)

2

1*

1*

Or

5 3

5 3

4

1-to-5-to-4 (4 steps to the ball down low)

4

1-to-5-to-3 (for jumper or drive)

3

3

3

2 4 5

1-to-2-to-5 (for jumper or drive)

2

1*

4 5

2

1*

4 5

1*

POSITION NOTES 1-MAN (Best ball-handler and point guard) Main Responsibilities 1. Safe Outlet a. The more you can get open for the outlet pass at the free throw line extended to the hash mark, the better. b. We don’t want the rebounder or inbounder looking too hard for you on the outlet. You should always be in close proximity to the hash mark 5* or free throw line extended (i.e. the 1 “bee” on our court). c. If you are fronted look at sealing/holding off the defender as the 5-man lobs the ball out ahead of you, if you are defended from the rear, you may have to come back toward the ball slightly. You need to recognize these situations quickly and accurately. 5* X 1

5*

1 X

2. Advance Ball Quickly a. When you catch the ball immediately pivot/hesitate and know what is immediately in your way. Decide your course of action and act decisively and aggressively. We do not want you to turn the ball over or pick up a cheap charging foul by just catching and going all in the same motion. b. Always go up the right side of the court c. Push the ball down court as fast as humanly possible. d. Put immediate pressure on the defense and make the play in the foul line area. e. First look is up the court to the 3 f. The usual rule of thumb is don’t pass to 2 or 3 until they get to the three point line (especially the 2—wait for them to get to their “spot”) g. Must be very effective at doing the hesitation dribble, the pull-back dribble and the inside-out dribble h. Don’t drive to the middle of the lane until the 4-man has cut to the block i. You need to be able to make the 1-to-3 pass for a layup after a maximum of two dribbles (0 or 1 dribble is preferred) or else you will not be as an effective of an offensive leader as the team needs.

3. Pass for Score a. If you maintain composure and do what you are supposed to do, you will get a lot of assists. Panola College’s point guard lead the nation in assists during the 2002-2003 season with 12 assists per game. b. Pass to people so they can score, not just to get rid of it or to advance the ball. c. Keep your dribble. There is not a lot of movement and screening built into the offense so it will be difficult to get rid of the ball if you pick up your dribble before you need to. d. You are in charge…act like it…be assertive and aggressive without being careless 4. Shoot, if necessary a. Must be very effective at hitting the 15-foot pullup jumper b. A missed layup (or close range shot) is, in some cases worse than a turnover. 2-MAN (Best shooter) Main Responsibilities 1. Sprint to Right Wing a. As soon as we get possession of the ball sprint the right side of the floor to the three-point line/free-throw line extended area b. Generally there is no reason to look back for the ball until you get, at least, to half-court because the point guard is not going to pass it to you until you are ready to shoot. We don’t want you catching early and dribbling (it slows the break down). c. Must sprint hard EVERY time even if you don’t get the ball for a number of possessions—“run for each other; no selective running allowed” 2. Be Ready to Catch & Score a. When you catch it is normally because you are open. Look to catch and score, whether that is off the shot or shot fake and go. b. When 1 passes to 2, 2's rule is to "SHOOT". If he had not been open for a shot then 1 would not have passed him the ball. So if he shoots immediately and it is a contested shot, it is 1's fault not 2's. 3, 4 and 5 crash the boards. c. If you don’t receive the ball, be ready for a kick out situation or if you see a teammate shoot the ball, go and rebound. 3. Pass to Open Man a. If you don’t immediately take the shot then look for the 4-man inside 3-MAN (Best athlete & 1-on-1 player) Main Responsibilities 1. Sprint to Left Block (ready to catch & score) a. As soon as we get possession of the ball, you must sprint as fast as you can to the left hand block area.

2.

3.

4.

5.

b. Generally you don’t need to look back until you reach the threepoint line, then continue sprinting but while looking back to receive the pass c. You are the very first look for the point guard d. Must sprint hard EVERY time even if you don’t get the ball for a number of possessions—“run for each other; no selective running allowed” Pop Out to Wing (when 4 cuts to right block) a. Once the 4-man gets to three-point arc and begins the cut to the basket, you may v-cut out to the three-point arc looking for a shot (normally when point guard drives to the middle and kicks). Be Read to Catch & Score a. When you receive the ball on reversal, look immediately to create a scoring opportunity. At times, based on feel, you could receive a ball screen for the pick-and-roll or the pick-and-pop by the 5-man. You will then play a two man game (possibly a three man game with the point guard). x Rebound 3 2* a. You will normally have sole backside Shot rebounding responsibility. You will get a lot of rebounds if you are down on the block when the shot goes up from the right side. Be sure to “box out” the defender underneath the basket and then run the ball down. Don’t push off, we don’t want any cheap fouls. If you are on the perimeter when the shot goes up, be active—you’ll get a lot of boards—don’t be a spectator. Pass to Open Man

4-MAN (Best inside-outside combo player) Main Responsibilities 1. Serve as secondary outlet or safety a. You are the safety outlet person 5* if we can not get the ball to the point guard immediately. You MUST get yourself open without X a screen near the elbow on the 1 left side of the court. If you receive the pass, you are to immediately look to outlet the ball to the point guard on the right side of the floor ASAP. If the point guard is still guarded, you may advance the ball up the floor quickly on the dribble (while looking to still hit the point guard at some point during the sequence if the opportunity presents itself) 2. Sprint up court with point guard, eventually cutting diagonally to the right side block a. Stay parallel and to the left of the point guard until the ball is safely inbounded

3. Be ready to catch & score anywhere from the top of the key to the right block a. When you get to the three point arc, hesitate slightly in case you are open and the point guard passes to you for a shot b. After a quick hesitation and no pass comes your way, cut hard to the block with the intention of getting the ball. c. If the point guard drives/penetrates down the right side of the lane ahead of you (they are not supposed to penetrate down the middle in front of you, only to the right of you), then follow them up down the middle of the lane for the pass once they draw the defense d. As a general rule, stay on the block for a moment once the ball is swung to see what the 3-man is doing to do. However, if you do follow the ball and try to seal, then be aware that on a drive by the 3-man, you’ll have to adjust and position yourself accordingly. e. Always cut to right block when ball is passed to the 2-man. 4. Rebounding a. You will normally be responsible for all right side rebounding 5-MAN (Best rebounder & inbounder) Main Responsibilities 1. Inbound ball safely a. Always take the ball out of bounds and inbounds it to the right side of the floor. b. No preferred passing method. Do whatever is comfortable and effective for you. c. Be smart on the outlet passing. Be very quick and aggressive but not careless. d. If the point guard is totally covered, look for the 4-man at the left elbow e. If the point guard is fronted look at lobbing the ball out ahead of her (however, be aware of if there is someone waiting to take a charge on her), if the point guard is defended from the rear, she may have to come back toward the ball slightly. You need to recognize these situations quickly and accurately. 2. Sprint up court 3. Be ready to help point guard against pressure 4. Rebound a. On offense, you will rarely get boxed out. You should end up getting the most offensive rebounds. Be aggressive but not careless. Be smart (watch the ball and use your basketball sense and intelligence) and pick up no unnecessary “over-the-back” calls. 5. Initiate offensive set if ball not passed to you for score a. You are to trail the play slightly (no more than a step or two behind the point guard) and be the reversal man (for your scoring opportunity or to further reverse the ball to the 3-man) or possibly the ball screen man for the point guard (or the 3-man).

b. You are to replace the 4-man once she cuts to the ball side block. Whether you step into the left-hand elbow area or stay near the three-point arc is based upon your shooting ability and/or where your defender is positioned. c. At times, based on feel, you can set a ball screen for the pick-androll or the pick-and-pop for the 3-man. You will then play a two man game (possibly a three man game with the point guard). CONTINUITY OR SECONDARY OPTIONS/DEAD-BALL SET PLAYS You could still run this fast break from a dead ball. Most of the time, when the official hands us the ball, we will have a special play set up to guarantee that we get a specific person a shot or a specific type of shot from our offense—which the fast break doesn’t normally do. Though the fast break is neither a primary nor secondary break, we will look to go into some kind of continuity or secondary option if we exhaust the options from the fastbreak. This is usually just an extension of the fast break with the offense beginning with the players in their current fast break finishing positions. POSITIVES OF THIS OFFENSE 1. Stick in some easy baskets before the defense can get back. 2. Create potential mismatches against a transition defense. 3. Open the window of opportunity against defenders who are scrambling to pick up their offensive players or to get to their spots in a zone defense. 4. Put continual pressure on the opponent. They will constantly be worrying about getting back on defense. This thinking may cause them to be less aggressive on the offensive glass and may keep their point guard from penetrating as much. 5. An aggressive team attitude on offense will often carry over to your defense and rebounding. 6. Will favor the team that is well-conditioned. 7. Use more players in a regular rotation. This, oftentimes, leads to good team harmony with many players getting playing time. 8. Players and fans enjoy a well-played, entertaining, up-tempo game. 9. Practicing the fast break can be fun and useful as a conditioning opportunity without the drudgery of running sprints. 10. It teaches player alertness and opportunism. 11. It teaches quick-thinking and decision-making skills. 12. It teaches teamwork. 13. Makes your opponent prepare to stop your transition game, taking away from working on their plays. 14. Spurtability—it creates opportunities to score in bunches.

THE OFFENSE REQUIRES 1. Runners (not necessarily great athletes) that hustle 2. Depth (10-12 players) 3. A point guard that is: a. Tough b. Quick-Thinking c. Unselfish d. Able to hit the pull-up15-foot jumper e. Good at advancing the ball quickly up the court if no pass is available f. Can throw a pass from the far hash mark to the block on one-dribble. 4. Total commitment 5. Understanding of everyone’s role within the system CAUTIONARY TIPS 1. If someone does not run the floor hard because they won’t get the ball, this will hurt another player’s chances for getting an open look (run for your teammates—no picking and choosing when to run). 2. Slow point guard ball-advancement 3. Slow outletting by 5-man on made baskets 4. 5-man trails too far behind the point guard making the point guard wait too long for the 5-man to become a viable offensive option (e.g. a ball screen on top or hitting the 5-man for a jumper on top because the defender has backed off to help on drive). Trailing too far behind also hurts in the offensive rebounding area. The 5-man will not be close enough to hit the glass. 5. Point guard penetration and poor shot selection will kill you because of the lack of transition defense, as well as the poor offensive rebounding position that is available on a layup attempt. 6. 4-man cutting to the right elbow and then down, as opposed to cutting diagonally to the right block 7. 3-man not running to the block but just to the left wing. DRILLS 1. Duke 2-Man 2. 5-Man Series 3. 5-on-2/5-on-3 4. 2-on-1 Fullcourt 5. 7-Second Shot Clock 6. Cycles 7. 1-Man Drill (LMU dribble dribble) 8. 5-1 Continuous 9. 2-Guard Shooting 10. Fastbreak Position Play