A Stupid Simple Entry that Always Works - How to Initiate Your Offense
Coaches. At some point, I'm sure you've had this problem...
Your opponent's defense is set. Your point guard brings the ball up and looks to start the offense. Nobody is open. The point guard is dribbling for what seems like an eternity trying to find an open teammate and get the ball entered. The ref is counting, the fans are starting to yell, and your point guard starts to get anxious.
It can be really frustrating when your players can't get open for that first entry pass and can often lead to a turn over.
Offensive entry plays can solve that problem. But as a coach, you don't want to spend time teaching and practicing a bunch of entries so your players remember them. There are plenty of other things to do!
Here's a dead simple entry that has worked really well for us. It will save you a bunch of time, promote aggressiveness, and works almost every time.
I picked up this entry idea (along with many other ideas) from Keith Haske's Uptempo Basketball System.
Initiate Your Offense by Getting into the Seam
The concept is simple. Have your players set up in their transition or half court spots. Then have your point guard attack and get into a seam.
On the right, you can see our transition offense spots. We quickly try to pass ahead looking for an easy basket. If nothing is there, we want to immediately start our motion offense (4 out 1 in).
If we're unable to get the ball to the corner or the post immediately, the post man quickly clears to the weakside.
Then the point guard attacks and gets into the seam. If the point guard attacks the right side, here's what we want the point guard looking for...
Option 1 - Lay up
In most cases the point guard should be in "attack mode" pushing the ball up the court. Then make an in/out dribble move (fake cross over) to get in a seam.
If they can get all the way to the basket, our first and best option is a lay up.
We want our point guard to have an attack mentality.
Option 2 - Drive and dish to 5
If the point guard beats the perimeter defenders and then gets stopped by 5's defender, they should dish to 5.
It's important for 5 (and all players) to maintain spacing and improve the passing angles as the point guard drives.
Option 3 - Pitch to 2
If the perimeter defenders seal the seam, then 2 should maintain spacing as the ball moves and improves the passing angle for a pitch back.
On the right, you can see that 2 moves to improve the angle to receive a pass from 1.
The ball is now entered and motion offense starts immediately.
This is a very fast and easy way to get your offense started. I also like the "attack" mentality that goes a long with it. We generally get a couple lay ups in transition by attacking immediately while the defense is scrambling back.
Not to mention, it's a simple concept for players to understand. You just need to show them once or twice to get in the seam to draw the defense and then pitch out.
Getting into the Seam with 5 Out Motion
You can do the same with the 5 out. In fact this is what we do with our 3rd grade girls team. With high school we're running a 4 out 1 in. With our youth team we run to spots in a 5 out and start from there. It works at any age level.
What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...
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