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Press Breaker: Line

Summary

This press breaker works extremely well against teams that pressure the inbounds pass. If your team is struggling to get the ball inbounds, try this play and I can almost guarantee you'll see a big difference and reduce turnovers.


Personnel

Player #5 and #4 are generally your post players. Players 1, 2, and 3 should be your best ball handlers.


Instructions

  1. Start by simply lining up your players as shown in the diagram.

  2. If you're facing a zone press that is pressuring the inbounds pass, you'll find that you'll be able to easily inbounds the pass to one of the outside players.

    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.








  3. 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.

    TIP: If the defense is denying the inbound pass, teach your guards to position their body between the passer and their defender. It's just like a post player using their pivot to establish position and seal their man to get the ball. This is an extremely effective method to get open. Simply back pivot into the defender, seal him behind you, and call for the ball.

  4. If the ball is thrown to Player 1 or 2, then the rest of the team should get in their press breaker positions and work the ball down the court. If it's man-to-man, everyone should clear out and run down the court so the guard can bring the ball up.

  5. If the ball is thrown to an outside player, follow the sequence in the diagrams.




















  6. Once Player 4 receives the ball, Player 2 should cut and run down the court looking for the ball. If he's open, Player 4 should pass him the ball and Player 2 might be able to dribble all the way down the court.

  7. Player 3 should maintain spacing and cut a split second after Player 1 begins to run down the court. Many times, Player 3 will be wide open for the pass because the previous cut drew the defensive players away. If open, Player 3 might be able dribble all the way down the court for an easy fast-break opportunity.









  8. Once the ball is passed to Player 2 or 3 and they could not dribble up the court, the other players should get in their normal press breaking positions (assuming it's a zone press).

    The pass usually goes to Player 3. This diagram shows the positioning in that situation.

  9. Player 3 should immediately look at Player 5 running down the court. Many times all the cutting on this side of the court opens up the other side, sometimes for a lay-up.

    If Player 5 is not wide open, look to the middle for Player 2 coming back to the ball. Advance the ball to Player 4. Or reverse the ball to Player 1.

  10. Keep reversing the ball until you can advance the ball up the court or hit the player in the middle.

    * The best thing about this play is that by lining up your players at the beginning, it's much easier to inbound the ball against pressure. And the cutting afterwards really opens up the court, especially if you have a couple players that can really run and handle the ball.

  










What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...


Comments

Charles E. Long says:
2/13/2007 at 10:04:57 AM

EXCELLENT PLAY...WILL USE THIS NEXT PRACTICE


wilson says:
2/14/2007 at 1:52:08 AM

good job. i will encorporate the techinques in my coaching. you re doing a great job!


HURSİT BAYTOK says:
2/18/2007 at 4:17:57 PM

Mr.LONG DON'T ÝMÝTATE THÝS PRESS BREAKER OR ANY DRÝLL UNLESS YOU HAVE A PERFECT FUNDAMENTAL BASED PLAYER.


Laron Simmons says:
2/24/2007 at 7:29:54 PM

Thank you so so much for giving me those drills and plays I will use it in my next game. If they anywhere could you send me some more please.


Edon says:
3/20/2007 at 4:56:45 PM

Thank you so so much for giving me those drills


gregg says:
4/2/2007 at 5:46:13 PM

MY first game coaching a 6th grade team, we couldn't handle the press, which led to a 10 point loss! I'm desperate. I will try this next game against another pressin' team.


hamdi says:
4/3/2008 at 8:00:08 AM

Mr.LONG DON'T ÝMÝTATE THÝS PRESS BREAKER OR ANY DRÝLL UNLESS YOU HAVE A PERFECT FUNDAMENTAL BASED PLAYER.


julio says:
4/18/2008 at 10:48:27 PM

tanx 4 this but how about the half court press breaker.my team once lose on the half court press,i will be glad and eager to read ur respond


Joe Haefner (Co-Founder of Breakthrough Basketball) says:
4/21/2008 at 8:01:44 AM

Hi Julio,

We don't currently have anything on a half court press, but we should be adding something in the future.

In the past, I've used a 2-1-2 formation against the half-court press. Two guards in the back court. One player a little bit past half court and above the top of the key and two players on opposite wings. The two players in the back court pass it back and forth a few times to get the press moving side to side to open up gaps.

After a couple of passes, they either try to enter the ball to the player in the middle or one of the two players on the wings. If the guards can break the press with the dribble, that's okay as well. Unless, you have a really good point guard this can difficult to do.

If the ball goes to the middle, the player secures the ball and looks to the wings to start a 2-on-1 advantage. If that is not open, the player should hold the ball calmly and look to pass the ball to one of the guards and set up the offense.

If the ball is passed straight to the wings, they look to attack the basket.

Another way to beat the pressure is to fast break after missed shots and made baskets, so the defense doesn't have time to set up.


julio says:
4/22/2008 at 6:58:24 AM

tanx 4 the sample press breaker u gave ,honestly we've a sort of similarity i used that kind during the base line threw-in with my enemies zone defence but my num.5 player stays in the amoeba zone . i'll do this plays on my players thanks alot.


Greg Peters says:
7/23/2008 at 10:11:48 PM

Please send more press break stuff


ronny okapi belgium says:
9/25/2008 at 3:24:32 AM

nice breaker ... we do this in second half off the season


Coach O says:
9/25/2008 at 1:58:18 PM

I have a play similar to this I have used for years. It is very effective.


Les Phillips says:
9/29/2008 at 6:27:13 PM

Looks as though this make work for the girls we are couching.


hynson says:
10/6/2008 at 3:13:35 AM

thank you i've learn a lot. Pls. send more press break stuff.


hynson says:
10/6/2008 at 3:16:52 AM

thank you, this will help me a lot. pls. send more press breaking stuff.


Billy Thomas says:
11/14/2008 at 11:22:16 AM

We are a High School boys team. I need a good press breaker for a full court pressure. We have some good ball handlers but not great ones.


Joe Haefner says:
11/14/2008 at 12:15:18 PM

Billy,

This press breaker is perfect for full court pressure. I have used it at the high school and youth levels.

You can also find more press breakers in our Breakthrough Basketball Plays ebook on pages 73 & 76.


Coach B says:
11/14/2008 at 2:16:50 PM

Thanks Coach. This gives me another option. I run 3 other options off this same set and it has served me well for the past 30+ years. The option you have shown in these diagrams is also a great option to run against a 2-2-1 full court trap.


jimmy says:
12/6/2008 at 3:29:54 PM

i am in the 5 grade and i was wondering how to get better at reverse layups. please reply


jimmy says:
12/6/2008 at 3:35:58 PM

oh yeah i am only 54 inches and 63 pounds also i was wondering wat are good workouts to get stronger


jimmy says:
12/6/2008 at 3:36:02 PM

oh yeah i am only 54 inches and 63 pounds also i was wondering wat are good workouts to get stronger


Joe Haefner says:
12/7/2008 at 1:09:35 PM

Hi Jimmy,

I would advise to read our shooting lay ups section: http://www.breakthroughbasketball.com/fundamentals/layups.html

When shooting a reverse lay up, you are going in just like a normal lay up, except you take an extra step and jump off the opposite leg and use the opposite hand. you also have to have good timing, so you do not travel. For example, if you shoot right-handed lay up and jump off your left leg, would take an extra step and jump off of your right leg and shoot with your left hand.

To practice this, you could stand under the hoop. Take one step with your right leg and shoot with your left hand on the left hand side. To practice shooting the opposite way, take a step with your left leg and jump. Use your right-hand to shoot the reverse lay up. Eventually, move out further and start incorporating dribbling towards the hoop before you execute the reverse lay up.


Joe Haefner says:
12/7/2008 at 1:11:27 PM

Hi Jimmy,

I would seek a trained professional. I injured myself and gave myself many problems by lifting at an early age without the true knowledge of weight-training.


Jimbo says:
12/10/2008 at 8:36:34 PM

Hi, I have a team with great big girls and no guard that can consistently handle the ball, is there anything that I can do to beat a press? I am desperate to find something that works. Any ideas?


Crosey1 Want to be Coach says:
12/16/2008 at 10:19:32 PM

ITs okay i think, but there is a better one that would work a little better that i run when i have practice


Coach C says:
1/2/2009 at 11:10:29 PM

I really like the play it works.


Coach C says:
1/2/2009 at 11:13:38 PM

The play works; we used it in a game and it broke the press.


Coach Patterson says:
1/4/2009 at 9:04:57 AM

This Will not work vs. match-up presses. To be successful in breaking good presses you need to build in:

1. Back Screens-always fake over and go under the screen. Teach your players to cut at 45 degrees to reduce steals and deflections.

2. 4 Across press breaker should always have a player going long for a baseball pass. Teach your inbounder to read the defense-if their all playing above half court look long.

3. Trailers-you must have two trailers with the ballhandler and reverse the ball up the floor. Teach your players to make the defense shift with passes and fill gaps.

4. Flash in front-Good defenses force lobs in presses. Get your players to understand they must flash in front of the defenders, they can not play behind. Stay out of trap areas do not take the invitation to dribble up the side of the floor.

5. Practice-Practice press breaks every practice at full speed . Do not allow your kids to dribble. Catch-turn-face look up the floor and we can get a easy lay-up.

6. Pace-Do not let teams rush you. Teams press to raise tempo and to slow tempo (Burn clock). Presses are usually weak up the side or in the middle.

7. Understand that match-up presses are different. They look like full court man are built on doubling in an area or through signals. Agaist teams that run these type of presses you'll need patience and good principles.


Coach Patterson says:
1/4/2009 at 9:19:58 AM

Vs. Half court press

1. Spacing-Spacing allows for your ball handlers to see whats coming. Whether two out top or 4 in-1 out. play deep off three point line.

2. Outlets-Shooters in the deep corners and get a post player high between the ft and top of the key.

3. Swing the ball around the the trap and attack from the corner, or swing the ball around the D and get a easy lay-up for your post man flashing to the basket.


Mike R says:
1/14/2009 at 10:37:16 PM

Great tips, I will use these plays in our next games.


Mike L says:
2/5/2009 at 9:34:01 PM


Our 6th grade girls often faced a half-court press, but aren't sophisticated enough to run this play, when we're still teaching them layins. So we told our guards to just blow by the defensive front (create a 3-on-2 situation).


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