“Play fast but don't hurry,” is a famous quote from 10x NCAA Champion UCLA Coach John Wooden.

The quote is brilliant in its simplicity. However, its implementation is much more challenging.

Those coaches who like to play up tempo are faced with a conundrum. How do we keep the pace relentless AND still play under control, making good decisions?

In Get Comfortable Playing At An Uncomfortable Pace With Rob Brost, Coach Brost offers an acronym that can provide a solution to this problem.

Use it with your players and make Coach Wooden proud.

The HUPPPY Concept For Speed & Control

Coach Brost teaches his players to “HUPPY” when they attack the paint.

A HUPPPY is a 1-2 stop (some might refer to it as a stride stop) after a player reaches the paint. He considers this the most important part of his transition system.

The acronym HUPPPY refers to:

• Hunt the paint - by keeping the highway clear (another of his transition principles), dribblers have more space to attack the paint.

• Peek - the dribbler should peek at the rim and at passing options along the 3 point line. The dribbler should use their eyes to manipulate the defense. Coach Brost refers to this as “eyes tell lies.”

• Powerful - have a good base and 3 points of contact. Both hands as well as a third part of the body (shoulder or hip) should be touching the ball. This protects the ball from the defense.

• Patient - it's important to remain patient. By playing off 2 feet, the driver can pivot multiple times, allowing options to open up. 

HUPPPY Drill

• Form 5 lines. The coach begins by passing to any player.
• The player who catches the pass must always peek at the rim.

• The player with the ball will drive into the paint and execute a 1-2 stop.
• While in power position, they will pivot multiple times before passing to a teammate

• The passer will exit cut and go to the line they passed to.
• The player who received the pass will repeat the pattern or peek, penetrate, HUPPPY, and pass.
• You can gradually use 4-5 balls in the drill to increase the challenge for your players.

Don't Forget To Check The Brakes

If you bought a brand new Lamborghini, you'd probably be excited to test its acceleration.

But you better be sure the brakes are working before you get carried away!

The same applies for transition offense. The speed down the floor is alluring, as long as you can change gears when the appropriate time comes.

Get your players HUPPPY'ing in the paint and your offensive will drive opponents crazy!

To learn more, check out Get Comfortable Playing At An Uncomfortable Pace With Rob Brost. 

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