Nobody likes it.

Nobody wants to be there.

But the truth is, there are years when your offense is simply, well... subpar.

There, we said it.

It's not your fault, but if you coach long enough, I'm sure you've been there (Lord knows I have been several times).

And you may take over a program, and the cupboards are bare when it comes to shooters and scorers.

Can you work to improve your offense? Absolutely!

But when you have players who:

• Struggle hitting shots from the perimeter
• Struggle to get to the rim
• Struggle to finish at the rim in a half court setting

...well, scoring points will be at a premium for your team that year.

So how do you steal some wins? (pun intended)

Live Ball Turnovers Can Be A Lifesaver

Sometimes the best way to create instant offense for your team is by doing something different defensively.

The easiest shots for your team often come from live ball turnovers. These usually result in layups, (contested or uncontested) or free throws.

Think about it.

If your team can generate 10 more live ball turnovers a game, they will likely generate an extra 15+ points a game.

And if your team struggles to put points on the board, how big would an extra 15 points be for your team?!

And the best way to create these live ball turnovers is by...

Cranking Up The Pressure On The Offense

If you want to ignite a program or rejuvenate a team, take a page out of Coach Kevin Furtado's playbook. He is an elite veteran coach who is known in the coaching world for his ability to turn around programs.

In the last decade alone, he's turned around 3 different programs.

• At Commerce HS, where he currently coaches, he took a team that was 6-19 before his arrival and went 16-11 in his first year there!!
• Walnut Grove HS never had a winning program, and his first year there they went 18-11!
• He STARTED a basketball program at Oconee HS and by year 5 they were 25-1!

But what most people don't know is he has been able to do this at each program because he is able to use his defense as a weapon. He presses and traps his way to more points and more wins!

Using The Buzz Defense To Create Easy Buckets

Coach Furtado realized long ago that when you take over a program you don't necessarily have a ton of great shooters or scorers. It can take time to develop these.

But he also figured out there were other ways to create easy buckets and win games.

Coach Furtado has spent the last decade studying and tweaking his use of the Buzz Half Court Trapping Defense and uses the Buzz as his primary defense night in and night out.

3 Reasons Buzz Defense Scores More Points

No matter what press you decide to use, you need to find one that creates easy scoring opportunities and puts your teams in position to succeed!

Why is the Buzz Defense so effective at generating transition layups?

1. Live Ball Turnovers - Live ball turnovers are the death of any offense. Not only does the offense lose a possession, it usually results in an easy shot or free throws for your opponent. (Coach Furtado's teams have created 25+ turnovers per game for the last decade!)
2. Element of Surprise - The Buzz Defense can catch opponents off guard. You can quickly slap on the Buzz...
   • At the start of a quarter
   • After a timeout
   • When your opponent is calling a special set
   • Anytime you want to disrupt the offense's momentum

A quick trap and a quick steal, might lead to a quick bucket.

3. Coordinated Attack - Why does the Buzz Defense create more easy buckets? All defenders in the Buzz know what the goal is... a live ball turnover!
   • They know where and when the traps will come.
   • They know where and when the walling actions will occur.
   • They are lying in wait for an opportunity to get a steal.
   • When they get their tip, deflection, or steal, they swarm the ball as well as fly to the offensive end, while the offense is left in disarray.

Want proof that this works?

Coach Furtado's teams average 30+ ppg off of their opponents' turnovers!

So if you have a struggling offense, look to the Buzz Half Court Pressure Defense to create more wins this season!

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

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