Learn Different Basketball Plays
Some Thoughts On Basketball Plays
I've had the chance to research many different basketball plays while building the Coach A Winning Team website. I like to categorize them to get a better idea of what each basketball play is designed to accomplish. I decided to write a quick post about the categories I use and the theories of different offenses. I'll list a few examples you can view to get a better idea of what each type of basketball play is designed to do, which will help you determine what kind of plays your team should use.
Categories of Basketball Plays
I generally list basketball plays in one of three categories and I think most coaches should use a few plays from each category in their playbooks. Below is my three categories of basketball plays and a brief summary of what each type of offense is designed to accomplish.
Quick Hitter Basketball Plays
Quick hitters are basketball plays that have a set pattern, however, the pattern only runs through one time and doesn't continue to run over and over again. They can and often do have more than one option but they aren't designed to keep running the options unless you reset the play and start over. I guess a way to describe this would be to say quick hitters run out of options, which is where the name quick hitter comes from. You run a few quick options and try to score, however, if you don't score the basketball play ends. Quick hitters are excellent plays to use during late game situations, at the end of quarters or when a shot clock is winding down. The Kansas Last Second play in our animated playbook is a good example of a quick hitter basketball play.
Continuity Basketball Plays
Unlike quick hitters a basketball play which has a set pattern and the pattern continues to run over and over again until you score is known as a continuity offense. A basketball play such as the Flex Offense is a good example of a continuity offense. These type of plays can be more difficult to teach because usually each player needs to learn every position of the play so you can continue to run the offense. For example your center may start out in the low post but he will need to learn the guard position because he may end up out front during the play.
Freelance Basketball Plays
Our third category of basketball plays is different from the previous two because these plays don't use a set pattern. In the coaching world these plays are known as Freelance Basketball Plays. The word freelance by one definition means an uncommitted independent. In terms of basketball when we run a freelance offense we're not committed to any set pattern which gives our player both freedom of movement and freedom to make chooses. Although a true freelance offense doesn't have a set pattern, coaches will often set rules for their players to use while running a freelance basketball play.
These rules help players have some organization while "freelancing" on the basketball court. The Memphis Dribble Drive Offense uses some freelance options and can be used as an example although they start out running a set play. Once their quick hitter play is complete they go into a freelance offense and let players create scoring opportunities by using the "dribble drive".
Use Plays From Each Category
To keep your opponents guessing and not become predictable as a basketball team you should teach your team a few different plays from each category. I personally don't favor one category of plays over another because I feel each set of plays has benefits and your decision to use any particular basketball play will depend on your opponent's and also your own teams skill level. I hope this article teaches that not all basketball plays are designed for the same purpose. Of course plays are designed to score but often times the game situation will dictate which category of basketball plays your team should use. Please leave your questions, feedback or comments about my thoughts on basketball plays below.
