U20 Serbian Men's Secondary Fastbreak

Фото: U20 Serbian Men's Secondary Fastbreak

PRINCIPLES AND CHARACTERISTICS

A secondary fastbreak (a transition) is an organized continuation of a fastbreak, which usually takes 6 to 12 seconds. This fastbreak implies an efficient organization and coordination and does not allow for any improvisation. The secondary fastbreak has this offensive characteristics, including: distance, lines and method of movement, fast ball movement, and screens. It is often a case that the secondary fastbreak is finished under the basket, if it is well organized and if the offensive players run fast. The offensive players also need to create an opportunity for an open shot from distance, since the defensive players will often be concentrated in the basket area in order to prevent shots under the basket. The secondary fastbreak may also be the system offense. For example, it may be organized not only as a continuation of an unsuccessful fastbreak, but also after a basket is scored. This offense is used as the system offense, due to better ball control and fewer mistakes in comparison to the fastbreak. Movements may be organized; the players must know their offensive tasks in order to synchronize their activities. To work best, it is important that the players use and set screens efficiently. A well organized secondary fastbreak anticipates solutions, even in cases when there is no way to get off a shot because of a tough defense. Then the players continue by assuming the position offense. The offensive players know their positions in advance, and the lines of their movement in the secondary fastbreak allow them to assume these positions promptly.

The main goals of the secondary fastbreak are as follows:

• Create an opportunity for an unhindered shot before all five opposing players return to play defense.
• Create an opportunity for 1-on-1 play near the basket.
• Increase the speed of movement in the play, thus providing an advantage to the teams. that are physically better prepared and trained in terms of technique and tactics.

In relation to these goals, the main requirements of the secondary fastbreak are as follows:

• There must be at least two players on the team, who are good long-distance shooters.
• The players must be good at receiving the ball and shooting after receiving the ball.
• The players must be good at moving the ball by passing or dribbling.
• The players must be fast and they must have good mobility.
• There must be pre-determined lines of movement.
• The players must be good at using and setting screens.
• There must be fast running post players.
• Players must be physically prepared to run the entire game.
• There must be a positive mental attitude for playing this type of offense.

The secondary fastbreak may be performed after the following situations:

• After the defensive rebound.
• After a made basket.
• After free-throws.
• After a jump ball.
• After the opponent’s turnover (an intercepted ball).
• After passin the ball from the out-of bounds area.

The first two situations are the most common and, therefore, they will be further elaborated.

SECONDARY FASTBREAK AFTER A DEFENSIVE REBOUND

When the secondary fastbreak is performed after the opponent’s missed shot and defensive rebound, it is performed in four stages, like a fastbreak:

1. The start, implying a defensive rebound and taking possession of the ball.
2. Outletting the ball from the paint.
3. The ball's movement to the offensive halfcourt.
4. The finish with a shot at the basket.

The first three stages are mainly the same as with a fastbreak. There is a difference between a secondary fastbreak and a fastbreak in the fourth stage, due to the same number of players in offense and defence, and therefore only this stage will be analyzed.

SECONDARY FASTBREAK AFTER A MADE SHOT

The secondary fastbreak is most often performed after a made shot. Unlike the secondary fastbreak after a defensive rebound, the transition after a made shot has three stages:

1. Jump ball.
2. Development of the players’ movement line and the ball movement.
3. Offense or transition to the offensive set.

To make a transition of offense efficient and functional as a system, it is necessary that, after a received shot, all the players have clear tasks and roles, and thereby a good organization of the offense.

The team wishing to have a successful of- fense out of transition must not forget that there are 6 to 12 seconds to complete all the tasks. All the teams (even those that are slow and poorly prepared) set up 5-on-5 defense with all its principles, above all, defense compactness and collectivity.

THE FINAL STAGE OF THE SECONDARY FASTBREAK

The difference between the primary and secondary fastbreaks lies in the fourth stage. The secondary fastbreak implies an offense against at least three defensive players, i.e. an offense against the equal number of defensive players.

There are several systems, various entries, and a series of line-ups that can be used in playing the secondary fastbreak.

They are as follows: internal play or offense with the first or second running post, and external play, which includes use of various types of screens by which we wish to allow an open shot for external players, such as coming off the pick-androll. The line-up in the finishing stage of the secondary fastbreak is presented in diagrams 1, 2, 3, and 4. Diagrams 5 and 6 show running lines and methods of entry into the lineup.

PLAY SYSTEM FOR THE INTERNAL PLAYERS

Option 1: In case 5 receives the ball from 2, he begins 1-on-1 play or until double teaming (trapping) takes place. The position of other players and their movement, when the low post receives the ball are presented in diagrams 7 and 8.

Option 2: In the first try, 1 cannot pass the ball directly to the low post and therefore the ball will go over the high post 4 or from the opposite side, 3 (diagr. 9).

Option 3: Back screen for the high post. After the offense rotation and after a failure to get the ball to the low post, 2 sets a back screen on 4. If the direct pass from 3 has not been successful, the ball will be passed to 4 over other two external players, 2 or 1 (diagr. 10).

Option 4: Horizontal screen for the low post or vertical screen for the high post. 3 sets a horizontal screen on the low post, 5, and he is screened by 4. (diagr. 11). In dia- gram 12, 3 sets a screen on the high post, the second trailer.

PLAY SYSTEM FOR THE EXTERNAL PLAYERS

Option 1: Consecutive screens on 2 and 3. 1 dribbles to the shooting zone. At that mo- ment, 4 and 5 (the first and second running players) set a consecutive screen on 3 for an uncontested shot from the middle of the court (diagr. 13), and then they set a consecutive screen on 2 (diagr. 14).

Option 2: Use of single and consecutive screens. 4 sets a screen on 3 (diagr. 15), and then 5 and 4 set a consecutive screen for the open shot of 2 (diagr. 16).

Option 3: Horizontal and consecutive screens. 1 passes the ball to 4 and gets it back immediately. At the moment he gets the ball back again, 5 sets a screen on 2, and he tries to take the ball from the low post. If he fails, 5 and 4 set consecutive screens in order to have a clear shot from the outside (diagr. 17 and 18).

PICK-AND-ROLL

Option 1: Pick-and-roll on the court side (diagr. 19 and 20). 1 dribbles on the lateral side of the court, and is screened by the second trailer. The lineup after the pick is presented in diagrams 19 and 20.

Option 2: Pick-and-roll on the court side after the offense rotation (diagr. 21).The lineup is like the one in the previous option, except that a pick does not take place in the first run, but only after the rotation of the offense to the other side. 3 is screened by 4, who is opening up to the basket.

Option 3: Pick-and-roll in the middle of the court after an indirect screen set on 2. 2 is screened by the first running player on the low post, receives the ball and he is screened immediately. Diagrams 22 and 23 show the line-up and alternatives of their movements, depending on whether the pick is set by the post.

Option 4: Pick-and-roll in the middle of the court after an indirect screen on 3. 3 is screened, runs to the middle of the court, gets the ball and then he is screened by 5. The lineup and possible movement options are presented in diagrams 24, 25, and 26.

PRACTICING AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE SECONDARY FASTBREAK

Improvement of the secondary fastbreak requires regular training, time, patience, and discipline. Therefore, there are not many teams, who include the organized secondary fastbreak in their tactics. As with the primary fastbreak, it is important that the players run fast, especially the taller players, without whom the secondary fastbreak is pointless.

Learning and developing the secondary fastbreak starts by presenting the offense in a situation without any defense, which means 5-on-0. It is necessary to show the paths of movement to the players, explain their tasks, and give them an idea of an attack by demonstrations on the board or by using a video. After practicing the movement paths, the attack is divided into stages and the players practice with two, three, or four players. We start with screens and defensive rebound drills, opening of the first pass, ball transport, and finally the offense finish drills.

The following diagrams show screening out and defensive rebound drills. 1 shoots over the defensive player’s hand and after the shot he goes for a rebound. The defensive player blocks out the offensive player and gets the rebound.

The defensive player goes to the end of the line and the 1 becomes the defensive player (diagr. 27). In diagram 28, the coach passes the ball to 1, who shoots. The defensive player under the basket approaches the shooter aggressively and sets a screen. At the same time, the other defensive player is blocking the player on the help side. After catching the ball, a possible continuation of the drill is 2-on-2 on the entire court.

Diagram 29 shows the drill for rebounding and the first pass. The players form a triangle and face the basket. The drill is performed with two balls. 1 throws the ball against the backboard, catches it, and passes the ball to 2. He then goes to take the the position of 2, who has passed the ball to 3 and then has taken his position. 3 throws the ball off the backboard, catches it, and starts with a new circle.

The drill may be performed with defensive players who may play: only against the rebounder, only against the player receiving the ball, or against both players. The drill for ball movement and opening the movement lines begins with the cooperation of two offensive players, and later with three, four, and five players.

These drills may also be done with defensive players, or just with a few defensive players. To improve the secondary fastbreak, so-called “handicap” drills may be useful (one defensive player joins the defense later). This helps simulate the same conditions as in a real game, such as the finishing stage of the secondary fastbreak.

Diagram 30 presents a 4-on-3+1 drill.

After passing the ball, the defensive player runs to the baseline and then sprints to play defense. The same drill may be done with 5 players on offense and defense.

Diagram 31 also presents a 4-on-3+1 drill. The offensive player, 3, throws the ball off the backboard and his teammate, 4, rebounds the ball. After 4 has caught the ball, X3 runs behind the baseline, and then plays defense.

The offensive players run with the goal of quickly finishing the attack. With the aim of improving the post play, the 4-on-4 drill is used. Only the post player is allowed to dribble. After passing the ball to the post, the external players start moving without the ball. (diagr. 32 ).

A very useful drill for improving pick-and-roll play is the 4-on-4 drill, where only the playmaker is allowed to dribble the ball. In this drill, he must get himself in good position to set up his teammates for scoring. (diagr. 33).

When coaching your players, it is necessary to pay close attention and ensure that the basic tasks are performed correctly. This includes movement lines, ball transport, line-up, screen setting, and shooting. It is necessary to improve the players’ reactions and their anticipation – the reading of the defense.

After practicing one type of secondary fastbreak, at least one more should be practiced in order to beat a defense that may finally adapt to how you run your secondary fastbreak. Having an option in reserve like this will surely make it difficult for a team to stop your offense.