Four key things that will always ruin an offensive possession:
- Lazy Screens (there is a time and place for a “ghost” screen, but when an offense depends on setting a good screen and the screener “whiffs” on the screen it’s hard to create an advantage)
- Slow Cuts
- Lack of Movement
- Holding the Ball
A number of things will hurt your offense as well – such as poor spacing, lack of communication, over-dribbling, and a bunch of others — but those four are absolute killers to any offensive possession.
In this particular post let’s address the issue of Slow Cuts. When a player doesn’t cut with purpose, it hurts the entire team.
It’s extremely frustrating to see players “jog” through the lane when they realize there’s no chance of getting the ball on the cut themselves, completely forgetting strong cuts are good for the TEAM – even if they don’t get the ball.
Here’s what we must help players understand:
Hard and purposeful cuts force their direct opponent and help defenders to focus on the cutter, freeing up teammates and forcing long closeouts.
If players make weak cuts, if’s too easy for the defenders to stay in correct help positions and rotate quickly.
The best offense to pair with this knowledge:
The 5-out motion offense because it relies on good spacing and quick ball movement, which are both enhanced by strong and purposeful cuts.
As players get older, the motion offensive Jay Wright deployed during his time at Villanova is an excellent progression. This particular version of the motion offense is 4-out, 1-in allowing the big to at times step out and set side ball screens.