Coaching Adjustments
1v1 Finishing SSG, Dr. Dish SSG, ATO Defense
NBA Finals Adjustments from an NBA Coach
Rex Walters, NBA and college basketball assistant coach, provides insights on coach adjustments for the NBA Finals’ mid-series games.
Q: When you’re preparing for a dominant player, like a Luka Doncic, what’s the preparation and thought process?
Walters: You have to throw the book at him. You have to play in drops - for a short period. You’re going to have to blitz him. You’re going to have to switch, then switch and double him. if he gets a steady dose of anything he’s going to tear you apart.
And I think the other thing too is that he wants to beat you with the assist to the rim. With their team especially, you have to be in, ready to close hard, and be great in your closeout game to eliminate some of those assists.
Also available on Apple Podcasts - Click to listen now!
SSG of the Week: 1v1 No Dribble Finishing
A great game for summer basketball camp. Teaching the importance of “getting a piece of the smile” then footwork for finishing against tight pressure. Two hands on the ball. On balance. Strong finishes.
Looking for more small-sided game ideas? Here are 35 Small-Sided Games Playbook for Player Development.
GameChanger App
This app is literally a game changer for basketball coaches, especially for your summer scrimmages! Free live video streaming, advanced scorekeeping, live game and season stats, automatic highlight clips, team management - all in one place. Save time and money with the GameChanger App!
Dr. Dish SSG: 1v1 Flip the Screen
Yes, you can learn offensive concepts during small group workouts, even if you only have 3 players! (Having a Dr. Dish makes it even easier to do.)
In ball screen situations when the defense goes under the screen, we “flip the screen” (i.e., rescreen). Adding a real defender makes it more game-like and trains players eyes along with their decision-making skills.
Be on the lookout for Volume 2 of my Dr. Dish SSG drill book!
Special Situation Defense
ATO's (“after timeouts”) don't just apply to offense. Having a strategy for ATO defense has the potential to win you games. This week, I share an exclusive on-court clinic, teaching a trapping defense to use against opponents sidelines out of bounds plays.
A FREE Coaching Clinic If You Sign Up for A Quick Timeout+
Still not a member of A Quick Timeout+? AQTO+ is a members-only newsletter for basketball coaches interested in growing their basketball knowledge. Each week, you’ll receive an exclusive email with things like Xs&Os breakdowns, small-sided games, playbooks, and coaching webclinics. You’ll get all that for just $49.99/year! And now, I’ll send you a FREE coaching clinic. Simply sign up, and you’ll receive an email from me asking which clinic you’d like to receive. Become a part of AQTO+ coaching community today!
