How to run a fast break offense basketball

8 Keys to Attack Quickly and Score

Scoring is difficult at all levels of basketball.

Even with good players and well-considered set plays, it can be hard to score in the half court against a solid defensive team.

This is even more true at the youth, middle school, and high school levels.

To avoid long scoring droughts, all coaches should emphasize fast break basketball.

The concept of the fast break is simple:

Pushing the ball down the floor to earn a numbers advantage, making it easier to score before the defense gets set up.

Consistently converting on fast break opportunities is a challenge and must be a daily emphasis in your practices to be done well.

There are several reasons why it's important to utilize the fast break:

a. Never allows the defense to rest

Playing fast break basketball is crucial because it never gives your opposition a chance to slow down and catch their breath.

Teams who constantly push the ball every chance they get will wear out the defense and force them to make defensive mistakes.

b. Transition defense is HARD!

Don't you agree?

Teams who choose to walk the ball down the court do not exploit this potential weakness of their opponents.

c. You will have poor shooting nights

Generating fast break layups is one way to win even on those games when your jump shots aren’t falling.

If you always rely on your team shooting a high percentage, that will be many games where you'll be disappointed.

Great teams expect to score a high percentage of their points before the defense is organized.

d. Better utilize the bench

For youth and middle school teams, all players should get significant playing time.

At the high school level, it is important to develop some underclassman bench players as well.

By playing fast, there will be more possessions and more opportunities to use your full roster.

The first key to being an elite fast breaking team is to develop a great defense.

I recommend man-to-man or Pack Line.

While it’s possible to push the ball off made baskets, it's MUCH easier to run off a stop. If you constantly have to inbound the ball, you won’t maximize your potential as a fast break team.

It’s great to push hard following a defensive rebound, but it’s even better to run following a live-ball turnover!

Motivate your team to defend by showing them the correlation between defensive stops and easy opportunities in transition.

One decision coaches must make is to figure out which players should push the ball in transition.

There are two main options:

1. Anyone pushes the ball after a steal or defensive rebound

2. Outlet to the team's point guard to ignite the fast break

Both options have pros and cons.

Allowing anyone to lead the break is inherently faster, but could lead to some turnovers as weaker ball handlers will be asked to make more decisions.

It may take a bit longer to outlet the ball to your point guard, but this option ensures a strong decision-maker is the one pushing the ball.

Neither is right or wrong; however, I would encourage youth coaches to give all players chances to handle the ball.

Turnovers may increase, but your whole roster's development will benefit.

Probably the most important aspect of transition offense is instilling a fast break mindset in your players.

I recommend the term “RACE”.

We want to race down the court every possession to explore a potential advantage -- but this doesn't mean we should always shoot quickly.

We would love to create a great shot immediately, of course...

But we know that won't always happen.

At the end of the day, the important part is teaching your players to sprint their lanes every time.

If your team runs hard every time, it may create a transition advantage every third possession.

If your team walks the ball up every time, it will NEVER create a transition advantage.

It's better to habitually sprint the floor, seeking an opportunity.

A simple way of improving your transition game is to pass the ball across half court as much as possible.

We all know that the ball moves faster with the pass than with the dribble.

Use this to your advantage by developing in your team the habit of passing up the sideline to gain separation from the defense.

Everyone should know where to run in transition. Most teams will assign a point guard, a rim-runner, a trailer, and two wings.

While you should allow all players to push if they have space, the best case scenario is to get the ball into your point guard's hands immediately.

They can then look to pass the ball up the sideline to a wing.

If the ball-side wing is not open, your point guard can “slice” through the middle of the court and look at the other wing.

This is often an effective pass because defenses tend to load to the ball side, leaving the weak side of the floor open.

In a perfect world, our fast break creates a 1-on-0 uncontested layup.

However, good defenses will rarely allow this.

More likely scenarios are the 2-on-1 or the 3-on-2 fast breaks.

If we can create one of these obvious advantage situations, we want to score before more defenders can get back.

In a 2-on-1, we always want a layup.

In a 3-on-2, we want a layup or a wide-open jump shot.

Many players are indecisive in these situations. Drill these scenarios regularly to instill an aggressive mindset in players.

Although we prefer to pass the ball ahead, there will be times when players must attack off the dribble in transition.

Teach your players “breakout dribbles” in these situations.

If a player catches in space with no teammate ahead of them, they should take big dribbles to advance the ball as quickly as possible.

Teach “chest to the floor” in a sprinter’s stance, and encourage players to take big crossover dribbles.

This maximizes distance and makes it harder for trailing defenders to backtap the dribble.

A crucial element of a fast break attack is helping your players understand WHY your team is choosing to play fast break basketball.

One of the key reasons is to get the ball into the paint.

PGC Basketball uses the term “hunt the paint”, which immediately puts players into an aggressive mindset.

There are several ways to attack the paint.

  a. Rim-runner sprints the floor to get under the hoop

Tell your perimeter players that if a rim-runner has two feet in the pain, they MUST look to pass them the ball.

To motivate your post players to run the floor hard, they have to know that your guards are looking for them.

  b. Perimeter players attack advantages off the dribble

For example...

If your point guard passes ahead to a wing player and the defense gives a long closeout, encourage them to shot fake and hunt the paint before the defense gets organized.

The best transition teams are able to flow from their fast break into their half court offense.

You don't want your team to fast break and then have to pull the ball out to set-up a play.

Against good teams you won’t get a great number of layups in transition, but you can use a small advantage created by racing down the floor to create a bigger advantage later in the possession.

If the possession starts with a disorganized defense, your goal is to keep them disorganized throughout the entire possession.

If you don't have obvious numbers (2-on-1, 3-on-2), there are several options you have to flow into:

Here are two you can use:

(1) Pistols

Pistols is a common NBA action.

It's triggered by a wing entry, either off the pass or a dribble handoff.

(2) Klay

Run Klay when the ball is in the slot.

A “Klay Cut” – named after Klay Thompson - is our term for what some coaches call a “ghost screen” or a “running slip.”

In the diagram below, 4 runs at 1, fakes a ball screen, but slips into an open area. This action seeks to confuse the defense and could result in a free drive for 1 or open up 4 for a shot.

Both Pistols and Klay flow into the 4-out motion offense.

Gain an advantage with your fast break, maintain it by sprinting into Pistols or Klay, and then continue into your motion.

There are numerous fast break drills you can utilize with your team.

Although unfortunately, there are no “magic” drills that will immediately morph a team into an elite transition squad.

Rather, success if found more by emphasizing transition scoring in all elements of practice.

Some young coaches practice in the half-court far too much.

You must remember that basketball is a game of constant transition. And the easiest way to improve transition play is to transition a lot in practice.

Here are some fast break drills that we have found to be helpful in improving our transition play.

This is a very simple concept, but it's great for helping your players develop a fast break mindset.

And even if you aren’t a huge transition team, it is an excellent conditioner early in the season.

Simply full court scrimmage for 3 minutes.

Score the game as you normally would with one exception:

Award a point every time the offensive team gets the ball below the foul line in 5 seconds or less.

If possible, assign an assistant coach or parent the task of counting down from five on every change of possession.

This rule encourages the offense to SPRINT and look to pass ahead if they want the potential extra point.

Award this point regardless of if the offensive team scores on that possession.

For example...

If the offense gets the ball below the foul line in 5 seconds and passes to the rim-runner for a layup, that would be a 3-point possession.

This game can be played 3-on-3 or 4-on-4, but 5-on-5 allows you to work on the Pistols and Klay options when your team doesn't score in primary transition.

Here's how it works:

Two teams play 5-on-5, with a third team standing on the sideline.

(if you have 20 or more players, four or more teams can play)

Play until someone scores.

If Team 1 scores, Team 2 is out.

Team 1 then pushes the ball the other direction as Team 3 sprints on.

The team entering must touch half court and communicate their matchups as they quickly get into their defensive positions.

This is a fun game that develops offensive and defensive transition, while also serving as a great conditioner.

If you prefer to increase individual accountability, you can play with fewer players. For example, 3 on 3 on 3 makes it even more obvious who is not executing in offensive and defensive transition.

Committing to play fast break basketball can benefit any team.

Even if your team is not the fastest on your schedule, the habit of advancing the ball quickly to explore scoring opportunities will keep pressure on the defense and get your team playing together.

I hope that some of these concepts will help get your team off and running this season!

How To Run The Basketball Fast Break Offense and Transition Offense

Home > Coaching > Basketball Offense > How To Run The Basketball Fast Break Offense and Transition Offense - Philosophy, Offenses, Drills

The fast break and transition offense occurs when you gain possession of the basketball and push the ball as quickly as possible up the floor via the dribble or the pass. You can gain possession of the ball by a turnover, rebound, blocked shot, or an attempted shot. Like Don Kelbick likes to say in his Transition Offense and Four-Second Fast Break DVD, "The operative word in fast break is 'fast.'"

You always want the fast break to be your first offensive option.

Why should you fast break?

1. To get easy scoring opportunities - Many teams have great half-court defenses when they are set. Whether it's an advantage fast break 2v1, 3v2, etc or 5v5 transition offense situation, the fast break allows you to attack the defense before it can get set which can lead to many easy baskets for your team. If an easy basket does not present itself, they transition directly into your offense to keep the defense on their heels.

2. Control tempo & force bad decisions for your opposition - Some teams are not used to playing a fast tempo. Due to your opponents' lack of repetitions running the fast break, this can lead to more bad decisions for your opposition which would be advantageous for you.
3. Wear teams down - If you practice the fast break every day during practice, chances are that your players will be in pretty good condition. Your opponents may not spend as much time running the break, so when you pick up the temp, this will wear on your opponents. It may not happen right away, it may not happen until the last 4 minutes of the game. Paul Westhead's teams were known for wearing teams down, then going on enormous runs in the second half.

   If you have 9 or 10 players, this can also be a great way to wear the teams down. It is also a great way to develop your underclassmen.

4. Beating zones and pressure - Many coaches will say that your best offense against a good zone or defensive pressure is your fast break and transition offense. As mentioned before, you want to get the ball up the court for easy scoring opportunities before the defense can get set.
5. Aggressive mentality - When taught properly, the fast break can lead to an aggressive offensive mentality. If you watch the best players in the world, they usually have that "attack" mindset. Quite often, the difference between average players and good players is their mindset. If you can get all of your players with the same mindset, it could lead to a much better team. This doesn't mean that everybody on your team is jacking up 3's or the first open jump shot, your players should just do what they do well with assertiveness.
6. Offensive rebounds - Many rebounders are not good at running the floor. When you big man is conditioned, it will lead to many more opportunities. Danny Miles will sub his post players more frequently than his post players because post players have to cover more ground on each possession. This helps keep his post players fresh. Danny typically subs his post players every 4 minutes.
7. Players enjoy it - Players are more likely to buy in and want to participate if you provide a style of play that is enjoyable to play.

Are there situations where you should not run the fast break?

Against talented, athletic teams, you may choose to slow down your offense, but I don't believe that you want to completely dismiss fast breaks because they could lead to some very easy baskets. In this situation, you may enforce a "lay up" only rule. If you get an advantage, take a lay up.

If no advantages are presented out of the fast break, you could set a rule that you only take lay ups until a specified time or number of passes. Some examples are:

• No jump shots until 30 seconds have passed.
• No jump shots until 10 passes have been made.
• No jump shots until the ball has been reversed 5 times.
• No jump shots until the ball has touched the post twice.

Running Your Transition Offense

Running a transition offense, at least a good one, is a lot more than just running up and down the floor as fast as you can. For a break to be truly effective in a transition system, the break must fit seamlessly with which ever half court offense you have chosen to run.

The purpose for a transition system is to take advantage of your opponent's break downs while they are changing from offense to defense or from defense to offense. It is designed to take control of and lengthen the transition period. Openings will exist as your opponent is making the transition giving your team a great opportunity to take advantage of openings. It would be counter productive to your goals and objectives if you had to hold the ball out to reset your offense and give the defense a chance to organize and defend.

When running a transition game, I think the single most important things to establish are your break objectives. What do you want to get out of your break? Coaches do it with the offense. Coaches do it with the defense. How many coaches address it with their break?

Are you going to be a coach who looks for 3-pointers off of the fast break? Are you going to say lay ups or short jumpers only?

Do you want to create a frantic pace even at the risk of giving up easy baskets like Paul Westhead used to do with his Loyola Maramount teams?

Do you want to slow things down if you do not get a lay up and force the opposition to play defense for extended periods?

Are you going to run a numbered break or a free flowing fast break?

These are just a few of the questions you need to ask yourself.

Types of Fast Breaks

The Numbered Break - In a numbered break you assign numbers to each player.

1 is the point guard and can bring the ball up the left side of the floor or the right side (not the middle, we want the point picking a side). You can allow the point guard to choose a side or if you prefer, you can specify that point always goes up a certain side (ex: right side).

2 sprints to the spot in the right corner.

3 sprints to the spot in the left corner.

4 inbounds the ball and trails filling the wing opposite the ball (in this example it's the left wing).

5 sprints to the strong side block.

The numbered break is easy to teach because players always go to the same spot.

Motion or Free-Flow Break

The best and the simplest break I have ever experienced did not have multiple cuts or transition options. I have learned that it gets you up the court quickly and fits with any transition offense. It is simple and you can teach it in a minute. I recommend that everyone try it, at least for a little while.

The break is simple: If you are ahead of the ball, run wide; if you are behind the ball, run down the middle. Everything else pretty much takes care of itself.

You can figure out the trailers, you can figure out where the wings go. You can even have players run in the same lane. As long as they finish in spots where your offense can continue, there is no harm. In fact, if you have 2 players run in the same lane, as long as they are properly spaced, the first cutter will strip the defense for the second cutter and you might find opportunities where none were present before.

Here are some sample fast break offenses and secondary break offenses

Paul Westhead - Loyola Maramount Transition Offense

Carolina Secondary Break

Phoenix Suns Fast Break Offense

Foul Line Fast Break

Fast Break and Transition Offense Basketball Drills

Competitive 1v1 Attack
This fast break drill improves your ability to finish at the basket in a break situation.

5 on 3 + 2 Fast Break and Transition Offense Drill
This transition drill improves your team's ability to score out of the break or transition seamlessly into your offense.

1v1 Attack With Narrow Cones
This is another great fast break drill that works on breaking down a defender with a dribble move before attacking the basket in transition.

View all of our fast break and transition drills.

Want to learn how to build your fast break and transition offense step by step?

Don Kelbick's Transition Offense and the Four-Second Fast Break This DVD shows you how to build your fast break and transition offense step-by-step, so you can easily teach it during practice. It will also show you how to seamlessly transition into your half court offense to keep the defense scrambling. As every great defensive coach will tell you, they play their best defense when they have their 5 players back. This DVD will show you how to take advantage of the defense when they're not set and currently in transition. It also includes many fast break and transition drills that build mentality, aggressiveness, decision-making, and basketball skills. This DVD is 110 minutes long and neatly organized ... (more info)

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

Fast attack | Tactics in Basketball

Fast offense is also a system, otherwise called the fast break system.

Further improvement of the methods of organizing team actions in a rapid attack makes it possible to determine other systems of a rapid attack.

This fast-break attack system is used by most of the leading teams in the Soviet Union.

Fast Break is the best system in a game with an opponent who does not have time to fully take up defense. It can always be used in the first moment after the opponent loses the ball.

The main thing in the system is to quickly move under the enemy's shield as many players of the attacking team as possible in order to create a numerical superiority there. The faster the players act, the more likely this superiority can be achieved, the more successful the attack of the basket can be. Having mastered the ball, all players go forward, regardless of the functions that they perform in the team (attack or defense). Players who are closer to the opponent's basket should be especially energetic in attacking. Everyone else supports their offensive moves by moving forward quickly. The result of a fast break depends on the timeliness and sharpness of the start of the team.

Successfully developing a fast break is possible only if the player who first takes possession of the ball in the struggle acts correctly. It is imperative that the player in possession of the ball immediately passes it to the nearest teammate, without trying to process it in any way and without wasting time choosing a partner, assessing the situation, dribbling the ball, distracting actions, etc. The first pass should, as a rule, be short (1-5 m). The faster the first pass is made, the more difficult it is for the opponent, who is advancing before that, to catch up with the ball. While the opponent stops, turns and makes a start, the team that has unexpected possession of the ball can shoot the ball into the basket.

A fast break is also possible after the ball is put into play from behind the line, in case the opponent hesitated and did not have time to return to the defense. To do this, the player putting the ball into play must quickly take it, run up to the place, determining on the move to whom to pass the ball, and immediately put it into play. The rest of the players break away forward, moving in the same way as when intercepting the ball.

By delaying the first pass, after the ball is intercepted or after the ball is put into play from behind the line, the player makes it easier for the opponent to defend and thus nullifies the fast break system.

There are cases when only one long pass is used to a partner who has broken away from the defenders and passed under the opponent's shield. This can only be done if the player is completely alone and the opponent has no opportunity to intercept the ball. If the opponent is at some distance from the partner, then we can expect that the time spent on the flight of the ball will be sufficient for the opponent to approach the partner and intercept the ball or prevent him from acting freely. In this case, the partner, even having received the ball, will either have to wait for the rest of the players to come up, or to join the fight alone, the result of which is doubtful.

Short passes allow several players to approach the opponent's backboard at the same time as the ball. The speed of transfer and movement, increasing or maintaining the obtained gap from the enemy and its numerical superiority, creates the success of the team. The attacking team puts the enemy in this case in a very difficult position and deprives him of any opportunity to resist. It is not recommended to dribble on a fast break. It is always better to prefer short passes.

The movement of the players, passing the ball from one side of the court to the other, constantly changes the direction from which they can threaten the basket, complicates the situation in which the defenders are forced to operate and constantly rebuild. This rebuilding may not always be successful as the attacking team is outnumbered. Dribbling is always slower than moving a player without the ball, so it delays and slows down the development of the game. In addition, the dribbler is limited in his maneuverability, making it easier for the defense to deal with the dribbler.

Dribbling is only allowed in a fast break final when the player is moving directly towards the basket and there is no opponent on the way. In this case, the direct approach of the ball carrier to the basket will force the opponent to take more active defensive measures, as a result of which one of the attackers, close to the basket, may be free. The dribbler must use this and pass the ball to his partner in a better position.

Often the attacking team, having created a numerical superiority in the opponent's zone, believes that it has already achieved success and slows down the game. This is a gross mistake.

For a fast break, from the first moment the ball is received until the shot for the basket, the team must be fast. The overwhelming numerical superiority achieved by correct actions at the beginning can only be realized by accelerating the actions of the players in the final - before the throw.

Only by sharply increasing the speed of action can one deprive the defending team of the opportunity to bring up forces and restore the numerical ratio of players, as well as organize defense with available forces and prevent the throw into the basket.

The duration of the fast-break team from the moment the ball is received to the shot into the basket must be very short, consisting of three or four passes, which must be completed before the remaining opposing players arrive.

If in this short time there is no shot to the basket, or at least an attempt to make a throw, then we can assume that the fast break has failed. The team, if still in possession of the ball, must use a different offensive system that is more effective against an opponent who has returned to full defense.

A fast break in which all players actively switch to offense completely weakens the defense of one's own basket. Therefore, the players of the attacking team, acting very quickly, require special accuracy in passing. The slightest inaccuracy - and the ball goes to the enemy. Some of the enemy players fell behind, but now they will be already in the attack zone, thanks to which the enemy gains numerical superiority under the shield without a fight. Thus, one inaccurate pass not only destroys the entire numerical advantage, but also transfers it into the hands of the enemy.

Fast break does not allow due to the shortness of the time from start to completion of any permanent line-up. In order for the breakthrough to be quick and unexpected, players must instantly rebuild, act in a variety of ways and individually in accordance with the situation on the site.

Players in a fast break should not act crowded, but use the entire court: some of the players advance along the sidelines, some along the center of the court (Fig. 53, a).

Fig. 53. Combinations used in the "fast break" system

A wide offensive front increases the area that the enemy must defend. The heap actions of the attackers facilitate the defense, and even one defender can successfully cope with two or three attackers (Fig. 53, b).

You need to advance on a wide front, but not in one line. It is best to advance in a triangle (Fig. 53, c).

Players who break away first should not wait for their partners at the zone line, but should move forward as quickly as possible and boldly enter the rear of the defenders without the ball.

The players who started to act later do not overtake the first ones, but lag a little behind, forming a triangle with them. The trailer must move in the middle of the site. He, in his position, must take on the role of distributing the transfer, through which the entire preparation of the attack takes place, and also threaten the basket himself.

If numerical superiority is achieved, then the player with the ball, who is close to the backboard, must actively threaten the basket (drill the ball at the basket, aim, etc.), calling on the defenders in order to free one of the partners from them. The player with the ball must watch how the defender works. If the defender goes to him, the ball should be given to a free partner, if the defender does not react to his actions, he should boldly go to the shield and attack the basket.

Fast Break requires all players to act at lightning speed. It is used against an opponent who has not had time to fully return to the defense.

Taking advantage of a fast break against a fully defended team is impossible, and it would be tactically illiterate to try to do so.

1. Player Δ2 (Fig. 54, a) took the ball from the backboard. The rest of the team, seeing this, abandon their wards and quickly move forward. The nearest player Δ1 receives the ball from player Δ2 and, without delay, passes it to player Δ3 who has stepped forward a little. Players Δ4 and Δ5, expanding the offensive front, go forward along the sidelines. Player Δ3, having determined that there are only two players in defense - Ο4 and Ο5 of the opponent, dribbles the ball forward in a straight line to the backboard. At this time, players Δ4 and Δ5 enter the rear of the defenders. If one of the defenders, wanting to stop player Δ3, goes to him, then the latter must pass the ball to his partner under the shield. If the defenders continue to hold players Δ4 and Δ5, who are closer to the basket, then Δ3 must drive the ball to the basket and shoot.

The 2nd variant of this combination is shown in fig. 54b. Player Δ4 with the ball moves not in the center, but along the sideline. Player Δ3, who is advancing in the center, deliberately lags a little behind in order to get the ball from him if the defender goes for him. Having received the ball, he either throws the ball into the basket or passes it to a free partner.

Fig. 54. Combinations used in the fast break system

At the moment when player Δ1 intercepted the ball (Fig. 55), player Δ4 quickly breaks forward. In this case, a long pass under the basket, where the player Δ4 is ​​located, is advisable, since short passes or dribbling slows down the attack.

Fig. 55. Combinations used in the fast break system

A. Ya. Gomelsky about strategy and tactics in basketball

copies of swiss watches

Strategy is the main theoretical direction of the entire work of the team, which determines the means and methods of preparation for the main competitions. Four-year plan for the preparation of the USSR national team for the Olympics in Seoul - the strategy of the team in 1985-1988. The strategy also provides for the management of the team during the competition.

Tactics is a part of the strategy that solves the main tasks of training, taking into account specific capabilities - team resources, characteristics of opponents, competition conditions. All this determines the tactical and combination baggage of the team.

When choosing tactics of the game (attack), one should proceed, firstly, from the real capabilities of the players, taking into account, first of all, their strengths, for the disclosure of which combinations are built and learned. Secondly, attack tactics are determined by the strength and weakness of a real opponent in a tournament, match.

I usually discuss playing combinations with the players for whom this combination is designed. I know the strengths of my players, but the players themselves know them even better and can make significant adjustments to the combinations I have proposed.

A.Ya. Gomelsky about playing defense

I believe that defense is the main concern of the coach: firstly, because the victory of the team largely depends on its strength, secondly, because the attack starts from the defense, like from the stove, in- thirdly, because the players themselves never work on the elements of protection, and finally, because the audience, as a rule, does not see it, even journalists often underestimate it.

The best team cannot win without a solid defense. Team defense is built on the individual characteristics, capabilities and mood of all players. Often in training, and even in competitions, individual players show indifference to defensive actions. It always bothered me and even angered me. Yes, the menial work on defense isn't that spectacular - except for things like block shots, rebounds, interceptions.' And many players are not aggressive on defense, they are resting on defense, trying to prove themselves in attack.

I am sure that without great desire, responsibility, initiative, passion, it is simply impossible to defend today.

If the defender allowed the attacker to receive the ball in the danger zone, he has already lost. And how many cases when the center is allowed to receive the ball in the three-second zone under the shield, without striving to actively fight for an advantageous position.

Often defensive players are in no hurry, they do not concentrate their attention and efforts enough on this part of the game.

I want to emphasize that the psychology of defense is one of the most important concerns of a coach, and often more depends on the focus on defense than on technique and physical condition. Doesn't the ability to intercept the ball and win the rebound depend on the mind and the ability to calculate one's strength? If a player goes to intercept the ball, exposing his rear, and slips past the ball, is this not the result of poor calculation, inability to predict, anticipate the situation, think and act responsibly? All this is the psychology of protection.

I believe that a player who is weak and inept in defense causes more damage to the team than a player who is weak in attack. The definition of "good defense is head and legs", while still valid, is incomplete. Fast, tenacious, active hands that can both hit and intercept the ball, and prevent a throw, pass, kick the ball while dribbling are no less important for a defender

Counterattack

Counterattack is the most spectacular and quick use of all opportunities to achieve result.

Fast play requires high technique. The desire to play at high speeds is commendable and acceptable only if the speed does not exceed the state of the art. Otherwise, there will be more mistakes, losses of the ball than achievements. Therefore, in an effort to prepare a fast break, it is necessary to train the execution of all technical elements at high speeds, using both active and passive resistance of defenders in situations 1-1, 2-1, 3-2, 4-3, 5--4 and with numerical equality.

My idea of ​​a counter-attack is not only to move quickly towards the opponent's backboard, but also to quickly transfer the ball to the opponent's backboard with sharp passes, or, if there is no free recipient to receive the ball, by dribbling the ball, actively moving forward. In the final stage of the fast break, players strive to create a triangle in the front line of attack with the apex on the free throw line. There should be a player with the ball, and two other players - to the left and right of him, 4-5 m ahead.

A counterattack is possible in the following situations:
1) when intercepting the ball;
2) when taking a rebound on his shield;
3) after the opponent has taken free throws;
4) after winning a dropped ball;
5) after the opponent manages to score.

The best outcome of a fast break is taking the opponent's ring with a numerical advantage, when implementing situations in numerical equality: 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4. This is easier than beating a 5-5 defense that has already built up its defensive formations.

There are three phases in a counterattack that are equally important for success:
1) the beginning of a fast break - rebounding the ball, first pass, movement of the players, their start;
2) the middle stage of the development of the attack - the transition by the players of the middle line of the field, their advancement;
3) completion of the attack - passing the ball at speed and throwing in close proximity to the backboard.

The timing of the "rehearsed fast break" depends on the speed of the players, the ball passes and the finishing shot. The USSR national team spent 5-7 s on a layered fast break. I think that the schemes of her tactical formations will provide great opportunities for the creativity of coaches working with any teams.

Playing in the USSR national team such powerful and tall centers as A. Sabonis and V. Tkachenko made it possible to carry out a counterattack through one long pass across the entire court.

Center #5, after recovering the ball from the backboard, passes it to runaway #2.

Such an attack was especially successful when building a zone or mixed defense, when one of the defenders or wingers playing in the front line of defense was given the task of running away at the moment of throwing at our ring, in the expectation that the giants would be able to take possession of the ball , bouncing off the shield, and make a long pass across the entire field. Naturally, such a system of counterattack requires special coordination of actions, and its development takes considerable time in the training process.

Development of a quick counter-attack through the middle of the field.

Players #5, #4, #3 are fighting for the ball and, having mastered it, they try to make the first pass to player #2, who passes the ball to player #1. Player #1 rushes forward dribbling through the middle of the court. Players #2 and #3 overtake the dribbler at high speed, form a triangle with #1, and finish the attack with a close range throw if they manage to create a numerical advantage under the opponent's shield.

If it was not possible to complete the attack in the first echelon, then the second echelon comes into action - center players #4 and #5. They, each on their own side of the court, rush to the opponent's shield. The one on whose side the ball is on ends the attack.

Development of a fast sideline break.

On a rebound from the left side of the backboard, the post makes a quick pass to player #2, who opens to receive the pass to the sideline, just above the free throw line. At the intersection of the sideline with the center, player #1 receives a pass from player #2, then passes it to player #4, who rushes forward on the left side. Player #4 has three possible continuations of the attack: give the ball to player #5 or #3, who is running towards the opponent's backboard in a straight line, or pass to player #2 in the area of ​​the arc. It is clear that the transfer should be made to the most open player, who is in the most advantageous situation.

A similar situation occurs when attacking on the opposite side.

Development of a fast break after a free throw into our ring.

If player #4 catches a bounce or quickly clears a potted ball from behind the endline, the first pass is to the left sideline to player #1 opening at or slightly above the free throw line. Player #2 opens near the center circle, receives the ball and dribbles forward. Players #5 and #3 pass the dribbler along the touchlines, player #4 overtakes him from the right, and player #2 stays slightly back in the backing position. Thus, player #2 has four options to choose the direction of the attack.

Same procedure as above, but after rebounding a field goal or after the ball is thrown in from behind the end line.

Developing a fast break after a dropped ball in the center circle or on the free throw line in our half of the field.

Player #5 discounts player #4 who is ready to receive the ball with his hands up. After catching the ball, #4 passes forward to player #1, who opens up to receive that pass after being screened by player #3. Players #2 and #4 support the attack. Such a combination can be played in both directions. At the heart of her success is high growth, good jumping ability and the ability to accurately throw the ball to the partner of the center player.

Same scheme, but now player #4 screens player #2 who, having received the ball from player #3, rushes forward.

The easiest way to complete a counterattack is for the players to take the shortest path to the opponent's shield. However, with the development of a counterattack, options are possible with cross screens

interaction like a trio

setting up screens for the players of the second echelon in the center of the field.

Many teams in the world, including the USSR national team, after they failed to complete the counterattack with a scoring throw, in the transition to a positional attack, spent precious time placing players, thus allowing the enemy to prepare for defensive actions and occupy all defenders advantageous positions. This is why a quick or non-stop attack after a counterattack ("transition game") is increasingly used in the tactics of the best teams in the world. I will give an example of such an attack in the USSR national team.

The fast break was not completed by the players of the first attack tier #2 and #3, nor the second tier #4 and #5. They, each on their own side, set up screens for fielders #3 and #2 for a shot from medium or long distance, and then go to the backboard to receive the ball in the three-second zone on the spot or to fight on the backboard, after a throw from one of the players # 2 or #3. Options for a non-stop attack can be very different. This could be a double or triple screen for the team's sniper, or a winger or post entering the 3-second zone after receiving the screen. It all depends on the characteristics and capabilities of the player for whom the combination is being made.

Double screen to Marciulionis (#2) to attack with his left hand from the free throw area.

Players #4 (Volkov) and #3 (Tikhonenko) simultaneously put up two screens for player #2 (Marciulenis). #2 breaks into the free throw line, where he receives the ball from player #1 (Sokka). "Marciulionis has opportunities to continue the attack:
a) receiving the ball in motion and passing under the backboard;
b) receiving the ball with a stop and shooting at
c) passing the ball to player #5 (Sabonis) in case there is a switch of defenders.

Players #4 and #2 after screening go under the backboard to fight for the rebound.

Mixed defense

There are several systems of mixed defense:
1. Four players build a zone defense 2-2

or 1-2-1

capabilities and tactics of the opponent.
2. Three players build a 2-1 zone defense and two guard the enemy's strongest snipers.

3. One player completes the zone formation and four players cover the opponents personally.

4. Two players form a zone defense and three players act as an individual defense.

Mixed defense brought good luck to the USSR national team and the CSKA team more than once. The choice of defense has always been determined by the characteristics of the opponent and our capabilities.

In the final of the Olympic tournament in Seoul against the team of Yugoslavia, we used a mixed defense 1-4.

Sabonis played a zone defense, the rest of the players closely guarded their opponents. This was due to the presence of Vrankovic or Raja in the Yugoslav team, who are not very dangerous away from the shield, and the fact that Petrovich, Paspal, Kukoch posed a big threat. The players who guarded the leaders of the Yugoslav team could, with a greater degree of risk, fight with their opponents to get the ball. They knew that Sabonis would help them if they were beaten.

A similar defense was chosen in the semi-final tournament in Seoul against the US team. Sabonis did a zone defense and let Robinson or Reed or Maning shoot from wide. But the rest of the US players were completely covered, and a player like Maning did not bring a single point to the team. As a result, the USSR national team won 82:76. And Sabonis, who participated in the Olympics after a serious injury, two operations, took first place in the selection of balls from shields and made a great contribution to the victory of the USSR team.

Sometimes, with two centers Sabonis - Tkachenko, we built a mixed, personally set defense 3-2. Two giants and one mobile defender played well in the zone. In the early 70s, it was Eremin, then Valters, and at the Olympics and the pre-Olympic tournament Sokk performed this function, and Belostenny and Volkov played instead of Sabonis and Tkachenko in Holland.

At the Seoul Olympics, we used such a defense (3 in the zone, 2 in person) against the Brazilian team.

Sabonis, Volkov and Sokk built a triangle on top of which Sabonis and Volkov played. Tikhonenko took care of So-uzu personally, and Marciulionis took care of Schmidt, and although these two players scored 65 points together, the match turned out to be very difficult for us, but we still won 110:105. The mistake in the choice of defense was that Schmidt outplayed the smaller Marciulionis in different positions, and Souza outplayed the slower Tikhonenko. In the last 10 minutes of the match, Volkov was attached to Schmidt, Marciulionis switched to Souza, and we changed Tikhonenko to Goborov in zone defense.

Benefits of mixed defense
allows you to fight with him to get the ball, while expecting the active help of teammates, without fear of a throw.
2. Such a system, if the opponent is not prepared for it, tactically introduces confusion and makes it difficult to carry out combinations of screens.
3. Combines the best aspects of individual and zone protection systems.
4. Promotes a quick transition from defense to counterattack.
5. Allows players to use their strengths defensively and not show their weaknesses.
6. Can take the point guard out of the game and deprive the opponent of the usual formation and rhythm, destroy the counterattack if applied pressure throughout the field.

Weakness of the mixed defense
1. A technically competent team that has several leaders easily rebuilds the attack and breaks the mixed defense.
2. Simultaneous movements of two or three players diagonally can destroy a mixed defense if the opponent manages to create a numerical advantage on one of the sides of the field.
3. Often vulnerable to medium throws from 3-4 m.
4. Requires special long preparation, coordinated actions, high teamwork of the whole team for rebuilding and interchangeability in positions.
5. If one of the five players did not have time to reorganize or did not cope with his duties, then the whole idea of ​​​​such a defense is frustrated.

A.Ya. Gomel. Pressing defense

Pressing is the most active type of defense, constant pressure on the opponent. It can be personal or zone, it can start from the moment the opponent throws it: all over the court, on 3/4 of it, in their own half, i.e. on 1/2 site.

The goal of defense by pressing is not only psychological pressure on the opponent, but also the desire to break the opponent's established game, break his habitual connections between defense and attack, his combinations, make inaccurate passes of the ball, hasty - throws. It is impossible to apply pressure without mastering enough methods of individual protection. This form of defense requires high physical condition, good reserve and teamwork of all players and team units.

Pressing is used both as a system of play for long periods of time, and as a forced measure: when losing in a score to increase the pace or when waiting for pressure from an opponent.

By pressing, we try to take the ball away from the opponent - we force him to make false, inaccurate passes that are easily intercepted. Often, the opponents of the front line of pressing, having missed the opponents, do not pursue them, but watch the development of further events - this is a gross mistake. It is necessary to chase the player with the ball, trying to knock the ball from him from behind, stepping on his heels. Thus, you force the opponent to rush, worry, make mistakes.

If in zone or personal pressing you are left without a player and do not help a friend, you make a miscalculation. If one of the five pressers is not active, the work of the entire team goes down the drain. Pressing is primarily an active defense of the team.

In modern basketball, many coaches tend to believe that personal pressing is less effective, difficult, leads to a large number of personal violations and is inferior in usefulness to zone pressing systems. I also believe that a strong, technical player with good dribbling is able to cope with personal pressure.

In addition, with a stretched defense, it would be incredibly difficult to keep such players as Marciulionis, Volkov, Kurtinaitis, Petrovich, Schmidt, Kukach, Paspal, Rivier, Gallis one on one. I'm not talking about NBA players. But although zone pressing has become more popular, it is impossible to do without the ability to play personal pressing. Therefore, it is necessary to train defense daily 1-1, 2-2, 3-3, 4-4 all over the court, with and without the ball, with and without dribbling, with and without screens, first at a walk, then at high speed.

Exercises are useful in which the number of defenders prevails over the number of attackers. These exercises promote the interaction of the defenders, instill the skills of tackling the ball. They are also good for attacking players. When training personal pressing, due attention should be paid to the rapid movements of players in an active stance, in different directions, with a skillful change in the positions of players. Defenders of the first line of defense seek to push their attackers to the sidelines and prevent the attacker from getting around him with the ball and without the ball.

If one of the defenders managed to stop the attacker with the ball at the touchline at the intersection with the penalty or center line, the defensive partner must come to the aid of a friend: together they force him to make a cross pass, which the other three players are ready to intercept.

The initial stage of personal pressing is carried out by two fundamentally different tactical formations:
1. The opponent who introduces the ball into the game holds a high moving edge and with an active movement of the hands prevents him from making an aimed pass.

2. Nobody guards the opponent who puts the ball into play, but two pressers prevent the most dangerous dribbler from getting the ball.

For example, Volkov secured Sokka and Marciulionis from behind when passing to player 5. make him stop and do not let him make an accurate pass, interfering with his hand movements;
2) if the defending partner allowed himself to be bypassed, immediately come to his aid, of course, without leaving your ward in a safe position under the shield;
3) constantly monitor not only your ward, watch the actions of partners, learn to see the whole field.

In the USSR national team and CSKA, zone pressing 1-2-1 - 1 brought us the most success. We started pressing from the opponent's front line after a goal and a free kick. High extreme Volkov interfered with the throw-in. If the ball was injected to the right, Marciulionis and Volkov attacked X2 defender together, trying to prevent him from going forward and make an aimed pass to XI defender, Sokk followed the movement of X3 and X4. Sabonis secured the rear, was responsible for long passes and for the X5 player. Tikhonenko in the center of the field followed X4's pass with a long pass and went to the ball passing side.

Returning with a weak attack, we built a defense 2-3

Zone defense in basketball

The meaning of this defense is that the players are in charge of a certain area of ​​the field, in accordance with the position of the ball and the formation of the attacking team.

Benefits of zone defense:
1. Allows players to be placed according to their physical, technical and mental characteristics.
Tall, jumpy players are located close to the shield, mobile, fast players - in positions higher from the shield.
2. More commanding, easy to master, able to compensate for the individual gaps in the defense of the players.
3. Promotes counter-attacking and frequent interceptions of the ball with the greatest possible degree of risk, because. Partners are always ready to help.
4. The number of fouls in a zone defense is usually less than in a personal defense.
5. This defense is less vulnerable to screen combinations.
6. Can concentrate with strong opponent centers and stretch with snipers.
7. More than personal protection, it saves players' strength and protects leaders from fouls.
8. Most effective against opponents with strong centers.
9. A team that owns a zone defense can easily build mixed forms of defense: 3-2, 4-1, 2-3.
10. Convenient and suitable for small fields.

Disadvantages of zone defense:
1. Inferior to the personal psychological responsibility of the players, their charge for individual victory in defense.
2. Less useful against teams with strong snipers.
3. As a rule, the corners of the court are less protected in zone defense.
4. Zone defense may be used occasionally and should not be the main form of defense. It is not advisable to use zone defense at the beginning of the match, when the opponent's players are not yet tired, energetic enough - their throws are more accurate and productive than at the end of the game.

There are several formations of the zone defense, however, each of the zone defenses should easily transform depending on the attack - stretch when attacking from a distance and group around the ring.

Even type of zone defense formations includes systems: 2-2-1, 2-1-2, 2-3.

Odd formation: 1-2-2, 1-3-1, 3-2.

Each of these constructions has its advantages and disadvantages, which are useful to analyze.

The arrows indicate the direction of movement of the players. The shaded places on the court are the weak positions of the defense.

Zone defense 1-2-2

#1 - the lightest, fastest defender, #2 and #3 - quite mobile, jumpy, good if their height is at least 2 m. #4 and #5 - centers. Their task is to fight with the opponent's centers, picking up balls from the shield.

This system is most useful against teams trying to attack from under the shield through the post. Disadvantages - weak positions indicated in the figure.

Zone defense 2-1-2

It is used against strong opponent's centers who are dangerous on the "second floor" when rebounding the ball. Good for developing a counterattack with fast #1 and #2 players. Vulnerable in corners under 45, in the center for long and medium throws. The task of post #5 is to mark the opponents' post and, together with ?3 and ?4, create a rebounding triangle. #3 and #4 are mobile and high wingers, they can be swapped depending on the place of the sniper's attack.

Zone Defense 1-3-1

Helps to keep #3, #5, #2 between the ball and the basket at all times, used against opponent's strong centers and shots from middle and close positions. Her weakness is throws from the corners of the site and passes to the shield along the front line.

#1 - the fastest defender, running into the gap in every possible situation, #2 and #3 - mobile, jumping players, #5 - center, #4 - the fastest winger, able to move into the corners of the court.

Zone defense 3-2

#1, #2 and #3 are aggressive, mobile players, the success of the whole system largely depends on their activity. All three are focused on intercepting the ball and counterattacking. This system is most acceptable against teams seeking to attack from a distance, and less suitable against strong centers. The 3 second zone and 45 angle positions are the most vulnerable. #1 is in charge of the foul line. #2 and #3 are in a rebound fight. #5 and #4 are the first and second centers.

Zone protection 2-3

Strongest under the backboard, in the corners of the court along the front line. It is used against a tall, powerful team attacking from close positions and from under the shield. Often used for group selection of the ball in the corners of the court. When interacting #4 and #2 or #3 and #1, the defense is less effective on the foul line and at a 45 angle. #5 - center, #4 - second center, #3 - winger, #1 and #2 - defenders, constantly aimed at interception and counterattack.

Zone protection 2-2-1

This defense is used by agile and short teams aiming to intercept the ball and constantly counterattack. This zone counterattack is used against teams seeking to attack from medium distances. Center #5 is responsible for rebounding, wingers #3 and #4 are responsible for positions in corners and under 45 , rebounding the ball and for the foul line.

Defenders #1 and #2 tend to close the passes to the shield and into the three-second zone, while they themselves are constantly aimed at counterattacking.

A.Ya. GomelskyDefense against ball carrier

It is necessary to work out the correct position of the body in a basketball stance: the center of gravity is distributed evenly on both legs, but not on a full foot, but on the toes, with a “charged” (ready for any movement) foot, knees slightly bent, legs slightly wider than shoulders . Boxing stance - like the great Michael Jordan.

If the opponent is in possession of the ball, one arm of the defender must be directed at the ball and constantly attack the opponent, preventing him from aiming or throwing (best if it touches the attacker), and the second arm slightly pulled back. Many defenders, being between the player with the ball and the basket, even in the correct stance, do not actively use their hands, do not make an offensive movement towards the attacker, which allows the opponent to calmly take further actions. At the same time, it must be remembered that you cannot cross your legs, that the distance between the defender and the opponent must be calculated so that the opponent can pass with a dribbling to the ring.

Contact defense against the ball carrier, although difficult and somewhat risky, is modern and has its advantages. If your arm extended to the opponent reaches his chest, then by doing so you prevent the attacker from lifting the ball up for a throw.

The defender's movements should be practiced regularly:
a) in each training session - with and without resistance;
b) with one or two balls;
c) with side steps, making contact with the body closest to the attacker.

The defender's actions in different situations can be divided into 12 positions:
1. Defense against a dribbler driving the ball to your ring.
2. Defending against a player who has finished the dribble and is looking to either shoot or pass.
3. Defense against an attacker 5-6 m from the backboard, but not using the dribbling.
4. Actions of defenders in numerical minority.
5. Actions of two defenders against three forwards.
6. Actions of three defenders against four forwards.
7. Actions of defenders during screenings.
8. Rear screen protection.
9. Slip protection.
10. Group tackle of the ball by two defenders.
11. Defense against the first pass to the counterattack.
12. Fighting the attacker in the corners of the court.

Let's try to analyze the defender's actions in each of these positions.

1. Defender's task - in a parallel low stance, without crossing the legs, move backwards, knees slightly bent, one hand all the time makes attacking movements towards the dribbler (feints with the body and head participate in this frightening dribbler movement), with the other hand he tries to stop the dribble (if possible, knock the ball out). The raised hand is ready to prevent the presenter from making the pass. Hands can be changed, they are always in motion.

As already mentioned, one should move on a "charged" foot, the heels do not touch the floor, the back is straight, slightly tilted forward, the head is raised up.

The leader should be pushed to the sideline, in the corner of the court, or his movement should be directed towards the defensive partner, remembering that the leader must not be allowed to go to the "strong" side (if left-handed - to the left, if right-handed - to the right).

The distance from the leader should be maintained depending on the speed of his rushing with the ball, his ability to attack or pass, as well as your ability, taking into account the position on the field of defensive partners. Do not rush to take the ball away from a good dribbler, wait for him to stop or make a mistake.

2. If the attacker has finished dribbling and has stopped to shoot or pass the ball, the defender must definitely get close to him, actively using his arms, preventing him from concentrating on the next action. The hand closest to the opponent must touch the fingers of his chest or stomach and not allow him to lift the ball up to attack the ring or pass. The defender seeks to force the opponent to turn his back to the shield and, without stopping attacking the attacker, prevents him from making an aimed pass. The defender must signal to his defensive partners to be ready to intercept the ball. These are already team actions.

3. If the opponent has received the ball 5-6 m from the backboard and he is in possession of the dribble, the defender must not stop actively attacking the attacker; make short lunges with your front foot, use your hands to prevent him from aiming. The attacker cannot be missed to the shield along the front line, if he moves slightly towards it, none of the partners will help the defender. The hand close to the end line insures the passage with the lead, the other one attacks the attacker.

Do not give in to feints. If the attacker went to the end line where the defender took up position, you can meet him with his chest and show the referees that he knocked you down. Don't be afraid and learn to fall gently on your back.

If the attacker, despite the activity of the defender, lifted the ball for a throw, you should try to jump with him and prevent the throw. Do not stop working even when the opponent has already made a throw or pass. Do not turn away from him and block his path to the shield. When you take a step back, meet him with your face, and do not try to run after him. You should always be in these moments between the opponent and your shield.

4. If the defender is alone against two attackers, he tries to prevent the ball from being thrown from under the backboard and retreats with his back to his ring so that he can see both attackers. With false movements, he tries to stop the player with the ball and prevent him from making a pass to the opponent under the ring or in time for him in order to block the throw from afar. Not allowing the ball to be thrown from under the shield, the defender will fulfill his mission.

2x1 training on the spot and on the move develops reaction in defenders, teaches active arm movement, backward movement, composure and ability to intercept the ball.

5. Two defenders against three forwards - a common situation in any match, so the defenders, regardless of their position, being in the minority, must know their maneuver.

The front defender moves towards the dribbler to stop him at the top of the three-point offensive zone. He uses a feint, showing that making contact with this attacker is his main real task. At the same time, he should not get close to the opponent leading the ball. The rear defensive player takes a position on the free throw line, behind the front one and, after the pass from the dribbler, moves towards the player who received the ball - he is responsible for passing this player to the backboard or throwing from close range. The front defender, meanwhile, quickly moves to the third striker under the shield, managing to prevent him from getting the ball. The task of the two defenders is to prevent the ball from being thrown from under the shield. Exercises 3x2, 4x3, 5x4 are a good school for practicing such actions. You can train them by attacking with two balls.

6. If three defenders are defending against four attackers, their actions are built as follows. If attacker XI has the ball, defender ?1 rushes towards him, defender ?2 is responsible for throwing and moving to attacker XZ's shield, defender ?3 moves to the shield. If attacker X2 receives the ball, defender ?1 tends to it. Defender ?3 is responsible for attacker X4, defender ?2 moves to the basket.

A 4x3 drill on the spot and on the move, with rebounding the ball after a throw, with one and two balls - a good rehearsal for a defense of three against four.

7. Today, not a single even very serious team imagines an attack without a combination of screens.

Coordination of actions of the team's defenders, warning about the impending screen determine the preparation of the team to fight the screens.

The guard guarding the screening player must warn his partner of the imminent threat. If the screen without the ball is made by attackers of the same height, there is no great danger of changing the defenders.

If the defenders want to avoid changing when screening from the side, the defender must turn towards the defender and step back, bypassing him from behind, which will not allow the attacker to pass to the backboard.

If the attacker screens from the blind side, from behind, the defender must open towards the defensive partner, turning sideways to him. This will make it difficult to set up a barrier.

8. If your partner puts a screen on the sniper when attacking from medium or long distances behind the defender and you did not have time to get out from under such a screen, a change is necessary: ​​your partner switches to the sniper with his hand raised and prevents him from making a throw. You are left with a dangerous, taller opponent, and your task is to prevent him from getting the ball or picking up the ball after the throw.

It is difficult to do without the help of partners in this situation. In general, I am a supporter of the smallest shift with screens, because. this reduces individual responsibility and gives the attacker a chance to beat the defender.

9. If your player, while in possession of the ball, seeks to pass to a teammate who is close to him, you must step back and allow your defensive partner to slip, and then take an active position towards your attacker.

10. The defensive player should always try to get the dribbler to the touchline, into the corner of the court, stop him and turn his back to the backboard.

The second defender, seeing this situation, attacks the opponent with the ball from the other side. Both of them with active hand movements interfere with making an aimed pass. It is important that the rest of the defense players are ready, focused on intercepting the ball.

11. The USSR national team used the defense against the first pass in a fast break more than once against opponents who counterattack through a fast dribbler, sending him the first pass after picking up the ball from the backboard. So we often defended against the Spanish national team, where the ?1 dribbler was Carbolan or Salosobal.

Our team's tall center, who plays close to the backboard, whether it's Tkachenko, Sabonis or Belostenny, prevents the dribbler from making an accurate first pass. At the same time, our fast defender, for example, Homichujus, presses ?1 opponent and does not allow him to receive the ball. The other three of our players were to immediately return to their zone.

So often the counterattack of the Spanish national team failed, in which the Spaniards were especially dangerous and productive.

I must say that there are some significant differences between the game of our and American defenders. According to my conclusions, they are:
1. Americans on the defensive are always offensive, they are not afraid of a contact attack on the attacker in possession of the ball.

In a low stance with arms raised, the US defender seeks to hit the ball, prevent a pass from being made, not to mention a shot. If the attacker lifts the ball up, the defender immediately reacts to this: his hand rises up and seeks to interfere with any actions of the attacker. The attacker put the ball down - the defender immediately takes two quick steps back, preparing to prevent the opponent's pass without losing his defensive stance.

2. When active, the American defender never allows the attacker to pass with the ball through the center, into the middle, but constantly pushes him to the sideline. When an attacker is missed on the front line, teammates immediately come to the aid of the defender. Our tactic is, on the contrary, to close the baseline, where, as we believe, it is more difficult to provide team assistance. I think it's best to find a compromise here: train the safety net both in the middle of the three-second zone and when passing on the front.

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