SMART

W
ould’nt it be lovely, if
coach could program
excellence, if there
were n0 mistakes or lost
opportunities, if all went
well – all the time? But, that
would be wishful thinking.
An unflagging defender
will stymie the best-laid plans. More often than not, the
game turns on the lack of experience. When a defensive
stop is imminent, experienced offensive players understand
intuitively what remedial options are available to outsmart
aggressive defenders. In truth, defenders are obliged to give-
up “this” or “that”. There is always a place to go and viable
options to pursue. Basketball is all about movement that
creates opportunities. Experience has taught me, the most
enjoyable learning vehicle for introducing “What if…?” is
the half-court Three-Man Game.

What makes this vehicle so special? It rewards initiative,

economy of movement and precision. It exposes deficiencies.
It teaches, they learn. What coach hasn’t had to deal with
broken plays that are reset in hopes of eventual success. The
3-Man Game is that confidence builder that allows one to
segue seamlessly from broken/scripted play to opportunity
(without having to reset – and it’s totally devoid of angst).

This “game” mentors one to recognize and take advantage

of scoring opportunities; marginalizes defenders; counsels
an inside/out mentality; encourages team play; defines
timing and spacing; teaches priority; fosters responsibility.

In short, it can demonstrate what is possible, when it is

appropriate; and more than that, the process accumulates a
wealth of game experience imperative to success. Knowing
how, when, and where to move, without the ball, opens up
windows of opportunity.

Chance favors preparation

Skills training, i.e., ballhandling (Paige Drill), power lays-ups,
should precede the Game to encourage practical application
under game-like conditions.
THE THREE MAN GAME
Rationale: In order not to blunder into each others operating
space (unintentionally inviting the defense to “double” the
ball), it’s important the players understand what regulates
the pedestrian traffic. Crossing the foul line extended (from
sideline to sideline) triggers the movement. It cascades
from there. Each move is triggered by the preceding one in
succession (not all together). Each man in turn, will know
with certainty, the options of the man who replaces him,
how he can interact, when it is appropriate, how to make
himself an acceptable pass risk, and when it’s time to clear
out, or pick for the man he’s to replace.

Basic Movement
Place one player on each box (neutral square) and one at
the top of the key. The man on top – crossing the foul line
extended – triggers the cascade.

Standing behind the man on top, direct him (by voice or

touch) to the right or left box. Upon his approach, the
man on that box will vacate his position, and displace the
man on the opposite box, who in turn will replace the man
on top.

Speed up the rotation and continue directing each man

on the top, until all three understand they are to move
away from (not toward) their approaching teammate. It’s
about timing and spacing and teamwork. With cascading
movement, there is ample opportunity for individual
expression and talent to surface. Later, I will detail how each
move generates new possibilities for unscripted scoring.

Basic Footwork
Now, it’s basic foot-work for the man on the box wanting
the ball: Basket/Ball/Backdoor: Facing the ball at the top of
the key, with your back at a forty-five degree angle to the
baseline, step decisively with the baseline foot to the basket
(as if anticipating a high pass between you and the basket).
This draws the defender closer, then, push-off hard on
that baseline foot as you slide diagonally toward the foul
line extended expecting the defender to again close down
the passing lane. At the moment of closure, push-off hard
pivoting toward the basket with the foul line foot as you
step long to the basket with the baseline foot. Present the

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hand furthest from the ball as a target for the lead backdoor
pass – and lay-up.

Whenever the defender fails to close down your passing

lane (on your slide to the foul line extended), you will
receive the ball outside. Whereupon, you will pivot and
face the basket (pivot inside or outside, whichever puts the
defender at the greatest disadvantage) in a classic one-on-
one.

Your options will be, in order of priority, to pass, drive, or

shoot. Although your passer, cutting to the basket (give &
go), is a viable passing option, there may be an even better
first opportunity under the basket if someone is open
(porous defense or mismatch) and has the skills. Your first
look is always inside, then out. Pass only to strength and
advantage! Don’t think about it, know it!

In the event the man on the box is playing outside the paint
in the “hole” (halfway between the box and the foul line
extended), he will step decisively to the ball, ostensibly
for a pass (invariably, your better defenders will deny this
option), when denied, quickly pivot inside, executing a
“willy” (a quick long go-by jump-step) to the basket looking
for the back-door pass.

In this game the defense is obliged, by default, to give-up

“this” or “that”. If you’re prepared for those two options,
you’re on top of your game. If not, it’s time to upskill your
game, or find a sport that tolerates limited skills.

Option One
The man on the top with the ball is prepared to pass the
ball to either man on either box as he jockeys diagonally in
and out (“jerking his man” with speed changes, head feints,
and a “willy”, i.e., a quick long go-by jump-step) to separate
himself from his defender and invite a pass. However, he
will not receive the ball above the foul line extended; that’s
an automatic backdoor option.

Before passing, you must be aware of what your teammate

cannot do, know his comfort zone. It’s not smart exposing
limitations. Knowing where the receiver can score from,
will suggest when, or if he will be targeted for delivery. The
final decision to pass or not, depends on how well you know
his game (capacity to finish), your defensive read, and your
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ability to find or fashion a passing lane to the receiver’s
advantage using the most appropriate pass (lead, bounce,
chest, alley-oop, wrap-around).

Should your pass be intercepted, rejected, or fail to produce

the desired results, question your performance: Did I use
the right pass? Was my delivery too obvious? Was my
pass badly timed? on the wrong plane? too hard? too
much hang-time? Did I fail to conceal my intent? Did I
underestimate the defender’s capabilities? capacity? Was
I too arrogant? too cautious? Did I factor in the receiver’s
game? his limitations? Did I leave him enough wiggle-
room? Did I assume something not in evidence? Have I
done everything that could have been done?

Having passed (other than to an opportunity under the

basket), the passer steps away from the receiver (hoping to
pull his defender away from the passing lane), then quickly
steps back toward the ball, and down the foul lane looking
for a return pass and lay-up (leaving the defender a step
too late). If, however, your defender does his job (stepping
to the ball as you step away), he takes away your preferred
path (option A). You, in response, must transition, without
hesitation, into a fake pick & post, or butt-pick (option B).
There’s always a place to go and a thing to do. Movement
is the key to opportunity.

Precisely because your defender is between you and the ball,

with his back to the basket, it is difficult at best, to defend
the basket. You can do something for someone else, i.e.,
go down the lane and set a butt-pick on the other box; or
go solo, fake the pick, and post. If the pass doesn’t happen,
you must rotate away from the ball, leaving the one-on-
one option available to the ballhandler.

In a game known for its movement, setting meaningful picks

requires unbelievable patience and cooperation: teamwork,
timing and spacing. The mechanics of the butt-pick are
executed exactly the same as boxing-out except it’s being
done to your teammate’s defender. And that teammate is
largely responsible for its success or failure.

With your teammate operating out of that opposing box

(and knowing he’s next in that cascading rotation), he
should be acutely aware that option “A” didn’t work, and
you’re proceeding to the next option (butt-pick) which

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demands his participation, cooperation and unflagging
patience.

The defender being picked-off must be setup. He must be

kept too busy to realize he’s being used until it’s too late to
avoid the pick (patience). The teammate should step away
at your approach (spacing), then toward you; all precisely
timed to back his defender into your “now” stationary, wide,
foot-trapping butt-pick (teamwork).

Come off the pick tight and go high (bottom half of the
jump circle, then move to the top half). Properly executed,
this places the defense between a rock and a hard place.
If the defense fails to switch, you’re open for the short
jumper; if they do switch, the picker is open for the lay-up.
There is yet another quick option. When gravitating to the
top of the jump circle, with a jerk and a willy to the basket,
you should again be open for the pass and jumper. It’s easier
said than done. It takes an inordinate degree of cooperation,
skill, and deception to run this option smoothly, and yes,
endless practice.

If a pass is not there, or the skill is not equal to the challenge,

he can drive to the paint (triggering that cascading rotation
with its countless opportunities to score), or take the short
jumper, or pass back out to the top and clearout for the
receiver to drive.

Option Two
The man on the top should be prepared to drive into that
clearout (or to move past the foul line extended which
would open one). It’s really his choice. A crossover and a
willy, a wrap around and a willy, a double and a willy, or
just a willy, should produce a short jumper or a lay-up.

You may well ask: Why not down the middle? That
invariably leads to confusion, roles are not clearly defined,
no rotation, very little movement, and the defense has a
definite edge.

The man on “that” side will clear out on the driver’s

approach, but may, if he can quickly separate himself
from his defender, pivot back, seal his defender, and post
momentarily, anticipating a quick pass (if not, really clear
out). He can also pick for the man he’s to replace., affording

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him the short jumper as he comes off the pick and rolls up
the lane. There’s always a place to go, or a thing to do.

Even as he drives to score, the pass is always available to

someone else who is perceived to be better positioned to
score, a more prolific scorer, or have a “hot hand”.

The man on top with the ball has four options: pass, drive,
shoot, or corners.

Option Three
Shoot only when under control, when out of defensive
reach or reaction, and when you have what it takes.

Option Four
Corners simply opens up the court for the give & go, and
affords more room for one-on-one. It’s a way to spread the
floor, isolate mismatches, and make it very difficult for the
defense to “double” the ball. The man on top (above the
foul line extended) dribbles sideways as he slides towards
the sidelines, never crossing his feet, keeping the ball in the
outside hand, anticipating a defensive miscue (a step too
slow, reaching, a step ahead) that will allow him to willy
past his defender for the short jumper or lay-up. It may not
happen.

As he nears the sideline, the man on the box on that side

will suddenly break to the corner expecting a pass. Having
passed, the passer will step hard to the ball, then push off
on the outside foot to willy behind and past his defender
for a return pass and lay-up, or short jumper. A corner man
(with the right credentials) may also elect to drive the
baseline, or take the three.

When the man breaking to the corner is tightly covered, he

can reverse pivot short of the corner, and willy backdoor
for the baseline pass and subsequent shot. There’s always a
place to go and a thing to do.

Rebounding Responsibilities
It’s a fact, there are as many missed attempts as made shots.
Until there are perfect shooters, everyone is responsible for
rebounding. Other than the proper execution of boxing-out
mechanics, the key to rebounding excellence is anticipation
and movement.

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Anticipation
There are times and places that demand a shot be taken.
Most situations and players are predictable. After factoring
in ego, the underskilled, and the inexperienced, anticipation
becomes less of a mystery and more than manageable.

Movement
Excessive velocity or miscalculated trajectory usually
causes missed shots to rebound to the opposite side of
the backboard. Outstanding rebounders can be found
there. But, all of the above is useless if you don’t position
yourself sufficiently in advance of the shot to exploit that
anticipation.

This is a basic package that teaches one how best to play

the game, that garners invaluable experience, and that’s
a frame of reference for coping with the loss of “this” or
“that”. Once the “game” has been parsed and digested,
defense can be seriously addressed. 

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DEFENSE
Imagine a direct path from the man with the ball to each
of his four potential receivers, those are passing lanes. Any
defensive player (worth having) who finds himself within
reach or reaction of a passing lane (any passing lane) must
be intercept conscious, even as he guards his man, helps
others, and protects the basket area. Multi-tasking is for
winners. The defensive men off the ball are expected to
anticipate passes and interdict the passing lanes.

The man with the ball must be so harried that his hurried
passes are more likely to become turnovers, or interceptions,
rather than assists. When he’s dribbling, you must limit his
options, i.e., center the ball between your legs, or overplay
his strong hand.

Five seconds of absolute team denial on the first inbound

pass is a good start. Once the ball is successfully inbounded,
visualize a horizontal line through the ball from one
sideline to the other; that’s line-of-the-ball. All defenders
should be between the line-of-the-ball and the opponents
basket. When line of the ball is played aggressively, doubles
abound. Defense starts at that line with the implementation
and proper execution of defensive counter-mechanics,
and continues until the defenders are rewarded with a
turnover.

Defensive players off-the-ball are challenged to recognize

double-team oportunities (inept ball-handler, too busy to
see the double coming, back turned, inexperienced, hubris)
and respond appropriately. They must be “double-team”
conscious. Team is the operative word. Defense can only
be successful when every player is team-oriented.

Once committed to the double, it leaves one offensive player

unattended (an acceptable pass risk; a prime opportunity
for interception) that will entail an adjustment in defensive
responsibilities and a summarily executed team strategy–
called rotation. The defense segues from man to zone.
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When the double takes place on the left side of the court, the
rotation is clockwise; on the right side, counter clockwise.
The defensive player closest to the unguarded man
quickly rotates up to cover that passing lane anticipating
pass interception. The personnel coverage in a regularly
constituted game should align two on the ball, two floaters,
and one safety. Floaters concentrate on the passing lanes
of the two candidates closest to the ball, therefore, more
likely to receive a pass. The safety covers the basket area
and long passes to the corners. Should the safety move to
cover the corner - the rotation is on autopilot. The basket
area must be covered at all times. If he goes left, the right
side will rotate to become the safety. Conversely, if he goes
right, the left side will rotate to become the safety.

Should the ball be successfully passed out of the “double”

(and not intercepted), the player in the now failed double
(closest to the ball) will rotate to the ball and double with
the teammate who was unable to intercept, but however,
did contain the receiver. The player left behind on the failed
double now becomes a floater. With the ball contained
(but not yet doubled), coach could just as easily elect to
segue back into man.

The confluence of these seemingly disparate components

forges a formidable defensive strike force. These smooth
transitions from man to zone, and vice versa, seemingly
without instructions is deeply disconcerting and oh! so
demoralizing to the offense.
Ground Rules
a) To approximate the full court game, all defensive steals &
rebounds must be passed out beyond the foul line extended
before an offensive try for goal, or it’s a turnover.

b) Turnovers must be inbounded beyond the foul line

extended before an offensive try. Offensive inbounding
(kicked ball or slapped out of bounds) is the exception.

c) Coaches

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WHAT MAKES THE GAME

“I fumbled,” said the sad-eyed lad,

“And lost the golden chance I had!”
“That’s quite all right,” his coach replied,
“I understand how hard you tried,
Forget it now. Go back and fight
With all your strength and all your might.

“Take hold of this consoling thought:

If every ball that’s thrown were caught;
If no one faltered; no one fell;
If every play we tried went well;
If gain with every venture came,
There would be nothing to the game.

“What makes the game? Not perfect play,

But golden chances thrown away!
The fumbled ball; the slight mistake
Which men however skillful make,
The faulty judgment and the will
To wait and work for victory still.

“And so with life! If all were plain:

If men perfection could attain,
If neither doubt, nor loss, nor fear,
Should ever test our courage here-
If we knew all, and all could see,
Then deadly dull this life would be.”

- Edgar A. Guest

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