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Post Options Inside the Read & React Offense

[This video clip is taken from DVD #3 of our 5 DVD set, Read & React Clinics: Planning the R&R Practice.]

The Read & React Offense never asks a player to be unselfish just to be a good teammate. The reason to be unselfish in the Read & React is to get a scoring opportunity for yourself.

Think about it. If I pass, I must cut. And, therefore, I’m the first scoring option headed to the basket (as long as my teammate looks for me).

That philosophy works in the post as well.

When you have a player in the post, there are many screening opportunities, especially a post screening for cutters. I mean, the player is cutting to the basket anyway, it wouldn’t make sense to waste that screening chance.

So we’re asking the post to be unselfish by setting a screen. And, now, we’d like to reward that unselfishness with a scoring opportunity by shaping up in the wake of the cutter and demanding the ball. Be unselfish, get a scoring look. Sometimes, it’s as simple as that.

Side Note: If you have a post player who is in the post because you don’t want them touching the ball, please ignore this video completely. The Read & React is also great at allowing players to hide their weaknesses by letting them play to their strengths. If this is your situation, let that post player screen as much as possible and get rebounds. The only thing we ask is that they react correctly to dribble penetration.

In the video below you’ll see this put into a simple drill. This is basic post stuff – any player at any level can learn to set a screen and shape up.

A point I don’t want you to miss came up towards the end of that video. On a post feed, the passer must make one of four cuts: Laker Cut High, Laker Cut Low, X-Cut, or Relocate (depending on how many layers you’ve put in). Sometimes, it’s best to let the post defender determine which cut to make. Sometimes, it’s best to let the passer’s defender determine which cut to make.

Who the post player is, though, can also influence the decision. And, that’s Rick Torbett’s point here.

If you have a great back to the basket post player, you may want your post feeders making X-Cuts. That will give that great post player plenty of time to make a move. And, if the move fails or she gets stuck, she’s got a cutter coming to offer another option and players filling up in relief positions.

If you have a great passing post player, however, you may want your post feeders making Laker Cuts so that the pass is the first option.

That’s where we get into how to operate the Read & React and really, a lot of that is up to you the coach, your basketball philosophy, and the horses you have in the stable.

For more tips about posts, check out these… umm… posts:

COACHES

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about rick torbett

Rick Torbett has taught thousands of coaches to win more games through his innovative approach to the game. He has created powerful training for coaches at any level so they can coach their best and win more games.

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Read & React 5-Player Coordination Drills

Enter your email address to get an inside look at teaching the Read & React Offense with the drills in this free video.