Using Post Players, Zone Attack, Etc.
Clip 1: The 3out Double High Post morphs into a 4out Mid-Post formation. (See Flowing on the Read & React DVDs.) This is followed by a good example of the Post Passing Layer – specifically the X-Cut. One small correction for the screener: when #21 Kachine sets the X-Cut screen, she should then cut to the basket for 4 reasons:
- If the cutter off her screen is not open, then the post needs another passing option.
- One of the premises of the Read & React is to always, with every action, apply pressure to the rim. Make the defense guard North-South as well as East-West; set the X-Cut Screen and then cut to the basket for a lay-up.
- When Kachine vacates the spot, it initiates movement from the other two perimeter players (they must fill the open spots).
- If the shot is missed, Kachine will be inside to rebound.
Clip 2: Pass & Cut leads to Drive-an-Open-Gap which forces the post defender to help across the lane. This Drive-the-Middle-Above-the-Post action followed by the dish to the post player sliding down is identical to the Basic Post Slide drills that build the basic layers of the Read & React.
Clip 3: 4out flows to 5out when the Post Player, #12 Morgan, sets a back-screen for the cutter (although not a very good one), and then shapes up for the jumper.
Clip 4: The High Post provides a screen for the cutter, who changes her cut in order to hang her defender on the screen. (Kinda looks like Coach Wooden’s UCLA High Post action, doesn’t it?) Instead, it’s just an unplanned combination of the Pass & Cut Layer with the Post Blocking Layer. But here’s the real reason I picked this clip: #2 Kamille is stopped by good help defense on her cut. She also attempts a move and is stopped. Instead of forcing a shot, she reverse pivots and looks for two Pressure Relief Options provided by the Read & React: #21 Kachine reacts correctly with a Circle Reverse to make herself available and #11 Kristina sprints to fill the Safety Valve position just in time. OK, the shot didn’t go in, but I can’t control that!! 🙂
Clip 5: Zone Attack: I paused #21 Kachine’s cut to illustrate one of the adjustments to Pass & Cut that you’ll see on the Read & React Zone Attack DVD. The cutter should slow up and hunt this seam or spot – “Hook & Look”. The amazing thing is she still gets the ball on a late look!
Clip 6: Zone Attack: Years ago, coaches would look at the Read & React and ask me: “What about Zones? Will this work against Zones?” In this example, she fills an empty spot, gets overplayed, and rear cuts. The result is a lay-up straight down the middle of a zone. Good use of the Post Player as well.
Clip 7: Although this clip is stopped because of a foul, I liked the over-all hunting nature of the team; five players remaining coordinated throughout the entire possession. (I only spotted one incorrect reaction.) The big three elements of good offense can be seen in this single possession; spacing, player movement, and ball movement. This is not 1-on-1; it’s not a 2-player game; or even a 3-player game; it’s a 5-player-coordinated-yet-random-unscoutable-hunting-the-defense action! Whew! What a mouthful!
