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Home/Articles/TeachingtheReadandReactOffense:TheBasketballogyMethod(part5of5)

TeachingtheReadandReactOffense:TheBasketballogyMethod(part5of5)
PostedDec32011byTom7inCoaching,Instructionwith27Comments
Note:thisisthe5tharticleina5partseries:
Part1:TheRGBoftheReadandReactOffense
Part2:SpacingandtheReadandReactOffense
Part3:DribblingandtheReadandReactOffense
Part4:PassingandtheReadandReactOffense
LookingovertheGoogleAnalyticsreportsforthesearticles,Imimpressedthatsomanythousandsofyouarereadingthesearticles,andthatyouarestayingsolongoneachpage.Afterall,
thesearticlesarentinanefanboyblatheryouhavetobeprettysharpanddedicatedtoactuallywanttodivethisdeeplyintosuchspecializedandfocusedbasketballtopics.Theanalyticsarea
realtestamenttothepopularityandgeniusofRickTorbettsReadandReactOffenseaswell.
IstartedBasketballogy.combecauseIwantedaplaceonthewebwherepeoplecouldhaveintelligentconversationsaboutbasketballwithoutbeingoverrunbydismissive,belittling,andoften
juvenilefanboyswhoattackyoujustbecauseyoulacktheintelligencetoworshipthesameplayersandteamsastheydo,orbecauseyouseethingsdifferentlyandcanarticulateitabovea5th
gradereadinglevel.
Consequently,itisgratifyingthattheRGBseriesofarticlesonhalfcourtoffenseisdoingsowellinanalyticsreports.Itmakesmefeellikeperhapsallthistimespentwriting,doinggraphicsand
creatinganimationsisntinvain.Atanyrate.
Thisarticle,Part5,startswith4caveats:
1AsIindicatedattheoutset,thisseriesofarticleswastargetedatcoacheswhoalreadyknowtheReadandReactOffenseandwerelookingforanotherwaytoteachit.Ergo,ifyouare
unfamiliarwiththisoffense,Iprobablylostyoumanytimesinthesearticles.Ifyoudontalreadyhavethem,IrecommendbuyingRickTorbettsDVDsfromBetterBasketballwhichpresentthe
offenseinitsentirety.
2JustbecauseIpresentedtheoffensethiswaytocoaches,thatdoesntnecessarilymeanIwouldpresentittomyplayersthisway.Infact,Iwouldntpresenttheoffensetomyteamthisway.
Parts1through4oftheRGBserieswereaboutlayingafoundationforcoaches,andnowinpart5,IlltellyouhowImteachingittoplayers.

3Inreallife,howIwouldteachhalfcourtoffensetoplayersdependsagreatdealonthesituation.Forexample,IwouldnotusethesamemethodstoteachahighschoolteamthatIduseto
teachayouthteam,evenifthetwogroupswerethesameage.Teachingmustconsidermanyfactors,includingtheamountofpracticetimeyouhavetoprepareyourplayers.SinceIdonotknow
yourteamandyourcircumstances,itisimpossibleformetotellyouwhattodo.Instead,Imtryingtoprovideenoughgeneralguidance,meldedwithusefulspecifics,toallowyoutomake
yourownway.
4Iveheldbackinformationfromthesearticlesbothtomakethembriefer,andtomakesurethatpeoplewhobuythebookwhenitisoutgetasignificantamountofaddedvalueoverthefree
contentfoundhere.Besides,BasketballogysFundamentalsoftheGame:Whateverycoach,playerandparentshouldknowaboutbasketballisaholisticapproachtoteachingbasketballthat
goesfarbeyondjustteachingahalfcourtoffense.
Okay,ontotheBasketballogyMethodforteachingtheReadandReactOffense.
TheBasketballogyMethodforTeachingtheReadandReactOffense

TheBackstoryAcoupleofyearsagoIhadagroupofplayerswhocouldntpracticewiththeteamatthebeginningoftheseasonbecauseoftheirinvolvementinanothersport
atthehighschool.Consequently,whentheydidjoinourpractices,IhadagroupofguyswhoIdbeenworkingwithforweekswhoknewsomeReadandReact,andagroupofboys(including
mystartingpointguard)whoIneededtoquicklygetuptospeed.Sooutofnecessity,Icameupwithasimplified,acceleratedwayofteachingtheReadandReactOffense.
However,asItaughtthenewcomers,InoticedthattheguyswhoIdbeenteachingaspertheDVDsmadequantumleapsinunderstandingandexecutingtheoffenseaswell.ThatswhenI
decidedtotryteachingtheReadandReactoffenseinacompletelydifferentway.
Ihavenowtaught4teamsusingthisBasketballogyMethod,andall4havewontheirleaguechampionships,with3ofthe4goingundefeatedalongtheway.ThatsmywayofsayingthatI
discoveredanunexpectedbenefittobeingabletoteachtheoffenseinlesstime:
Whenteachingyourhalfcourtoffensedoesntdominateallyourpracticetime,youfindyouhavemoretimetoputintoteachingyourplayerstobegoodatotherthingssuchasearly
offense,defenseandplayerdevelopment.
RatherthanteachtheReadandReactOffenseinlayersasoutlinedontheBetterBasketballDVDs,IfirstteachanoffenseIcalltheElementalOffense,whichisbasedonmyRGBprinciples
andfeaturesReadandReacttypemovements,thenusetheElementalOffenseasalaunchingpadfortheReadandReactOffense.
TheBasketballogyElementalOffensecanbetaughtinone90minutepractice,makingyourgroupinstantlyabletoplaysolidbasketballwithReadandReactlikeelements,thenin
subsequentpracticesIevolvetheirunderstandingofhalfcourtoffenseuntiltheyareplayingafullblownReadandReactOffense.
Thisisgreatnewsifyouhaveayouth,intramuraloramateurleagueteamthatyouneedtogetplayingsolidhalfcourtoffenserightaway.

Ofcourseanoffensetaughtin90minutesisfarfromperfect,butitissurprisinglyeffectiveandismuchbetterthanjustsendingyourplayersontothecourtwithnothing,orwithacoupleofset
plays.Bestofallthough,theBasketballogyElementalOffenselaysafoundationthatgreatlyaccelerateslearningthemorefullversionoftheReadandReactOffense.
HowtoteachtheElementalOffenseNotallthekidsshowuptopracticesontime,soIstartmypracticeswithausefulyetnoncriticalactivitysuchasashootingdrillfromtheelbowsandshort
corners,oraBasketballogyscrimmage(moreonthatlater).WhenIhaveeveryone,Iliketosettheirexpectations(andtheirfocus)bytellingthemwhatourgoalsareforthatday.Ondayone,
ourgoalsare:
1.DEFENSE:Rebounding.
TheresnopointinplayinglockdownDifyouaregoingtoletyouropponentgettheoffensivereboundandscoreanywayoffalayup.Todaywearegoingtostartlearnthetruevalueof
rebounding.
2.OFFENSE:TheElementalOffense.
Offenseneedsspacing,ballmovementandplayermovementtobeeffective.Todaywestarttolearntousethese3basicelementsofoffensetoouradvantage.
3.PLAYERDEVELOPMENT:Shotselection.
Notallshotsaregoodshots.Ifyouropponentknowsthat,thenmaybetheresareasonyouresoopen.

Today,youstarttolearnwhatabadshotcostsyourteam.

HereishowyouteachtheElementalOffense:
A.Introducethe3elementalRGBconceptsofoffense(spacing,ballmovementandplayermovement)toyourteam.
B.Teachyourplayersthespotsinthe5outformation,callingthemthearcorperimeterpositions.
C.Teachyourplayersthespotsinsidethearc,includingtheshortcorners,callingthemthepostorinteriorpositions.
D.Haveyourplayersmarktheperimeterandpostspotsonbothendsofthefloorwitha2inchpieceoftape.Youwantyourplayerstodoitsothattheyexperiencetheconcernofhaving
thespotsexactlyright.Youwantthespotmarkerssmallsoasplayersmove,theylearngoodspacingmorebythepaintedlinesonthefloor,ratherthanfromhugecoloredspotsthatarent
therecomegametimeanyway.
E.DotheendtoendFormationsDrillsdescribedinRGBpart2:SpacingandtheReadandReactOffensetohelpthemquicklylearntoformwithproperspacingintransition.Bytheway,
sincethepointofthisdrillistoacceleratetheirlearningtoplayfromthespots,useavarietyofformations.Example:3out,SamandJavierinthehighpost.Go!4outright,Joshinthe
midpost.Go!
F.Teachyourplayersthe3RulesofElementalOffense:
1SpaceCorrectly.Spacetheflooronlyonthespotscoachtaughtyou,withatleast3playersoutsidethearc(3out),andwiththeperimeter(arc)spotsnearesttheballalwaysfilled.
SpacingintheElementalOffense:

ElementalOffense
Spacing
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2GiveBack.Whenyoupasstheball,gohelpyourteambycuttingandeitherfillingaspotintheformation,orsettingascreenonorawayfromtheball.
PassingintheElementalOffense:

ElementalOffense
Passing
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10step,animatedpresentationon
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3OpenWindows.Whensomeonedribblestheball,openapassingordrivingwindowby:(a)movingrightawaywiththem(andwithyourhandsready)intoapassingwindowwhereyou
couldpotentiallygetapass,or(b)slidingawayfromthedribblertoopendrivinglanes,or(c)settingascreenforateammatesotheycancutintoanopenpassingwindow.
DribblingintheElementalOffense:

ElementalOffense
Dribbling
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Ifyouhavereadthroughthefirstfourpartsinthisseries,youwillinstantlyrecognizethose3rules,andthereasonsbehindthem.ItssurprisinghowmuchReadandReactesquebasketball
youcanplaywithabasicunderstandingofformationsandjustthose3elementalrules.Infact,atsomelevels,withsometeams,justtheElementalsmaybesufficient.
G.5outPerimeterPassingdrillBeforeyourplayerscanplaybythe3elementalrules,theyneedtogetusedtomovingproperlyontheperimeter,andthebestwaytoteachperimeter
spacingandrotationiswitha5outpassingdrill.
UnliketheR&RDVDs,Idonotemphasizecirclemovementalongthearc.InsteadIteachthattheballhandleralwaysneedssafepassingoptions,sowetrytokeeptheperimeterspots
nearesttheballfilled.Tofillthosespots,playersneedtocirclealongthearc.
Inotherwords,Iteachcirclemovementisabyproductoffundamentalhalfcourtoffense,notanobjectiveofit.
OneofthereasonsIlikethereadandreactsomuchisthatitcanbeplayedfrommanyformationswiththerulesbeingthesameinallofthem.Thatallowsplayers(andcoaches)agreatdeal
offlexibilityagainstdefenseswithoutalotofextralearningandremembering.
Tosimplifytheir5outpassandfilldrill,teachyourplayerstofilltothecorneroppositethedirectiontheypassed.Forexample,iftheypasstotheright,havethemcuttothebasket,thenfill
totheleftcorner.

5outPerimeterPassandFill
BallHandlerpass,cuttothe
basket,thenfilltoacorner.
ArcPlayersrotatetokeepthe
spotsnearesttheballfilled.
CornerplayersVcuttotheshort
corner,thenbacktothearctofill
positionsnearesttheball.

1passesto4,cuts,fillsvacant
corner.*Generalllyspeaking,the
vacantcornerisoppositethe
directionyoupassedtheball.
2&5"circle"thearctofillspots
neartheball.
3cutstoshortcornerthenreturns.

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H.PopQuizWhiletheplayerscatchtheirbreath,getwater,etc.,quizthemonthe3RulesofElementalOffense.
I.4outPassingDrillThisdrillisthesameasthe5outPerimeterPassingDrill,exceptthatnowthereisapostplayertopasstoaswell.Havetheplayersplay4outfromthe5outspots,
passingtheballwherevertheywouldliketoanddoingtherightplayermovementsafter.Makesureeveryone,includingthepostplayer,playsfromthespots.
Hereisanothertiptoteachyourplayersforwhenaperimeterplayerispassingtoapostplayer:
Ifaperimeterplayerpassestoapostplayer,thentheopencornerwillbeontheweakside.
(Itdoesntmatteriftheformationis3out,4outor5out,italwaysworksoutthatway.)Forexample,in3out,iftherightwingpassestothepost,theotherperimeterplayerswillcircle
thearctofillthespotsnearesttheball,leavingthewingontheweaksidevacantforthecuttertofillto.Andifthetopplayerpassestothepost,againtheperimeterplayerswillcircle
thearctofillthespotsneartheballsothevacantcornerwillbeontheweakside.)
WrongCornerRemedies.
Ifaplayereverdoesfilltothewrongcorner,therearetwothingstoteachyourteamsothatgoodbasketballcanstillcomeofit.
Iftheyareplaying5outor4outhavethecuttersetascreenforthepersoninthecorner,thenfillthevacatedcornerasthenewcuttercutstothefarsidecorner.
Iftheyareplaying3out,thenwhenaplayerfillstothewrongcorner,havealltheperimeterplayerscirclealongthearctofillthewingandtopspots.

Whenthewrongcorneristherightcorner.
Iamreluctanttocallwrongcornerfillswrong,becausegoodbasketballcancomecomeofthem.
Forexample,sayyouareplaying5outandyouhaveabigplayer,orahighlyskilledplayerinonecorner.
Inthiscase,youmightWANTtocutandfilltothewrongcornerandsetascreenforthelargerplayer.Insodoing,thebiggerplayercouldeithergetawideopencuttothebasket,or
bepickeduponaswitchbyasmallerdefenderbothofwhichareidealsituationsforyouroffense.
J.PopQuizAgainquiztheplayersonthe3RulesofElementalOffense,thenaskthemiftheyarereadytoscrimmagewiththem.
K.TeachyourplayerstheBasketballogyHalfCourtScrimmage(seebelow),andletthemhavefunwhileingraininggoodspacing,playermovement,ballmovementandrebounding
indeliblyintothenaturaltextureoftheirplay.
L.BetweenBasketballogyscrimmages,reteachandreinforceconceptsandmovement.Thisisthetimetostartsneakinginextrainformation,like:
Readlinecuts
Postslides
Perimeterdribbles(Dribbleat)
Skippasses
Reversedribble(pickandroll)
Becarefulnottoteachtoomuchatonceletthemscrimmageandfeelcomfortablewithwhattheyknow,thenincrementallyaddtoitinanatural,organicwayfromthingsthatyouobserve
intheirplay.Inotherwords,dontteachthemaccordingtoyourarbitrary,externallyconceivedschedulemovethemaccordingtowhatyouseehappeninginscrimmages.
Inmyexperience,bytheendofpracticeplayersasyoungas12yearsoldwillbeverycomfortableplayingwiththebasicthingsyouwantfromanelementalReadandReactoffense:good
spacing,goodplayermovement,andgoodballmovement.
Anygoodteacherwillagreethattellingandteachingarenotsynonyms.Fortheserulestobecomehabits,playersmustimmediatelypracticetheconceptsyouhavetoldtheminadrillor
ascrimmagespeciallydesignedtomakegoodhabits.
ObviouslyIbelieveindrills,butIalsobelievetheyareoverusedbymanycoaches.Imalsoamusician,andinmusicwearetaughtthatperformancesarefarbetterwhenwemakeourpractice
timeasmusicalaspossible.Likewise,inbasketballIveobservedarealdisconnectbetweenskillslearnedindrillsandhowaplayerfoldsthoseskillsintoactualplayingoncourt.Therefore,I
believethatwhereeverpossible,drillsshouldbeasgamelikeaspossibleitincreasesthelikelihoodthoseskillswillalsobehabitswhichmaketheirwayintoactualgames.
Again,giveplayersafewbitesofinstruction,thenletthemchewonthemintheBasketballogyHalfCourtScrimmage.Thenrinseandrepeat.TheBasketballogyscrimmagewasdesign
specificallytoturngoodteachingintogoodhabits.
TheBasketballogyHalfCourtScrimmage

Basketballisagameofhabits.ImremindedofthisallthetimeasIwatchplayersdoboneheadedthingslikestepoutofboundsorstaytoolonginthekey.
Theseplayershurtthemselvesandtheirteamnotbecausetheylacktalent,butbecausethey(andtheircoaches)arelaxaboutinsistingongoodhabitswhilepracticing.Asaresult,manyplayers

havetoputongoodhabitsforagame,andbecarefulinordertostayoutoftrouble,whichobviouslyputstheirteamatacompetitivedisadvantagecomegametime.
Badhabitsareconcoctedandcalcifiedinpracticetime,andcoachesthoughtlesslycultivatebadhabitsintheirplayersbydoingthingslikescoringscrimmagesby1sand2sinsteadofby
2sand3s.Scoringby1sand2sliterallyencourageshorribleshotselection,andpunishesexcellentreboundersfortheirgoodhabits.Ifacoachdoesntwanthorribleshotselectionandbad
reboundingfromhisplayersinagame,thenheshouldntbeencouragingitinpractices.
Thinkaboutit.Someonewitha25%3pointpercentagehasnobusinessshooting3s,howeverifyourekeepingscoreby1sand2s,apathetic25%3pointshootingpercentageistheeffective
equivalentofshooting50%frominsidethearc,whichisactuallyagoodpercentage.Additionally,allthoselongshotsmakeforlotsoflongreboundswhichultimatelyrewardpeoplefornot
crashingtheboardsorboxingout.
Scoringby1sand2ssimplyencouragesbadbasketball,sounlessyouarecoachingoneoftheteamsintheleaguesmyteamsplayin,Idencourageyoutoabandonthatsenselesspractice
immediatelyifyouaredoingit.
Goodcoachesalwaysgivecarefulthoughttothehabitstheymaybenurturingintheirplayersinpracticetime,andthatisthethinkingbehindtheBasketballogyHalfCourt
Scrimmage.
TheBasketballogyhalfcourtscrimmageisahybriddrill/scrimmagethatencouragesgoodteamwork,spacing,playermovement,ballmovementandreboundingpractices,andbuildsgood
habitsinplayersusingarealistic,gamelikesetting.
TheBasketballogyscrimmageisbasedonwecallthe321rules.Whatdoesthe321standfor?
3=ThethreerulesofElementalOffense:(1)Spacecorrectly,(2)Openwindows,(3)Giveback.
2=Twodribbles.Playersareonlyallowed2dribbles(andacontroldribblewhereapplicable)
1=Onepointisawardedforeveryrebound
Ivepersonallyseenplayersasyoungas12yearsoldalmostinstantlyadapttoplayingthe321rulesofaBasketballogyscrimmage,andIimagineyoungerplayerscantoo.
1PointperReboundAwardingapointforarebound,whilescoringmadeshotsin3sand2s,rewardstherightbehaviorsinamannerthatisimmediatelyapparenttotheplayers.Notonly
doplayersinaBasketballogyscrimmageboxoutandcrashtheboardsbetter,butawardingpointsforreboundingactuallyaffectsshotselection.
InaBasketballogyscrimmage,playerstendtoworkforhigherpercentageshotsinsideshotsandopenjumperssoastonotgivetheiropponenteasydefensivereboundingpointsfor
collectinganygarbagetossedup.
Isntthisexactlyhowyouwantyourplayerstoplayasahabit,withouteventhinkingaboutit,coach?
ThenwhynotusetheBasketballogyhalfcourtscrimmagetoindeliblyinfusereboundingandgoodshotselectionintothenaturaltextureofyourteamsplay?
[EDIT:Bytheway,duringthescrimmagewecalloutthescoreeverytimeitchanges.Soaftereverymadebasket,freethroworrebound,atleastoneoftheplayerswillcalloutthescoreso
everyonehearsandknows,andsothatthegooddeedisacknowledged.]
2DribblesOnlyAsforfordribbling,onthethirdbounceIblowthewhistleanditisaturnover.AndifIhappentomissthataplayerhasdribbled3+times,theopposingscrimmagingplayers
suredont.Interestingly,inaBasketballogyscrimmageeveryoneisawareandjumpsonanyplayerwhotriestodominatetheball.WedontcareifyouareSteveNashitstwodribblesorless
foreveryone.

Youwouldthinkthatthe2dribblerulewouldincreaseturnovers,butonceplayersareusedtotherule,theoppositeisactuallythecase.Whenplayersknowtheycanonlydribbletwice,they
dontwanttosquanderthosetwodribblesandtheyplaysmarteroverall.
Whenplayerscanonlydribbletwice,theythinkaboutwheretheyaregoingwhentheydribble,andhowbesttousethoseprecioustwodribbles,andtheyarethinkingaboutpassingoptionswell
aheadoftypicalplay.
Seriously,youdbeamazedathowthatkindofthoughtandcarewiththeballcutsdownontheturnovers.
Plus,becauseinaBasketballogyscrimmagetheballhandlercanonlydribbletwice,teammatesareforcedtoimmediatelymovewithouttheballassoonastheballhitsthefloorgivingthe
ballhandlerpassingoptionshewouldntordinarilyhaveinaregularscrimmage,otherwisetheballhandlerwillquicklybeintroubleandhavenoonetopassto.
Now,afterallthattalkaboutonlydribblingtwice,IwillconfessthatIhaveused3dribblesinsteadof2foryoungerplayersstartingoutwiththeElementalOffense.
3ElementalRGBRulesFinally,asyoucanimagine,thereismuchmorepassinginaBasketballogyScrimmagethanastandardscrimmage.InaBasketballogyscrimmage,the2dribblerule
createsfantasticballmovement.Inastandardscrimmagethecoachhastokeepgettingafterhisplayerstomakethempass.TheBasketballogyscrimmageinstilsahabitofwonderfulball
movementwithoutthecoachgettingafterasingleplayer!Whatsnottolikeaboutthat?!
Andbecausethe3ElementalRGBRulesrequireapassertocutandgivebacktohisteamafterhepasses,allthatpassingcreatesfantasticplayermovementaswell.
The321rulesoftheBasketballogyscrimmagemakesforbeautiful,spontaneousoffense,andthemoreyourplayersscrimmage,themoreitbecomesahabit.
Thinkaboutit:theBasketballogyscrimmagemakesreallynicehalfcourtbasketballahabit,anditdoesitagainstdefenses,andinagamelikesetting.Whatdrillbeatsthat?!
Andisifallthatwasntcoolenough,myteamslovetheBasketballogyscrimmagemuchmorethananydrillwecoulddo.Infact,theywouldBasketballogyscrimmagesallpracticelongifI
wouldletthemandImoftentemptedto,giventhegreatthingsthatcomefromit.
Moreover,whentheplayersareusedtoplayinginBasketballogyscrimmages,itjustfeelswronginarealgamenottomovetheball,moveyourfeet,andrebound.
ThatrightthereisthesecretsaucethatmakestheBasketballogyscrimmagesoappealingforcoaches,but!
ButtheresthesurpriseendingfortheBasketballogyscrimmage.
AsplayersBasketballogyscrimmageElementalOffense,theynaturallygrowtowardsthehighercomponentsoftheReadandReactOffense.Seriously.Onceplayerscanplayinan
ElementalOffense,learningtheReadandReactOffenseisasplendidlyorganicprocess.
Theplayers,forcompetitivereasons,justeatupanyinstructionyoucangivethemduringandbetweenscrimmagesonhowtocircletostayinpassingwindows,orwheretoslidetointhepost
whentheballisbeingdriven,orhowtobestgivebackincertainsituations.Theywantyoutoteachthemsotheycanwinthenextscrimmage.
Inshort,notonlydoestheBasketballogyscrimmageteachplayerstoplaybeautifulElementalOffense,butplayersgenuinelywanttothelearnhowtohavethecompetitiveedgeinspacing,
playermovementandballmovement,andwantyoutoteachthemReadandReactOffenseprinciples.
Theplayersliterallypulloffensefromyou,ratherthanyouhavingtopushitonthem.
Nowcoach,doesntthatsoundnice?

Idoaskonefavorofyouthough:asyouusethescrimmage,pleasecallitbyitsname:theBasketballogyhalfcourtscrimmage.Afterall,Ivegiventhisinsightawayforyourbenefitand
wouldappreciatecreditbeinggivenwherecreditisdue.Besides,ithelpsmebuildmybrand. Cheers.
AddPassingElementsThroughoutthefirstcoupleofscrimmages,youmayneedtoremindplayersthatifsomeonepassesfromtheperimeterandcuts,theyhavevacatedaspotthatneedsfilling.
Histeammatesneedtoseethatthepositionsnearesttheballalwaysneedtobefilled,sotheywillneedtocirclerotatetofillthem.Thedirectionoftherotationisdeterminedbywhatkeeps
playersinspotsneartheball.
Forthemostpartthough,thethingyouwillberemindingtheirplayersistoplayfromtheirspotsuntilarulefromtheoffensemakesthemmove.Ihadoneplayerwhowassoanxiousto
spontaneouslycutfromaperimeterspotwhenhesawaninteriorspothecouldfillthatIthoughthisskinwasgoingtopeeloffofhisbodyandmakethecutwithouthim.Hewouldmakethese
cutsandsometimestheywouldresultineasybuckets,butusuallyhejustconfusedtheballhandlerandknockedhimoffofwhathewasabouttodo.
Freelancing,breakingfromtheoffenseandgoingrogue,canbeagoodthinginagameifitwillobviouslyleadtoabucketoratriptothefreethrowline.Butinpracticeitmustbediscouraged
otherwiseitslowsdownlearningwhatcanbedoneifyourplayersplaybytherulesoftheoffense.
Atanyrate,whenplayersarecomfortableplayingtheBasketballogyscrimmagewiththeelementsyouhavegiventhem,graduallyaddotherReadandReactconcepts.Becausetherearesomany
passesinaBasketballogyscrimmage,Iliketostartwithpassing.
Oneofthefirstthingsyoucanteachthemistostayputonaskippass.Also,teachingthemwheretocutwhentheypasstothepostissomethingyouwillwantyourplayerstounderstandearlier
thanlater.
WhenIteachPassandPost,Ihavetheplayersplay4outsothatthereisonly1postplayertokeeptrackof,andhavethepostplayervacatehispostpositionandfilltoacornerwhenthepasser
makeshiscuttoapostposition.
Afterscrimmages,dontlettheplayersgorightintoanotherscrimmagerightaway.Teachaquickconcept,orreinforceteachingyouvealreadygiventhem.Forexample,Guys,whatarethe4
waystogivebacktoyourteamafteryoupasstheball?
1PassandFill
Pass,cuttothebasket,thenfillacornerpositionalongthearc.
2PassandPost
Pass,cut,thentakeapostpositionaroundthekey,orashortcorner.
3PassandScreen
Pass,thencuttosetascreenofftheballtofreeupateammate.
4PassandPick
Pass,cut,thenreturntotheballhandlertoexecuteapickandroll.
AddDribblingElementsIdontthinkweneedtoworrytoomuchattheoutsetthatourplayersdontknowallthedribblereactionsfromthegetgo.Infact,ImustconfessthatIletoneofmy
teamsplaymostofaseasonwithouteverteachingdribblereactionsotherthanpostslides,dribbleatandpickandroll.
Formostoftheseasonthisteamdidntcircleinthesamedirection,ordomanyofthethingsReadandReactrequiresofthem,buttheirowndecisionsandmovementstofreeupteammatesand
cleardrivingandpassinglanesresultedinsound,elemental,andwinningbasketballanyway.

Usuallythough,Ibuildontheelementaloffensegraduallyteachingteams,Whentheballhandlerdribbles,howcanyouopenawindow?
1Moveintoapassingwindow
Openawindowbymovingtoaplaceonthefloorwhereyoucouldreceiveapass.
2Setascreenofftheball
Openawindowforateammatebyscreeningawayfromtheball,sotheycancuttothebasket.
3Doapostslide
Openalaneforthedribbledrivebyslidingtoanotherspotsuchasashortcornerorelbow
4Pickandroll,pop,etc.
Openalaneforadribbledrivebysettingapickthenpopping,rolling,etc.
Ofcourse,whentheyarereadytobuildupontheElementalOffensewithdribblereactions,thefirstthingplayersneedtounderstandisthatforthepurposesofreadingandreactinginahalfcourt
offense,thereare3kindsofdribblinginahalfcourtoffense:
1.Dribblepenetrationmeanttopositiontheballinsidethearc.
2.Perimeterdribblingmeanttopositiontheballalongtheoutsideofthearc.
3.Reversedribblingmeanttosignalapickandrole
Playersneedtobeabletoinstantlyrecognizewhichiswhichinordertomakequickandcorrectreadsthemomenttheballhitsthefloor.
Likewise,playersneedtounderstandisthattheirreactionstotheballhandlersdribblingdependinlargepartonwheretheyarepositionedattheflooratthetimedribblingtakesplace,soteach
theplayersthattheformationswevelearnedbreakdowninto3components:
1.PostPositions
2.CornerPositions
3.Arc(Perimeter)Positions
Whenplayersreadwhichdribblingistakingplace(penetration,perimeterorreverse),theymustthenreactaccordingtowheretheyareonthefloor,notaccordingtowhetherornottheyare
guards,bigs,etc.
Theseconceptscanbetaughtinconjunctionwithperimeterdribbling.Perimeterdribbles,a.k.a.dribbleat,aresimpleandteachthecirclemovementalongthearc,sotheyareanidealplaceto
startteachingdribblereactions.

Formoreonthistopic,seeDribblingandtheReadandReactOffensePart3of5.
InConclusionOneofthepointsItriedtomakeinpart1,theRGBoftheReadandReactOffense,isthatpeopletendtomorefullycommittosomethingwhentheyknowreasonswhy.
Afterall,Iwrote,Itisonethingtotellakidtoclimbamountain,andanotherthingaltogethertotellakidtoclimbamountainbecauseagianttsunamiiscoming.

Consequently,
BeforeteachingtheReadandReactOffense,ItaughtthethreeRGBelementsofalloffenses.
Beforeteachingformations,Itaughttheimportanceofspacing.
Beforeteachingplayermovement,Itaughtthatchampionshipbasketballdependsonwhataplayerdoeswiththe90%ofthetimeheplayswithouttheball.
Beforeteachingpassing,Itaughtaboutthepowerofteamwork.
BeforeteachingtheBasketballogyscrimmage,Itaughttheimportanceofdevelopinggoodhabits.
Imsureyouvenoticedthatpatternaswell.
Butmostobviously,beforeIgavethespecificsofhowIteachanElementalOffenseandgrowitintotheReadandReactOffense,Iwrote4articlestolaythefoundationsoyouwouldunderstand
thewhybehindthismethodology.
NowthatPart5isinthewild,Iencourageyoutostartwithpart5,andthenuseparts1through4toteachhelpyourplayersasyougrowthemfromtheElementalOffenseintoa
fullblownReadandReactOffense.
Thegreatphilosopher,Anonymous,oncesaid,Thebiggestroomintheworldistheroomforimprovement.
Icouldntagreemore,andknowingme,ayearfromnowIllhavethisrefinedevenmoreandhopefullywithyourhelp.Idlovetohearfromyou,andIminstallingacontactpageon
basketballogy.comtoassistwiththat.Afterall,noneofthiswashandedtoanyofusonstonetablets.

Thegreatphilosopher,Anonymousalsosaid,Thebookisalwaysbetterthanthemovie.
Idaddthatthebookisalwaysbetterthantheblogaswell.Forexample,thebookincludesadetailedpracticeplanofwhattoteachineachpractice,sopleasekeepaneyeoutformycoming
book:BasketballogysFundamentalsoftheGame:Whateverycoach,playerandparentshouldknowaboutbasketball.OfcourseIllannounceitonbasketballogy.comwhenthebookisfinally
inthewildaswell,socheckbackoften.
Tags:Basketballogy,BasketballogyScrimmage,ElementalOffense,HeinzDoofenschmirtz,ReadandReactOffense,RGB,RickTorbettCategories:Coaching,Instruction

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28Comments
0Trackback

1.

Craig12052011
Verywelldone,coach.Thankyou.
Reply

2.

Craig12052011
Coachanychanceyoucouldputtheseries(15)inpdfformatfordownload?
Reply

3.

Tom712062011
@Craig,
Thanks!
ImopentoaPDF,butIamworkingagainstadeadlineonanotherproject,thenwevegotholidaybusyness(andwhenyouhave7kids,thatsalotofbusyness).Itmightnotbeuntil
afterChristmasbeforeIcangetonedone,ifIdecidetogoaheadanddoit.
OfcoursePDFcontentwouldbestatic.
Aretheanimationshelpingatall?Orwasitnotworththetroubletodothem?
Cheers,
Tom
Reply

RicoDunn02262015
Coachwhatprogramdidyouusetomaketheanimations?
Reply

Tom705122015
Iamsosorryforthetardyresponse.Ivetakenasabbaticalofsortstohelpafriendwithhisstartupbusiness.
IcreatedtheanimationsinHTML5.
Reply

4.

Craig12062011
Itsallgoodreally.

IjustlikehavinghardcopiesofthingsofvalueandIthinkyourperspectiveontheR&Risgood.Offeringapdfwouldbeagreatwaytocollectemailaddressesincaseyouwantto
marketafutureproduct.likeabook,forexample.
Eitherway,Ihaveenjoyedtheseries.(Andfortherecord,IowntheR&RDVD).
Reply

5.

Tom712062011
Craig,youaremakingagreatcaseforPDFyouacleverman!
Forthenextweekatleastthough,IdontthinkIcanmakethetimenotunlesssomethingunexpectedandverygoodhappens.
Thanksagainforthekindwordsthough.Aftertakingallthistrouble,itfeelgoodtohearfromsomeone.
Reply

6.

Shannon12172011
TomYourarticleshavebeenagreatsourceformetothinkabouttheR&R,specifically,andbasketball,ingeneral,fromadifferentangle.Ihaveenjoyedthemandappreciatethetime
andeffortyouveputintothem.
IsecondtheideaofaPDFwhenyouhavetime.
Reply

7.

robinsallie12312011
Whendoesthebookcomeout?
Reply

8.

jeff01092012
doesanyoneknowhowicangetacheapercopyofthereadandreact?$180isalittlebitmorethaniwanttoshelloutforamaybeoffenseformydaughtersyouthleague.
Reply

9.

Craig01122012
JeffIknowmoneycanbeanissueforfolks.IcansaythattheDVDsareafantasticinvestmentforanybodytryingtobecomeabettercoach.Itchangedmywholeoutlookon
coaching.
AndwhentheBasketologypdf/bookbecomeavailable,thevalueofyourinvestmentwilldefinitelyincrease.
Reply

10.

CoachR01152012
ImahighschoolcoachandwouldloveaPDFFormat.Reallygoodread,cantellalotofworkwentintoit!
Reply

11.

jeff01212012
willthepdf/bookmakethevideopartiallyunnecessary,iewoulditgiveenoughthaticouldruntheoffensew/oshellingoutthebigbucks?
Reply

Barry12272014
Jeff,
Ipurchasedthe90MinuteYouthPracticeReadandReactIntroforabout$30inVideoonDemand.Itgavemeaprettygoodunderstandingofthesystemandmaydothesamefor
you.Itwasnteasytofind,andwontexplainallthelayers,butIthoughtitwellworthitforaninexperiencedcoachlikeme.
Goodluck!
Barry
Reply

12.

Craig01232012

The5postingsonBasketballogycanfillyouinonmostoftheR&R.Agooglesearchwillrevealotherpeoplesnotesandpowerpoints.Youcandefinitelygettheinformationwithout
payingBetterBasketballifthatisyourgoal.
Istillwouldntrecommendit,however.
Reply

13.

Dennis04172012
Boy,IwashopingtofindaPDFattheend,buttonoavail.ItwouldbegreattohavethisseriesasaPDF.Ihavetoadmittheanimationsareclarifyingthings,sotheydefinitelyaddtothe
story.NeverthelessaPDFwouldbegreatcausethetextcontainssomuchinformationaswell.Thankssomuchforsharing.
Reply

14.

Matty04222012
Veryimpressedwiththisarticle!AnychancethatyoucandoanimationsfortheZoneattackhookandlook?
Reply

Metoo09182012
Iwouldliketoseezoneattackanimationsaswell.
Reply

15.

Gary04252012
ThanksCoachfortakingthetimetoputthisalltogether.IhavetheoriginalR&RDVDsandyoursisanotherexcellentapproachtoteachingR&Rbasketball.Ivebeenoutofbasketball
forayearandthishasreenergizedmefornextseason.ThreeyearsagoIwashired(after20+asanassistant)asagirlsvarsitycoach.TheprogramIinheritedwasondeathsdoorstepand
year1Itriedtorunsetpatternedoffenses.Theywereeasilyscoutedanddefensed.InmysecondyearIwentR&Rexclusivelyandsawsomeverycoolthings.Isawteamsstruggleto
figureoutwhatweweredoing(includinganeventualstatechampion.)Unfortunately,whenyoustruggletoscore,itdoesntmatterwhatoffenseyourerunning.BUT,IcouldseeR&R
stuffworkingagainstverygoodopponents,wejustdidnthaveanyonewhocouldputtheballinthehoop!IoftenthoughtGeez,thisapproachwouldbesocoolwithkidswhocould
play.
Iresignedafteryear2whenIrealizedIliketeachingbasketball(atthelowerlevels)morethanIlikecoachingvarsity.Ihopetosecureapositionforthe201213seasonsoIcangetback
toteachingbasketball,includingtheR&R.ThankyouagainfortakingthetimetooutlineyourR&Rapproach.

Reply

16.

Vashon06032012
IlovedthewayyoutaketheitimidationfactoroutoftheRandR.Ididnotwanttospendallmytimeteachingoffense.IAlsowanttoteachdefenseandskilldevelopementtomyJV
playerstohelppreparesomeofthemforvaristy.Iwouldliketoknowinthe4out,doyouhavethepost,goblocktoblockorstayprimarilyononesidelookingtoscreenandifsowhich
side(sidewithemptycornerorfilledcorner)Iknowitchangesbutjustwantedtoknowyourthoughts
Reply

17.

TeckHuaSue06302012
CoachTom,verythankfulforthearticlesyouposted
ItreallyopenoutmythoughtonreadandreactcosIusuallystressonreadandreactonhowdefenderdefendyou.IhavereadaboutR&RDVDbyRickTorbett.tomeitsverycostly
aftercurrencyconversion.
Iwilltrytoimplementitonmyteam.
Reply

18.

RichardCassella08042012
#RRTRIBEREAD&REACTTRIBETWITTERCHATMONDAYAT8ET
byScottGinn
OnMondaynight(August6)at8pmEasterntime,theTribewillhaveitsfirstofficialTwitterchat.
http://betterbasketballtribe.com/newsandupdates/rrtribereadreacttribetwitterchatmondayat8et/
HopefullythiswillbethefirstofmanyTwitterchatstocome.ThisMondaystopicwillbepreseasonprepwiththeRead&ReactOffensesogetyourquestions,comments,andresources
ready(aslongastheyreunder140characters)andjoinus.
Bytheway,the#rrtribehashtagisalivesogoaheadanduseitinanyRead&Reactrelatedtweetstohelpusgetthewordout.And,ifyouhaveanyquestions,tweetus@BtrBasketballor
leaveacommentatthebottomofthispost.
WhatsaTwitterchat?Readbelowandwatchtheshortvideotofindout.
Why#rrtibe?
#rrtribewillbearealtime,24/7discussionavailabletoanyonewhoisinterestedinlearningmoreabouttheRead&ReactOffense.Youmayshareresources,askandanswerquestions,or

simplyconnectwithotherinterestingpeoplethathaveapassionfortheRead&React.
Thebestpartabout#rrtribe?Whetheryouareacollegecoachorayouthcoach,whetheryouveruntheRead&Reactsincethebeginningoryourelookingtoputitinforthefirsttime,
youllhaveanoutlettoconnect,collaborate,anddiscusswaystoimproveyourknowledgeoftheRead&Reactanywhere,anytime.
HowcanIparticipate?
Participatingissimpleallyouneedtodoisuse#rrtibeanywhereinyourtweet.Whetheryoumention,reply,orhaveyourownthoughtsonasubjectrelatingtoRead&React,allyou
needtodoisuse#rrtribeandyourtweetwillshowinourstream!
HowdoIfind#rrtribe?
Tovieweverytweethavingtodowith#rrtribe,allyouhavetodoissearchfor#rrtribe.Fromthereyoumayreply,retweet,orfavoriteanyonewhohaspostedtothe#rrtibestream.
Thanksto@Cassella_fortheidea,forthevideo,andreallyformakingthishappen.
Reply

19.

coachlarryb10222012
Hilariousimagew/Doofenschmirtzforthebackstorylaughedoutloud:))
Reply

20.

SWB876503232014
Tom,
GreatarticleIusedtheR&Rformy5thgradegirlsteamthisyear,andpriortothatIranBobHuggins5manopenpostforseveralyearswithmyoldersonsteamHuggsversionis
verysimilar
Yourarticlegavemeseveralgreatideas,particularlyusingfiveoutspotsforafouroneandyouBasketballogyscrimmageIactuallyransomethingsimilarformygirls,givingonepoint
persuccessfulpassandfivepointsforabucketreallyimprovedourpassingandcutdownourturnovers
SowherecanIbuyyourbook?
Thanks
SWB
Reply

21.

paul09292014
Tom
ilikedyouralterationonthecornermovementforthedribbledrivefromthewingbuthadaquestiononwhatyoudowhenthereisadribblepenetrationfromthetop.howdoyouhave
yourplayersmoveifthepersonatthepointpenetrates?
Reply

Tom705122015
ImsosorryforthetardyresponseIvetakenasabbaticalofsortstohelpafriendgethisstartupgoing.Ihaveplayerswatchwhichhandtheballhandlerisusingtodribbletheball
asheorshedrives,andIhavethemcircleinthatdirection.Sometimesitisntright,butitisstillbetterthantheconfusionsandslowreactionasplayersgawkattheballhandler
wonderingwhichwaytocircle.
Reply

22.

girlsbasketball04062015
ThanksCoachfortakingthetimetoputthisalltogether.IhavetheoriginalR&RDVDsandyoursisanotherexcellentapproachtoteachingR&Rbasketball.
AnychancethatyoucandoanimationsfortheZoneattackhookandlook?
CoachVaughn
http://www.austinbasketballcamp.com
Reply

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