Tip for Pressing Teams

July 21, 2008

Coaching Better Basketball

If you run any type of fullcourt press that assigns a player to defend the inbounder, this tactic can cause some unexpected turnovers and an occasional 5 second call.

The player defending the ball should count to five on evry inbounds pass. This should ber done quietly enough so that it doesn’t attract too much attention. The only person that we really want to hear the count is the player inbounding.
Early in the game, count at a normal pace.
As the game goes on, slowly increase the pace of the count. If your press giving the opponent any trouble with inbounding the ball, this can help build on the pressure and force a turnover or 5 second count.
Most important…if the referee tells you to stop counting, listen to him or her and stop.

This is obviously not a fundamental, or even a teaching point. Rather, it is a ‘trick of the trade’ that can help your team out if properly applied.