Professional Documents
Culture Documents
European basketball has a major influence on how the game is played globally:
• Our challenge in Australia is access – the NBA/NCAA has great exposure on TV and in
the media
• Our visitors are generally U.S. influenced
1. Allowing the opposition to initiate offense in the middle third of the floor, without
disruption is dangerous, and how the Europeans would like to play.
a. 1-2-2 zone press
i. Length at the front
ii. Second line behind half court
WHY: Shorten the clock, put the ball in a non-primary ball-handler’s hands, and
take them out of the middle of the floor.
b. Sideline Pin
i. Initially in defensive transition, square the ball up
ii. Secondly, funnel to the sideline and pin it
iii. Third, square the ball back up, and pack principles now apply
WHY: Keep the ball to one side and out of the middle of the floor. Italy initiated
every set, for the entire tournament, from the left side of the floor. What if you
make them start on the right-hand side?
2. The pick and pop four (any post really) is a major part of ball-screen concepts and is
key to ball and player movement. One that can shoot it is a huge asset:
Australia: Dalton - 37.5%, Germany: Hollersbacher - 50%, Israel: Levinson – 33.3%,
Japan: Wada – 52.4%.
a. X-Out from the NAIL in ICE coverage
b. X-Out from the CAPTAIN HARD SHOW coverage (side on-ball)
WHY: Rhythm jump shots at the international level, for skilled post players, are as
good as down. Take away their rhythm, make them beat you in a way they would
rather not.
3. The seam on-ball was prevalent throughout the entire tournament, with nearly
every team having it a part of its package.
a. Seam on-ball, going to the empty corner = MUSH/WEAK
b. Seam on-ball, loaded corner = ICE
WHY: Shrink the floor and take away the space the guard as to operate in.
1. The Burkhard Wildermuth Prize – the most talented prospect at the tournament, as
evaluated on:
a. Anthropometric measurements
b. Projected athletic prowess
c. Basketball ability
i. 2006 – Alexis Ajinca – New Orleans Pelicans
ii. 2008 – Enes Kanter – New York Knicks
iii. 2010 – Dario Saric – Philadelphia 76ers
iv. 2012 – Cedi Osman – Cleveland Cavaliers
Who and how are you evaluating at your club/school/state sporting organization?
And how patient can you be?
1. ITALY – Staggers
a. Step-up seam on-ball
b. Kick-back Flare
i. Side on-ball (rejecting the on-ball is definitely encouraged)
c. Curl and Pop (CAP) screen for the top of the stagger (4/5 on-ball)
2. ITALY – X
a. Quick middle on-ball action for their best player (6’5” ball handling guard)
3. Israel – Wide Pin Down
a. WPD Slip Middle on-ball
b. Wing dribble hand off (DHO)
c. Slip middle on-ball wide pin downs both sides
The Fundamental Skills Required to Playing International Ball
1. It is physical, and the officials reward fundamentals, tough plays and tough players
a. POE: 2-foot stops and wood-chops
b. DRILL: Quick Swing
2. A hand down on the catch is as good as three points
a. POE: high-hand closeout, and carry a hand at all times
b. DRILL: Closeout Weave
3. The ‘throw-down’ is an important part of international player development –
preventing travelling
a. POE: Footwork habits. Built them at morning shoot around with four to six
minutes of 1v0 breakdowns
b. DRILL: Post player reverse pivot throw down. Guards = wing catch
throw down.