Structures and Strategies- Basketball

1. Structures and Strategies- Basketball Key Concept 1- The structure, strategies and/or compositional elements that are fundamental to selected activities

2. Effective Teams To perform effectively in a basketball game the team must prevent the opposition from scoring baskets and winning the game. Scoring baskets is not enough if you continually allow the other team to score. ALL players must know their individual role and understand what their responsibilities are within the chosen structure/strategy. Selecting an appropriate strategy will predominantly depend on individual players strengths and weaknesses in terms of • Physical qualities- for example, CRE, Speed etc • Technical qualities - for example, dribbling, shooting etc • Mentalqualities- for example, controlling emotions • Special qualities- for example the ability to disguise intent A good team will continually analyse their opponent’s strengths, weaknesses, strategies and change or adapt their structure or strategy accordingly.

3. Offence and Defence • As soon as one team has the ball, that team is the offence and the other team is the defence. • The offence tries to position players to take a shot (throw the ball through the hoop). • The defence position themselves to block these shots. • Offence players move around the basket and cut past defence players (quickly changing direction to get past the defence) until they can set up a reasonably clear shot.

4. Knowledge of the Court

5. Positional Responsibilities

6. Positions • Point guard - This player is typically the best dribbler and passer on the team. The point guard is sometimes called the floor general, which indicates the key role that the point guard plays. • Shooting guard - The shooting guard, also called the two guard, is typically a team's best outside shooter on the team. This player flanks the point guard and moves around the court to try to create some space to take a shot that is uncontested by the opposition. • Power forward - The power forward is usually near the basket and moves from one side of the basket to the other to try to get free from the opposition player that is guarding him. Power forwards are also skilled rebounders.

7. Positions (continued) • Small forward - The small forward is typically a better outside shooter than a power forward and is usually smaller than a power forward. • Centre - Traditionally, the centre is the tallest player on the team. The centre’s role is to establish a position near the basket to allow him/herself an easy jump shot. On defence, the centre attempts to block shots and grab rebounds.

8. Scoring • Points are scored by passing the ball through the basket from above; the team with more points at the end of the game wins. The ball can be advanced on the court by bouncing it (dribbling) or passing it between team-mates. Disruptive physical contact (fouls) is not permitted and there are restrictions on how the ball can be handled (violations).

9. Scoring (continued) • Different points are awarded to players based on where they are when they shoot the ball. Here is a breakdown of scoring: • 3 points - Awarded to players who successfully shoot the ball through the hoop from behind the three-point line. • 2 points - Awarded to players who successfully shoot the ball through the hoop from anywhere inside the three-point line. This can be done by shooting a jump shot, laying the ball into the rim, or slamming the ball through the hoop. • 1 point - When players are fouled, they get free attempts to shoot the ball, which are called foul shots. A player is given one point for every successful foul shot. • When a player is shooting a foul shot, the remaining nine players on the court must stand in designated locations. They can stand in the blocks along the sides of the free-throw lane or back behind the free-throw shooter. The team whose player is not shooting free throws must be allowed to stand closest to the rim during the shot.

10. Team Relationships • Being an organised team with outstanding individuals who perform their role effectively is not enough to be successful. Strong relationships and good group dynamics are essential to ensure effective application of any strategy. Co-operation Required to support and stimulate each other. A motivated, confident team is much harder to defeat. Decisions must be made in relation to the ball and your opponents’ movements. It is vital the team responds effectively to an individual team-mates decision to ensure the offence are unsuccessful. Players must work together.

11. Communication Effective communication is very important to ensure that players are supported in difficult situations. Verbal Communication- essential when moving in relation to the ball and informing team-mates of possible offensive threats. Required to ensure “help” defence is applied and opponents can be double-teamed. Visual signals- can be used to instruct team-mates of an adaptation to the zone without informing opponents. This should be decided beforehand so everyone is familiar with all visual signals that could be used.

12. Group Dynamics The interaction between team members is very important to the success of the team. This is particularly evident when players are faced with the demands of tight competitive matches. Players must possess a wide range of personal qualities and contribute interactively with each other to present a real threat to their opponents.

13. Game Plan • Before deciding which strategy to use it is very important to consider several factors. These factors will influence the decisions made before and during the game. Responding effectively to situations during the game will ensure game effectiveness. Pre planning strategies ensures teams are well organised to cope with the pressures and demands of any competitive situation. • When selecting any strategy the following should be considered: • Your own strengths and weaknesses • Your opponents strengths and weaknesses • Knowledge of previous performance – your own and your opponents (analyse) • Knowledge of previous results- your own and your opponents (analyse) • The timing and application of strategies i.e. end of quarter strategy/time remaining in the game/score-are we winning or losing/player is fouled out/player gets injured/players are fatigued • The level of competition- class/league/cup game.

14. Structures and Strategies- Defence/Offence Now that you have had an introduction to the game of basketball you must familiarise yourself with the structures and strategies you will be developing over the coming weeks. • Defensive Structures (Examples of Zone) 2-1-2 1-3-1 3-2 • Defensive Strategies (Man to Man) Full court Half court • Offensive Strategies Fastbreak Motion Offence