Why the need for early offense?

The main reason for early offense, accompanied by flow action, is to force the defense to react rather than act! This simply put is to advance the ball quickly into the front court areas and attack before the defense is able to become organized into a disruptive force. As a defensive specialists over the many years of coaching, we have found that the most difficult teams to defend were the ones with offenses that pushed the ball into the front court, hash mark areas in the time span of 2 to 3 seconds. This early offense push creates quick medium jump shots, or penetration lay-ups, or kick out passes for scores to occur before the defense had a chance to set up and disrupt any organized set play. We have also found that when teams walked the ball up the court, they were much easier to defend because the defense was able to get its players back into positions near the basket were they could execute pressure denials, traps to disrupt the offensive flow and to force rushed shots as time on the clock became a factor.

Early Offense Flow Chart

Coaching Objectives
Keys to Winning with Early Offense
Thoughts to Consider

PHASE 1: Early Push.

Good continuous early offensive flow prevents or hinders any pre-planned defensive disruption scenarios by forcing the defense to "react" rather than "act." When the offense is able to get the ball into the offensive operating area with in 2 to 3 seconds, most often the defenders are spread out creating space where good 1 on 1 creativity has a chance to produce a high percentage field goal attempt. Getting into offense before the defense can establish proper player match ups also creates severe mismatches. Most early offenses depend on quick, wide lane releases, inbound pass, and pass advance to reach the offensive operating areas before all of the defenders can retreat into the front court area. The lanes are broken down into wings, middle, trailer, and push. After initial lanes are denied by good defensive transition or poor offensive run outs, or slow inbound or outlet passes, then the "flow" becomes of the utmost importance in taking the initiative away from the defensive team.

Attacking Out Number Situations

Single Outlet (Basic Three Lane Break)
Two Guard Outlet (Laker Break)

PHASE 2: Continuous Offensive "Flow".

After early offense gets the 2 to 3 second push into the offensive operating area, it is equally as important that when the initial transition passing lanes and dribble penetration is denied the offensive team quickly moves into set offensive flow scenarios before the defense is able to apply any structured, modes of attack. In short, the flow should prevent the necessity of the offensive team to bring the ball back out before beginning to execute a set play which would allow the defense to get its players into their planned areas of defensive attack. This can be seen in so many modern offenses. The precious seconds it takes to back the ball out, allows the defense to regain the initiative, and employ all of their defensive weapons. The constant attack of "flow action" keeps the defense at a disadvantage.

Early offense is flexible. It allows for the game within a game to take place at all times. It is designed so that players can take advantage of any isolations, two man game or three man game situations as they occur. We hope to show many "flow" actions, which also can be used as half court offense when/if early pushes are not available. "Flow" actions are actually half court offenses executed without having to back the ball out to initiate a set play. If a coach chooses to call off or slow down early pushes, because of fatigue or personnel reasons, then the offensive "flow" actions become the teams half court set offenses.

Index to Early Flow (57 Proven Sets)
Player Utilization Guide (sets listed by position)
HoopTactics Complete Guide to Most Commonly Used Offenses

PHASE 3: Continuity.

The third and final phase of the power offense involves flowing into a continuity style of play as the clock winds down. Flowing into a continuity pattern without hesitation continues to prevent the defense to get set up and organized. Continuity allows for organization preventing panic or rushed shots. It allows for the ball to get to players you want to have handling the ball and taking the shots at the end. Continuity maintains court balance with good offensive rebounding position and 2nd efforts to take place.

Flex - power game utilizing baseline screens and medium jumpers.
Mid Screen - quick hitting two player mid isolation.
Passing Game - motion offense. cutting, slashing type players. No big man.
Side Screen - quick hitting two player wing isolation.
Triangle Action - strong inside players along with good outside wing shooters.
Triple Post - balanced inside outside game. Maintains good court spacing.

A Game within a Game: Strengthening individual skills and team performance through drills.

Early offense with continuous flow action cuts down on learning time, and the shear volume of separate actions normally need to prepare a team for play. Preseason introduce all options. During the season review specific options as needed and that will probably employed in the next game.

Early Transition Teaching Drills

One-on-One "Wolf" Drill
Two player Break Drill
Three Player Break Drill
Post Fly Drill
3-on-2, 2-on-1 Drill
3 on 2 Continuous Drill
Michigan

The Case for the Defense