John Wooden UCLA “Down” Set Play by Adam Spinella

Written by Coach Peterman

I have coached at the NCAA Division 2 (Southwestern Oklahoma State University), NAIA (USAO), and JUCO Levels (Blinn College and Carl Albert State College) as well as high school. I just felt that fellow coaches especially young coaches need to constantly work on their “game”. Just like the basketball players that we coach. We as coaches need to improve ourselves. That is my story and why I do this blog.

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Basketball Set Plays

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March 10, 2015

John Wooden UCLA “Down” Set Play by Adam Spinella

Over the next few days we will be breaking down some of Coach John Wooden’s favorite plays from his teams in the 1970s. Coach Wooden was a winner and was quite accomplished – often times his leadership prowess and speaking ability overshadow just how great of an offensive mind he was. This play, which Coach Wooden called “Down”, resulted in an isolation post-up for a wing player after setting a down screen.

Starting in a 2-3 High formation, 1 passes to 2 and 2 passes to 4. When 4 catches it, 3 dives and 2 goes on the top side of 4 to get the ball back from a handoff. After 4 gets the ball back to 2, 4 flares off of 5 to the top of the key. While this takes place, 1 and 3 exchange on the weak side.

After quickly exchanging, 3 and 1 will switch spots once again as 3 sets a down screen for 1. The ball swings around the perimeter to get into the hands of 1. After the down screen, 3 seals deep and looks for inside post position. 1 will enter him the ball, and the floor is spaced on the weak side so that help defenders must either commit to a double-team or stay home and let 3 go one-on-one.

A team that tries to switch the 1 and 3 exchange at first can be punished – 3 and 1 won’t go through the down screen the second time, and 1 will simply stay high and look to get the ball into 3 in the post.

Coach Adam Spinella is entering his first season as an Assistant Coach at Culver Academies in Culver, IN. Spinella spent the three years prior as a Student Assistant Coach at Division III Dickinson College. The Dickinson Men’s Team advanced to two NCAA Tournaments and accumulated an overall record of 59-26 (.694) during the three-year span, with the 2013-2014 season ending in the Division III Elite Eight. A native of Bow, New Hampshire, Spinella has a keen interest in X’s and O’s, particularly in professional basketball, and skill development.

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