Shaka Smart VCU Havoc Press Notes
Some notes I took listening to Shaka Smart talk about his pressure defense out in New Orleans –
• “Talking makes you quicker.”
• “If you can’t talk, you can’t play.”
• 3 things they use to determine when a good/bad time to trap: The ball-handlers level of control, the element of surprise, and the location of the ball on the court.
• Every trap has 2 trappers, 2 interceptors and 1 goaltender – no matter where they trap, they should always have 2, 2 and 1, with the defender furthers away from the ball becoming the goaltender.
• When trapping, interceptors should take away the obvious pass – read the eyes and shoulders of the ball-handler.
• Work on 2 on 1 situations a lot – the rule: don’t give up a lay-up.
• “Fixing it” – Getting matched-up after the pressure is broken. They do a lot of drills on “fixing it.”
• Want to force the ball-handler to pivot in the trap – get him in a less-than-aggressive position.
• Side diamond – using their diamond press alignment on the sideline, especially out of half-time and on in-bounds situations. Set up in a diamond with the 5 man protecting the hoop and trap the “short pass” – close to the inbounder.
• “Madman” is what they call their guy on the ball. He needs to go crazy.
• They tell their guys in the trap to “foul with their lower body.” He talked a lot about how much they let their guys foul early in the season in practice, to get them into an aggressive mindset.
What are we trying to get out of the press? | Shaka Smart
• Turnovers (Live Ball)•
• Quick / Bad Shots•
• Create Offensive Opportunities•
• Force Tempo / Disrupt Offensive Flow•
• Difficult to Prepare For•
• Make Opposing Players do things they aren’t comfortable doing•
• Create fatigue (Cumulative Effect) – Who gets tired 1st? Who recovers quickest?•
• Make depth a factor (Who’s 6-10 is better?)•
• Exciting style of play (Players/fans)•
• Identity/Brand
What Should You Emphasize as a Pressing Team? | Shaka Smart
• Energy (5 Guys Flying Around)- Fouling Negates Hustle•
• Communication- “Talking makes you quicker.”•
• Getting into the press quickly• Deflections•
• Trapping Fundamentals- When to trap? (Good Trap vs. Bad Trap)
5 Keys to a Good Trap | Shaka Smart
1. Ball Handler’s Level of Control – Is the ball handler under control?
2. Element of Surprise– Are we running from the elbow to half court to trap?
3. Location of Court – No traps in the middle of the floor.
4. No Fouls
5. No Splits • Who to trap?• How to trap?•
Off the ball- “Think like a trapper.”•
Taking away the obvious pass•
Pressuring the ball- #1 thing in the press.
If you can’t pressure the ball, you can’t press.•
Stunting | Shaka Smart
Back Pressure
Outnumbered Situations- 2 vs. 1 – Must defend the 2 on 1 situations well.
Happens all the time: “Fix It” Situations
Click on the pdf link to download the basketball coaching clinic notes:
0 Comments