5-Out Triggers w/ Chris Cheng
Episode 96: Early offense from Canada's U17 Boys Coach
Chris Cheng spoke at a coaching clinic that included a handful of coaches in the spring of 2023.
When asked if he minded if the organizer could video the presentations, Cheng thought little of it. Kind of like the clinic, he knew the videos of his two sessions would be seen by some coaches. Definitely more than who attended the clinic that weekend, but not nearly the number who have watched it since it was uploaded to YouTube on April 7, 2023.
Five-out Trigger Offense has been viewed more than 9,000 times — and counting. Cheng hears from new coaches on a weekly basis, asking for more information. I became one of those coaches last weekend. A few days later I was interviewing Coach Cheng about the offense for the latest episode of the podcast. In between those days, I learned Cheng is the head coach at the University of Windsor and the head coach of Canada U17 boys team, which later this month will travel to Turkey to compete at the World Championships.
I’ve also learned Coach Cheng is a good guy. My original email was answered quickly. He was willing to fit the limited time I have with school ending into what has to be his busy schedule so we could talk. He was open in the interview about the disappointing season this last year at Windsor. After the interview, he shared a PDF of the triggers his team ran during the 2023-24 season - unsolicited. As a coach thousands of miles away, I appreciate everything he has done.
I learned a lot in our discussion on the 5-Out Trigger Actions, and I’m sure you will too. Enjoy!
Show Notes
2:10 - Pathway to a 5-Out Offense
4:30 - Evolution in Offense
5:50 - Offensive DNA
7:55 - Drill to teach pace
8:30 - Drill to game transfer
11:15 - Relocation for proper spacing
13:25 - Second Attacks: NBA
15:50 - Coverage solutions for triggers
18:55 - Off-ball players responsibilities
20:25 - Who decides triggers?
22:25 - Pre-Trigger actions
24:20 - Where players struggle
27:55 - Preparing Canada’s U17 team
29:25 - Establishing roles on a national team
30:25 - The growth of basketball in Canada
32:15 - Talent level in Canada’s college game
34:10 - Coaching growth area
