Conceptual Offense Focus: Advantage
Take 5: Clips from Albania vs. Austria; Coaching staff framework
🤔 Thought Starter
📓 Playing Out of Advantage
📝 Coaching Staff Framework
⛹️ Take 5: Albania vs. Austria
🎶 The Playlist
Supporting the IBCP
Maybe some day I will look to monetize the Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast, but as they say, you get what you pay for. 🤣
In all seriousness, if you feel there is some value in the podcast and newsletter, one way you can support the cause is donating to my program’s current fundraiser. Money will help us travel to the Idaho Falls area this winter for one of Idaho’s largest tournaments. It also helps us keep our summer program costs to a minimum for our players. The drive ends this week.
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🤔 Thought Starter
Judgement is incredibly important: you need it to survive and to course-correct your way through life. But the ability to put your critique on hold is what allows you to sometimes pursue a wild idea. … When you need to judge and make decisions, dial it up to to eleven and say, ‘I have chosen this because of that and that.’
But sometimes dial it down and say, ‘I’m not judging, I’m just producing right now. I’m just making stuff, and I’m going to worry about judging later.’”
- Sarah Stein Greenberg, Creative Acts for Curious People
📓 Playing Out of Advantage
Adopting a conceptual offense emphasizes teaching players how to create and sustain an advantage until a great shot develops. In our program, we often reference Brian McCormick’s idea of turning a Small Advantage into a Big Advantage, and we dedicate significant practice time to these situations.
From 4-point line spacing to push-pull reads and backside screening, mastering this offense requires consistent effort. For coaches new to the system, a good starting point is focusing on court geography and spacing. Even small improvements in these areas can make a big difference quickly.
I’ve put together a short video showcasing the progress Coach Taylor Brower’s boys’ team in Utah has made. It begins with a clip from an open gym a few weeks ago, followed by an advantage drill Coach Brower shared earlier this week, and concludes with clips from their second game of the season.
The team’s progression is remarkable. Considering they’re only a few weeks into this system, I’m excited to see how they evolve as the season continues. (Special thanks to Coach Brower for allowing me to share this!)
📝 A Coaching Staff Framework
I’m not much of a “manual” person, but I understand the importance of having a framework in place for a program. Here’s one I’ve been developing for our coaching staff.
While it outlines key coaching principles, the goal is to keep it flexible. In my experience, we often operate in a gray area, and as a mentor once advised, it’s important to avoid putting yourself or others in a corner.
Excel in your area of responsibility.
Be a team player and support the program and colleagues.
Develop workable solutions for problems on and off the court.
Encourage player independence. Let players learn by asking them questions instead of providing all the answers.
Foster multiple perspectives during discussions, but in games, there’s one voice.
Respect roles: Let coaches coach, refs ref, and players play.
Show gratitude and remain humble, even when it’s difficult.
Respond with respect; don’t react.
Practice patient education. People often don’t know what we know. Listen and guide them.
Demonstrate positive leadership. Leadership will form—ensure it’s constructive.
Remember, you’re always being observed, even when it feels like no one is watching.
Learn the lesson; leave the event. Mistakes are opportunities to grow.
Do better next time.
⛹️ Take 5: Albania vs. Austria
Pre-qualifiers are already happening for the 2027 FIBA World Cup. Here’s 5 clips from a first-round game between Albania and Austria.
1. Albania SLOB
This is my favorite clip from the game. Great sideline play.
2. Austria Stagger → Get → Stagger
One of Austria’s opening sets provided a great look for a shooter.
3. Albania Ram → Ghost → DHO
I’ve had a lot of success with Ram screens. Like the secondary concepts here.
4. Austria Transition Trail Shooting
I’ve started looking for game situations like this for potential shooting drills.
5. Albania Iverson Cut Post-up
This doesn’t turn out well, but I like the concept … especially as a counter. The clip shows reads to share with players.
🎶 The Playlist
Thankful for these songs when it comes to producing this edition of the newsletter. Hope you enjoy!