Limiting Fast Break Opportunities

Limiting Fast Break Opportunities

by American Sport Education Program

chapter from Coaching Basketball - Technical and Tactical Skills

When playing defense, limiting fast break opportunities for the offense can have a major impact on the game successful fast breaks can lead to quick and easy shots. The defensive transition against the fast break should be organized in such a way that all the defenders know what to do to stop the break. Getting back on defense and successfully limiting the offense's opportunities for a fast break require the defenders to sprint back and effectively cover the offensive players running the court.

WATCH OUT!
The following circumstances may distract your athletes:

1. Facing an offense whose size and speed may prevent the defenders from getting back on defense as quickly as they need to.
2. Facing an offense that can get a shot off quickly if the defense is not pre-pared and in position to defend the quick shot.

ACQUIRING THE APPROPRIATE KNOWLEDGE
To help ensure your team's success in limiting fast break opportunities, you and your players must know about the following:

Rules
You and your players need to know several main rules related to limiting fast break opportunities:

1. The offensive team must advance the ball into the frontcourt within a 10-second time limit. Defenders who pressure the ball after a rebound in an effort to slow the fast break may cause a 10-second backcourt violation, resulting in a turnover.
2. An offensive player who has the ball may not dribble or hold the ball for longer than 5 seconds when being closely guarded. The defenders can force a turnover by getting the offensive player to pick up the dribble and not allowing the player to get rid of the ball within this time limit.
3. An offensive player cannot run into a defender who is stationary or a charge will be called. Defenders can draw a charge by getting back on the break and establishing position on the dribbler before the dribbler can stop.
4. When defending the break, a defender may force a held ball situation (when two players from opposite teams are holding the ball at the same time). When this occurs, the alternate jump ball arrow will determine which team gets possession of the ball.

Strengths and Weaknesses of Opponents
You and your players must account for the opponent's strengths and weaknesses to know how to limit fast break opportunities properly. Consider the following about your opponents:

1. 1. How well does the opponent secure rebounds after shots? If the opponent's players do not rebound well, a team may want to send four players to the offensive boards. Getting the offensive rebounds will help limit the opponent's fast break opportunities.
       
   2. Does the opponent handle pressure well? If not, the best way to slow the break may be to use defensive pressure on the rebounder as he or she gets the ball. The defense will want to put pressure on the offensive players before they can get the ball across the half-court line.

1. 1. How does the opponent start the break? Defenders must learn if the opponent likes to power dribble or make the outlet pass to start the break. The defense can work to elimi-nate the option that the opponents prefer, forcing them to use the other option.

1. 1. Does the opponent have strong outside shooters? If the opponent's players like to spot up on the fast break and go for an immediate shot, the defenders must quickly get out and find the shooters spotting up on the perimeter.
       
   2. Does the opponent's post player run the court well? A good offensive post player will run the court on the fast break, looking for the pass and an easy layup. This is one of the best ways to score on a fast break, so the defenders must cover the post player as he or she runs to the basket. The defense must make sure they get a defender back quickly to the lane area to guard the offensive post player on the break.

Self-Knowledge
Besides being aware of your opponent's abilities, you and your players need to know about your own team's strengths and weaknesses. Teach your players to be aware of the following when trying to limit fast break opportunities:

1. 1. How well does your team rebound the ball? A good rebounding team should have four players going to the offensive boards and working to get the second shot, which will limit the opponent's fast break opportunities. If a team does not rebound well, the team should be sure to have two defenders back to stop the break instead of having them rebound.

1. 1. How quick is your team? More specifically, does your team have the speed to stop the offensive team's point guard on the dribble? If the defense is quick, defenders can pressure the point guard to force this player to pick up the dribble or to slow him or her down. A defense that lacks quickness may need to drop two players back to stop the fast break as soon as the rebound is secured.

1. 1. Does your post player run the court well? If the defensive post player can get up the middle and help cover the fast break, this gives the perimeter defenders some help if the offensive team makes a quick drive to the basket.

1. 1. Does your team have a size advantage? A size advantage will allow the team to defend the fast break easier if the players get back on defense. Taller defenders can keep the offensive team from driving to the basket and can help limit the offense to one shot.
       
   2. Does your team have the advantage at the point guard position? If so, the defensive point guard can control the dribbling and passing of the opponent's point guard, which will slow down the fast break.

Decision-Making Guidelines
When deciding how to gain the best advantage when trying to limit fast breaks, you and your players should consider the previous information as well as the following guidelines:

1. 1. If the offensive team prefers to use the outlet pass to start a fast break because their point guard is quick, defenders should first work to take away the pass to the point guard. Defenders should cover the point guard after the rebound is secured so that the point guard cannot cleanly or easily get the outlet pass. If the pass is successful, defenders should then work to force the point guard to go to the sidelines and not straight to the basket on the fast break. This will slow down the break and limit the point guard's options by pressuring him or her to dribble in one direction.

1. 1. If the offensive team prefers to use a power dribble to start the break, the defense should double team or pressure the rebounders when they get the ball. This can slow the break by forcing the offensive player to pick up the dribble.

1. 1. If the offensive team can shoot jump shots off the fast break, more concentration is needed on defense. Defenders must force the shooters to put the ball on the floor by guarding them closely so that the offensive players cannot just stand and shoot.
       
   2. Late in a game, the time and score will determine whether a team should send players back on defense to stop the break. If the team is ahead, they should send everyone back immediately when the opponent gets the defensive rebound so that the opponent cannot get an easy basket. If the team is behind, they should pressure the offensive players quicker to try to cause a turnover.