By: Quin Snyder

Due to the space constraints, in this article I will talk only about some of our basic offensive principles, and how we teach them. All the drills are carried out with the help of a manager or an assistant coach, who passes the ball to the player filling up the open area in the court.

Penetration & Kick Pass:
To The Top Forward.

1. The Player With The Ball Must:
• Make an explosive first step, "attacking" the defender's hip.
• Make a strong penetration to force the defender to help.
• After passing, fill the open area.
2. The Player Who Receives The Ball Must:
• Create a passing lane.
• Read the moves of the defender.
• Read the moves of the teammates.
• Be always in control of what happens on the court.
• Call for the ball and be ready to shoot.

1. Fade:

1 drives to the middle of the lane and, if the 2's defender helps on 1's penetration, 2 fades away, receives the ball and shoots (diagr. 1).


Diagram 1.

Fill the open area After the pass, 1 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 2).


Diagram 2.

2. Back-Door Lob Pass:

1 drives to the middle of the lane and, if 1's defender helps on 1's penetration or assumes a strong denial position, 2 makes a back-door cut, receives a lob pass from 1 and goes in for a lay-up (diagr. 3).


Diagram 3.

Fill the open area After the pass, 1 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 4).


Diagram 4.

3. Circle Behind:

1 drives to the central lane: if the 2's defender helps with a cut parallel to the baseline, 2 circles behind 1 and receives a pass and shoots (diagr. 5).


Diagram 5.

Fill the open area After the pass, 1 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 6).


Diagram 6.

4. Fade:

2 drives laterally: if 2's defender helps externally on 1's penetration, 1 fades away, receives the ball and shoots (diagr. 7).


Diagram 7.

Fill the open area After the pass, 2 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 8).


Diagram 8.

5. Circle Behind:

2 drives laterally: if 1's defender helps down on 2's penetration, 1 circles behind 2, receives the ball and shoots (diagr. 9).


Diagram 9.

Fill the open area After the pass, 2 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 10).


Diagram 10.

6. Circle Behind:

2 drives to the baseline: if 1's defender helps on 2's penetration by going down, 1 circles behind 2 to receive the pass and shoot (diagr. 11).


Diagram 11.

Fill the open area After the pass, 2 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 12).


Diagram 12.

Penetration & Kick Pass:
From Forward - To - Forward.

1. Fade:

1 drives laterally: if 2's defender helps on 1's penetration, 2 fades, receives the ball and shoots (diagr. 13).


Diagram 13.

Fill the open area After the pass, 1 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 14).


Diagram 14.

2. Back-Door Lob Pass:

1 drives laterally and, if 2's defender helps on 1's penetration or assumes a strong denial position on 1, 2 makes a back-door cut, receives a lob pass from 1 and goes in for a lay-up (diagr. 15).


Diagram 15.

Fill the open area After the pass, 1 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 16).


Diagram 16.

3. Circle Behind:

1 drives laterally: if 2's defender helps on 1's penetration, cutting parallel to the baseline, 2 circles behind 1 to receive the pass and shoot (diagr. 17).


Diagram 17.

Fill the open area After the pass, 1 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 18).


Diagram 18.

4. Fade/Backdoor Lob Pass:

If 1 drives laterally and 2's defender helps on 1's penetration, or stays to guard 2, 2 fades or makes a back-door, receives a lob pass and goes in for a lay-up (diagr. 19).


Diagram 19.

Fill the open area After the pass, 1 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 20).


Diagram 20.

5. Flatten:

2 drives along the baseline and, if 2's defender helps on 1's penetration by cutting to the zone: 2 flattens to the corner, receives the ball from 1 and shoots (diagr.21).


Diagram 21.

Fill the open area After the pass, 1 replaces himself: he is ready to receive the second ball from the coach and shoot (diagr. 22).


Diagram 22.

About The Author:

One of the emerging coaches in the college ranks, Snyder was an assistant coach at Duke for four years, before joining the Los Angeles Clippers coaching staff as assistant. Since 1999, he has been the head coach at the University of Missouri.

Quin Snyder

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