This article describes the fundamental principles of fast break, transition basketball. Coaches and teams that consistently utilize and execute these fundamental principles will be able to force game tempo, take advantage of superior conditioning by wearing down opponents with pressure offense, and consistently take advantage of easy scoring opportunities that other teams might miss. Why play 5 on 5 on every trip down the floor when the fast break can get you easy baskets? Make it goal to balance your team's attack by scoring 1/3 of your points on transition baskets. The player's will love the style of play, find themselves in great condition, and they will develop the ability to recognize opportunities while playing full-speed.
1. Always look to fast break after a defensive rebound, steal, or blocked shot. It is beneficial to run after made shots as well, but the coach and players must be ready to adjust if the other team employs a press.
2. On made shots a post player always inbounds the ball. He should develop the ability to immediately grab the ball as it goes through the net, take it out of bounds and pass it to a guard in a time span of no more than three seconds. A slow inbounds pass can stifle a fast break and allow the opponent to set up its defense.
It is very important that he moves to the side so that he is not under the backboard when he inbounds the ball. This insures that if he tries to throw a baseball pass he will not inadvertently throw the ball against the glass and lose possession. This maneuver is called clearing the backboard.
3. The two Post players typically have one of two responsibilities. One sprints the floor on the break, looking to post-up on the block for a quick post feed if/when the team enters into its secondary break. The other acts as a trailer, following the break up-court and filling a spot near the top of the key after the ball is passed to a wing. On the trip up court, this man acts as a defensive safety in the event of a turnover. When he steps into a perimeter position, he usually facilitates ball reversal.
4. Point guard hustles to the ball-side outlet area and yells Outlet! His back should face the baseline so that he has vision of the entire floor.
5. ALWAYS Pass ahead to the open man. The pass advances the ball up the floor much faster than the dribble.
6. Do not pass a player into trouble. For instance, do not pass to a man who can be double teamed on the catch or to a player who will struggle to make good decisions when he catches the ball.
7. Center the ball. The point guard/ballhandler should push the ball up the middle of the floor with the dribble until a pass presents itself. If no passes are available his goal should be to try to push the ball from the outlet area to the free throw line area as quickly as possible (ideally in 3-4 seconds) with the fewest dribbles necessary (ideally 3 or 4 dribbles). In this situation the free throw circle area is termed the bubble, and the process of advancing the ball via the dribble is termed pushing it to the bubble. In the numbered break the ball is centered via the dribble. In a two guard break (Deuce), the ball is centered via the pass or the dribble.
8. EVERYBODY SPRINTS! Oftentimes a guard will get a steal in the opponents back-court and the entire team stands and watches as the guard goes for the solo lay-up. Everyone should run the floor with this player. If he misses his shot, we want an opportunity for an offensive rebound and put-back. An offensive rebound on the fast break is a tremendous weapon for ANY team. In open court situations even undersized teams can collect many offensive rebounds and put-backs because box-out responsibilities can be unclear. Aggressiveness and hustle are far more important and relevant than size or boxing out transition.
9. If a team does not have an advantage on the primary break (the primary break is the initial phase of the fast break that looks for the transition layup. It usually includes a ballhandler in the middle lane and runners in the outside lanes), a team should immediately enter into a secondary break. This usually occurs if 3 or more players are back to defend. This is like a yellow light for the driver of an automobile. The team should not stop attacking; rather it should shift into a simple secondary attack by looking for:
A. Quick post-ups, and
B. Ball reversal.
For all but the more experienced teams, the secondary break need not be any more complicated than this; if players are at all confused, the purpose of the secondary attack - to continue to attack without disrupting the flow - will be lost.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
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