Exploring basketball's best ideas, strategies, and coaches around the world

Happy Sunday and welcome to all the new subscribers from around the world.

ICYMI: Last week we highlighted Maccabi Tel Aviv Head Coach, Oded Kattash's, transition spacings and concepts when playing with multiple bigs. Read the newsletter HERE.

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This Week at a Glance:

🔒 SG Plus Content: 2-3 Triple Switching Zone​

🎤 Slappin' Glass Podcast: Sean Miller {Xavier University}

🥇Best of the Week: Side Weaves & Turnouts​

📣 3rd Generation Coaching Mentorship, Apply Now!

We are excited to announce the launch of our 3rd Generation Mentorship Program, starting this October. Led by Obradoiro Head Coach Gonzalo Rodríguez, this comprehensive 7-month program is open to all subscribers and offers an excellent opportunity to elevate your coaching skills through:

• Unlimited email access to Coach Rodríguez for ongoing guidance
• Monthly personalized one-on-one sessions tailored to your coaching needs
• Monthly group sessions covering broader coaching topics and tactics

Participants will also gain access to a private group of fellow coaches, where they can engage in discussions, share insights, and access replays of group sessions.

For more information about the program, including a sneak peek into previous group sessions and application details..

Space is limited, and applications will be considered on a "first come, first served" basis. The deadline to apply is September 20th

Now let's dive in...

Zone Triple Switch

Zones...besides turnovers and fundraising, one of the leading causes of anxiety for coaches worldwide. These deceptive, non-"man to man" coverages can keep even the best up at night wondering how our teams could be so perplexed by even the simplest zones. Today's study is on one the sneakier 2-3 matchup zones we've seen that starts in an unusual alignment and anticipates the offense's strategy. Welcome the Israel U20 National Team's "2-3 Triple Switching Zone."

Since many offenses rely on PNR actions, one of the best ways to neutralize the ballscreen is through switching. But how can you switch effectively without creating size mismatches? The key is the "triple switch." To maintain size-on-size matchups, the triple switch works best when bigs come off the weakside corner to bump smaller defenders out. On the ball, the most natural switches involve like-sized defenders. So, how can a defense create a situation where a perimeter defender switches onto the ball while the roller is contained by a weakside big?

One solution lies in the formation of the 2-3 Zone.

Two Birds....One Zone

To ensure the best possible defensive positioning after a PNR switch, this matchup zone requires the 3-man to be the middle defender on the baseline, while the two remaining bigs start on the wings...

Below are examples of situations where starting with that 3-man in the middle instead of on the wing like a normal 2-3 zone becomes advantageous for the defense...

As the offense progresses through its actions, the zone will begin to match up, ensuring the 3-man is aligned with either the high post or the big in the middle...

Away from the ball, the defense will switch on any screens or handoffs to keep the guards high and the bigs positioned in the corners...

A Quick Aside: In general, to maintain defensive integrity off the ball, any offensive player moving up toward the ball is the responsibility of the guards, while actions or cuts toward the baseline are handled by the bigs.

Returning to the Triple Switch, with the 3-man matched up with the high post and the defense maintaining their positions during off-ball exchanges, the defense is now in the ideal position to switch the ball screen with a like-sized defender, while the big is perfectly positioned to bump the guard out...

At this point in the possession, the offense has failed to create any numerical or matchup advantages and must rely on their "Play After the Play" concepts to generate an opportunity against a shrinking shot clock.

What we’ve come to appreciate about this defense is its cleverness in stalling out the possession, as the defense can easily shape-shift while maintaining matchups. If an offense schemes against the "zone" with "zone sets", it will eventually transition into man-to-man. Play man offenses, and the defense’s switching scheme is well-suited to disrupt their actions.

For a more in-depth film analysis of the "Triple Switching" Zone, including how the defense handles the following situations:

• "Elbow Out" PNRs
• Step-up screens
• Corner step-up screens
• and more

Become an SG+ Member to view the full breakdown now on SGTV!

More Zone Resources:

For those interested in other resources on SGTV about various zone defenses, here are a couple:

🔒 Film Room Series: Joe Gallo's Complete Guide to an Aggressive 2-3 Zone​

🔒 The 3-2 "Monster" Zone​

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Slappin' Glass Podcast

We sat down this week with the Head Coach of Xavier MBB, Sean Miller! In this highly insightful conversation we dive into Coach Miller's thoughts on all things about handling pressure, including playing through the "gray areas" of it, and discuss transition defensive concepts and teaching guards to hedge ballscreens during the always fun "Start, Sub, or Sit?!"

Listen to the entire conversation here...

Together with Hudl

We're proud to partner with one of the best tech companies in the world of sports, Hudl! Every play, every stat, every breakdown. On their own, they’re essential. But all together, they’re undeniable. Hudl recently introduced their newest product, Hudl Instat – a new advanced data platform that integrates with Sportscode and every Hudl product you rely on to create an all-in-one data powerhouse. Hudl Instat’s advanced tagging and next-level stat reports help you develop your team – and its global film library helps you find the missing piece to get the most out of every second of film. Visit ​hudl.com/slappinglass​ to learn more.

Tactical

📺 Side Weaves - Turnout & Step Up Screens​

"Entering the offense with a side weave, initiated first through the trailer and then the corner, followed by a turnout screen and later a step-up screen."

✚ Pair With: The Sydney Kings using the weave to the corner to set up an empty-side ballscreen.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our Film Room Series with Coach Simon Mitchell on his Bolt Offense and initiating through the trailer.

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📺 Turnout Entry - Side Stack Screen & Attacking the Nail Help​

"A Turnout set run by Coach Pannone, featuring a side Stack Screen with a "Hostage Screen & Drift" action on the strong side to attack the help at the nail."

✚ Pair With: A Turnout Punch entry ending in a baseline stagger screen for the post passer after the rim cut.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our defensive breakdown on defending the Baseline Cut & Drift (Slide Cut), as well as defending the 45 Cut.

Interesting Reads

📚 The One Question that Every Leader Should Ask​

"The subordinate will be hesitant to tell you. The look of shock should not surprise you. Initially, the subordinate will start to tell you what they like about your leadership. Stop them. Give them a minute to think what they need. Then restart them by repeating the question. How can I be a better leader for you?"

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📚 The Perfect Assistant Coach: What Managers Look For?​

"As Guardiola said of Lillo, 'there are disagreements but that is nice.' Ultimately, it is about finding a way that works for each manager. The right assistant, one who complements the manager, making them better at their job, is a valuable asset to have."

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📚 Thoughts on the Five Dysfunctions of a Team​

"Based on my experience working with diverse teams across the globe, though, I would add another dysfunction:
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6. Misunderstanding the Power of Difference: Diverse teams bring unique perspectives and strengths, but misunderstanding or underestimating these differences can lead to missed opportunities and great resentment."

Quote of the Week

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Thank you for reading and have a great week coaching,

Dan and Pat

info@slappinglass.com

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