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

Happy Sunday and welcome to all the new subscribers from around the world! We're excited to have you as part of the community 🙏

ICYMI: Last week, we released Part 2 of our analysis of Spanish guard, Alberto Diaz, and his defensive techniques, focusing on his adeptness in thwarting dribble hand-offs and navigating through off-ball screens. View the full video HERE.

This Week at a Glance:

🔒SG Plus Content: "Drive the Slot" Pitch - Late-Clock Isolations & Spacing​

🎤 Slappin' Glass Podcast: Jamion Christian {Pallacanestro Trieste}

🥇Best of the Week: Shooter's Choice & Zone Overloads​

Let's dive in...

"Drive the Slot" Pitch

In the early days of the 23'-24' season training camp we examined the successful "Drive the Big" Pitch {🔒} tactic FC Barcelona was using to exploit a perimeter mismatch after the switch. A quick refresher: after securing the switch, the ballhandler immediately passes to a teammate lifting behind the screen. This teammate is tasked with driving straight at the Big on the perimeter to pitch the ball back to the original ballhandler for a shot, drive, etc. Here's an example...

In our initial breakdown on Barcelona, our primary focus was on the technique of executing this tactic and how Barcelona deliberately set it up through the use of their "Zipper Step Up Screen." Barcelona was very intentional in using the Zipper entry to establish their spacing and execute the "Drive the Big" Pitch.

As we've progressed through the season, teams are now adopting this tactic more organically by organizing their spacing after the switch, regardless of the set or entry they use.

Join us on SGTV this week for the full breakdown as we dive into how team's like the G-League's, Mexico City Capitanes, have evolved this tactic into their overall playbook, including:

• Using the action against switching and in late-clock situations
• The spacing and timing of the actions
• Playing to the corner as well as the slot
• And more

Please enjoy this week's newest breakdown on SGTV...

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Our partners at Just Play just launched an incredible new feature for their customers, AI Insights. Where coaches can get on-demand and completely customizable scouts and reports in just a few clicks. If you are interested in learning more, go to justplaysolutions.com/slappinglass.​

Slappin Glass Podcast

We were honored to sit down this week with the Head Coach of Italy's Pallacanestro Trieste, Jamion Christian! Coach Christian is in his first season in Italy coaching at the professional level after a successful start to his career at the NCAA D1 level. We dive into the topics of:

• Coaching mature, high IQ players,
• Constant communication
• PG's as QB's
• ​Full Court "Mayhem" Pressure Defense​
• And much more

Listen to the entire episode 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

📺 UC Irvine - Shooter's Choice​

"Combat any defense on a shooter by providing him with the option to run off of two different screens."

✚ Pair With: Alba Berlin giving Marcus Eriksson two screens to beat the top lock.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Tenerife's creative set designs for their shooter, Sasu Salin.

📺 NZ Breakers - Zone Overload​

"Overloading the zone with a corner exit screen and high post flash."

✚ Pair With: Virtus Bologna attacking the zone with a Flare Slip.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Our "Film Room" series with Merrimack HC Joe Gallo on the Miami Heat's Zone Defense.

Interesting Reads

📚 The G League Isn’t Just for NBA Long Shots Anymore​

"...Johnson is far from alone with this sort of story; rather, he’s a member of a growing cohort of promising players who have cut their teeth in the NBA’s developmental league. At least half of the first-round picks in each of the last three drafts have spent time in the G League as rookies. This season, 18 of last summer’s 30 first-round picks, including six of 14 lottery picks, have played in the G League. Both figures are records for the NBA’s minor league."

📚 6 Questions to Ask at the Midpoint of Your Career​

"5. What trade-offs am I willing to make — or no longer willing to make?

...bear in mind that 'you made choices that made sense for your needs and priorities at the time.' Now that you’re older and have more perspective, those may have evolved.'"​
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📚 How to Generate Good Ideas​

"The first is to think about wandering in the figurative sense: To be cross-disciplinary, and to meander among fields. This insight is important because some of the world’s best ideas were produced by individuals who pursued non-traditional, non-linear paths (and whose insights could be profoundly heretical.)"
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Quote of the Week

Thank you for reading and have a great week coaching,

Dan and Pat

info@slappinglass.com

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