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 released a special presentation from Pittsburgh Pirates Director of Learning & Performance, Bernie Holliday, on the "Trusting vs Training Mindset." View the full presentation HERE.

This Week at a Glance:

🔒 SG Plus Content: The "Hot Stove" Screen​

🎤 Slappin' Glass Podcast: The Best of Europe​

🥇Best of the Week: Pistol Offense & Elevator Screens​

📣 SG Plus Coaches Roundtable August 8th, 5 pm EST

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Let's dive in...

The "Hot Stove" Screen

*Special thanks to Coach, Ben Ostrow, for his contribution to this week's Deep Dive.

We (sadly) haven't quoted the winningest coach of all time too often here in the newsletter, but given Coach Wooden's affinity for the tinniest of details, famously teaching his team how to put on their shoes and socks, we thought it might make sense this week in a depth dive focusing on subtle hand placements in a PNR.

As much fun as it is to explore the inner workings of bigger offensive and defensive designs, we've become pretty fond over the past year of looking at the small, sometimes unnoticeable techniques used by great players and teams within that grand design. Whether it's Duncan Robinson's "Inside Hand Dribble" coming off a DHO or off ball screen {🔒}, Alberto Diaz' "Chicken Wing" technique in getting over on-balls {🔒}, Kevin Pangos' "Skip Dribble" usage in reading the PNR {🔒}, or the clever way Domantas Sabonis uses pivots to free teammates during a DHO {🔒}, the little things make all the difference.

Today, we're adding another of our favorite “micro-skills” to that list, and one we recently discussed in our podcast with Birmingham Squadron Head Coach, TJ Saint: the “Hot Stove” Screen.

What is it?

The "Hot Stove" screen is often characterized as a screen coming from underneath the on-ball defender in which the screener lightly pushes off their backside hip before opening up into a pocket in the middle of the floor. There are other variations, but this is a good start. Here's an example...

The main intention of the "Hot Stove" Screen is to prompt the defensive coverage so that the offense can quickly attack through the roll. Rather than trying to "stick the screen", the screener will aim for the “back pocket” of the defender. Once they achieve the proper angle, the screener will “gently” push off the back of the on-ball defender, as if touching a hot stove, to generate momentum on the roll, while opening up towards the ball.

Time is of the Essence

As shown above, one of the major benefits of the "Hot Stove" Screen is the speed and separation it creates within the PNR. More often than not, when the "Hot Stove" Screen is set the defensive big is barely beginning to engage the ball with the coverage, while the screener is already out and behind the defense.

Below is another good example of the speed of the roll created from the “Hot Stove” push-off. Right as the big is beginning to show his numbers to the ball and provide a presence, the screener has already left the screen and is behind him.

Zooming In: Above is a slightly different variation of the "Hot Stove" Screen as mentioned earlier. In many cases, the "Hot Stove" is used in a reverse angle step-up screen so that the screener can push off and get a catch in the middle of the floor. Directly above, you see it being used when the screener flips the screen toward the "loaded" side of the floor.

Punishing the Switch

As highlighted throughout today’s breakdown, the "Hot Stove" Screen excels in attacking various coverages through the roller. But perhaps its greatest strength is in punishing the switch. First, screening the back of the on-ball defender makes it almost impossible for the defense to switch under the roll. Second, with the screener pushing off the on-ball defender, that on-ball defender is likely to be chasing after the roller, opening up lobs over the top, or, they'll be unable to get on the low side, becoming susceptible to seals and high-low attacks.

The screen is truly exceptional at putting the defense in the murky "grey" zone. The speed and separation created by the "hot stove" provides the defense with very little reaction time, often leading to short roll catches or pocket pass finishes. It is ideal for punishing switches, as the defense has very little recourse to effectively neutralize it.

To see this screen's prowess in attacking various coverages, as well as how teams are using it in transition and to invert the screen, become an SG Plus Member today!

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Slappin' Glass Podcast

In this special episode we hear from some of the best coaches in Europe who have shared their insights on a variety of topics on the podcast over the years. Hear from Tuomas Iisalo, Ettore Messina, Sergio Scariolo, Israel Gonzalez, Pablo Laso, Chus Mateo, Andrea Trinchieri, and Sito Alonso on flow vs. sets, principles of play, the role of a leader, and much more.

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

📺 San Antonio Spurs - Pistol High/Low​

"Slip the guard-to-guard screen in the Pistol offense to punish the defense at the level of the screen, or attempting a switch, with a high-low pass through the trailer."

✚ Pair With: The Utah Jazz "Pistol Hip" action for the trailer.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Pedro Martinez's Empty-Side Step Up Screen.

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📺 Slovenia U20 - Fake PNR • Elevator ​

"Rolling the shooter off the decoy PNR into an Elevator Screen."

✚ Pair With: Slipping the stack screener out of the Spain PNR into an Elevator Screen.

🔒 SG Plus Content: Tenerife's creative sets for a shooter.

Interesting Reads

📚 The Six Biggest Questions for NBA Fans at the 2024 Paris Olympics​

"From Victor Wembanyama’s much-anticipated homecoming to Joel Embiid’s summer of struggle, we dissect the biggest story lines to watch in Paris"

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📚 Ferguson’s Formula​

"3. Set High Standards—and Hold Everyone to Them

Ferguson speaks passionately about wanting to instill values in his players. More than giving them technical skills, he wanted to inspire them to strive to do better and to never give up—in other words, to make them winners."

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📚 What The Best Can Teach Us About Winning​

You’ve got to do whatever puts you in a place where you are free to perform. And often, as Brad has said before, that comes from being yourself and going all the way. When we do that, we are more likely to approach instead of avoid challenges, to have our emotions expand our competitive world instead of narrow it and constrict us. For some, that might be playing out of joy. For others, they might need a bit of anger or aggression. But more than anything, it’s about toeing the line in a way that is aligned with who you are and what you value.

Quote of the Week

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Thank you for reading and have a great week coaching,

Dan and Pat

info@slappinglass.com

We're proud to partner with the leading Sports Travel company in the basketball world, Beyond Sports! Follow the link above to learn more about why more than 600 universities have trusted Beyond Sports for their team's foreign trips. Let them know Slappin' Glass sent you!

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