Key Components of Transition and Press Offense
Press Offense
Press offense is part of the larger topic "Transition Offense". Also, see "Attacking the Full-Court Press", which discusses important principles common to attacking any press defense.Your team must have an offense(s) for countering a defensive full-court, 3/4-court, or half-court press. Without a plan, your team will become confused, frustrated, will panic, turn the ball over, and allow the opponent easy transition lay-ups.
On the other hand, if your players stay calm and have confidence in your plan of attack, you can burn the press and get easy lay-ups of your own. We actually like it when teams press us, and look at it as an opportunity to get a 2-on-1 situation and a lay-up (or free-throws). But you must have a plan and practice it... be prepared.
There is no single best press break offense. The right choice depends on your players' age, skill level, and the types of pressure defenses you face. This guide compares several effective press break systems, explains when each works best, and helps you choose the best option for your team.
There are three catgories of presses based on the area of the court being pressured... full-court, 3/4-court and half-court presses. Have a plan to counter each type of press.
Specific Press Offenses
80-60-40 Press-Breakers... this has everything you need. "80" - for full-court presses. "60" - for 3/4-court presses. "40" - for half-court presses. Also see "Teaching Basketball by Progression".
Simple Press-Breaker... this is a simplified version of the "80" press break above.
4-Across Preak-Breaker... the 4-across press-break is a favorite of many coaches.
1-2-1-1 Diamond Press-Breaker... another way of attacking the full-court 1-2-1-1 press.
2-2-1 Press-Breaker... another way of attacking the 3/4-court 2-2-1 press.
Secondary Break
In addition to having a press offense(s), if you like to run and get easy baskets in transition, then you should have a secondary break for getting the ball up the floor quickly after a made basket or rebound.Below is a good choice for youth teams. I might suggest that if you like the 80-60-40 press-breakers described above, then the secondary numbered break would probably be your best choice, since your players run the same routes in both the numbered break and the press offenses, and this makes it easy to learn both.
Secondary Numbered Break... five numbered options and works well with the "80" and "60" press-breaks.
In summary, be prepared for pressure, trapping defenses anywhere on the court. Spend some time developing your press offense and secondary break. This will pay dividends in fewer turnovers against pressure and you will get some easy lay-ups.
