FIBA Assist 35

FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE FOR basketball enthusiasts everywhere november / december 2008
assist35
Slobodan klipa
u20 serbian men’s
secondary fastbreak
vance walberg
steve smith
the oak hill “32 series” the “dribble,
antonio pagano
the entertainment factor
one-on-one
drive, motion”
chuck daly
offense

tables of contents
2009-10 FIBA CALENDAR COACHES

FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL
2009
The Oak Hill "32 Series" 4
June 2009
07 - 20.06 EuroBasket Women by Steve Smith
in Latvia
July 2009 U20 Serbian Men's Secondary Fastbreak 8

02 - 12.07 FIBA U19 World
Championship for Men in by Slobodan Klipa
Auckland (NZL)
23.07 -02.08 FIBA U19 World
Championship for Women
in Bangkok (THA) Drills After the Warm Up - Part II 14
FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE september 2009 by Pepu Hernandez
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by Antonio Pagano
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page 3 | 35 2008 | Fiba Assist Magazine

COACHES - FUNDAMENTALS AND YOUTH BASKETBALL
the oak hill

"32 series"
by Steve Smith
Steve Smith is considered one of the

best high school coaches in the United
States. His Oak Hill Academy high
school team in Mouth of Wilson, Virgin-
ia has produced a great number of play-
ers who have gone on to star at the
university and professional levels. His
team won the High School National
Championship in 2004. Many of his
former players are now in the NBA, in-
cluding Rajon Rondo (Boston), Jerry
Stackhouse and DeSagana Diop (Dal-
las), Carmelo Anthony (Denver), Josh
Smith (Atlanta), Steve Blake (Portland),
Stephen Jackson (Golden State), and
Kevin Durant (Oklahoma).
In the last four years, my team averaged

96 points per game, not only thanks to
our offensive transition that takes up so
much time during our practice sessions,
but also because of our defense and re-
bounding, two basketball aspects abso-
lutely fundamental to a good offense. A
coach can’t have success if he doesn’t
have great players and I can say I have
had great athletes and players during
these years. Many of them have gone on
to play in the NBA.
32 SERIES STARTING LINEUP

The play I’ll describe in this article is
what I call “32 Series.” We often use it
in the offensive half court. We called it
“series” because the starting lineup is
always the same, a 3-2, with three exter-
nal players and two internal: a playmak-
er, 1, set in the central lane of the court;
two players, 2 and 3, on the wings, out-
side the three-point line; and two inter-
nal players, 4 and 5, set in the two
D.1
D.2
D.3
screen, coming up from the low-post

position. He then cuts to the basket and
tries to get a pass for a shot from the
painted area (diagr. 3).
If he doesn’t succeed in passing to 2, 5

and 4 make a stagger for 3, who cuts,
goes up to the free-throw line to get the
ball from 1 and shoot (diagr. 4).
32 SHUFFLE
We always begin with the same 3-2 set.
If the playmaker, 1, dribbles to one of the
wings, 2 in this case, both 2 and 3 goes
to the nearer corner while the post on
low-post positions on both sides of the time, 3 goes down, cuts along the base- the weak side, 4, makes a flash cut and
court (diagr. 1). line, and arrives in the corner on the goes outside the three-point line to re-
strong side (diagr. 2). ceive the ball (diagr. 5).
32 AWAY
1 begins the play by passing the ball to When 4 arrives at the elbow, 2 passes When 4 receives the ball from 1, 5 makes
one of the wings, in this case 2, and then him the ball, and 4 then gives it to 1. Af- a step outside and screens for 2, who
goes to the opposite wing. At the same ter the pass, 2 brings his defender on 5’s makes a “shuffle” cut and tries to get
Fiba Assist Magazine | 35 2008 | Page 5
D.4 D.7 D.9
D.5 D.8 D.10
If the player in the middle is 1, he passes

to one of the wings, 2 in this example,
and cuts to the corner. The low post on
the weak side, 4, cuts to the high elbow,
and then goes outside the three-point
line, in the central lane of the court (dia-
gr. 8).
During the pass from 2 to 4, 5 cuts fast in

the area to receive the ball and play
high-low. If 4 doesn’t succeed in getting
D.6 the ball to 5 (and in this case, 5 sets him-
self io the other side, in the low-post po-
sition), 4 makes the ball change sides
the ball from 4, who is near the basket. If
2 doesn’t receive the ball, he goes on
with the cut in the area. After the screen,
5 immediately turns himself to the ball.
Now 4 has two possibilities: he can pass
to 2 or he can dish to 5. If any of these
choices is not possible, 4 gives the ball
back to 1 (diagr. 6).
and passes to 3, who can play pick-and-
If 2 doesn’t get the ball in the cut, he sets roll with 5. He tries to let him play one-
himself near the area, fakes to go to the on-one in the low post. At the same time,
basket, and then receives a vertical after the pass to 3, 4 makes a stagger
screen from 4. He can now go beyond with 2 for 1 (diagr. 9).
the free-throw line to catch the ball from
1 (diagr. 7). If we can’t get a shot, we If 3 can’t pass to 5, he passes the ball to
come back to our 3-2 starting lineup, 1, who has gone out from the stagger of
with 3 external and two internal players. 4 and 2 and has set himself in the central
lane of the court. 1 can try to shoot, pass
32 CORNER to one of the posts, or restart the offense
In this option of the “32 offense,” the with one of the options of the “32 Of-
player who decides the play movements fense.” This begins with 4, who sets him-
is the one in the central lane of the court: self in the low post, while 2 is on the
1, 2, or 3. wing (diagr. 10).
U20 Serbian Men's

by Slobodan Klipa
secondary fastbreak
Slobodan Klipa has been the coach of
Zeleznik Belgrade youth team since 2001.
In 2007 he became coach of the Zeleznik
first team. He is also coach of the U20
Serbian National Team. With this team he
won the gold medal in the 2008 FIBA U20
European Championship.
PRINCIPLES AND CHARACTERISTICS

A secondary fastbreak (a transition) is an
organized continuation of a fastbreak,
which usually takes 6 to 12 seconds. This
fastbreak implies an efficient organization
and coordination and does not allow for
any improvisation. The secondary fastbreak
has this offensive characteristics, includ-
ing: distance, lines and method of move-
ment, fast ball movement, and screens. It is
often a case that the secondary fastbreak
is finished under the basket, if it is well or-
ganized and if the offensive players run
fast. The offensive players also need to
create an opportunity for an open shot from
distance, since the defensive players will
often be concentrated in the basket area in
order to prevent shots under the basket.
The secondary fastbreak may also be the
system offense. For example, it may be or-
ganized not only as a continuation of an un-
successful fastbreak, but also after a
basket is scored. This offense is used as
the system offense, due to better ball con-
trol and fewer mistakes in comparison to
the fastbreak. Movements may be organ-
ized; the players must know their offensive
tasks in order to synchronize their activi-
ties. To work best, it is important that the
players use and set screens efficiently. A
well organized secondary fastbreak antici- near the basket. ▼ The players must be good at moving
pates solutions, even in cases when there ▼ Increase the speed of movement in the the ball by passing or dribbling.
is no way to get off a shot because of a play, thus providing an advantage to ▼ The players must be fast and they must
tough defense. Then the players continue the teams. that are physically better have good mobility.
by assuming the position offense. The of- prepared and trained in terms of tech- ▼ There must be pre-determined lines of
fensive players know their positions in ad- nique and tactics. movement.
vance, and the lines of their movement in ▼ The players must be good at using and
the secondary fastbreak allow them to as- In relation to these goals, the main re- setting screens.
sume these positions promptly. quirements of the secondary fastbreak are ▼ There must be fast running post play-
as follows: ers.
The main goals of the secondary fastbreak ▼ There must be at least two players on ▼ Players must be physically prepared to
are as follows: the team, who are good long-distance run the entire game.
▼ Create an opportunity for an unhin- shooters. ▼ There must be a positive mental atti-
dered shot before all five opposing ▼ The players must be good at receiving tude for playing this type of offense.
players return to play defense. the ball and shooting after receiving The secondary fastbreak may be per-
▼ Create an opportunity for 1-on-1 play the ball. formed after the following situations:
D.1 D.5 D.7
D.2 D.8
D.3 D.9
1. The start, implying a defensive rebound

and taking possession of the ball.
2. Outletting the ball from the paint.
3. The ball's movement to the offensive
halfcourt.
4. The finish with a shot at the basket.
The first three stages are mainly the same
D.6 as with a fastbreak. There is a difference
between a secondary fastbreak and a
fastbreak in the fourth stage, due to the
same number of players in offense and
D.4 defence, and therefore only this stage will
be analyzed.
▼ After the defensive rebound. mon and, therefore, they will be further SECONDARY FASTBREAK AFTER
▼ After a made basket. elaborated. A MADE SHOT
▼ After free-throws. The secondary fastbreak is most often
▼ After a jump ball. SECONDARY FASTBREAK AFTER A DEFENSIVE performed after a made shot. Unlike the
▼ After the opponent’s turnover (an in- REBOUND secondary fastbreak after a defensive re-
tercepted ball). When the secondary fastbreak is per- bound, the transition after a made shot has
▼ After passin the ball from the out-of formed after the opponent’s missed shot three stages:
bounds area. and defensive rebound, it is performed in 1. Jump ball.
The first two situations are the most com- four stages, like a fastbreak: 2. Development of the players’ movement

D.10 D.12 D.15
D.11 D.13 D.16
line and the ball movement. sets a horizontal screen on the low post, 5,
3. Offense or transition to the offensive and he is screened by 4. (diagr. 11). In dia-
set. gram 12, 3 sets a screen on the high post,
To make a transition of offense efficient the second trailer.
and functional as a system, it is necessary
that, after a received shot, all the players PLAY SYSTEM FOR THE EXTERNAL PLAYERS
have clear tasks and roles, and thereby a Option 1: Consecutive screens on 2 and 3.
good organization of the offense. 1 dribbles to the shooting zone. At that mo-
The team wishing to have a successful of- ment, 4 and 5 (the first and second running
fense out of transition must not forget that players) set a consecutive screen on 3 for
there are 6 to 12 seconds to complete all an uncontested shot from the middle of
the tasks. All the teams (even those that D.14 the court (diagr. 13), and then they set a
are slow and poorly prepared) set up consecutive screen on 2 (diagr. 14).
5-on-5 defense with all its principles, Option 2: Use of single and consecutive
above all, defense compactness and col- show running lines and methods of entry screens. 4 sets a screen on 3 (diagr. 15),
lectivity. into the lineup. and then 5 and 4 set a consecutive screen
for the open shot of 2 (diagr. 16).
THE FINAL STAGE OF THE SECONDARY PLAY SYSTEM FOR THE INTERNAL PLAYERS Option 3: Horizontal and consecutive
FASTBREAK Option 1: In case 5 receives the ball from screens. 1 passes the ball to 4 and gets it
The difference between the primary and 2, he begins 1-on-1 play or until double back immediately. At the moment he gets
secondary fastbreaks lies in the fourth teaming (trapping) takes place. The posi- the ball back again, 5 sets a screen on 2,
stage. The secondary fastbreak implies an tion of other players and their movement, and he tries to take the ball from the low
offense against at least three defensive when the low post receives the ball are post. If he fails, 5 and 4 set consecutive
players, i.e. an offense against the equal presented in diagrams 7 and 8. screens in order to have a clear shot from
number of defensive players. Option 2: In the first try, 1 cannot pass the the outside (diagr. 17 and 18).
There are several systems, various en- ball directly to the low post and therefore
tries, and a series of line-ups that can be the ball will go over the high post 4 or from PICK-AND-ROLL
used in playing the secondary fastbreak. the opposite side, 3 (diagr. 9). Option 1: Pick-and-roll on the court side
They are as follows: internal play or of- Option 3: Back screen for the high post. (diagr. 19 and 20). 1 dribbles on the lateral
fense with the first or second running post, After the offense rotation and after a fail- side of the court, and is screened by the
and external play, which includes use of ure to get the ball to the low post, 2 sets a second trailer. The lineup after the pick is
various types of screens by which we back screen on 4. If the direct pass from 3 presented in diagrams 19 and 20.
wish to allow an open shot for external has not been successful, the ball will be Option 2: Pick-and-roll on the court side
players, such as coming off the pick-and- passed to 4 over other two external play- after the offense rotation (diagr. 21).The
roll. The line-up in the finishing stage of ers, 2 or 1 (diagr. 10). lineup is like the one in the previous op-
the secondary fastbreak is presented in Option 4: Horizontal screen for the low tion, except that a pick does not take place
diagrams 1, 2, 3, and 4. Diagrams 5 and 6 post or vertical screen for the high post. 3 in the first run, but only after the rotation of
D.17 D.19 D.23
D.18 D.20 D.24
the offense to the other side. 3 is screened

by 4, who is opening up to the basket.
Option 3: Pick-and-roll in the middle of the
court after an indirect screen set on 2. 2 is
screened by the first running player on the
low post, receives the ball and he is
screened immediately. Diagrams 22 and
23 show the line-up and alternatives of
their movements, depending on whether
the pick is set by the post.
Option 4: Pick-and-roll in the middle of the
court after an indirect screen on 3. 3 is D.21 D.25
screened, runs to the middle of the court,
gets the ball and then he is screened by 5.
The lineup and possible movement options
are presented in diagrams 24, 25, and 26.
PRACTICING AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE

SECONDARY FASTBREAK
Improvement of the secondary fastbreak
requires regular training, time, patience,
and discipline. Therefore, there are not
many teams, who include the organized
secondary fastbreak in their tactics. As
with the primary fastbreak, it is important D.22 D.26
that the players run fast, especially the
taller players, without whom the second-
ary fastbreak is pointless. es and the players practice with two, and gets the rebound.
Learning and developing the secondary three, or four players. We start with The defensive player goes to the end of
fastbreak starts by presenting the offense screens and defensive rebound drills, the line and the 1 becomes the defensive
in a situation without any defense, which opening of the first pass, ball transport, player (diagr. 27). In diagram 28, the coach
means 5-on-0. It is necessary to show the and finally the offense finish drills. passes the ball to 1, who shoots. The de-
paths of movement to the players, explain The following diagrams show screening fensive player under the basket approach-
their tasks, and give them an idea of an at- out and defensive rebound drills. 1 shoots es the shooter aggressively and sets a
tack by demonstrations on the board or by over the defensive player’s hand and after screen. At the same time, the other defen-
using a video. After practicing the move- the shot he goes for a rebound. The defensive player is blocking the player on the
ment paths, the attack is divided into stag- sive player blocks out the offensive player help side. After catching the ball, a possi-
D.27 D.32
D.30
D.28 D.33
done with 5 players on offense and de-

fense.
Diagram 31 also presents a 4-on-3+1 drill.
The offensive player, 3, throws the ball off
the backboard and his teammate, 4, re-
bounds the ball. After 4 has caught the
ball, X3 runs behind the baseline, and
then plays defense.
The offensive players run with the goal of
quickly finishing the attack. With the aim
of improving the post play, the 4-on-4 drill
D.29 is used. Only the post player is allowed to
dribble. After passing the ball to the post,
the external players start moving without
ble continuation of the drill is 2-on-2 on the the ball. (diagr. 32 ).
entire court. A very useful drill for improving pick-and-
Diagram 29 shows the drill for rebounding D.31 roll play is the 4-on-4 drill, where only the
and the first pass. The players form a trian- playmaker is allowed to dribble the ball.
gle and face the basket. The drill is per- In this drill, he must get himself in good
formed with two balls. 1 throws the ball position to set up his teammates for scor-
against the backboard, catches it, and ing. (diagr. 33).
passes the ball to 2. He then goes to take When coaching your players, it is neces-
the the position of 2, who has passed the sary to pay close attention and ensure
ball to 3 and then has taken his position. 3 that the basic tasks are performed cor-
throws the ball off the backboard, catch- rectly. This includes movement lines, ball
es it, and starts with a new circle. transport, line-up, screen setting, and
The drill may be performed with defensive shooting. It is necessary to improve the
players who may play: only against the break, so-called “handicap” drills may players’ reactions and their anticipation
rebounder, only against the player receiv- be useful (one defensive player joins the -the reading of the defense.
ing the ball, or against both players. defense later). This helps simulate the After practicing one type of secondary
The drill for ball movement and opening same conditions as in a real game, such fastbreak, at least one more should be
the movement lines begins with the coop- as the finishing stage of the secondary practiced in order to beat a defense that
eration of two offensive players, and later fastbreak. may finally adapt to how you run your
with three, four, and five players. Diagram 30 presents a 4-on-3+1 drill. secondary fastbreak.
These drills may also be done with defen- After passing the ball, the defensive play- Having an option in reserve like this will
sive players, or just with a few defensive er runs to the baseline and then sprints surely make it difficult for a team to stop
players. To improve the secondary fast- to play defense. The same drill may be your offense.
www.sinalco.com
GLOBAL PARTNER
Drills
after
by Jose Vicente
"Pepu" Hernandez
Jose Vicente "Pepu" Hernandez start-

ed his coaching career in 1989 as as-
sistant coach of Estudiantes Madrid.
the
warm-up
In 1994 he became head coach and led
the team to eight playoff semifinals,
one final of the championship and a
King's Cup win (in 2000). In 2005 Her-
nadez became head coach of the
Spanish men's national team. In 2006
he won the Gold medal at the FIBA
World Championship in Japan and in
2007 he won the silver medal at the
EuroBasket. PART II
In the second part of this article I will
continue to talk about my training "rou-
tine." I used this series of exercises for
many seasons during my coaching ex-
perience with Adecco Estudiantes and
it remained always the same.
DRILL 7: OPPOSITE SIDE

The drill starts with three, or better
fourth group of three players (diagr. 1).
Player 1 pass to 2, player 2 to player 3.
After the pass 1 runs in the middle of
the court, receives a pass from 4 and
goes to the basket.
Then he runs for receiving the pass
from 4 and to go to the basket. Then
the players, who passed the ball
moves to different spots on the other
side of the court, as shown on diagr. 2.
1 gets his own rebound and make the
same routine toward the other basket
(diagr. 3).
This is a very intense drill.
DRILL 8: REACTION AND SPEED

With the help of the conditioning coach
we use some speed and reaction drills
using the ball and adding the competi-
tion as motivational elements. Natural-
ly, we need to make a very good
warm-up, increasing progressively the
intensity.
The two players, one on offense, one on
defense, are set at the mid court line. 1
passes the ball to 2 and 2 makes a fake
D.1
D.2

D.3
offensive players on the baseline. The de-

fender on the same side of the pass, touch-
es the baseline and recover on defense for
helping his teammate who is playing
2-on-1.
DRILL 9: 5-ON 5/6 ON-6

We play 5-on-5 or 6-on-6, until one team
scores a certain number of baskets.
D.4 D.5 We give the following rules:
▼ The player cannot giving the ball back
to the same player from whom he re-
ceived it.
▼ They cannot remain in the same spot
after the pass.
▼ All the offensive players must stay on
the offensive half court when the shot
is taken if not the basket is not valid.
▼ On the personal fouls, baseline or side-
line out of bounds, we apply all the nor-
mal rules, 24-second, traveling, etc.
DRILL 10: 5-ON-0

We play half court or full court for review-
and go to the basket and drives hard to one

of the two baskets. The defender reacts
and run on defense (diagr. 4).
Options:
▼ Same drill with back and forth passes
between the two players. At the whis-
tle the player with the ball is on of-
fense ande the other is the defender.
▼ Same basic drill, but starting from the
baseline (diagr. 5).
Another drill is shown on diagram 6 were D.6 D.7

the coach pass the ball to one of the two

D.8
D.9
D.10
D.11
ing the offensive sets and the transition.

We run this drill with two teams of five
players on both half court.
DRILL 11: WAVE

Four players on the court as shown in dia-
gram 7. 1 passes to 3, who popped out to
the 3-point line. 1 then cuts in the lane, re-
ceived the ball back from 3, throws it on
the board, gets the rebound and passes the 3-point line and receives the pass from 3 (diagr. 11). Full court fastbreak op-
back to 3 who has moved to the corner. from 4. In the same time 2 goes from the tion: four players on the court.
At the same time 2 fakes to go to to the painted area to the corner, while 1 fakes At the coach whistle, 4 throws the ball to
right and then goes to the wing, receives to inside the painted area and then move the board, gets the rebound and pass to
the ball from 3 and passes to 4 who has to the wing for receiving the pass from 3 1 near the corner. After this pass, 4 runs
popped out to the 3-point line. After the (diagr. 10). Now 1 has the ball on the wing in the mid lane to the other basket. At the
pass, 3 replaced 2 in the middle of the and has two options: he can pass to 4 same time 3 fakes to go in the painted
court (diagr. 8). Right after he has passed who uses the screen high of 3 to go out area and run out the 3-point line while 2
the ball to 4, 2 fakes to go to the right and the 3-point line, or he can serve 3, who starts to run along the sideline to the oth-
then cuts in the lane, receives the ball after the block up, cuts to the basket. In er basket. 3 receives the ball from 1 and
back from 4, throws it to the board, gets the first case, after receiving the ball, 4 makes a long pass to 2, arrived in the
the rebound and passes back to 4 who pass to 2 on the weakside wing, in the other mid court wing. 2 receives and
has moved to the corner (diagr. 9). 3 fakes second case, 1 after the pass, moves to dishes to 4 in the painted area for a shot
the cut in the middle and then goes out the corner ready to get a possible pass (diagr. 12).
D.12 D.13 D.15
D.14 D.16
DRILL 12: 3-ON-3 three offensive players ready to on the mid We play games:
We play 3-on-3 in a half court. If the de- court line. They will play 3-on-3 to the oth- ▼ with screens;
fense gets the rebound or steal the ball, er basket but with rules that help the fast- ▼ with no screens;
we will do the fastbreak. If the basket break: the external offensive players ▼ with direct screens;
makes two consecutives baskets, the de- cannot cross the mid court line until the ▼ with undirected screen;
fense becomes offense and viceverse (di- playmaker receives the ball; the defenders ▼ with or without dribbles.
agr. 13). can intervene only after the playmaker re- About the defense: differet kinds of de-
ceives the ball (diagr. 15). fense on the direct screen, undirect screen
DRILL 13: 2-ON-2 INTERNAL, 3-ON-3 EXTERNAL and blind screen; internal players defense
As you see in diagram 14, we play 2-on-2 DRILL 14: 4-ON-4-ON-4 on low post.
in a half court with two assistants. After We play 4-on-4 games in continuity. There I hope that this selection of exercises will
the basket, one of the defensive player are three group of four players who play help your training and can be the basis on
take the rebound and pass to the nearer 4-on-4 games in continuity (diagr. 16). In which to create others that probably bet-
assistant who serve the playmaker of the this way we work on the counterattack. ter satisfy your necessity.
COACHES - offense
THE "DRIBBLE, DRIVE,

MOTION" OFFENSE
Vance Walberg is the assistant basketball be the secret to solving this problem, and
coach of the University of Massachusetts, the first step was moving the post man to
and the creator of “Dribble, Drive, Motion” the weak side block. With the post man on
offense, a great and unique attack that has the opposite side of the lane, it really gave
been adopted by many teams in the United Chris and Tyrone the chance to blow by
States. He was formerly the head coach at their defenders and get to the rim without
Clovis West High School (Fresno, Califor- having to deal with sagging defenders. Next
nia) for 17 years. As head coach at Fresno step, if either of the guards were picked up
by Vance Walberg State City College, his team won the 2005 by the post defender, he would throw a sim-
California State Community College title. ple pass to the post man for an easy lay-up.
From 2006 to 2008, he was head coach at If one of the guards did not have the lay-up
Pepperdine University. and the post man was not open, he would
kick the pass out to a teammate for the
A PREMISE three-point shot. If the player didn’t have
No matter what you like to call it, the "At- this shot, he would attack again, never giv-
tack-Attack-Skip-Attack-Attack" (AASAA) ing the defense a chance to rest. “AASAA”
or the "Dribble Drive Motion" (DDM) offense is not a fancy name, but it flat out describes
has skyrocketed to the top of the basketball the offense best.
world since its creation in 1997. Just ask the
NCAA finalist Memphis Tigers or the World “WE LIKE 3-POINTERS, BUT WE LOVE LAY-UPS”
Champions Boston Celtics, who have incor- This slogan is attached to every high school
porated parts of the offense. The offense of- or college team that I have coached. For
fers very few ball screens, along with very me, a perfect shot chart would have every
little play calling. There is nothing like this single shot taken from right around the rim
D.1
offensive set in the basketball world. The of- or a three-point shot (see the shot chart).
fense certainly seems a little radical, since Mid-range shots and long two’s have no
it goes against what has been thought to be place in this offense. The goal for any team
the right way to run an offense. Instead, this that runs the offense should be to spread
offense leads to plenty of dunks, lay-ups, the defense out and relentlessly attack the
three-point shots, and just trying to flat out gaps. This is not a gimmick offense, but one
beat your man off the dribble. Players love that has been thought through to give your
to run the offense, coaches love to teach it, team the best advantage possible, especial-
fans love to watch it, and every basketball ly mathematically. Imagine you are coach-
fan should enjoy this breath of fresh air in ing with 7 seconds left, you have the ball,
the game of basketball. and you are down one point. What would
you tell your team? Most coaches would
HOW THIS OFFENSE GOT ITS START say get to the basket and try to draw a foul
D.2 How did this offense get its start? That ques- or make something happen. Well, this of-
tion can be traced back to 1997 when I was fense takes that same strategy for the full 32
a high school coach at Clovis West High minutes in high school and the full 40 min-
School in Fresno, California. There, I had a utes in college.
problem on my hands that all coaches would
love to have. I had two explosive point POINT PER POSSESSION CHART
guards in Chris Hernandez and Tyrone Jack- To fully comprehend this offense, you need
son, two players, who could get to the rim to understand what “Points per Possession”
anytime they wanted. The problem was that (PPP) mean. PPP means how many points
with traditional offenses, there was too you score on each possession that you have
much congestion in the paint and it made it during the game. A possession is once you
difficult for them to get to the rim. Like all have the ball and either score or lose it to
major breakthroughs, I had to think “outside the other team. Good teams will score at a
D.3 the box” and come up with something that clip of 1.1 PPP. Now, to understand this, we
really went against the grain. Spacing would actually break down what your team shoots
D.4
D.5
from each shot. Most people would say that

the inside shot (lay-ups, offensive put
backs, steals for lay-ups, drives) would be
the best. Most teams shoot approximately
60% from this area so that would put you at
a 1.2 PPP for lay-ups (60% x 2 points = 1.2).
Next, the three-point shot could be a high
one if you can hit 40% of your three-point as
this would put you at 1.2 PPP (40% x 3 points
= 1.2). Realistically, most teams are around
35%, so this means that the three pointer is
now worth 1.5 (35% x 3 points = 1.5). Any-
thing above 1 is good and the three-point
shot falls into that range. The best shot
though is the free-throw. Teams usually
shoot 70% from there and that would put
you at 1.4 PPP (70% x 2 FT’s = 1.4). Think
about it: the two highest PPP are the free-
throw and the inside shot. These go hand in
hand. To get to the free-throw line you have
to attack the rim, so doesn’t it make sense
to come up with an offense that gives your
players the best chance to succeed in this
area? A very interesting side note is that
Coach John Calipari from Memphis charted
for two consecutive years (205-2007) what
his team shot from mid range (13 to 19 feet)
and it was 28%. This would put mid-range
shots at a .56 PPP. Most teams usually shoot
35% from this area and that still only gives
you a 0.70 PPP. The only worse PPP would
be the turnover, which is obviously 0 PPP
(diagr. 1).
THE GAPS CHART

The goal for any team that runs this offense
should be to spread the defense out and re-
COACHES - offense
lentlessly attack the gaps. I will now explain called the 4 and this is the rim runner. Think should happen, and if you got deep in the
the difference between single, double, and about it: what do most 5’s want to be? Usu- “Drag Zone” then you would look for that
triple gaps and, obviously, the bigger the ally, they want to be called a 4, so in this of- option. The beauty of the offense is that
gap, the easier it is to succeed. (diagr. 2, 3, fense we make them feel good and call wherever you drive, you will know where
4, and 5). To make this as easy as possible, them a 4, but they are still staying inside your teammates will be, and the spacing
the adjustment was made to have four pe- (diagr. 6). helps this.
rimeter players and one interior player al-
ways on the weak side block. Another THE “BIG THREE” THE PLAYERS HAVE THE CONTROL
difference for me is the way I number my There is a countless series of actions that Control is something that all coaches like
players. My 1 is the traditional point guard can occur off this set and it all depends on to have, but with this offense, some of that
and my 5 is another penetrating guard where the ball is on the court and how the control is transferred directly to the play-
(hopefully, taller). The 1 and 5 are penetra- opponent is playing defense. However, ers. Instead of coaches calling out set
tors first, outside shooters second. These when it all comes down to it, the offense is plays every time down the floor and seeing
two are the bookends of the offense. They about getting to the rim every time down players run through the motions like robots,
are constantly attacking the rim. I originally the floor and spacing properly. the players just play the game and react. If
had the big player take it out, but when The “Big Three” of the offense would then you walked into any gym during a pick up
teams would double the point and the ball be: game you will not see players calling plays
went back to the big, it slowed down the of- ▼ Mentality to get to the basket. and running through the motions, you will
fense way too much. This is why my second ▼ Open the gaps. see them trying to penetrate and really
point plays the 5. My 2 runs the right lane ▼ Keep great spacing. show what they have on offense. There are
and the 3 runs the left lane (like most peo- To help run this offense, the court is broken countless stories where great players
ple). I hope that your 2 and 3 are shooters up into different zones that are called the struggle with teams because they can’t run
first, drivers second. If you play a second “Rack, Drop, and Drag Zones” (diagr. 7). If the offense or feel held back by the of-
big, you can put him at the 3. The big man is you stop in the “Drop Zone,” certain action fense; in the “AASAA” offense, that is not
the case. My philosophy is to teach players
how to play basketball, not how to run
plays.
COACH CALIPARI AND THE “DRIBBLE,

DRIVE, MOTION”
Taking a step back and really thinking about
what is at the core of the offense, it is easy
to see why so many teams run the offense
today. The offense spread around the Cali-
fornia area as each coach saw how well it
worked and how difficult it was to stop.
Soon, coaches all over the country were
aware of the “AASAA” and its effect on the
game of basketball was apparent. It was
not until 2005 that the offense was really
catapulted on the national scene. John
Calipari the coach of the Division I power-
house University of Memphis had just lost
an Elite 8 NCAA game running this offense
and much was made of the offense. Coach
Calipari was very gracious in letting people
know that it was created by a Junior Col-
lege coach like me in California, who actu-
ally came out to see his Memphis team
along with the Memphis Grizzlies practice
for a week back in 2003. I would take a
yearly trek (19 years doing this) to visit a
different college coach for the first week of
practice to try to learn more about the
game. Coach Calipari went to dinner with
me during the visit and asked him what I
do. My response was you really don’t want
to know as it is a little off the wall. We spent
hours talking about my offense system and
the wheels started to turn for Coach Cali-
pari. Over the next few years, John devoted
hours of time trying to learn every in and out
of the offense. John Calipari has been a tre-
mendously successful college and NBA

coach and for him to completely change his
coaching philosophy was a big step. At first,
many people questioned his decisions, but
he took a page out of my playbook and
thought outside the box. By year three of
studying the offense and spending a lot of
time with me, Coach Calipari installed the
offense into his 2005-06 team and the rest is
history. Along the way, the offense (AASAA)
picked up a new name, the “Dribble Drive
Motion,” or as John would say, “Princeton
on Steroids.” No matter what it was called,
one could say that Coach Calipari’s risk paid
off as his University of Memphis team had
the most wins in NCAA history (for a three-
year span) with 108 wins, including two Elite
8’s, and one very tough national NCAA run-
ner-up title.
IN SHORT
You won’t see me or Coach Calipari barking
out set plays every time down the floor and
that means we both have to do even more
teaching in practice to make sure that the
players really understand the offense. Every
single drill that is done during my practices
serves as a building block for this offense.
Teams play the way they practice and that
is exactly why my drills are all done at a
high intensity level and at a high level of
speed. One key of the “DDM” is to wear
down the opponent by constantly attacking,
so it only makes sense that the majority my
drills are fast break transition drills. One of
my most famous drills is the 3-on-2 Scram-
ble drill. It is a continuous high intensity
3-on-2 fast break drill where the principles
D.8
D.6 D.7 D.9

COACHES - offense
of the offense begin to get instilled into the This is where you get a chance for the two get all the way to the rim, his goal is to get
players. Each of these drills is done with a highest Points per Possession (PPP) in the to the “Drop Zone.” 5 is your second point
purpose and when the players know this, it lay-ups and free-throws. If you can’t get to guard or a taller “racker.” 1 and 5 are think-
takes their competitiveness to a new level. the “Rack Zone” then you should stop in ing: drive first, 3 second. 2 and 3 are shoot-
Speaking of new levels, that’s exactly the “Drop Zone,” which is the area on the ers first and “rackers” second. They will
where the “DDM” is headed for in the near floor that really sets in motion a large piece hopefully stretch the defense out. I usually
future. There are many high school teams of the offense. I would rather have a player like my better shooter at the 2 and if they
all over America that run the “AASAA,” in- pick up his dribble in the “Drop Zone” than both shoot the same, then my better driver
cluding some of the best teams in the the “Drag Zone.” The “Drag Zone” is the is at the 2. 4 is your rim runner and is the
country. In New Jersey, coach Bob Hurley area of the floor where a player is stopped biggest key for the offense to be success-
helped make his high school team, St. An- and looks to pass the ball out to the perim- ful. He has to constantly sprint the floor to
thony’s, to the best in the country running eter for a shot. If the pass is thrown to 3 set up the guards to pass the ball up the
the “AASAA”. On the college ranks, the early in the “Drag Zone,” we call this a court to the wings. 4 is also the one who
University of Memphis Tigers used “Drag 3.” If you get deep in the “Drag has to really understand the offense and to
“AASAA” to take them all the way to the Zone,” then you are looking to go back to 5, know when to “clean-up,” “T-up,” and “re-
national title game. In the NBA, there are who dragged behind 1 once he passed the locate” (diagr. 6).
elements of the offense that have found “Drop Zone” (called “Drag 5”). Remember,
their way to many teams, including the the goal is to have the mentality to get to RACK IT!
world championship Boston Celtics. New the “Rack Zone” for a lay-up every time. Previously, I talked about the three most
Jersey Nets head coach, Lawrence important parts of the offense, which I call
Franks, has spent many hours with me and BASIC POSITIONING IN HALF COURT the “Big 3.” One has to remember the entire
is intrigued with it. Running the offense 1 is the point guard who sets everything in game that the goal every time down the
does not appear to be just a passing trend motion. He has to constantly attack his man court is to “rack it” and get a lay-up or foul.
or phase, but instead, it looks like its im- and be able to get in the lane. If he can not I always want my teams to be relentless
pact on the game is going to be felt for
years to come. Now I want to go into fur-
ther detail and explain some of the options
the offense presents. What occurs in the
“Dribble Drive Motion” is largely based on
where the ball is on the court. I break the
court down into different zones (as showed
in the diagr. 7). The “Breakdown” Zone is
where the offensive player realizes how
far he can get whether it be the ultimate
goal of the “Rack Zone” or either the
“Drop” or “Drag Zone.” Every time possi-
ble, we want to get to the “Rack Zone.”
D.10
D.11

getting to the rim. Here is what happens,
depending on where the penetration starts:
LANE PENETRATION
With lane penetration (this is when you
penetrate the lane and the post is on the
opposite side), the first and best option
would be for 1 to get a lay-up, but, if this is
not the case, he has a few different options.
If 4’s defender came to help on the penetra-
tion, 1 could throw a lob or dump pass to 4
for a lay-up. Once 1 penetrates past the D.12 D.15
“Drop Zone,” 4 goes into a “clean-up” mode
and is awaiting a pass from 1 or cleans up
his miss, if X4 challenges his shot. Another
option would be if 2’s defender helped early
on the drive, to kick the pass to 2 for the
three-point shot. Once 1 passes the “Drop
Zone,” 2 has to be patient in his corner and
not elevate up. Once 1 passes the “Drop
Zone,” 3 now “drags” and finds the open
window to receive the pass from 1 (we call
this “Drag 3”). This is usually done early in
the “Drag Zone.” At the same time that 3 is
dragging up, 5 is dragging behind 1 and, if 1
D.16
stops deep in the “Drop Zone,” then he is D.13
looking to reverse pivot and hit 5 out top
(“Drag 5”), and then move out under 4’s
screen. Now 5 has the ability to penetrate
any way he wants (diagr. 8).
MIDDLE PENETRATION
“Middle Penetration” (we call this anytime
there is penetration to the post side) also
creates a few very different situations.
When 4 sees that 1 is penetrating the mid-
dle, he immediately relocates to the oppo-
site block looking for the lob or clean-up. 2
goes up and is looking for the open window D.14 D.17
(just like 3 would on lane penetration) to re-
ceive a skip pass out from 1. 3 stays put in tration, you then look to 3, who elevates up
the corner (like 2 does on lane penetration) on the wing, looking for an open window to
and is looking to receive the pass from 1 for receive the pass from 1 (diagr. 11).
a three-point shot. 5 is dragging behind
looking for the pass back from 1 if 1 gets too BASELINE PENETRATION
deep and can’t get the shot (diagr. 9). If 2 has the ball and decides to penetrate
the basket by taking baseline, now every-
“DRAG 5” one has their movement. When 4 sees the
Whenever 1 penetrates past the “Drop baseline penetration by 2, he “T Cut’s” up
Zone” and into the lane, 5 should always be close to the foul line, and then back to the
what we like to call “Dragging” behind. If 1 rim looking to receive the lob pass from 2. 1
cannot get a good shot up or pass to 4, he “Drags” behind and looks for the pass back D.18
will always have another option, which is from 2. 5 rotates over and finds the open
the pass to 5 for the 3-point shot. window for a pass from 2. 3 stays put in the
This will always be open since defenses corner and looks to receive the baseline the next best option is to stop in the “Drop
are taught to collapse on penetration (diagr. skip pass from 2. Zone.” In the “Dribble Drive Motion” much
10). With all three types of penetration we are of the offense is initiated when the ball is
staying faithful to the “Big 3” rules by get- picked up in the “Drop Zone.” Here are two
“DRAG 3” ting to the rack, creating gaps, which equal possible options:
This is a “Drag 3,” where 1 gets past the skip passes, and keeping great spacing at ▼ “Drop Zone” backdoor.
“Drop Zone” and early in the “Drag” skips it all times (diagr. 12). ▼ “Drop Zone” no backdoor.
across to 3. His first look is always to rack First, I will talk about “Drop Zone” backdoor.
it, the second look is to 4, if his man ele- “DROP ZONE” 2 stays in the corner until he sees that 1 has
vates, and then, if X3 comes in on the pene- If we can not get all the way to the rack, picked up his dribble in the “Drop Zone.”
COACHES - offense
Once he sees this, 2 takes one hard step to- The way we start there is already 2 double ▼ Must make 10 baskets at each spot to
wards the ball and calls for the ball. He then gaps created between 1 and 2 and 5 and 3. move on (do not have to be consecu-
cuts backdoor. When 4 recognizes that 1 What this offense really wants to create are tive).
stopped in the “Drop Zone,” he flashes high situations where there is a triple gap. When ▼ Once 10 baskets are made at all 5 spots
to the opposite elbow calling for the ball. a triple gap is created, the chance of scor- (50 total makes), the group continues at
This will clear out the middle and create ing goes way up (diagr. 17 and 18). the top of the key to get as many bas-
space for the backdoor pass. 1 passes to 2 kets in the remaining time.
cutting backdoor and then 4 cuts to the rim CREATING THE OFFENSE Scoring
looking for the lob pass. 3 stays in the cor- Now that you have basic understanding of ▼ 3 players per hoop (could use 4 if need-
ner looking for the baseline skip pass. 5 ro- what we want to do and accomplish, then ed- still only 2 balls).
tates over, trying to find that open window you can set up your plays to the way it fits ▼ Each basket is ranked from 1 (best
(diagr. 13).The “Drop Zone” no backdoor your team. You really don’t have to call any shooters) to 5 (challenged shooters) for
occurs when 1 stops in the “Drop Zone,” plays once you master all of the offense, as added competition (if 5 groups of 3).
but the back door is not there. If 2 does not it flows right into one another. ▼ To move up a basket:
get the backdoor pass, he continues and We really want to teach our players how to ▼ Beat the team in front of you by 10 or
goes out to the 3's corner. 1 now hits 4 and play basketball and not how to run plays. more that day or
does a give-and-go cut. If that is not open, The combination of spacing and gaps along ▼ Beat the team in front of you two days in
then you have a quick clear out for 4 (diagr. with the drops, drags, kick-ups, and kick- a row. Your minimum team goal should
14). backs are the building blocks of the of- be above even (even=50 makes).
fense. Example:
KICK UP, KICK BACK ▼ Group N.1– completes 4 spots and has
Once the defense starts looking for the THE BUILDING BLOCKS made 7 baskets on the fifth spot (top of
backdoor, we have to adjust and we will run I am a firm believer that every drill that is the key). Group N.1= -3
a “Kick-Up” or “Kick-Back.” In the “Kick- done in practice should be done for a pur- ▼ Group N.2- completes all 5 spots and
Up,” once 1 stops in the “Drop Zone” it be- pose and to be competitive. The majority of makes 5 more three’s (at the top of the
comes a two-man game with 1 and 2. I drills we run in practice are direct build- key). Group N.2= +5
mentioned already what happen when 2 ups to our offense. ▼ Group N.3- completes all 5 spots, but
goes backdoor. Now he comes up because We spend most of time running high-inten- makes no extra three’s.
they are overplaying the backdoor. This is sity fast break drills because this is the way ▼ Group N.3= even.
what we call a “Kick-Up” (diagr. 15). Once 1 we want to play during games. In addition, ▼ As a team (add up all scores). Team To-
hits 2, 2 is looking to go to the basket. 1 will at the beginning of each practice the play- tal= +2
fill 2’s corner and when 2 goes middle pen- ers know which of the teams they are on. Players involved
etration, 4 relocates, 3 stays patient in his In most of the drills, these teams go head- All or all, but big men (they can work on in-
corner, and 5 does a kick back. The “Kick- to-head against each other with the losing dividual drills at this time).
Back” is used when the defense is jamming team having to run and the winning team Tips
1 or forcing him in the middle. 1 dribbles left “validating” their win. ▼ Shooter must hustle after their own re-
and 5 comes in behind. 1 passes to 5, and This creates a very competitive atmos- bound.
this is not a handoff. 5 then “racks it” and phere and makes the players go hard with ▼ High Schools- Make 8 baskets at each
tries to get to the rim. 2 stays put in the cor- everything they do. I also like to get as spot for a total of 40.
ner and looks for the pass out for the 3-point much shooting drills in as possible as this ▼ Overall, team should be above even.
shot or they run a “Drop 2.” 4 seals off his offense should lead to plenty of three-point ▼ My teams highest ever: +34 for one
man to get the rebound or get a pass from shots and solid drives. group (76 made 3’s in 4 minutes); +42 as
5’s penetration if he racks it. 1 “drags” be- My philosophy is “we like 3’s, but we love a team (diagr. 19).
hind 5, if he goes past the “Drop Zone” look- lay-ups!” but I have included the “5-Spot
ing for the pass back for a three-point shot. Shooting Drill” which is something my BLOOD SERIES
3 elevates up looking for the window to re- teams do everyday. One of the reasons I like Purpose
ceive the skip pass (diagr. 16). this drill is that it is scored and the players These “Blood” drills are the essence of our
should want to better themselves every offense. This is a simple breakdown of the
GAPS AND SPACING practice. principles of what we run. Another continu-
Along with getting to the rack, having prop- Another drill that I included is the “Blood ous fast paced drill to also help in condition-
er spacing and creating gaps is the key. 22,” which is a very important drill and helps ing.
With this offense, it does give players free- the players understand the principles of the Instructions
dom to create on their own. Players always offense. ▼ Team X starts on offense, attacks team
have to remember to keep spacing no mat- O, and this then becomes a continuous
ter what is occurring on the court at any 5-SPOT SHOOTING DRILL drill.
given time. The reason for having four pe- Purpose ▼ Coach has a ball and will hit X who will
rimeter players and only one interior player This is an excellent warm-up and condition- attack from other side of half court as
in the half court positions is indeed to cre- ing drill and it is beneficial for three-point shown in examples.
ate spacing and to open gaps. It is very im- shooting. ▼ The manager will have another ball and
portant that 2 and 3 start in the corners and Instructions be ready to give this to the coach each
do not cheat up until someone stops in their ▼ 4 minutes on clock. time.
“Drop Zone.” If they do cheat up a single ▼ 3 players, 2 balls per basket. ▼ Each team will now run what happens
gap is created between 1 and 2 and 5 and 3, ▼ 5-spots: wing-corner-corner-wing-top whenever the guard hits the “Rack
as seen below. of the key. Zone”, “Drag Zone,”, or “Drop Zone.”

D.20 D.21
D.19
Scoring ball to 1, who is now going the other way

▼ Teams for the day should already be de- (manager continually hands coach the
cided at the beginning of practice. ball). X2 comes in at half court and is now
▼ All games are played to 8; 2-pointer a defender; X1 gets back in line. Now it's
worth 2; 3-pointer worth 3. 1 and 4 on offense attacking. You run the
▼ “Blood 22” only allows one shot and a offense at a continuous pace until one
tip. team scores 8 (diagr. 22).
▼ On “Blood 32, 33, 44” you can get the re-
bound and continue play until you score SOME FINAL THOUGHTS
or the defense gets the stop. “Attack, Attack, Attack.” You should not
Players involved forget these three important words
▼ Everyone is involved in these drills. whenever you are running this offense.
▼ Players will play more to their position Remember that the goal at all times is to
in these “Blood Drills.” get to the rim. If you can break your man
▼ All players on “Blood 22” get to play down off the dribble, go for it.
out front as a guard with the exception We want this offense to unleash players,
of the 4’s. not hold them back. Something else to
Tips remember is the importance of shot se-
Need 2 managers and 2 balls to run this lection. It is necessary for the players to
drill efficiently. Guards get a great amount understand this and what type of shots
of ball handling and learning on how to we consider “good” shots. D.22
“clip the hip.” Guards have to get back on We do not want long twos with our feet
defense as soon as possible (diagr. 20). just inside the line and we do not want
mid-range shots. Instead, we want most-
BLOOD 22 SET-UP ly lay-ups and three pointers, which goes
Coach throws the ball to X1, who then along with the “Points Per Possession”
blows by 1 “clip the hip.” 1 has to stay in that I described before.
the circle until X1 gets there and can not Free-throw shooting is also a significant not have to call anything out instead they
retreat until X1 hits half-court. We now piece of the offense. If the team plays as will just “play” and everything will flow
play following all principles from the of- aggressively as they are supposed to and for them. This offense is one style of play
fense. Offense only gets 1 shot and a tip, are constantly attacking, they should be and is not for every coach, especially the
then the ball goes to the defense. “Blood getting to the free- throw line at a high ones who like to call plays every time
22” should be a “Rack” game mostly and rate. down the court (which I used to do for
sometimes a quick “Drop” (diagr. 21). With the “Dribble Drive Motion” it does many years). My last words will be to get
take players some time to really under- working on your zone offense as you will
BLOOD 22 CONTINUATION stand the offense, but once they do it start to see a lot more zones once you
After 2-on-2 attack, the coach throws the should come natural to them. They will master the “Dribble Drive Motion.”

COACHES - hoop market
The new frontier

by Raffaele Imbrogno
of the offense
Raffaele Imbrogno has been coaching
since 1980. He is an Instructor for the In this section, we introduce the latest books, videos, CDs, and other tools that are
Italian National Coaches Committee of primarily aimed at coaches, but certainly useful for all of our readers. Please send
the Federation and has been Director of your suggestions and comments about our basketball-related media for review in
the Italian Basketball Federation Study this section.
Center. Imbrogno is also the author of
several technical basketball publica-
tions. of the Year (1996) honors before with Calipari to help him understand the
moving on to the New Jersey Nets nuances of the offense. Once Calipari
of the NBA. Calipari returned to saw the beauty of the system, and how it
college coaching, taking over the opened up the game for talented basket-
duties at the University of Mem- ball players, he completely changed his
phis in 2001. His teams have offense at the University of Memphis.
racked up a 269-95 record and in
racke Walberg and Calipari now give clinics
2008, Memphis made it to the around the United States to explain the
NCAA championship game, los- innovative DDM system to other inter-
ing to the University of Kansas in ested coaches.
the ffinal. The DDM system entails getting to the
During a lengthy chat over din-
Duri basket under control. With DDM, you
ner at a restaurant with coach will not see screens. Rather, one inter-
Walberg
Wal in Memphis, and after nal player will take his spot on the weak
having
hav watched for a week his side of the low post to open the court as
practices,
pra coach Calipari was much as possible so another player can
attracted
att by now famous “At- penetrate with the ball.
tack-Attack-Skip-Attack-At-
tac The essence of the game is to always
tack”
tac offense, and wrote his keep central lane free of players so that
notes
no about it on a dinner players on the perimeter can play one-
napkin.
na This high-octane of- on-one and penetrate to the basket. In
fense
fe he described was de- case of defensive help, they kick the ball
veloped
v by coach Walberg out and start all over again.
when
w he coached in high The good news that I have to report is
school
s and later at Fresno that coach Vance Walberg has now re-
City College in California. leased a double DVD detailing all you
Calipari was impressed by need to know about his popular DDM
the offense, so much offense. “Mastering the Dribble
so that he began
be using it with Drive Attack Offense,” Wal-
his Memphis team. berg’s 256-minute opus
There’s hardly a college coach who Now known as the includes game films,
would willingly give up his trademark of- DDM attack (DDM diagrams and com-
fense, his personal game system that stands for Dribble- plete explanation
made him famous and successful. How- Drive-Motion), it’s of his unique at-
ever, there has been an important new in- an offense used tack. It can be
novative change that has yielded by hundreds of ordered on the
remarkable results for some talented high school and Internet at
coaches, who were willing to break from college teams in http://www.
the ways that they used to coach. the United States, championship-
Vance Walberg is the person responsible as well as by the productions.
of this change. 2007-2008 NBA com/cgi-bin/
John Calipari, a successful coach at the champion Boston champ/p/Basket-
University of Massachusetts (one NCAA Celtics. ball/Vance-Wal-
Final Four semi-final appearance in 1996, Walberg, now an assis- berg-Mastering-the-
which was a loss to his mentor, Rick Pi- tant coach at the Universi- Dribble-Drive-Attack-Of-
tino), compiled a 189-70 record and Coach ty of Massachusetts, worked fense_BD-03058.html.
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referees and game administration
Building
Concentration
by Alan Richardson
Alan Richardson has been a FIBA ref-

eree from 1978 to 1998. He then became
Referee Clinic Instructor from 1996 to
2000. Since 2000, he is the Technical
Advisor of the Referee Department of
the Euroleague.
KNOW YOUR OWN STYLE

It is important that each official pre-
pares a concentration routine that is
both effective and comfortable. Some
officials prefer a routine that they com-
plete in isolation with total control over
the situation; others prefer a routine
that allows them to continue interact-
ing with the world around them and
being stimulated, in fact, by the effect
of other people. Officials should select
a concentration method by personal
preference and develop a routine and
style (ritual) that they can go to when
necessary. The mental skills of focus
and intensity are no different from
physical techniques (they will become
habits and therefore automatic), but
only through repetition. Some mental
habits help officials deal with stress
situations when their concentration
could easily waver. The ideal perform-
ance state is often described as being
automatic. Officials simply release,
with confidence, the physical and men-
tal habits established in training and
preparation.
DEVELOP A TRANSITION ZONE

Officials come to training and games
from differing home backgrounds and
lifestyles. They need to switch onto the
focus and intensity required for offici- ▼ Start to create the discipline and in- RELAX AND CONSERVE ENERGY
ating. When they come to the game, tensity required for the game. Maintaining concentration causes fa-
they cease to exist as individuals and tigue, yet officials must come to the
become part of a team. Although officials may create their own game with maximum energy. In the in-
set of objectives to help them improve ternational games, officials are
SET GOALS concentration, Instructors and mentors required to report the day before the
It is important that officials keep at the can help by giving each preparation game, giving them some time to relax
front of their minds, what they want from session a clear purpose and each and prepare for the game. In national
training sessions and games. A clear set game an identifiable goal. games, most officials arrive at the
of objectives enables officials to: This will assist officials in building and game directly from work and have only
▼ Focus on priorities. developing good concentration rou- an hour to prepare. Officials tend to be
▼ Begin to eliminate distractions. tines. very disciplined in work habits, but not
so about relaxation.
ALWAYS BE PREPARED
An official, building a concentration
routine, needs to know as much as
possible about what he/she will defi-
nitely have to do in the game. This is
where the pre-game talk is so impor-
tant. Each official can then begin
creating priorities for focus and a “so-
lution bank” that contains effective
responses to particular circumstances
that may arise in the game. Several
things can help officials to prepare fo-
cus and intensity:
▼ Knowing his/her job. Each official
should agree during the pre-game
conference on how to cooperate
and perform.
▼ Understanding the roles and re-
sponsibilities of the other
participants (e.g. players and
coaches).
▼ Knowing your colleagues, their
strengths and weaknesses, thereby
identifying priorities for concentra-
tion.
▼ The pre-game conference will have
provided mental and physical exer-
cise by communicating to each
official where and when to apply
focus and intensity. (“on ball” and
“off ball”).
▼ Having a game plan. If officials are
prepared with a plan for coping
with all eventualities, they will have
a framework for building their own
concentration.
From this information base, officials

may visualise the game, bringing a re-
ality forward in their minds and building
a personal concentration strategy.
CONTROL YOUR STATE OF AROUSAL

Officials must learn to check and regu-
late their state of arousal: too much and
they may be out of control emotionally,
wasting energy: too little and they may
not be able to produce the required in-
tensity of concentration and effort.
Depending on their state of mind, offi-

cials may either need to: fatigued and will often use self-talk or
▼ Psych themselves up with physical quick physical actions to shake them-
activation, high-energy thinking, selves back into focus.
self-talk, motivational music or vid- Co-officials often do this for each other
eos etc. with a phrase that urges better con-
Or: centration and effort during key
▼ Calm themselves down by slow moments.
rhythmic breathing slowing the
pace, performing relaxation exer- CONTROLLING DISTRACTIONS
cises, smiling etc. Loss of concentration in games is often
due to a lack of mental discipline in
CONCENTRATING ON THE GAME dealing with distractions. Many likely
Many things happen in basketball that distractions can be anticipated and
can destroy concentration. This will prepared for. Officials who are well
NOT occur, however, if the official has prepared can shut out the taunting of
mental discipline and can control his/ vociferous, fanatical fans at certain
her thoughts in moments of crisis. Sev- venues.
eral tools can help the official develop
the mental discipline of thought control
during games.
MANAGING ANXIETY
Every official feels anxiety, but suc-
cessful officials learn how to manage
it. When anxiety strikes during a game,
often after a mistake or highly contest-
ed decision, a useful recovery process
is to:
▼ Recover breathing control.
▼ Ease tension out of the body.
▼ Talk yourself back into the positive.
▼ Let the fear go.
▼ Review your goals and reactivate
yourself toward achievement.
DEVELOPING PERFORMANCE ROUTINES

The bigger the game, the more impor-
tant good performance habits will be. If
officials have paid the price over years
of practice, they will have a good mem-
ory bank of performance routines to
deal with any situation.
Performing automatically produces a
no-think situation, the ultimate thought
control.
USING PERFORMANCE CUES

Officials will occasionally suffer mental
lapses during a game, especially when

Officials should focus on elements of tally focused and prepared for dealing
the game that they CAN control rather with them.
than those that they cannot, such as Such defining moments could be:
spectator behaviour and electrical
malfunctions. ▼ Opening toss on the jump ball to be-
gin a period.
STAYING IN THE “NOW” ▼ The first foul of the game.
Total focus means being locked into The first basket with a bonus shot
the here and now, but officials may (shooting foul).
lapse mentally and go into the past be- ▼ Reactions after an obvious mistake.
cause of anxiety or guilt about an ▼ Recovering focus after an interrup-
tion to the game.
▼ Responding after a technical/un-
sportsmanlike foul.
▼ Goaltending call that is/is not made.
▼ Charge/Block in the closing min-
utes.
▼ The last shot of the game (clock/
signal not seen/heard).
INSTRUCTION FOR CONCENTRATION

Knowing where and when to pay atten-
tion, what information to select and
what information to ignore in a complex
and fast moving game is a mental skill
that Instructors must teach officials.
For it to become a habit that protects
the official under pressure, the Instruc-
tor must ensure that the session is
repeated throughout the season and
reviewed after each game.
When working with officials, Instruc-
earlier mistake or decision, or even into tors should:
the future, perhaps because the mind
begins to anticipate an eventual out- ▼ Ensure good physical fitness levels
come. to counteract fatigue.
Officials must focus on the PROCESS ▼ Treat officials as individuals and
not the OUTCOME, believing that if they learn their particular concentration
take care of the present by concentrat- styles.
ing on each situation as it unfolds and ▼ Reinforce concentration on the
respond well, then the outcome will PROCESS not the OUTCOME.
take care of itself. ▼ Make training and teaching relevant
to game preparation.
BEATING FATIGUE Identify concentration lapses with
The greatest enemy of concentration each official using video feedback.
is fatigue; physical, mental or both, so ▼ Give officials a game plan to reduce
officials must work constantly on their potential distractions and help them
fitness and understand how to pace a structure concentration priorities.
game in order to conserve physical ▼ Learn how to regulate arousal lev-
and mental energy. els.
To concentrate efficiently, officials
must maintain awareness and recog- SUMMARY
nise game situations when they can Officials' attitudes and therefore perform-
switch concentration between total fo- ances are based on their levels of
cus, semi-focus and relaxed focus. concentration, confidence and composure.
Concentration is a skill that officials can
DEFINING MOMENTS learn. Through regular practice officials
A basketball game is rhythmic in flow, can develop it into a habit that minimizes
each team having periods of giving and lapses in focus, often making the differ-
receiving pressure, punctuated with ence in big games. Officials should learn,
sudden movements that can define the HOW, WHEN and WHERE in a game to
outcome of the game. switch onto total focus and intensity and
Officials must learn to anticipate these also switch onto relaxed but focused at-
movements when possible and be to- tention.

RIGHT OR WRONG?
The following questions focus on the docu- rebounds from the ring but still has the 8. During the last two minutes of the fourth
ment, “FIBA Official Basketball Rules: Official chance to enter the basket. B4 touches period A4 is fouled during a successful
Interpretations.” A free download is provided the ball in its downward flight. Is this a field goal attempt. Coach B takes a time-
on the FIBA website (www.fiba.com). For ad- legal play? out at this time. After the following suc-
ditional clarifications, explanations or exam- 5. After a last or only free-throw by A5, the cessful bonus free-throw, shall play
ples, please consult this document. ball rebounds from the ring but still has a resume with a throw-in for team B from
chance to enter the basket. B5 touches the centre-line extended?
1. In a rebound situation A4 tips the ball to- the ball while it is on its downward flight. 9. During the last two minutes of the fourth
wards the basket. After the ball has left Shall 1 point be awarded to A5? period A4 is fouled during a successful
his hand and before he returns with both 6. During the last two minutes of play in a field goal attempt. A4 is awarded one
feet to the floor, he is fouled by B4. The 4th period, team A scores a field goal. free-throw which is successful. Coach
ball does not enter the basket. Shall A4 Team B is then permitted a substitution, B then takes a time-out. Shall play re-
be awarded two free-throws? after which team A requests a time-out. sumes with a throw-in for team B from
2. While the ball is in the air on a last free- Shall the time-out be permitted? the centre-line extended?
throw a double foul is called. The ball 7. A5 releases a shot for a goal from a 10. A4 is in the act of shooting when
does not enter the basket. Is this a jump place near the endline, after which A3 fouled by B4. Immediately after the
ball situation? commits interference on the shot. Shall whistle for the foul the 24-second de-
3. B4 commits an unsportsmanlike foul on the resulting team B throw-in be admin- vice signal sounds. After the signal
A4 during a successful field goal at- istered at the place on the endline near- the ball leaves the hands of A4 and
tempt, after which coach B commits a est to where the shot for a goal was enters the basket. Shall the officials
technical foul. All three free-throws are released by A5? award the basket to A4?
executed by A5. The wrong shooter of
the first free-throw is discovered before ANSWERS
the throw-in from the centre line ex- 1. Yes, Art. 15.2 and 34.2.2 6. Yes, Art. 18.2.3
tended is administered. Shall the first 2. Yes, Art. 35.2, 3rd bullet 7. No, Art. 18.3.7
free-throw be cancelled and play re- 3. No, Art. 44.3.3 8. No, Art. 17.2.3
sume with a throw-in for team B at the 4. Yes, Art. 31.2.3 9. Yes, Art. 17.2.3
free-throw line extended? 5. No, Art. 31.2.3 10. No, Art. 10.3, 5th bullet
4. After a shot for a field goal by A4 the ball
The Entertainment
Factor
by Antonio Pagano
Antonio Pagano, 33 years old, lawyer and What do I mean by sports marketing? If
Marketing and Communication Manager sport is movement, emotion, hard work,
for Montepaschi Viadana Rugby Club, one achievement, dynamic, and atavistic rites,
the most important Clubs in Italy. He is then marketing sport is vital nourishment, a
well experienced in the marketing of tool that amplifies the essence of sport, one
white consumer goods, is an avid sports- that makes sport known to all and helps it
man and has extensive knowledge in the grow. As a marketing and communications
science of nutrition. He has quickly intro- manager for Montepaschi Viadana, one of
duced marketing to the world of Italian Italy’s most successful rugby clubs, the most
rugby, making it an instrumental tool for surprising observation, even at the highest
the club’s growth and image. Creator of level of management, is that marketing has
Performanager, the innovative method of still not been accepted as a fundamental
management training based on the princi- factor for the development of rugby, let
ples and rules of rugby and, which has alone any other sport in Italy.
been adopted with success by important Obviously, my following comments refer to
Italian and multinational companies. Oth- the marketing of rugby but if we consider
er achievements include his monthly col- the fundamentals (i.e., the levers of market-
umn for “Rugby! Magazine” (official ing, as purists would say) to be the same
magazine of the Italian Rugby Federation) then they can easily apply to basketball.
called “Marketing Ovale-Benchmarking". Montepaschi Viadana actually has a partic-

ular interest in basketball, since we both dustry, a gigantic money machine: As a world, with competitions of every kind tak-
have the same title sponsor as our “cous- whole, Italian sport accounts for approxi- ing place day and night. This includes
ins,” the Mens Sana basketball team of mately 3% of GDP and it is among the top league play and tournaments as well as
Siena. My first marketing experience was ten Italian companies in terms of earnings, national and world championships. Televi-
in the manufacturing sphere with air con- employing more than one million people, sion (public and pay-per-view) is a major
ditioners and refrigerators, and from a including amateurs and professionals. In vehicle in sports and it offers a variety of
marketing standpoint, sport is much more addition to being a product and an indus- events on a daily basis to watch, follow,
complex in comparison due to the overall try, sport is a formidable vehicle for com- comment upon, and satirise. This includes
spectacle and volatile emotions that are munication. It is a reality capable of local sporting events that attract thou-
tied up with the sport and a particular involving millions of people, of moving sands of viewers, to the 14-day Olympic
team. On the one hand, sport (from sport crowds, and provoking passions (even Games that attracts a worldwide audience
in general to a certain sport, even to a halting or inciting wars) as it embodies numbering in the billions. Olympic organiz-
specific sports unit - in this case rugby both ancestral and emotive values. A fan’s ers have estimated that China, the host of
and basketball teams) is a sellable prod- passion and support for an athlete or team the 2008 summer Olympic Games, earned
uct in a large and overcrowded market is a real addiction that sooner or later more than 34 million euros from merchan-
with thousands of competitors. It is set on strikes us all, even those who do not play dising profits alone, developing a business
a stage that not only includes stadiums, any sport. This extreme interest can be as of more than 204 million euros.
company sponsors, and institutions, but brief as one afternoon or can last for the With these facts as a backdrop, it should
also the media and more importantly, tele- rest of a person’s life. Over the years, sport come as no surprise that a company at
vision. On the other hand, sport is an in- has become the greatest spectacle in the any level would view sport as one of the

most effective means of communication,
both in terms of associating their name with
a team or individual champion (e.g., Puma Ticketing
with Olympic track star, Usain Bolt), or with (season tickets
a venue (e.g., stadium, arena, or track), or and match
having a sports personality as a spokesper- tickets)
son for their brand (e.g., the latest Gillette hospitality
Fusion Power commercial is an excellent tv rights
(national (Club house,
example, with not one, but three different managerial
sportsmen: Tiger Woods, Roger Federer, and
international) courses,
and Thierry Henry). hospitality,
However, it is important not to be fooled by etc.)
the numbers; the value of communication in
any sport (for any discipline or athlete) can
not only be calculated in terms of contact club
numbers, or targets reached and cost per revenues
contact (i.e., by traditional quantitative pa-
rameters), but communication also must
sponsoring misc.
take into consideration the extraordinary (team kit,
qualitative property, both unique and spe- (institutions,
stadium, erc, fir,
cific, which is the spectator’s emotional in- boards, etc.)
volvement. You should never forget the raw league)
emotions of victory and defeat that capti-
vate the sports fan. Merchandising
Sports marketing has played a key role in (e-commerce,
the overall success of Montepaschi Via- shop, etc.)
dana’s rugby team. In recent years, they
have won one Italian Championship, three
Italian cups, one league super cup, and they
were the only Italian team to have reached
the final of a European cup). Montepaschi
Viadana’ success is due in part to the fact
that it is the only Italian club that has a pro-
fessional structure in place to cope with the
challenges that Italian rugby faces by using
the sports marketing tools of analysis, eval-
uation, proposals, and communication. In
addition, they have implemented initiatives
and projects aimed at maximizing the value
of the “sports product” and have acknowl-
edged that at a certain level in sport, growth
not only depends on winning on the playing
field, but also by taking part in the game of
marketing, just like any other company in
any other sector.
The factors for growth are the same: prod-
uct, target, competitors, and strategies.
However, there are some basic differences:
▼ A team’s competitive success is imme- es of the club and the first team, as well the professionalism of human re-
diately identifiable and without it no as our competitors. Subsequently, I for- sources.
marketing strategy would be able to mulated a strategy and goals for the long 4. Diversification of Club’s revenue sourc-
function or sustain a sports club. term (5 to 10 years), for the medium term es (see the above diagram); an overall
▼ The social objectives, educational and (2 to 4 years), and for the short term (this increase in revenue but with a gradual
formative are the very nature of sport in season and next years: 1 to 2 years). All redefining of the percentage of revenue
relation to the area in which it may op- goals are based on these fundamental coming from sponsorship (uniforms and
erate. points: stadium: the most variable depending
▼ A sports club’s economic results are 1. Constant planning of goals to be on the team’s success) and increases
linked to their sporting achievements achieved (competitiveness, structure, from other sources: merchandising,
and often is relegated to second place and youth division) and determine the hospitality, players’ image, and new
and substituted with social and political sources of revenue and the time neces- projects. TV rights are the most control-
standing. sary to achieve them. lable and least linked to the team’s re-
In Viadana, I started with an analysis of 2. Elaboration of a strategy to improve sults.
the environment and the target market economic resources. The balance between sporting and eco-
and verified the strengths and weakness- 3. Elaboration of a development plan and nomic results is the most crucial point. The
chart on the following pages illustrates the
optimal relationship between sporting and
economic results, an increase in revenue
(more funds available for the team), greater an increase in
competitiveness, and bigger games (and more financial staff and
therefore higher revenues). However, it resources players salaries
must be adapted according to each case,
e.g., rugby in general, rugby in Italy, and, fi-
nally rugby in Viadana. Therefore, it is a
theoretical diagram offering a guideline and
reference for a strategic starting point.
Over the past three-and-a-half years,
thanks to the constant implementation of
marketing and communication, Montepas- SPORTING
chi Viadana has significantly expanded its
horizons. In no particular order:
SUCCESS
▼ Earnings have increased threefold an increase
(625%), thanks to an effective communi- in revenue
creation of a
cation campaign using various media sources
more competitive
and season ticket holders. team
▼ One of Italy’s largest banks, Montepas-
chi, already a long-time sponsor of bas-
ketball, has become the title sponsor of
Viadana. more team
▼ The formation of a Business School and victories
Performanager, a managerial course
based on the principles and rules of
rugby, has enjoyed unprecedented suc-
cess among international companies more enjoyable and exciting. In essence, ketball? Certainly, although some distinc-
such as Fiat, Conad, Auchan, Sole 24 we want to create something that is more tions have to be made, due in great part to
Ore, and Mueller. than just a sporting event or a final score. the differences in nature and histories of
▼ The stadium, with its new stands, has For example, the hugely successful Montep- both sports. Rugby is an outdoor sport while
increased its capacity from 3,000 to aschi Viadana Night was a step in this direc- basketball is an indoor sport. European
5,500 seats, including sky boxes for cor- tion. The Italian singer and rising star, Giusi basketball, already professionally active for
porate hospitality. Ferreri, was invited to entertain and the club many years, is more advanced with regards
▼ The Leonero mascot, the black lion (the literally moved away from the stadium to the to its existing marketing and communica-
only one in the super 10), with the Leon- local Mynt Park Nightclub for a night of lo- tion strategy, whereas, rugby is an emerg-
erine cheerleaders provide pre- and cal celebrations, all in the name of rugby. In ing sport in Italy; rugby is a contact sport,
post-game animation as well as promo- English rugby, entertainment is already a while basketball is a more “geometrical”
tion of social and youth initiatives. well tested and widely used strategy valued game.
▼ The mascot has its own personal spon- as a means of increasing a club’s revenue. The Entertainment Factor for an indoor
sor (Epiù milk, which is part of the Steril- Another excellent example of combining sport, such as basketball, becomes even
garda Group): a personalized car, a entertainment with sport comes from Max more important in a confined space, though
cuddly toy, three jingles, and in collabo- Guazzini, long-time president of the Stade it poses fewer problems because weather
ration with Conad, a leading Italian su- Francais Rugby Uumpreynion team in Paris. is not a factor, yet attention to planning and
permarket chain, the launch of an Guazzini has brought in the popular singing detail is still required.
informative campaign to promote nutri- group, the Gypsy Kings, and stars from the While they are two sports set in different
tion and a healthy diet for young fans, Moulin Rouge music revue and his team arenas, with a different number of team
and information about the rules and val- regularly achieves attendance figures of players, and different dynamics and organi-
ues of rugby. more than 70,000 to 80,000 per game. Not zation, both have one common denomina-
Looking to the future, the marketing strate- even football can match these astounding tor: for Italian rugby as for basketball (and
gy that I have termed as the “Entertainment attendance figures. A club’s ability to turn other sports) their future is in transforming
Factor” was not something that I invented, sporting success into revenue depends on the sporting event into a show. With enter-
but rather imported (benchmarking) and how well they take advantage of opportuni- tainment, it is possible to significantly widen
one that I would like to continue applying. It ties to reach a wider audience: ticketing, the audience watching the sporting event,
is a well-known strategy abroad, but it is merchandising, sponsorship, and hospitality whether it is at the stadium or on TV. A larg-
quite new for Italian rugby. The Entertain- are the areas most closely linked to the er fan base means more opportunities to
ment Factor means associating a sporting available target market. However, the other sell sport as a product. More fans generate
event (which must remain the centrepiece side of the coin is that without sporting suc- higher revenues for the sporting industry,
of the show) with entertainment and with cess entertainment loses its value and which in turn leads to greater mass media
initiatives that complement and add value therefore, its ability to attract spectators in appeal for communication partners. And
to the spectacle. The aim is not only to open the long term. The bottom line: The team has larger markets also translate to more spon-
up this great sport to a larger audience and to win a high percentage of its matches. sors. To paraphrase Humphrey Bogart, “It’s
gain new fans, but also to make the game Could this strategy work for European bas- sports marketing, kid.”
doctors, trainers and Conditioning Coaches
Functional
Stability Training
by Roberto Bianchi
Roberto Bianchi is the strength and condi-

tioning coach for Pallacanestro Cantù in
Italy. His motto is “You are what you do.”
Function, Functionality,
Functional Stability
Based on the characteristics of the sport,
basketball players are required to react to
unforeseen physical stress, oftentimes oc-
curring with the athlete left in a compromis-
ing physical position. These reactions
include speed acceleration, deceleration,
stopping and starting, changing direction,
taking position relative to the opponent, and
most importantly, the transfer of horizontal
inertia to vertical motion. Eat all times, the
“control,” the balance is very important,
etc. It becomes imperative that athletes be-
come proficient at controlling their bodies
in multi-planar directions. In order to ac-
complish this proficiency, the athletes must
develop the ability to stabilize their bodies
during phases of both acceleration and de-
celeration. This ability will now be referred
to as functional stability. Functional stability
is a fundamental part of how the body
moves. If you consider the body as a kinetic ▼ Inner ear: controls emergency reflexes Dario Riva, President of International Soci-
chain and it’s links (joints), functional stabil- with slow, imprecise actions. ety of Proprioception and Posture resumes
ity allows the chain to function in an effec- ▼ Proprioceptive system: the fastest and with simplicity the previous concepts with
tive and secure way. most precise way to send information the following tab. Thus, not only an injury
Functional stability is composed of three to the “black box.” with an anatomical damage can produce
main parts. 3. A “black box” composed of nervous instability, but also an inefficient proprio-
1. An Anatomical and Mechanical part: centers in the brain that receives sig- ceptive system will produce functional in-
composed of both limiting and enabling nals from vision and other receptors stability. The result will often be a weakness
factors. These factors are the joints and and integrates this information, and of a body district, or in other links of kinetic
their structure (passive part) and their then sends the output to the muscles chain. An example could be the weakness
corresponding muscle groups (active for the stabilization. of medium gluteus after an ankle sprain,
part). It’s the structure. The proprioceptive system is the most im- resulting in reduced stability of the LHP
2. An Information Part, that receives infor- portant informer of the Postural Control (Lumbo-Hip-Pelvis) Complex on the trans-
mation from three receptors of the pos- and only an efficient Dynamic Postural verse plane and consequent low back pain.
tural control system. It’s the input. Control allows the Anatomical and Me- Therefore, a bad Postural Control can elicit
▼ Vision: very precise chanical part to work with efficiency. Prof. a bad alignment, with a wear and tear of
the anatomical structure. Besides, high- 2006-07 and 2007-08 season. Our team, injured.
level athletes repeat the same physical Cantù Basketball, plays in the top Italian di- ▼ BEHAVIOR: Players that used artificial
motions continuously. They prefer and vision. During those two seasons, our tech- stabilization used it all the time, and
chose a sensory channel for the balance nical staff introduced a systematic only a few players from this group fol-
and this channel is often vision. proprioceptive training and functional sta- lowed a specific workout following the
bility-training program. Twenty athletes injury rehabilitation period. The players
INJURY PREVENTION OR PERFORMANCE took part in this training, and they have that didn’t use the artificial stabilization
IMPROVEMENT? been tested on the Delos® Postural Prop- followed a constant and specific work-
Vern Gambetta, the American pioneer in rioceptive System (Turin, Italy), and this out after injury rehabilitation. Thus, ar-
functional training, backs up his theory that same testing device has been used for the tificial stabilization often facilitates a
proprioception is the base to improve the proprioceptive training sessions during the passive behavior and this could be
quality of the human moves, and that prop- two seasons. dangerous, because with artificial sta-
rioceptive system trainability is very high. bilization arises a functional instability
Prof. Dario Riva defines the role of the pro- OTHER INFORMATION COLLECTED from decreased proprioception.
prioceptive training as a very important We also noted how many players injured
factor for the fluidity of the moves. This flu- their lower limbs and how many players INSTRUMENT DESCRIPTION
idity is broken if the athlete chooses an “in- were using artificial stabilization (taping, Delos Postural Proprioceptive System is
ner ear” strategy, which is a very low braces). Here are some results: composed of:
quality moves control strategy. Indeed, if ▼ INJURIES: 14 of 20 (70%) players had 1. DEB (Delos Equilibrium Board), an in-
the athlete uses the visual proprioceptive serious ankle sprains, 4 had serious stability board, with oscillation and
strategy, the quality of the moves control is knee sprains. translation.
really higher than “inner ear” strategy. ▼ ARTIFICIAL STABILIZATION: 7 players 2. DAD (Delos Assistant Desk), a Help Bar,
(35%) used taping or ankle braces and with an infrared cell that reads the help
OUR EXPERIENCE were injured, 13 players didn’t use the time.
We collected data on our team during the artificial stabilization, and 7 (35%) were 3. DVC (Delos Vertical Controller), a de-
vice that informs about the trunk move-
ment on two different planes.
These instruments are interfaced with spe-
cific software to a personal computer and
it is then possible to analyze the player’s
static and dynamic postural stability.
ASSESSMENT OF THE FUNCTIONAL STABILITY

We use the following evaluation test:
▼ STATIC RIVA TEST: this test tracks the
static postural strategy and whether or
not the player depends on vision for
proprioception.
▼ DYNAMIC RIVA TEST: this test defines
whether the player is able to manage
the off balance situations and how they
respond to these situations.
▼ SEAT DYNAMIC RIVA TEST: this test
shows the postural control of the trunk
▼ RIVA-BOTTA TEST: this test defines the
stability of lower limbs and it defines
the Postural Economy of the player. If
the players reach a good level of stabil-
ity, this test makes it possible to under-
stand the level of fatigue.
WHEN TO ASSESS FUNCTIONAL STABILITY

The functional stability assessment should
be done:
1. Pre-season.
2. Ten days before the beginning of the
first official game.
3. In the middle of the season.
4. End of the season.
5. After every injury.
We repeat a “follow up” special test (RIVA
- BOTTA Test) every week following an off
day from practice, because we want to
avoid an overtraining syndrome. This test

doctors, trainers and Conditioning Coaches
average best
performance
left
right
the presence of the blue segments means that the test was made with the upper limbs free
uncovers excessive fatigue. However, the core of the proprioceptive Every time we do strength training, we also
training is the individual sessions. incorporate a short proprioceptive ses-
HOW WE ANALYZE THE DATA. During these sessions every player does sion. We don’t do any proprioception exer-
It is possible to obtain a functional stability High Frequency Visual Proprioceptive Ex- cises after practice because we want a
level for the left and right leg and we use ercise using Delos DPPS. quality response from each session. Ex-
the mean value (R+L) 2. The precision is This individual part must be based on the treme fatigue will decrease the expected
lower but the data is like a picture of every assessment previously described. Every response.
single player and his Functional Stability. player has their own personal propriocep-
tive workout and they will have different ENDING
COMMENTING ON THE RESULTS targets, work and rest time. For players that use artificial stabilization
Players in the previous picture have shown (taping, braces), the High Frequency Visuo-
a low Functional Stability. A small part of TARGET PROGRESSION proprioceptive Training is fundamental.
the sample uses the correct strategy for A target progression will be: This helps avoid a proprioceptive regres-
the management of the out-of-balance situ- 1. Decrease Vestibular Strategy. sion and will allow an increase of function-
ation. When the Postural Control is low, the 2. Decrease Visual Dependence. al stability. The assessment of functional
players have a high exposure to traumatic 3. Increase and refinement of propriocep- stability is as important as tests for strength,
and overuse injuries. tive strategy. mobility, quickness, and agility.
4. Decrease of proprioceptive decline af-
PROPRIOCEPTIVE TRAINING: ter fatigue. REFERENCES
PRACTICAL INFORMATION International Society of Proprioception and
We introduce individual proprioceptive HOW WE WORK Posture (www.ispp.eu), you can find some
training in the weekly program two to three We divide the team in work groups. Every articles of Prof. Dario Riva on propriocep-
times a week, with training sessions lasting work group has five players and every tion, posture, and sport.
30 to 40 minutes. player works on a DEB Board. Journal of Athletic Training 2006, 41(1):74-
Postural strategy average improvement They can use the DEB Board: 78 NATA.
has been 18% in three months. ▼ One foot stance. V. Gambetta Athletic Development, Hum.
The players have drastically decreased the ▼ Two foot stance. Kin. 2007.
time lost to practice and games due to in- ▼ Side by side. NASM Course Guideline “Integrated Neu-
jury. We use specific proprioceptive exer- ▼ Front and back. romuscular Stabilization Training.”
cises and drills in the team warm up and ▼ ± 45° Diagonal. ISPP Course June 2008, Torino, “Competi-
practice sessions. ▼ Seat. tive Advantage in Sport.”
news
Daly: “Winning
is not everything”
one-on-one
Johnson and Larry Bird. Prior to the origi- forward and play without too many distrac-
nal meeting with them, I asked Michael tions. But, you have to have that under-
Jordan if he would like to be one of the standing with your star. If you can get your
leaders, but he told me to give to these two star to accept the discipline and whatever
older players the job. He also wanted to personality you have, then you have a bet-
play golf when he was free from the prac- ter chance to succeed with that individual.
tice and the games. My goal was to keep your stars.
everything simple with the players. I knew
how talented they were. I made an inter- FIBA: How did you successfully manage the
esting decision to start five players at the Detroit Pistons, a team comprised of play-
beginning of the game and at half-time, ers with strong personalities and tempers?
and a different group at the beginning of DALY: I think every team has a certain
the other quarters. In this way, everybody amount of dissatisfaction and jealousies:
would have the playing time and exposure. among 12 to 15 players, not everyone likes
I also let them know my main philosophy each other and not all players like the
that I preached at every pre-game and half coach. Your job as a coach is to diminish
time on every team that I ever coached: if the negative aspects of the group, working
we defend and run, nobody could beat us, on an individual basis. At the same time you
so don’t give up any second shot. It is a have to be who you are and you have to be
Chuck Daly was voted one of the top 10 simple philosophy and this is what I ap- honest. I do not think you need to be com-
coaches in the history of the NBA. He won plied to the Dream Team. pletely distant from the team members, but
two NBA titles, the gold medal at the 1992 you need to blend in as a part of the group,
Olympics Games with the original Dream FIBA: How did you deal with the superstars while still mantaining control. For me, get-
Team, and in 1994 he was inducted in the you coached during your career? ting the control is using basketball as an
Basketball Hall of Fame in Springfield, DALY: If you are a coach in the NBA, you asset. The ultimate goal of a each player is
Massachusetts. Still now, even in retire- deal with one or two superstars on your to win the championship. You must con-
ment, NBA general managers come after team. Each has a distinct personality and vince them that the only way to win a
him, trying to lure him out of retirement to you need to work very hard to understand championship is to play as a team.
become their head coach. During a recent their personalities, their needs, and de- A successful team wil have one, two, and
trip to Italy, Giorgio Gandolfi, the editor-in- sires. In the NBA we now have a situation perhaps three players with leadership
chief of FIBA Assist, talked with Daly about where being a coach practically means qualities. These players help to form inter-
his storied coaching career and the pres- except Jerry Sloan of the Jazz or Phil nal control the group. The job of controlling
ent state of basketball in the world. Jackson of the Lakers a two-year job, be- the team is too big a job for one person on-
cause the players become unhappy with ly, unless you are so lucky with the person-
FIBA: 1992 Dream Team: how did you ap- the coach. For the superstar and the own- nel and talents that you can overcame this
proach and handle such a demanding job? er of the team, it’s the coach’s fault when problem. But, in all my years of coaching, I
DALY: When I agreed to be head coach of the team does not win. I think that you found this rarely ever happens.
the Dream Team, I had much trepidation: need to develop a management relation-
how could I give 12 players enough playing ship with the star, or the stars of your team, FIBA: Let’s talk of the present game. What
time in a 40-minute game, knowing how dif- in order to survive. I know we would like to are the main differences in the game from
ficult a time I already had trying to play my think, as coaches, we can discipline play- when you coached?
players in a typical 48-minute NBA game? I ers and be “bosses.” Maybe, in some cas- DALY: It s a global game now. I think that
had nearly two years to think about this, but es, this can happen, but it’s quite rare. To the 3-point shot along with the clock are
then we had no preparation like they do be a successful coach, I think it has to be a the most dramatic changes in the basket-
now for the Olympic Games. We had only management style, where there is no one ball world. Moreover, I think the Europeans
two weeks of practice and we had to quali- better than anybody else. Once a player taught a lot about the three-point shot. We
fy at the pre-Olympic tournament in Port- understands that there must be some con- used to look a this shot differently. Some
land. The first thing I did was to define the trol and some structure and sometimes old school baskteball coaches warned
leaders of the team, and they were Magic some discipline, hopefully you can move about this and I was one of them. When I
point where I reacted to the situations cor-
rectly. Here’s a third aspect to consider for
European coaches: in the NBA, every game
is a tough, physical contest, even with the
teams that are considered to be less tal-
ented than others. So, will a coach from
Europe ever be a head coach in the NBA?
Yes. I think we are getting closer to having
European coaches in the NBA. There are
several excellent choices from Italy, Spain,
and the former Yugoslavian countries.
FIBA: After you achieved the greatest re-

sults and satisfactions a coach can only
dream about, are you proud of the legacy
you have created?
DALY: Some years ago, I read the book
“Good to Great,” which was written by Jim
coached the Detroit Pistons, we went to coaches have that philosophy, nor do they Collins, a professor at Stanford University.
the NBA finals three years in a row, win- have a talented player like Steve Nash. Collins and his team of researchers began
ning twice. We won those games and Some tried to imitate that style and play a their quest for finding what made a great
hardly ever took a three-point shot. We game they did not believe in, but, ultimately, company by sorting through a list of 1,435
may have taken five or six three-pointers they were not successful. In short, I think companies, looking for those that made
in a game. Without the three pointers, we Mike has had a great influence on the game substantial improvements in their perfor-
won by execution and by scoring two point in the United States. His philosophy is out- mance over time. They finally settled on 11
baskets. People think we did not score a standing, particularly for modern day bas- companies and discovered common traits
lot, but we actually averaged about 104 ketball, because it is very entertaining. The that challenged many of the conventional
points per game with the Pistons. Howev- fans love watching the fast-paced action notions of corporate success. After read-
er, when I moved to the New Jersey Nets, I and the players love playing this way. I ing the book, I eventually identified my bas-
had Drazen Petrovic, the great Croatian think Mike is a real innovator. ketball career with this analysis. I came to
basketball player, and he could score realize that I made many mistakes as a
three-pointers like other people scored FIBA: There are always rumors that a Euro- coach, but I always learned from them as I
layups. I began to learn more about the pean coach could one day became an NBA moved up the coaching ladder. I started as
three-point shot and how important it could coach. What is your opinion and what diffi- a high school and learned all that I could. I
be. Unfortunately, I think three-point shoot- culties will that person encounter? then became a college assistant coach,
ing has gone too far in today’s game, be- DALY: The first problem is the language: flu- and then head coach at college level. In
cause too many players are shooting from ency in English is a must. This person must the NBA, I was first and assistant coach
the arc, but not all have the necessary then understand the mentality of the NBA and then head coach. I needed a lot of time
skills. Today, everybody wants to shoot players and the best way to do that is to to reach the top level of coaching, but at
from the three-point range, no matter the start to work with them as an assistant every stop of my career I learned great and
position or size. We often now see big coach on some team. This person must valuable lessons. In this current era of in-
men, who think they are long-range shoot- then be prepared for the constant travel stant gratification, coaches want to jump
ers. For this reason, I think it is necessary that occurs in the NBA, something many from the high school level right to the NBA.
to create a discipline on this technical people could never imagine. In my first year They think that they know enough and want
side. in the NBA, I came aboard with the Phila- to skip all the intermediate legs in coach-
delphia 76ers in December of 1978 and ing, but this is not the best way to have a
FIBA: What has been the impact of Mike when we finished the season the following good career, because on every step to the
D’Antoni on the other NBA teams? May, I wanted to cry: when you play four top, you need to learn the lessons and in-
DALY: I tried to recruit Mike D’Antoni when I games in five nights it is extremely difficult crease your knowledge base. The thing I
was assistant coach at Duke University, on your whole body. When you get to a am most proud about is having made the
because he was such a great playmaker. destination at 2 in the morning, whether climb up the complete coaching ladder,
He then went on to have a successful ca- this is back home or in another city, and buiding a team with the Detroit Pistons,
reer as a player and coach in Italy. Later, he then try to go to sleep, and get up a few winning two NBA titles in a row with them,
came in the NBA and after some tough is- hours later to go to work, the body rebels. and taking them a third time to the NBA fi-
sues with some teams, he finally got the You are constantly tired. You certainly get nals. The Olympic gold medal in Barcelona
right team and players for his coaching phi- to understand how your players feel. Then, was another great achievement, but with
losophy and style, something I think is very too, you have to remember that the NBA that team I couldn’t have failed. For what I
important for all coaches. I like to joke and game is different. They have a different would like to be remembered? Easy. Not
say about this about his style of play: two time clock and a different lane. When I for what I won as a basketball coach, but
years ago we had 11 coaches fired in the moved from college coaching to the NBA, I for being a person, who always tried to be-
NBA, and all were “fired” by D’Antoni and continued to do the same thing I always have correctly with everybody, on and off
Steve Nash, because every general man- did. However, understanding the aspects of the basketball court.
ager said: "I want my team to play the run- the clock and the end-of-game situations
ning style like the Phoenix Suns!” Not all took me a lot of time and effort to reach a FIND MORE INTERVIEWS ON WWW.FIBA.COM

news
news
the world
in brief
Planet
basketball
and Rome, FIBA ended it’s tour of the made you feel good about life…” The
bidding countries for the 2014 FIBA wonderful team he led to the title in
World Championship for Men. Rome with eight wins in as many games
On 5th December 2008, the above-men- included basketball greats Oscar Rob-
tioned five national federations/coun- ertson, Jerry West and Jerry Lucas.
tries are due to confirm their bid by Newell had previously guided San Fran-
formally presenting their candidature cisco, Michigan State and California in
files to FIBA in a public presentation American college basketball. He led Cal
ceremony to be held in Geneva, Switzer- to an NCAA title in 1959. The national
land. team coaching job, which he held at the
After the handing over of the candida- age of 45, proved to be his last. Doctors
ture files on 5th December, FIBA will ap- advised him to stop coaching because
point an Evaluation Commission to of the emotional toll it took on him.
examine all files and to formally visit the
countries and review the commitments BOZIKIS ELECTED PRESIDENT OF ABASU
made. Brazil basketball supremo Gerasime
The complete bidding process will end Bozikis has been elected president of
in May 2009, when the FIBA Central the South American Basketball Associa-
PRIME MINISTER SILVIO BERLUSCONI WANTS Board will decide the host of the 2014 tion. Bozikis, the president of the Brazil-
2014 FIBA WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP World Championship for Men. ian Confederation,
In a historical meeting for Italian bas- was elected in
ketball, the country's Prime Minister, AMERICAN BASKETBALL ICON PETE NEWELL Asuncion, Para-
Silvio Berlusconi, received on 31st Oc- PASSES AWAY AT 93 guay, and will hold
tober FIBA President, Bob Elphinston, The basketball world lost a legend when the office until 2013.
and FIBA Secretary General and IOC former Team USA coach Pete Newell “It was a great hon-
member, Patrick Baumann, in his office passed away at the age of 93. Tributes or to have been
in Palazzo Chigi. He indicated his Gov- have been pouring in for Newell, the chosen by the pres-
ernment's full and strong support for It- gold-medal winning coach of the Ameri- idents of the con-
aly's candidature for the 2014 FIBA cans at the 1960 Olympics in Rome. federations to chair
World Championship. Earlier that day, Bill Walton, a former UCLA star and NBA the ABASU,” Bozi-
the Secretary of State for Sport, On. center with Portland and later Boston kis said. “One of the main goals of the
Rocco Crimi, and the Deputy Prime Min- who is now a television analyst, knew Association is to make the 10 member
ister, Dr. Gianni Letta, had already an- Newell as a high school player in San countries of the Association participate
ticipated the Italian Government's Diego. “He touched everybody who has in South American competitions.”
position. The FIBA delegation, which ever played basketball," Walton said in
was accompanied during the whole day the San Di- PUERTO RICO LOOK TO HOST 2009
by the Italian Basketball Federation ego Tribune. FIBA AMERICAS CHAMPIONSHIP
Commissioner and famous former play- He was a Puerto Rico are keen to host next sum-
er, Mr. Dino Meneghin, and by the Presi- caring, lov- mer’s FIBA Americas Championship.
dent of the Italian National Olympic ing, selfless Mexico had been the only country vying
Committee, Mr. Gianni Petrucci, also man who for the event but newly-appointed gen-
met with the Mayor of Rome, Mr. Gianni was a coach eral director of the Puerto Rico national
Alemanno, to discuss the hosting of the of not just team, Agustin Diaz, wants to see the
final phase in the capital city. basketball tournament staged in San Juan. "My first
Italy, along with China, Denmark, France but life. Pete aim will be for San Juan to be the host
and Spain, is one of the five candidates Newell made city of the Pre-World Championship (FI-
interested in organizing the 2014 edition you feel good BA Americas Championship),” he said in
of FIBA's premier championship. about the Primera Hora. There has been talk that
After traveling to Beijing, Paris, Madrid game and he this tournament could be held in Mexico
ics, Ohio State University; and Kevin
Weiberg, Vice President, University
Planning & Development, Big Ten Net-
work; Scholastic Director Robert Kanaby
, Executive Director, National High
School Federation; At-large/ Indepen-
dent Director Billy Hunter, Executive Di-
rector of the National Basketball Players
Association; National Organizations
Representative Rod Seaford, former na-
tional chairman of the AAU boys basket-
ball; and athlete representatives Teresa
Edwards, a five time Olympian and four
time Olympic gold medalist, and Steve
Smith, Olympic (2000) and World Cham-
pionship (1994) gold medalist. Ackerman
rounds out the board and will serve an
ex officio capacity. "I'm honored to have
this opportunity and I look forward to
serving USA Basketball over the next
four years," said Colangelo. "There's a
great legacy at USA Basketball and my
goal is to continue to grow our game on
every level."
but I agree with (interim Puerto Rico nior National Team program, has been AUSTRALIA LOOKS TO SECURE
Basketball Federation president Ruben) elected chairman of USA Basketball's INTERNATIONAL SUCCESS
Nigaglioni that we should try to bring it Board of Directors for the 2009-2012 Australian Olympic legends Andrew
to Puerto Rico." Puerto Rico attempted term. The announcement was made Gaze, Andrew Vlahov and Rachael Sporn
to host the FIBA Olympic Qualifying during the USA Basketball annual Board have been appointed by Basketball Aus-
Tournament this summer but lost out to of Directors meeting in Colorado tralia to help evaluate the success of the
Greece. Springs, Colo. Colangelo succeeds 2005- Boomers and Opals Olympic programs
The Puerto Ricans, who needed a wild 2008 USA Basketball President Val Ack- following their recent campaigns at the
card to take part in the 2006 FIBA World erman. Also announced as members of Beijing Games, including making recom-
Championship, narrowly missed out on the 2009-2012 Board of Directors were: mendations on what is required to secure
reaching the 2008 Beijing Games after NBA appointees Kim Bohuny, Vice Pres- medals at the London Games in 2012.
losing the last game at this year’s quali- ident, Basketball Operations Interna- Gaze, who is also currently on the Interim
fying event to Germany. tional; and Stu Jackson, Executive Vice Board of Basketball, will join former na-
President, Basketball Operations; NCAA tional teammate Vlahov on a panel to un-
JERRY COLANGELO ELECTED CHAIR appointees Chris Plonsky, University of dertake a comprehensive review of the
OF USA BASKETBALL Texas Women's Athletics Director and Boomers program, along with Basketball
Jerry Colangelo, NBA Phoenix Suns Senior Associate Athletic Director of Australia's President John Maddock, CEO
Chairman and Managing Director of Men's/Women's Athletics External Ser- Scott Derwin and General Manager of
USA Basketball's 2006-2008 Men's Se- vices; Eugene Smith, Director of Athlet- National Teams, Lorraine Landon. Sporn
dddd
news
will join Maddock, Derwin, Landon and teams; and the significant expansion and a lot of pride in all of us … That the Con-
Interim Board member and business investment in the national basketball pro- federation again relies on my job after
leader Diane Sias on a panel to review gram. almost four years and several top tourna-
the performance of the silver medal win- ments is a pleasure for me and I have no
ning Opals. The committees will provide a HERNANDEZ WILL COACH ARGENTINA more than words of thanks for them."
series of recommendations for refining IN 2010 WORD CHAMPIONSHIP Hernandez, who also spoke warmly of
the program over the next four years, to Argentina have confirmed that Sergio the players that he had coached, will
ensure the teams' quality for medal con- Hernandez will lead the team through the lead the team at the FIBA Americas
tention. A recommendation for the ap- 2010 FIBA World Championship in Turkey. Championship this summer when the Al-
pointment of the next Head Coach for Hernandez, who coached the Albiceleste biceleste attempt to reach the FIBA
both the Boomers and Opals teams will to the bronze medal at the Beijing Games, World Championship in Turkey.
also be made, with the positions expected on Friday spoke of his decision to head
to be announced early December. the national side for two more years. MENEGHIN AGREES TO STAND
The trio have a wealth of experience at "I have tremendous joy, tremendous pride FOR PRESIDENT
the international level, with a combined and much gratitude,” he said. “Joy be- Dino Meneghin has been serving as com-
total of 807 international games for Aus- missioner of the Italian Basketball Federa-
tralia between them. tion (FIP) since September, when Fausto
"We were extremely proud of the Opals Maifredi made the surprise announcement
and Boomers performances during the that he was stepping down as president.
Games, and the way they represented Now Italy basketball legend Meneghin is
Australian basketball on the world stage," ready to run for president when the elec-
said triple Olympic medallist Rachael tion is held on February 7.
Sporn. "We now need to capitalise on this The regional presidents of the FIP met in
Milan over the weekend and officially
asked Meneghin to stand for president
and he agreed to do so.
"I have accepted to stand for several rea-
sons,” Meneghin said in a statement by
the FIP. “I have found a lot of good faith in
my project as well as a common wish to
achieve it.
We have spoken a lot about schools, and
youth teams and that is a good first step
to work together in time. I have met peo-
cause it is the most that a coach can ple that work on a day-to-day basis on the
hope for, directing the national team of court, that give their best for a common
his own country. Pride because to wear goal. With the presidents of the regional
the shirt of Argentina is something that committee, we agree on an issue that
is very strong, deep inside, even when basketball is to be improved, not res-
one does not see it. cued.” “We must work to improve it, to at-
"The Argentina national team generates tract the biggest number of youngsters, to
success to ensure basketball continues

to be seen as a successful sport in Aus-
tralia and that we continue to excel on
the international stage."
"Basketball in Australia is currently un-
dergoing a major reform, with the move
towards the introduction of a single struc-
ture for the sport to ensure its successful
future, and we believe our teams' recent
performance has contributed strongly to
building this new foundation for basket-
ball in Australia," said Sporn.
Key priorities addressed in a recent inde-
pendent review of the sport included a
major restructure of the basketball ad-
ministration and governance; re-branding
and aggressively promoting the sport: de-
veloping strong revenue streams from
corporate and media partnerships; in-
creasing the connection between com-
munity and elite competitions and national
offer them to the clubs and then to the na-
tional team. With all due respect to clubs,
the national team is the most important
club in Italy."
CHINA REACT TO REPORT THAT YAO

MIGHT RETIRE FROM NATIONAL TEAM
China have moved to quash speculation
that Yao Ming may no longer play for the
national team. The 7ft 6in center made it
back in time from a foot operation to play
at the Beijing Games and led the host na-
tion into the quarter-finals for the second
straight Olympics, and he is expected to
be the focal point of China’s bid to reach
the podium at the 2010 FIBA World Cham-
pionship in Turkey.
A report in a Shanghai newspaper said
Yao could no longer commit to the nation-
al side but Hu Jiashi, deputy director of young player and got my first taste of the surface for basketball. FIBA President
the Chinese Basketball Association, said Olympics in 2000 at Sydney. I played in Bob Elphinston and FIBA Asia Secretary
to the China Daily: "We do not know any- Athens in 2004 and now this is my home General Dato’ Yeoh Choo Hock were very
thing about this. He has never told us of country and the highest special honor in enthusiastic with the successful format
his intention of retiring, never.” 2008. Enough, I think. Why would I need and with the emergence of India and the
Yao's agent Lu Hao also cast doubt on the to play in London in 2012?" Philippines in the youth categories in
report. "I have never heard of Yao plan- Asia. In India, results are starting to show
ning to retire,” Lu said in the China Daily. FIBA 33 AT THE 1ST ASIAN BEACH GAMES thanks to the work of Serbian coach Alek-
“Yao proved he was fully devoted to the FIBA 33, the new 3on3 format for national sandar Bucan and, with increased Gov-
national team in the Olympics, even if he teams, that will be launched at the Youth ernment support, the gigantic country can
just returned from injury. I think this kind Olympic Games in Singapore in 2010 took soon start challenging the best in Asia.
of report is very irresponsible." center stage in Bali at the Asian Beach
Yao has battled injuries and the China Games. The national flag of India was ASO NEW PRESIDENT
Daily reminded its readers of what their raised for the first time in international OF JAPANESE
famous player had said before the Olym- basketball when the Indian Boys Team BASKETBALL
pics to the Houston Chronicle. "It will be won the Gold medal of the inaugural ASSOCIATION
my third (Olympics),” the Houston Rock- Games held in Bali, Indonesia. In the Fi- On 10th August Mr.
ets center Yao had said. “I was a very nal, India defeated the Philippines (Sil- Taro Aso was ap-
ver), 23-17, while Malaysia clinched pointed as the new
Bronze. In the Girls tournament, Japan President of JABBA,
took the Gold by beating Thailand (Silver), the Japanese Bas-
33-27, and India claimed the Bronze. ketball Association.
Played on a synthetic court on the beach Mr. Aso is the President of LDP (Liberal
in Bali and using the 3-on-3 half court Democratic Party) and an influential po-
concept known as FIBA 33, the tourna- litical figure. He used to play basketball
ments served as a further and most suc- and is also an Olympian who participated
cessful test event in preparation for the in the Clay Skeet competition at the Mon-
2010 Youth Olympic Games in Singapore. treal Olympic Games. He is currently the
FIBA 33 is FIBA’s recent new discipline President of WJBL (national league), so
particularly aimed to encourage more he was a natural choice to be appointed
young people into the game of basketball. as the President of JABBA to deal with
Despite rain delays on the start of the fi- the organization’s current challenges. The
nal two days, the FIBA 33 discipline JABBA Executive Board meeting also an-
proved that it can present an exciting ac- nounced that Mr. Kazuo Aichi, House of
tion-packed spectacle which is greatly Representatives member, has been ap-
enjoyed by players and spectators alike. pointed as the Vice President. Basketball
The tournaments, which featured eight is very strong in the country’s school and
men and five women’s national teams university system with almost 600.000
from Asia in the 17-year age group, were players but misses success with it’s na-
called by six young FIBA qualified refer- tional team in FIBA World Championships
ees and played under the direction of FI- and Olympic Games. The challenge will
BA’s Sports Director, Lubomir Kotleba. be to turn the huge participation base into
The synthetic SportCourt field of play is success on the international stage.
proving very good for the players and
provides an attractive and safe outdoor FIBA CREATES ACADEMY for executive

news
THE ODD -
THE FUNNY -
Off-the-court
THE UNUSUAL
KEN MINK PLAYS throw line 52 years after my last college
COLLEGE game," Mink said. "I said, 'Just relax and
BASKETBALL … shoot it like you know how to all day long.' I
AT AGE 73 just floated the shots in there. I'm in the
In today’s society they books now. I can relax a little bit." With skills
say 30 is the new 20 and like those, you could hardly tell it’s been 52
40 is the new 30. So how years since he played college basketball…
old does that make a it totally seems more like 42 years. Serious-
73-year-old man who will play basketball ly, though, Kenny’s a baller
this season for Roane State Community Col-
lege in Kentucky? Ken Mink, the 73-year-old DERON WILLIAMS ENJOYS
man in question, will be number 54 on the “A GOOD WALK SPOILED”
team. He is about to show his toughest crit- Deron Williams spends a lot of time in the
ics that he can keep up with a bunch of ath- gym perfecting his dribbling, passing, shoot-
letic teenagers, The Lexington News ing and defending. He was a key in the Unit-
reported on November 3. “I guess I’m just ed States run to glory this summer at the
out of my mind,” Mink told the newspaper. Olympics, coming off the bench to play big
Mink, a retiree from Knoxville, Tenn., said minutes at point guard.
he isn’t out to prove anything, he simply The Utah Jazz
wants a chance to finish his sophomore star likes to do
season. Mink played ball for Lees Junior something else.
College in Jackson, Ky., during the 1955-56 He likes to pull
season, averaging 11.8 points a game. How- out the golf
ever, he never made it to his sophomore clubs. he prepares you a gourmet meal that would
season because he was expelled from "I'm always make world-renowned chef Ferran Adria
schoolfor a prank he claims not to have ac- playing, always proud. That’s because Gasol recently
tually committed. One day last year, Mink swinging some- showed up at a presentation of Adria’s culi-
was shooting hoops in his driveway when where," he said nary book in Hollywood. “As soon as I ar-
he made several three-pointers in a row. to the Deseret rived, I met one of the people I admired
That’s when he had the idea to play college News. "I have a most in the world, Pau Gasol, " Adria said.
basketball. Publicly, other senior citizens simulator in my “And I say people and not basketball play-
are proving age is just a number: At the age house. I have er, because there are millions that admire
of 82, Cloris Leachman, for example, twirled indoor and out- him as a sportsman but it´s difficult to find a
around the “Dancing With the Stars” stage door putting person that has so many human qualities
with moves that would make Fred Astaire greens. I play as he does. Pau is an incredible image for
and Ginger Rogers jealous. Standing 6-feet every day. Even our country and especially for the children,
tall and weighing 195 pounds, Mink passed if I don't go to a course, I can still play.” Wil- who are the future of the world." Adria has
the required physical fitness test. “(Mink) liams is so interested in the sport, in fact, a restaurant in Spain called El Bulli. It has
gets up and down the floor and can get that it’s a part of his charity work. He has been voted as the world’s best restaurant
shots off in practice,” said teammate BJ the Deron Williams Golf Classic in Utah, an for three consecutive years by the gastro-
Ware. “He can definitely still play for being event that was held for the second time on nomic magazine Restaurant.
that old.” In Roane State’s winning game on September 21-22 as a part of his Point of Gasol, the MVP of the 2006 FIBA World
November 6 against King’s College, Mink Hope Foundation. The aim of the founda- Championship, was traded from Memphis
actually scored two points. Yahoo News tion, as stated on www.deronwilliams.net, in mid-season earlier this year to Los Ange-
had the play-by-play: Mink entered the is to “provide support and hope to those les and helped the Lakers reached the NBA
game with about 16 minutes left in the sec- who have cancer and to people in need”. Finals. This summer, he played for Spain’s
ond half and attempted one shot in about silver-medal winning team at the Olympics.
three minutes. Seven minutes later, he went WHAT’S COOKING WITH PAU?
back in the game, was fouled and made two If Pau Gasol of Spain ever invites you over
free throws. "I found myself on the free- to his house for dinner, don’t be surprised if Find more stories on www.fiba.com

fiba Global Partners
"Dual-Cushion" Technology basketballs are not available in the United States.

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FIBA ASSIST MAGAZINE FOR basketball enthusiasts everywhere november / december 2008

2009-10 FIBA CALENDAR COACHES

July 2009 U20 Serbian Men's Secondary Fastbreak 8

page 3 | 35 2008 | Fiba Assist Magazine

the oak hill

Steve Smith is considered one of the

In the last four years, my team averaged

32 SERIES STARTING LINEUP

screen, coming up from the low-post

If he doesn’t succeed in passing to 2, 5

D.4 D.7 D.9

D.5 D.8 D.10

If the player in the middle is 1, he passes

During the pass from 2 to 4, 5 cuts fast in

U20 Serbian Men's

PRINCIPLES AND CHARACTERISTICS

1. The start, implying a defensive rebound

Fiba Assist Magazine | 35 2008 | Page 9

D.10 D.12 D.15

D.11 D.13 D.16

D.18 D.20 D.24

the offense to the other side. 3 is screened

PRACTICING AND IMPROVEMENT OF THE

done with 5 players on offense and de-

Jose Vicente "Pepu" Hernandez start-

DRILL 7: OPPOSITE SIDE

DRILL 8: REACTION AND SPEED

Fiba Assist Magazine | 35 2008 | Page 15

offensive players on the baseline. The de-

DRILL 9: 5-ON 5/6 ON-6

DRILL 10: 5-ON-0

and go to the basket and drives hard to one

Another drill is shown on diagram 6 were D.6 D.7

page 16 | 35 2008 | Fiba Assist Magazine

ing the offensive sets and the transition.

DRILL 11: WAVE

THE "DRIBBLE, DRIVE,

from each shot. Most people would say that

THE GAPS CHART

COACH CALIPARI AND THE “DRIBBLE,

page 22 | 35 2008 | Fiba Assist Magazine

D.6 D.7 D.9

Fiba Assist Magazine | 35 2008 | Page 23

page 24 | 35 2008 | Fiba Assist Magazine

page 26 | 35 2008 | Fiba Assist Magazine

Scoring ball to 1, who is now going the other way

Fiba Assist Magazine | 35 2008 | Page 27

The new frontier

Alan Richardson has been a FIBA ref-

KNOW YOUR OWN STYLE

DEVELOP A TRANSITION ZONE

From this information base, officials

CONTROL YOUR STATE OF AROUSAL

Fiba Assist Magazine | 35 2008 | Page 31

DEVELOPING PERFORMANCE ROUTINES

USING PERFORMANCE CUES

page 32 | 35 2008 | Fiba Assist Magazine

INSTRUCTION FOR CONCENTRATION

Fiba Assist Magazine | 35 2008 | Page 33

page 36 | 35 2008 | Fiba Assist Magazine