Chapter - 08

The Fast-Break

Team qualities necessary for the fast-break | When to fast-break | Fast-break technique after rebound | Fast-break technique after successful field goal or free throw | Fast-break technique after interceptions or mistakes | Fast-break   technique   after   jump-ball | Drills for building the fast-break

A majority of teams in present-day basketball use some type o£ fast-break in their offensive plans. Some go to the extreme that has earned for them the name of "race horse" teams, those who run every time they get ball possession. Others, and these are probably in more abundance, release their quick-break when the opportunity presents itself favorably. This latter type is probably more sound though there have been and still are great teams who wear the "race horse" label.

Team Qualities Necessary for the Fast-Break

There are certain necessities a team must possess if the fast-break is to be employed successfully:

1. Rebounding strength. The majority of fast-break opportunities arise from missed shot attempts and the ability to control the defensive board increases greatly the number of fast-break opportunities.

2. Speed. At least three players with good speed are necessary.

3. Good ball-handling. A team must have good ball-handling or fast play will result in more lost balls and bad passes than scores.

When to Fast-Break

Fast-breaking opportunities may be found after the following situations:

1. A missed field goal or free-throw by the opponents.

2. A successful field goal or free throw by the opponents.

3. A bad pass, double dribble or other loss of ball possession by the opponents.

4. A jump-ball situation.

Fast-Break Technique After Rebound

The basic fast-break technique after rebounding a missed shot attempt involves three major phases:

1. The release.

2. Filling the lanes.

3. Scoring move.

The Release. The key to the fast-break is the speed with which the outlet pass is made after gaining possession of the ball. Every second's delay gives the defense more opportunity to retreat into defensive position. If the player can rebound the ball and immediately pass it out to waiting guards, the break has an excellent chance of developing.

Two essentials are necessary for the pass to be made quickly:

1. The rebounder must immediately look for an outlet pass receiver.

2. There must be a receiver in the proper outlet position. This means that at least one of the guards must be near the sideline and approximately even with the top of the circle. This is often the hardest essential to realize.

The question may arise as to why the outlet pass receivers should be near the sideline in preference to the center of the court. The answer is simply that the player responsible for the defensive balance of the opponents will usually be at the center of the court and the other defenders will be retreating down the center. Outlet passes to the center of the court will be more susceptible to interception than those to the sideline.

Filling the Lanes. Chart 95 divides the court into three lanes. Since the majority of fast-break opportunities will involve 3 on 2 or 3 on 1 situations, it is important for an offensive player to cut into each of the three lanes. The process of filling these lanes begins immediately upon gaining possession of the ball. Those players not rebounding the ball nor in outlet pass position must immediately begin the break downfloor with their objective being to fill the lanes. The culmination of filling the lanes will come after the outlet pass receiver has received the ball and either passed or dribbled the ball to the middle lane. The lanes should be filled by the time the ball gets to midcourt or shortly thereafter.

The Scoring Move. As mentioned above, the ball should be taken to the middle lane where passing opportunities to the left and right are available. If the ball is kept in one of the side lanes, one passing opportunity will be eliminated.

Once the ball reaches the middle lane, it should be kept there and advanced to the free-throw line by way of a dribble. Some teams pass the ball back and forth from middle to side to middle and, admittedly, it is pleasing to the spectators and perhaps slightly more difficult for the defense to combat. However, the chance of losing the ball is much higher, especially for high school teams, when the ball is passed than when it is dribbled.

CHART 95. The three lanes to be filled on the 3 on 1 or 3 on 2 fast-break situation.

When the dribbler reaches the free-throw line, he usually will meet opposition. When he meets this opposition, he should pass to one of his teammates in a side lane cutting for the basket.

The opposition will use either the vertical or horizontal defense if it is a 3 on 2 situation. If the defense is vertical, the ball must be passed to the side lane. If the defense is horizontal, an opportunity may arise that will allow the clever dribbler to drive in for an easy lay-up.

The Trailer. The use of a trailer on the break will increase its scoring potential. If the ball is passed to the side lane and the defense adjusts quickly, a trailer cutting to the basket may be open for a pass and a subsequent lay-up. Chart 96 diagrams a recommended pattern for a fast-break after a rebound and includes the use of the trailer when the initial scoring move is stopped.

CHART 96. The fast-break after a rebound. As 1 takes the rebound, 2 and 3 start down the opposite sideline to fill that lane. 4 and 5 have cut to outlet pass positions. 1 passes out to 4 who passes to 5 in the middle lane. 5 advances the ball to the free-throw line with 4 and 3 filling the side lanes. 2 becomes the trailer when he sees that 3 has filled the side lane ahead of him. Upon meeting opposition at the free-throw line, 5 passes to 4 for a possible shot. When the defense rushes 4, he passes to the trailer, 2, cutting off 5 at the free-throw line. The rebounder, 1, is responsible for defensive balance.

The 2 on 1 Situation. The 2 on 1 situation is obtained less often than the 3 on 2 and involves different cutting paths. The two offensive players should advance the ball in the path shown by Chart 97 with neither player going to the middle. Once the ball has been advanced close to the basket, clever ball-handling should obtain an easy shot. The shot should be taken as quickly as possible for too many passes allow time for defensive help to arrive.

Fast-Break Technique After Successful Field Goal or Free-Throw

The technique for breaking after a successful field goal or free-throw by the opponents is quite different from the ordinary rebound fast-break situation. The ball must be taken out-of-bounds thus allowing more time for the defense to retreat. The defensive retreat will be made primarily down the middle of the court and, therefore, the ball must be advanced down the sidelines. The ball must be taken out-of-bounds hurriedly, passed in to a waiting receiver and advanced down the sideline rapidly. Theoretically, the defense should be in position to prevent such a break opportunity. However, when forwards hustle down the sideline, they often find themselves ahead of their respective defensive opponents who often retreat to defensive position at three-quarter speed. Chart 98 illustrates an effective technique for breaking after either a successful field goal or free-throw.

CHART 97. The 2 on 1 situation. It may occur after numerous situations. Here, 3 makes an interception and passes out to 1. When 1 realizes a 2 on 1 situation is available, he drives hard toward the basket but does not go to the middle of the court. When 1 meets defensive opposition, he passes to 2 for the shot.

CHART 98. Fast-break pattern after successful field goal by opponents. As ball goes through net, 4 quickly takes ball out-of-bounds while 3 and 5 cut hard down the sidelines. 4 passes to 1 who drives hard downcourt passing to 3 if he is open. If 3 is not open, 1 may pass over to 2 who may pass to 5. This pattern can also be used successfully after successful free-throw attempts by opponents.

Fast-Break Technique After Interceptions or Mistakes

Reaction is the key to turning an interception or a mistake by the opponents into a successful fast-break. If an interception is made, the ball should be advanced immediately downcourt and an attempt made to fill the lanes. The use of 5-on-5 drills in practice with intentional bad passes can help develop the quick reaction needed to turn the mistake into a score. Adequate practice on "filling the lanes" will allow a team to fast-break in an organized manner whether ball possession comes after a

rebound or an interception.

CHART 99. Fast-break after successful free-throw by opponents. As ball goes through net, 2 hurriedly takes it out-of-bounds while the center, 1, hustles down the center of the floor. 2 passes inbounds to 5 who passes to 4 at midcourt. 4 drives hard toward basket and passes to 1 if he is open. This is very effective if the center is a fast player and can consistently beat his man downcourt.

Fast-breaking teams for years have been capitalizing on violations (walking, double-dribble, etc.) by opponents. Since the official is not required to handle the ball in backcourt after violations, alert teams have been grabbing the ball immediately and passing it downcourt for a quick scoring attempt.

Fast-Break Technique After Jump-Ball

The jump-ball situation allows an opportunity for prearranged plays to be run to advance the ball downcourt quickly into scoring position. Charts 100 and 101 diagram two such plays that can produce quick baskets.

CHART 100. A fast-break opportunity from a jump-ball situation using the diamond formation. 5 taps to 1. On the tap, 2 and 3 break downcourt. 3 receives pass from 1 and a 2 on 1 situation is often attained. This play is best attempted when control of the tap is virtually certain.

CHART 101. A fast-break opportunity from a jump-ball situation using the box formation. 5 taps to 1 and cuts downcourt as 2 cuts to the sideline at midcourt. 1 passes to 2 who passes to 5 for the scoring attempt. This play is effective because the opponent jumping with 5 will usually look to see where the ball is tapped allowing 5 to get ahead of him on the break downcourt.

Drills For Building The Fast-Break

DRILL 1. The front-court phase of the 2-on-1 situation. 2 advances the ball until challenged by the defensive player, then passes to 1 for the shot attempt. Offensive players go to the ends of the lines and should rotate lines. Defensive players should be changed often allowing each player an opportunity to practice the defensive phase of the 2-on-1 situation.

DRILL 2. Used to teach players to make the outlet pass quickly and to afford practice in making the pass by an opponent. The coach, A, attempts a shot. 2 rebounds the ball and passes by Xx to 1 who has cut to the outlet

pass position.

DRILL 3. The front-court phase of the 3-on-2 situation. 2 advances the ball until he meets opposition. He passes to 3 who may shoot, hit trailer 4, or pass back to 2 at the free-throw line. Players should rotate lines and the defense changed often.

DRILL 4. Full-court fast-break drill. Coach, A, shoots ball. As 2 rebounds, 1 starts down left sideline. 2 passes out to 4 who passes to 3 in the middle lane. 3 advances ball to free-throw line and may pass to either 1 or 4 in the side lanes. Rebounder, 2, hustles downcourt as a trailer. Players should rotate lines.

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