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6th Grade Girls
Good afternoon everyone- I coach our town’s 6th grade girls basketball team and we started using the Read and React towards the end of last year. Just like most teams, I have many different levels of players on the team. Here is something I would like those that have more experience to chime in with their experience to help.
I have maybe 2 girls on my team (out of 11) that could shoot 3 pointers with good form. I have another 4 or 5 that I don’t think could hit the rim with a running start. 🙂 This is the same for most teams in our area. So what you see is almost a Packline defense type situation where they don’t respect the outside shot and coaches are telling them to sag. The reason I bring this up is that we have been toying with the idea of instead of using the traditional corner spots to have the girls use the short corner. I know that we want to keep the lane wide open, but if they aren’t respecting that anyhow and they are sagging- they can make the shot from the short corner very easy. Plus as they grow older I think it would be just as easy to say that instead of short corner we are moving the corner. What are your thoughts?
Any other ideas for teams that can’t shoot 3 pointers that we can modify to assist at the younger age groups?
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2 Replies
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There’s no problem with that. Move your corner spots to the short corners. But here’s an additional thought: “You can PLAY in the corners, but don’t STAY in the corners.” This will allow players (like your good shooters) to still slide there during Circle Movement or a Baseline Drive (it is the highest % 3pt shot), but if they don’t receive the pass, they immediately move to the Short Corner (or wing if it’s open). PLAY there, but don’t STAY there.
By the way, this is a good configuration of Spots when it comes to your Zone Attack.
Also, I think the Short Corners keep the lane relatively open for everything else.
Regarding your main thought about PACK-LINE Defense. Consider that your offensive goal is to shoot as close to the basket as possible – a lay-up would be best; You must create holes and gaps that your players can drive or pass the ball into. How? Make the defense CLOSE-OUT and teach your players to “show shot” and drive the close-out. How do you create CLOSE-OUTS?
1. Move the ball and move players and act like you can shoot it – “show shot” but don’t shoot – drive instead. (Except for your two shooters)
2. Pin & Skip: Go to Layer 5 and watch the entire thing. Pick the Pin & Skips or Pin & Swings that your team can do. Pack-Line Defense is like Zone Defense; it is set up for you to Pin & Skip – especially BABY PIN & SKIPS that even 6th graders can perform. These create switches and close-outs and leave someone inside to pass to as well (whoever sets the Pin Screen). -
Thanks Rick for your response. I should have clarified and said that I was thinking of having the girls operate in the 5-out spots, but instead of the corners have it be the short-corner. Read lines would be a little goofy, but I think they would adapt.
I thought of the zone attack part of that also. Thank you!
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