Pressure R..e..l..e..a..s..e

Ever been in a game where your opponent is so aggressive and well prepared that on defense they take away your initial entries? For a young coach, or even worse an experienced coach, comes the sickening feeling in the pit of your stomach when you realize you have not taught your team to use pressure release options vs pressure. Your lead guard picks up his dribble without a pass option. Your wing can't begin a ball reversal. Your wing(s) cannot free themselves to create a passing lane. Boy, these are reminders to me of some very long nights.

Some players have enough "playground" in them that they will immediately know enough to make a back cut or use their dribble to penetrate and breakdown the defense. Offense in practice can look like a clinic session but

when their are fans in the stands and a real opponent is on defense the scene changes. You, as their coach, need to teach them how to handle pressure. It needs to start in practice. Create situations in which the defense "plays the play". Let your defense "cheat" and anticipate the offensive action and see if the team on offense can make the necessary adjustments. Allow random trapping by the defensive team. 4 on 4 shell drill sessions are a great time to teach and allow random trapping. One of the limitations with continuity offense can be teaching the basic actions and not teaching your players what and how to react when the play does not go as planned.

Some suggestions to consider when teaching pressure release options:

a) Teach players on the perimeter when they are one pass away to make

back cuts. (Make sure you clear the side/life the defenders.)

b) Make sure your offense has dribble entry options built in.

c) Players need to be able to create space to get open.

d) On the catch rip and face up. Use your pivot action to create space.

e) If you have your dribble, use back dribble to create space and angles for

making passes and relieve pressure.

f) In critical situations, use a time out to relieve pressure and avoid turnover.

g) Use your dribble to get out of trouble NOT to get into trouble.

h) Coaching point .... Know which players can be on the floor in pressure

situations and which cannot.

i) When practicing late game situations, who ever is "officiating" have them

make an intentionally bad call and teach your team how to handle the

pressure of bad call.

j) 4 on 4 Shell drills are a great time to work on pressure release options. Or

even go 4 vs 5 to get the necessary defensive pressure on the offense.

It always gets "ugly" on offense, if we allow the defense to enter our personal space!

The reality is not all of your players will handle pressure well. In fact, sometimes, you may be better off not having all your so called "starters" on the floor at the same time. Some players do not want to be on the floor when the game is on the line. Some players will not want the ball in their hands when the outcome is in doubt. You learn as a coach who want to take the last shot. I wanted the last shot to be taken by someone I knew could handle

the disappointment of not making a winning play.