Over the years, our best teams have scored early or scored late. Scoring early (AKA Fastbreak Basketball) is not without a price, however. It is predicated on how well a team plays defense, rebounds, and runs the floor. This is made possible by contesting all shots, blocking out, and filling the proper fastbreak lanes.
A primary break is when we have more offensive players attacking the basket than defense (one to two defenders back). If this is the case, we must fill the proper lanes and attack the basket! Below are all fastbreak teaching points:
Outlet the ball quickly or use a bust out dribble.
Long cutters are to get ahead, get wide and cut to the basket (freethrow line extended).
Center the ball (middle of the floor) with a 3-on-2 situation.
Attack the basket if the defense does not stop the ball.
Merge a 3-on-1 break into a 2-on-1 break (dribble at your better shooter and away from your best finisher).
Favor a side (outside the lane line extended) when the break is 2-on-1.
Be under control and ready to quick stop near the key area. An offensive charge would be detrimental at this point.
Do not overpass! One to three passes are usually enough. (Keep in mind, since we have the numbers, an open fifteen foot jumpshot is high percentage because we have the advantage on the boards.)
The air pass is the most efficient pass on the break. Stay away from the bounce pass.
Pass ahead!
Be careful not to pass to a player in trouble. (For example, a big man with poor ball handling skills should not have to catch and dribble on the run or in traffic.)
Get the ball to the right person in the right place at the right time.
When executed properly, the primary fastbreak should create positive offensive situations that yield one of the following results:
1-on-1: Lay-up or foul.
2-on-1: Lay-up or foul (limit passes).
3-on-2: Lay-up or short jumper (Middle man fills the ball side freethrow line elbow).
4-on-2 or 5-on-2: Lay-up or short jumper.
Remember that "easy" baskets are the result of hard work. You can never rebound or run the floor enough. Make the effort to do so everytime! Ultimately, it is our goal to make our opponent “think defense” while they are on offense.
In this video, Fastbreak Hoops & Dunks, you will see vintage highlights from our 2004-2005 STBB team. Enjoy the fastbreak show!