Skill + Space = Scoring
3 ISO Sets To Create An Advantage
Offense is about creating and using advantages. A great way to create an advantage is to create a driving gap versus a recovering defender. Here are 3 simple ways that you can apply this concept to your team.
Set 1: Loop (Monty Williams)
Watch the full play here:
What makes the set work:
Initial Spacing: By setting the screen below the level of the ball, the offense is basically playing 4v4. Because the PG enters the ball from above the driver, their defender is removed from the play. Playing 4v4 in the half-court creates more space, and more space always favors the offense.
If This, Then That Action: By running the action for a shooter, you force the defense to make a hard choice. If the defense trails, they are out of position to guard the drive. If the defense tries to fly under, the give space for the cutter to pop back and shoot. By setting the screen with the 5 man, the largest, slowest defender would have to guard the ball on a switch. Not an easy choice to make.
Ending Alignment: Again, having the ball entered from above the screen is a key element of making this action work. Not only does it allow the offense to play 4v4 (see point 1), but it forces a VERY hard help/recover situation for the defense at the rim.
If the 5s man chooses to help on the ball, the corner defender has to pull in and help on the rolling 5. If the corner defender pulls in, now that PG defender has to be the “take 2” defender. Because the PG defender is so high, he has to cover an enormous amount of space to guard 2.
This spacing creates simple reads for the offense, and terrible rotations for the defense.
Set 2: Ram Ghost (Cody Toppert)
Watch the set here:
What makes the set work:
Separation created for the driver with action. The eventual driver in this action receives a screen (ram), and then fakes a ball screen prior to sprinting out (ghost) for a catch and drive. Both of these actions create seperation for the attacking player.
Guard to guard screen is usually a switch. By ghosting the screen (slip to a pop), the player setting the ghost screen forces a momentary pause as his defender anticipates the switch. As the defender pauses, the offense sprints out . Advantage offense.
Ending alignment. The floor is spaced so that the offense can seamlessly continue and use the advantage created by the set.
Set 3: Shake ISO (Cody Toppert)
Watch the set here:
I did a full breakdown of this action on my Twitter. Check it out here.
Phil Beckner - Slappin’ Glass Podcast Notes
If you have not listened to the episode that coach Beckner did with the guys from Slappin’ Glass, click here to see my notes and a link to listen. This episode is loaded with nuggets that every coach can learn from.
Want To Learn More?
To watch the full “Essentials Of Offense Clinic”, click here.
To learn how to run an effective drive and kick style offense, click here.
To boost your teams ability to play and score in transition, click here.
As always, I am constantly updating my website, and YouTube channel with new videos every week.
You can also follow me on twitter for coaching resources as well.