IMPROVEMENT OF INDIVIDUAL TECHNIQUES AND TACTICS OF YOUNG PLAYERS:

TROUGH CHANGES IN RULES OF THE BASKETBALL GAMES

Dušan Ivković
Head National Team of Serbia
-Young Serbian national team players (cadets U16, juniors U18, youth U20) have been winning medals over
the last few years at the top level (official) competitions (European and World Championships).
-It’s already become a tradition that our young national teams returns from big competitions with medals,
but furhter analises of coaches and people in our Association in charge of youth categories have led to some
unfavourable conclusions. We are going to discuss this issue that has been present in the whole Europe and
probably in the world as well.
-As we have already mentioned, our youth national team has been very successful at big competitions and
here are some results from recent years:
-EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP U20– 2008
1 place – Serbia
-FIBA U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – 2007
1 place – Serbia
-EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP U20 – 2007
1 place – Serbia
-EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP U16 -2007
1 place Serbia
-EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP U20 -2006
1 place – Serbia
-According to the reports and based on the analises performed in our Basketball Association, certain
problems in the technical-tactical practicing of players and some problems with game demands were
noticed.. There is no player domination in youth categories and at the national team championships MVP
were post players (players on position 5), what can be seen in attachment. This positive result was
conditioned by great domination of posts.
-EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP U20– 2008
1 place – Serbia
MVP – Miroslac Raduljica, 20 years, 210cm, center
-FIBA U19 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP – 2007
1 place – Serbia
MVP – Milan Mačvan, 18 years, 205cm, center
-EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP U20 – 2007
1 place – Serbia
MVP – Dragan Labović, 20 years, 208cm, center
-EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP U16 -2007
1 place Serbia
MVP – Dejan Musli, 16 years, 213cm, center
-EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP U20 -2006
1 place – Serbia
All Tournament Team – Nikola Peković, 20 years, 210 cm, center
- One of the major problems of our top senior teams is the lack of top level perimeter (outside) players and
in our best teams at these positions we could often see foreign players. The detail from the report of the
work of Serbian cadet team from the latest competition showing that the cadet team in the decisive match
with the Spanish national team for further placement did not have any assists and reached only 48 points
(defeat: Spain-Serbia 50:48) is proving that playmakers are one of the weakest elements of play.
-We observed that the causes of such problems are that in the clubs in which young basketball players
work there is not enough insisting on aggressive and quick play, play 1-1, and creativity of players is
particularly „suffocated“ what can be seen in the pioneer team (U14) that is considered to be basic period
for individual work and improvement of players. Very often in youth categories there can be seen coaches
applying senior way of practicing basketball, what at some moments brings some competitive results. At
matches one can notice lot of controlled and scheme play, set offenses, too much dribbling, too much
Pick’n’Rolls, static plays without cutting of players without ball, two man game...and these are only some of
the elements from trainings and matches which fully deny individual characteristics and their development
and on the other hand, for example, running the fastbreak and some „free“ options are not enough
represented and allowed.
-These and similar problems I am sure that appear in majority of developed basketball states, and lack of
„production“ of good and quality players, above all at the perimieter players (pointguards, shooting guards)
is evident. We as the country with basketball tradition have taken steps with objective to improve
individual technical and tactical ability of players, particularly of junior pioneers (12) and pioneers (14):
1. Change of basketball rules for the age of young pioneers (U12) and pioneers (U14);
2. Maintenance of meetings-forums with coaches all over the country in order to inform them of the issue
and introduce them to the new demands in coaching children and requirements of the game and new rules;
3. Organization of series of clinics (theoretical and practical) in all regions of Serbia;
4. Organization of specialist camps for the most talented players;
5. Organization of the National Junior League for cadets (U16) and juniors (U18);
CHANGE OF RULES FOR YOUNG PIONEERS (U12) AND PIONEERS (14)
The change of rules should above all be directed at the consciousness of coaches of the work and way of
play towards increasing individual technical and tactical capabilities, and decreasing negative
characteristics like abuse of dribbling, being static, weak passes and weak shooting. Game would consist of
„passing game“ that enhances improvement of individual skills of players, play without ball, 1:1 isolation
and especially CREATIVITY.
1. Prolonging of offense to 35 seconds
-objective – loosing players free from the pressure of time elapse for offense, correct technical-tactical performance,
development of creativity;
2. Prohibitting of Pick’n’Roll playing
- objective – development of 1-1 play, development of passing play and raising dinamics of play;
[Link] of playing zone defense
- objective – development of individual play in defense and cooperation in defense;
4. Abolishment of 3-point shoot
- objective – proper technical improvement and shoot performance;
(starting with the season 2010/11 - 3 point line will be moved on 6.75m)
[Link] guarded player - violation
- objective – active dribbling, development of pass play and aggressive defense;
BASIC CHARACTERISTICS OF WORKING WITH YOUNG BASKETBALL PLAYERS
OF AGE 11 TO 14

Basic task of all the coaches and clubs working with young categories should be PRODUCTION of players
who will as seniors realize top basketball achievements. Surely, for achieving this the most important for
children is to be trained adequately in order to acquire right habits for developing all the potentials and
enable reaching maximum value. When talking of the regularities, we think of all the necessary staff for a
young basketball player:
-psycho-social development -rest
-basic motoric development -hygiene
-basketball development -adjusting of school obligations
-nutrition.
The role of parents and of all the ones affecting the development of basketball players is important in this
process besides the role of the coach and clubs. Training and matches should enable the development of all
skills of young players and the following are:
-moving skills, agility, skillfulness, correct execution of basketball elements, understanding of play,
implementation of the elements in the game, creativity and efficacy. Basketball as dinamic play requires
speed, explosiveness and agility and these should be developed in children aiming at maximum
performance.
TASKS FOR WORK AT THE PRACTICE
Programme tasks should be adjusted to the age and possibilities of players. This practically means that for young
pioneers and pioneer basketball players there should be 3 to 4 trainings a week with one match. This regime of work
is good for recovery of children from strains, what automatically affects further motivation of children for the work to
come. In our country children start to train basketball at the age of 6-7, and taking into account the fact that basketball
players reach their maturity as players at the age of 23-26, we have ahead of us a period of 20 years of a player’s
carrer that should be gradually planned. The period between the age of 11 and 14 is very sensitive and should be
planned carefully, starting with introducing children to basketball basics through basic game and drills till showing
them specific basketball training, forming their skills, and future specialization and improvement.
-Practical work and learning correct moves, acquiring right habits, developing player’s abilities is performed through
the training process and through the competitions too. Each practice at this age should be planned and composed of
the following segments:
-WARM UP
*running skills
*elementary games
*development of motoric skills
*handling the ball, practicing elementary basketball technique
*improvement of basketball skills
-FIRST PHASE
*improvement skills
*basic principles of offense and defense
*individual and group tactics
* two man game / offense and defense
*three man game / offense and defense
-SECOND PHASE
*full court game beetween two teams – scrimmage game
-The number of workouts and their duration should be increased while monitoring child’s development,
thus we recommend at the pioneers (U14) 4 to 5 practices a week lasting 1.5h, and the ratio between the
practicing of basketball and development of motoric skills compared to cooperation of players and play at
two baskets should be equal (50-50%).
(work at the technique and individual tactics and development of motoric skills-cooperation of players and playing
the basketball game =50% : 50%)

-I would like to stress that there are two issues that should be paid especial attention to while training
children.
-First, individual work should be organized at least 1 to 2 times a week and special attention should be paid
to most talented players (enable them to work with seniors), and second, I would like to point out that
children should have one day a week without any practice.
-In the methodics of work with young categories right methods for teaching should be selected,
demonstration, explanations, corrections, having good approach to each player, practice with enhancing
gradually the gravity of drills, and insisting on correct and maximum performance. A coach should possess
patience and understanding for each player, set clear tasks for players and insist on them.
-With such way of work we will reach the basketball we would like to play, and that is the game
characterized by speed, aggressiveness, play with many passes, creativity and individual sharpness.
Regarding defense the basic tasks could be insisting on individual defense and responsibility,
aggressiveness and fighting spirit, communication and situation of „no-man’s ball“.
OFFENSE
-fastbreak
-press offense
-half-court offense
DEFENSE
-transiiton defense
-fullcourt defense man-to-man
-half court defense (man-to-man)
GAME PRINCIPLES
-court vision
-spacing between players
-distance
-movement without the ball
-passing game
-principles in the 1 on 1 situations
-principles of 2 and 3 man game

FASTBREAK

1. BASIC OPTION - 1st PHASE (FOR JUNIOR PIONEERS – U12)

-Players`s position depending on the ball position
-Two players clocest to the ball open to receive firts pass
-Fastbreak running lines

2. OPTION (FOR PIONEERS – U14)

-court vision 2 – 3 PHASE - FINAL:
-running lanes of all players -1:0
-distance from 3m to 10m -1:1
-players positioning -2:1

FASTBREAK – 2nd PHASE

- second pass or dribling;
OPTIONS:
-second pass into middle or next to the
sideline;
-dribbling along the sideline;

RUNNING LANES
FINAL – 3rd PHASE
-out-numbering opponent;
(hendicap situations)
-1:0, 1:1, 2:1, 3:1, 3:2
-practicing situations

3:2 2:1

FASTBREAK – TRAILER OPTION

TRAILER OPTION
-first pass
-running lines – trailer (middle court)
-ball transfer
-low post

PRESS OFFENSE

PRESS OFFENSE - OPTION

-Positioning;

-Receiving the first pass;

-Cutting and positioning;

-Filling the space;

-Opening the passing lane;

 HALF COURT OFFENSE

TIMING: PRINCIPLES:
1. Player with the ball -moving regarding the ball position
2. Player at the 1st pass -moving regarding the basket
3. Players at the 2nd pass -principle of GIVE-N-GO
-principle od attacking the basket

HALF COURT OFFENSE POSITIONING

D1 D2 D3

D4 D5
 D6 D7
CONTINUITY OFFENSE – USING SCREENS

OFFENSE WITH SCREENS

-Players positioning;
-Screening principles: how, where, when?
-Using screens;

-Timing;

-SIGNALIZATION

Basic setting – cutting principle

MOVING WITHOUT THE BALL

BACK DOOR / FRONT DOOR „V“ CUT

-when defense is aggresive; -cutting;
-change of direction; -quick change of direction;
-good passing; -receiving the ball;
-finishing the play

VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL SCREENS

PRINCIPLES:
-screening
-using the screen
-reading the defense
-opening after the screen

SIGNALIZATION
 Vertical screen Horizontal screen
VERTICAL AND HORIZONTAL SCREEN
(VS. SWITCHING)

VS. SWITCHING
-Miss match
OPTIONS:
-Small vs Big
-Big vs Small
-Double miss match (small with the
ball, big - rebounder)

-Creating triangle

Down screen and switch Small (O2) vs. Big (X3)

3 MAN GAME

BASIC PRINCIPLES:
-pass and CUT
-pass and SCREEN away
-reading the defense
-opening from the screen or...
...filling the empty sport
-1 on 1

MOVING PRINCIPLES:
-Cut away – to the ball
Screen or cut -Cut away – to the basket
Filling the position
-give-n-go
3 MAN GAME – WITH THE PLAYER AT THE LOW POST POSITION
SIGNALIZATION
 Pass – Low Post Pass and Screen Away

Pass and cut

BASIC DEFENSE OF A PLAYER WITH AND WITHOUT THE A BALL

DEFENSE OF PLAYER WITH BALL
-defensive stance and individual tactics;
-body position, hand position, footwork;
-desire, discipline, concentration;
-forcing the dribbler to change the direction;
-footwork – sliding - running

DEFENSE OF PLAYER WITHOUT THE BALL

-at the 1st pass – deny position
-not allowing passing
-setting the passing line
-feet below passing line
-hand at the(U14)
MAN-TO-MAN DEFENSE – PIONEERS passing line

-Defense on player with the ball

-Defense of player without ball
-Cooperation in defense – two players
-Transition defense

Positioning Help and Recover

 Stopping the penetration - switching

DETERMINING THE BALL SIDE AND WEAK SIDE

BALL SIDE WEAK (HELP) SIDE BALL SIDE WEAK (HELP) SIDE
-aggresive defense – pressure -positioning
-deny on the 1st pass -open stance
-help and recover -position of hands and feet
-low post – 3/4 high side -below passing line - ready
-blizu da pomogne
-close to help and recover

COOPERATION OF THREE PLAYERS IN DEFENSE

BASIC PRINCIPLES IN DEFENSE 3 on 3

-play 1 on 1;
-positioning depending on ball;
-determing the ball side and help side;
-stopping the penetration;
-closing out;
-rotations;

Example – 3 on 3

CHARACTERISTICS OF WORK AND PLAY OF CADETS U16 AND JUNIORS U18

Basic demand in the selection of offenses for both categories is minimum 30% scored points from transition and
approximately 30% of continuous points from secondary fastbreaks.
Regarding this demand I was asked at the beginning of 90’s by an American point guard with the NBA
experience:
„Coach, when does transition stop and when does secondary fastbreak begin?“
My response was:
„Most frequently it depends on you, whether good defense will provide us with an easy score from 4 to 7 seconds
and your assist or will you with good communication and call move to the „secondary“ fastbreak between 7th and
12th second“.
Offensive possession used to last 30 seconds at that period, so there was always enough time for calling some of
the half court set offenses.
We use most frequently in the introductory part of the practice fastbreak 3:0, transition 4:0, secondary fastbreak
5:0 and these temporarily last between 15th and 20th minute.

-O1 – dribbles in full sprint to elbow

position;
-O4 and O2 do not run parallely, distance,
sprint;
-O4 lays up, O2 passes from jump
towards O1;
-O1 with baseball pass passes to O2
below the second basket, and O3 and O5
start at the first dribbling O2;

It is possible to combine various types of shots, players rotate at positions depending on the principle and
fastbreak organization. In order to achieve high percent, if lay-up is concerned one insists on 15 continuous
shots.
After 15 scored lay-ups, or at the signal of the coach if some other shot is concerned, one sets off to fastbreak 4:0.

-if there’s a miss, rebound and

score;
-the closest player inbounds
the ball, not letting it touch the
floor;

-option with two passes

solutions;
-shoot for 2 and 3 points;
-closest player inbounds the
ball, initiating next 4-man
group run;
 -fastbreak penetration / drive, with
proper movement of teammates;

In 5:0 we repeat secondary fastbreaks or some details. A certain number of sets in formations 3:0, 4:0 and 5:0 is
performed, as much secondary fastbreaks we’d like to play over the season.

I will show you three basic secondary fastbreaks for U16 and U18:
1. If we wish to achieve domination under the basket
-good balance and creativity from low post position;
-if rival team has a dominant offensive and weaker defensive player at the position #5;
In order to avoid the quick fouls, we most frequently start the match with the following offense:

After pass to O5, O3 cuts in, and O1 rotates towards the position where O3 used to be.
OPTIONS:
-pass and cut and rotation of O1 to
the position of O3;
-2 big man game – attacking the
middle of the paint or attacking the
baseline;
-cooperation of posts and point
guards;
-Pass and re-post;
-Pass and Pick’n’Roll;
-Pass and hand off;

-The following action before #O5 starts creating the play is the screen O4 for shooter O2. Should O2 make U cut
towards the basket, O4 changes position and create a „triangle“ at the ball side. Before dribbling spacing is
always the same with two players at the ball side and two players at the help side.
-On the second diagram one can see how players follow and move when a player with ball dribbles at the low
post position.
-After the basket and introductory pass at the second basket, a new solution- secondary offense is offered and
after the second ending and introductory pass new 5 sets off;

2. If rival team Pick’n’Roll defense is undefined, one enters into secondary fastbreak from the same
alignment the following options:

Pass to the side and P’n’R done by O3 Dribbling to the side and P’n’R O1
and O5 and O1 pass and cut and O5, while O3 clears out

3. Option with pass at O4, when cooperation of players and hand offs should be determined as has been
shown at the diagram

After pass to O4, O2 cuts to the Down screen for O3 and hand off on Back screen for O2 and hand off on
basket and O3 follow up with the top the top
hand off

„FLEX“ OFFENSE
-My favourite offense with numerous miniatures, placed as in chess, with the same alignment is FLEX. In early
80s, if the rival coach at the calling of FLEX moved to zone defense, I did not give that offense up. Here are some
reasons why this offense is still good:
-Because of the ideal balance at both sides, this offense offers great possibilities for successful offensive
rebounding after back screen and after down screens;
-Besides, this offense has an ideal set for transition defense, two players are always well placed in order to
prevent rival’s fastbreak;
-Great possibility for all players to receive easy pass on low post position;
-Favourable spacing for 1 on 1 action, facing the basket;
-Numerous options inbounding the ball in both situations – baseline out-of-bounds and sideline out-of bounds;
-Because of the static setting and receiving of screens, always provides at least 2 options for passing;
-Offense creates good spacing and minimum need for dribbling and offers high percentage shots in the period from 4th
till 24th second.

ENTRY INTO OFFENSE

-after taking offensive position, first pass is
at O4;
-FLEX OFFENSE KEY DETAILS:
POSITION
SPACING
CORRECT ANGLES

Good timing and positioning have to be provided for this first entry pass. If X4 tries to deny opening pass to O4,
counter actions by O2 and O4 have to be prepared. Options:

A: BACK SCREEN B: DOWN SCREEN

C: Substitute of places with cutting D: BACK DOOR

BASIC PRINCIPLE OF CUTTING IN FLEX OFFENSE

CONTINUITY

OPTION: POSITIONING AND MOVEMENT DETAIL

3 BASELINE
-O3 plays 1 on 1, after 3rd pass OUT-OF-BOUNDS
-after PLAYS,
O3 OUT
starts his OF FLEX
action ALIGNMENT
Pick’n’nRoll after second pass

BASELINE OUT-OF-BOUNDS BASELINE OUT-OF-BOUNDS BASELINE OUT-OF-BOUNDS

-letting the ball in- cutting first 2 3
1
 2 BOB PLAYS, OUT OF FLEX ALIGNMENT – QUICK SHOT

QUICK SHOT OPTION PASS AND FOLLOW – HAND OFF

-2 point shoot or play in the triangle -quick 3 point shoot or fake hand off and
penetration along base line or O5 shoot

-In FLEX offense it is crucial that the way of screening should be constantly changed to avoid rival’s defense
getting adjusted to it:
-for interior play making back and low screens;
-at preventing pass at high post – back screen;
-when takeover in defense – changing places in full sprint;

PRACTICING HANDICAP SITUATIONS

2:1+1

-Coach (C) „hides“ the ball and passes to O1 or

O5;
-Fastbreak is organized with dribbling;
-one pass allowed;
-each 2 man group plays 6 times switching
offense and defense;
- 100% realization is insisted on;

3:2+1

-Fastbreak is organized with dribbling;

-Coach „hides“ the ball and passes to O4;
-O1, O3 and O4 play fastbreak against the group
X1 and X3. X4 have to touch the baseline and
sprint back to defense;
-maximum 2 passes allowed;
-each 3 man group plays 4 times in defense and
offense;

-minimum 70% realization is insisted on;

FULL COURT TRANSITION 3 : 3

-Drill starts with tossing the ball, whoever gets the ball start with offense. After stop or a scored shot, a new blue
team plays full court transition 3:3 against the white team;
-After basket or shot, first pass is executed by defensive white team. In that movement we have 4 on 3 situation;

-Due to the high intensity, the winning team is the one scoring 7 or 9 shots;
-no fastbreak shot – half court offense – post up / P`n`R / isolation play;

TRANSITION 4 : 3 + 1
4:3+1
-X1 stops O1 – player with the ball;
-O1 should develop the feeling for space and
width openned by O5 and O4 in 2 on 1 situation;
-the accompanying defensive player X5 should
touch the central circle when all four O players
cut and should take the defensive position at the
help side;
-X5 have to touch half-court line circle before
starting to be active on help side;
/every 4 man group should play offense and
TRANZICIJA 4 : 4 DO POSTIGNUTA DVA KOŠA defense 6-8 times

TRANSITION 4 : 4 UNTIL 2 SHOTS SCORED

-Offense – have 4 sec to get across half-court line;
-from 4 to 7 seconds – transition;
-from 7 to 12 seconds – secondary fastbreak;
RULES OF THE PLAY:
-shot clock – 12 seconds
-winner is the team who first scores two baskets (that is 1 point);
-game starts with tossing;
-losers leave the court, new team have the ball, starting on baseline – full court press;
-maximum number of victories is 2, and the play is continued with tossing;
-winner is the team who first scores 5 or 7 points;

5 : 4 + 1 TRANSITION – DEFENSE, OFFENSE

PRINCIPLES:

-pick up the ball before half-court line;

-X5 have to touch the baseline, after coach`s
pass, and run back to pick up opponent on help
side;
-defense get 2 points if stop and chance to score
extra 4 points if they score in fastbreak
-stopping transition with foul is not allowed;

FULL COURT PRESSURE DEFENSE

(OR ISOLATION OF THE POINT GUARD TO PREVENT HIM FROM RECEIVING BALL – DEFENSE „11“)

-Defense „11“ is most often called after free throws, scored shot or cease of the play at the offensive half.
„11“ - DEFENSE PRINCIPLES:

-deny pass to O1, with help of X4 - safety;

-force O2 to get the ball in painted area (close to
baseline);
-X4 is always the safety;
-push O2 to sideline, no middle;
-after receiving the ball O2 should be directed
toward the out-of-the-bounds line;

DEFENSE „FIST“
„FIST“ DEFENSE PRINCIPLES:

-after half-court line, X2 force O2 to change

direvtion and push him to the middle;
-X4 jump to the ball and trap;
 -if O2 beats his man next to sideline, X3 should
jump to the ball and trap;

-good angle and timing for doubling with the

possibility of forcing foul in offense;

-X5 don`t jump to the ball, he is just faking;

-we want to isolate pointguard and live less time

for offense to organize, and make O2 play out of
his postion;

-Objective of the drill – defense, it is not to show that we can double and fake doubles letting the rival score easy
points;
-Should we lack the possibility before the bonus to prevent an easy score with foul that would not be a problem
in the openning of the match. The basic objective is to take a few seconds to offense needed for offense
organization.
-Constant faking, without easy scored shot is basic meaning of such pressing;

-„TWO FISTS“ – permanent doubling in marked (painted) areas – usually in the case of the negative result;

PRESS OFFENSE
 -Against quick, athletic teams I want pointguard to inbound the ball.

Diagram 1 Diagram 2

-If O2 receives the ball, there is a option to pass O5;

-Give-and-go O1 with O2 (or O4) with tendency of scoring an easy point;
-If O2 be can`t receive the ball, pass is directed at O4, followed by hand-off and Pick’n’Roll (diagram 1);
-Next option: fake pass at O2 and O4, pass at O5, O1 spint`s, hand off and possibility of scoring an easy point
(Diamgram 2);

Dušan Ivković
Head National Team of Serbia
President of World Assosiation of Basketball Coaches

Drbling na stranu i P’n’R O1 i O5,

dok O3 prazni stranu