May Favorite Drills #2: Sideline Outlet Progression

I have talked before about how my approach to transition offense has changed over the years, largely due to my conversations with Wayne Walters (SWARM Enterprises).  Since then, I have become a big component of a sideline break.  The sideline break has improved our overall transition game these past few years.  At practice, we have even used a stop watch to time how long it takes us to get the ball advanced up the floor, and we have found that we advance the ball up the floor 1.5-2 seconds faster (from the inbound pass to the first scoring action) when using the sideline break approach rather than a dribble break.  When we get the ball advanced up the sideline, it forces our bigs to run the floor faster.  They have to in order to beat or stay level with the advancement of the ball.  Last year in a game, we were in a free throw situation.  Our opponent made the free throw and they started running back to get set up in their defensive set.  However, we had already advanced the ball up the sideline and had a lay-up before they even turned around to locate the ball. 

One of the first drills that we use to teach this is very simplistic in nature, but probably the most critical as well.  We call it the Sideline Outlet Progression.  I wish I could say that I came up with the drill myself.  However, I actually modified it slightly from a drill that Tom Izzo uses to teach his number break.  We simply modified to be more a sideline approach.  Next week, I will post some other drills that we use to teach the sideline break as well. 

Sideline Outlet Progression

Wayne Walters: Swarm Defense

I would like to throw in a plug for a coach, Wayne Walters, who I have had many conversations with over the years.  He has challenged my defensive thinking and got me to buy into a sideline break philosophy.  He has a wealth of knowledge and many unique ideas to the game.  Coach Walters is always willing to help other coaches and has a website with a wealth of free basketball resources which can be found at Swarm Enterprises.

He also has a series of instructional videos that breakdown his aggressive SWARM defense.  You can visit Hoop Kings to preview his video series.