2021 Sweet Sixteen;
2019 ACC Tournament Champions;
Clemson University Assistant Coach 2012-2018;
2018 Sweet Sixteen;
2014 National Invitational Tournament (NIT) SemifinalistThe ability to get up and down the floor quickly and, in a manner that seems effortless, while possessing an array of scoring options that execute with speed and precision while seamlessly flowing into quick-hitting offensive sets is guaranteed to keep even the toughest defenses on their heels and off-balance.
Coach Steve Smith is known for his abilities to impact a game as a tactician. In this instructional coaching video with on-the-court demonstrations, Smith puts his offensive knowledge on full display as he opens up the playbook and shows off some of his favorite strategies.
In this video, Coach Smith offers up must-see insight on the principles of transition offense principles, several quick-hitting set plays out of transition and a terrific drill for improving transition offense.
Transition Offense Principles, The Importance Spacing
Coach Smith begins his presentation by sharing a story about why being intentional with your teaching is important with today’s young players. He then goes into detail about the spacing required for optimum offensive efficiency.
Explaining that an essential key for ‘winning the first three steps in transition,’ Coach Smith explains why it is imperative for success and how not looking for the ball until you get to half court will help your players get ahead of the defense.
Coach Smith explains why players must be taught to continue running until they get to their checkpoints – highlighting those spots, as well as the best place on the floor to outlet the ball to your point guard.
Coach Smith outlines all of the options for effective kick-ahead, up-the-sideline passes and reversals through the trailer. He explains that the whole point is to score before the defense gets settled, which perpetuates a philosophy of keeping a flow of offense.
To further illustrate these concepts, Coach Smith also covers a number of full-court sets.
Offensive Sets and the Advantage Fast-Break Drill
Coach Smith highlights three sets that complement transition offense and provide multiple wrinkles that are critically important in taking advantage of a defense and keeping them on their heels. Covering sets like ‘Point Through,’ ‘Buffalo Action,’ and ‘Push’ – Smith show how and why these actions are perfect teaching tools for showing your players how to react and continue to attack based upon where the ball goes.
Coach Smith showcases how automatic reads dictate offensive actions. For example, if the ball goes up the side of the court, your offense will immediately get into the ‘Point Through’ set, or, if you go to a ball reversal, it instantly tells players to utilize ‘Buffalo Action.’ Smith also covers game-tested, highly-effective offensive sets that feature ball screens, post-ups, screen-the-screener actions, and double-screens designed to free up shooters.
Next, Coach Smith details the ‘Advantage Fast-Break Drill’ which instills the habits of continuous running and placing pressure on the backpedaling defense, while getting into as many advantage scenarios as possible. By adding two players on every trip in this drill, Smith clearly demonstrates how you can build up from 2-on-1 advantages, all the way up to 5-on-4 and then finally, 5-on-5. This drill is a great way to teach player habits, while simultaneously practicing your transition sets.
Coach Smith’s on-the-court presentation will help you take your transition offense to the next level – from utilizing effective court spacing, to tactics for executing high-powered offensive sets – these easy-to-implement concepts are designed to place continuous pressure on opposing defenses.
If you are ready to speed up your offense and get easier buckets against a variety of defensive strategies, then this video is a must-own!
48 minutes. 2023.