The following clinic article from Dayton coach Anthony Grant appears in the Summer 2020 edition of NABC Time-Out Magazine. To view the full Summer 2020 issue, click here.
The first thing to understand about our Transition Break is that MOST of the players are interchangeable. The 5&4 can be in either spot (“rim runner” or “trailing”) and the 1, 2, 3, & 4 can all push the ball or run to the corner. However, for the sake of simplicity, we will show the 1 bringing the ball up, the 2 & 3 running the wings, the 4 trail, and the 5 rim run.
As the 1 pushes the ball up the floor, he first looks to see if he can pass the ball ahead to the 2 or the 3 for layup. If that pass is not available, the 2 & the 3 need to run wide on the sideline and ideally run to ideally the corner to keep the floor spaced.
The next options of the Transition Break is now based off the reads of the 5 and the 1. If the 5 can rim run for an over-the-top pass, then he should run to the rim or post as deep as possible in the paint or on one of the blocks. However, if that pass or post-up is not available, he then has various Ballscreen options.
Once the 5 realizes that he won’t get the over-the-top pass or a deep post-up, then he can stop rim running and decide to set a Ballscreen. His first Ballscreen option is that he can set an Angle Ballscreen to allow the 1 (ball-handler) to get downhill on the sideline. Most of the time, the 5 then rolls to the rim and the 1 can read the floor.
His second Ballscreen option is that he can set a Middle Ballscreen to allow the 1 (ball-handler) to get downhill to the middle of the floor. Most of the time, the 5 then rolls to the rim and the 1 can read the floor.
The third Ballscreen option is where the 4 also decides to set a Ballscreen, while the 5 is setting a Ballscreen. This happens naturally in a game and often forces the defense to communicate early in the possession. Here, the 5 is setting the Angle Ballscreen and the 4 also goes into a Ballscreen from his trailing position. The 1 can use either Ballscreen. The 4 typically will pop and the 5 will typically roll, regardless of which screen the 1 uses.
In the same context, if the 5 is setting a Middle Ballscreen and the 4 also decides to set a Ballscreen, the 1 now comes off the Double High Ballscreen. Again, the 4 typically will pop and the 5 will typically roll.
Where this Transition Break becomes even more effective is when the ball can continue to move after these Ballscreens and the other Offensive Players on the court can read & react off of one another and where the pass is made. Being able to Flow and keep the ball moving and players moving quickly allows for an offensive attack to be efficient and effective.
