The “Terrible 2’s” of Transition Defense
Series: Impacting Pace with 2 Side Transition #4
Is there a formula that we can teach our players that creates offensive advantage in transition? What can transtion offense exploit during the first 6–8 seconds of the shot clock that is terrible for transition defense? 2 Side Transition’s spacing template organically creates three situations that prove detrimental to transition defense, leading to Dominoes or a Big Advantage shot.
These three situations are the “Terrible 2’s” of transition defense: form a 2 Side, move transition defense twice, and create two separate closeouts. The first thing transition offense must do to exploit transition defense is to form a 2 Side. 2 Side spacing is the only way to generate 2on1 offensive advantages early in the shot clock. For 2 Side spacing to be most effective, we want to move transition defense’s positioning twice by going Early and Opposite of the outlet as quickly as possible in the possession. Lastly, if transition offense can form a 2 Side, move transition defense twice, and create two separate closeouts in the first 6–8 seconds of the shot clock, tremendous offensive advantage is gained. This advantage is exposing transition defense to Dominoes early in the possession which, because of our 2 Side spacing, is near impossible for transition defense to recover from. This allows us to play Paint to Great which leads to Big Advantage stationary catch and shoot shots within the first 6–8 seconds of the shot clock.
“Terrible 2" #1 — Form a 2 Side
The mark of a great transition team is how many numerical advantages they can create as a result of their pace and space. These numerical advantages resemble 5on4s, 4on3s and 4on2s with trailing defenders. Having 2 Side spacing enlarges space in transition where our numerical advantage creates a situation where one defender is often caught guarding the two players on the 2 Side. In order for transition offense to play with pace and space to form a 2 Side here are transition rules: all players find the nearest sideline, first players down Sprint and Hug to Corner Spacing, and last player on the 2 Side Delay and Hug to Stretched Spacing.
- Find the nearest sideline. One of Ross McMain’s rules for New Zealand’s transition offense is, at the point of the defensive rebound, all players find the nearest sideline with their first 3 steps being long and explosive. Players should not cross the midline of the court to get to a sideline. Finding the nearest sideline organically forms the 2 Side and Single Side
- Sprint and Hug to Corner. The first players down in transition, after finding and hugging the nearest sideline, will sprint to Corner Spacing. As these players fill the corners, they will arrive at rim level to provide width and depth for the ball carrier. Why Corner Spacing? In efficient transition offenses, Corner Spacing generates stationary catch and shoot corner 3’s because the corner is the first spot left open by a transition defense in rotations. Corner Spacing is the only way to stretch defensive rotations to generate this efficient, stationary catch and shoot 3 because the 2 Side spacing has what Liam Flynn calls, “Spacing before advantage, advantage before shot.”
3. Delay and Hug to Stretched Spacing. The last player on a 2 Side will Sprint and Hug to half-court, but once this player crosses half-court, he will delay to fill the 45. The delay to fill is a change in pace as this player looks back over his inside shoulder for the hit-ahead from the point guard. This is called a Delay and Hug, intentionally filling the 45 with slower pace while hugging the sideline. The spacing between the 45 and Corner should be stretched with as much space as possible between the two spots to ensure a 2on1 offensive advantage on the Got 2 defender. Stretched Spacing leads to a Big Advantage shot.
“Terrible 2" #2 — Move Transition Defense 2x
Earlier shots in transition hold greater value and when transition offense forces transition defense to defend both outer thirds of the court within the first 6–8 seconds of the shot clock, Big Advantage shots are created. Transition defense is first moved when offense establishes ball-side in an outer third with the outlet pass. When the point guard hits-ahead Early and Opposite of the outlet to the opposite outer third, transition defense is moved the second time and must re-establish its defensive triangles and sprint to below the line of the ball. This further contributes to numerical advantage as transition defense is in a scramble to match-up.
Why go Early and Opposite of the outlet? 2 Side Transition goes opposite of transition defense’s tendencies and what transition defense is trying to take away. You can always move defense twice in transition but what’s important is WHEN you move transition defense twice. 2 Side Transition’s primary option is to move transition defense twice with a hit-ahead opposite of the outlet as quickly as possible in the possession. Moving transition defense twice often creates a 2on1 offensive advantage on the 2 Side where one defender is caught guarding the stretched spacing between the 45 and Corner. Lastly, moving transition defense twice with a hit-ahead before crossing half-court ensures defense does not establish neutral 5v5 positioning.
“Terrible 2" #3 — Create Two Separate Closeouts
The last “Terrible 2” 2 Side Transition threatens transition defense with is creating two separate closeouts as a result of the 2on1 offensive advantage compliments of our 2 Side spacing. Creating two separate closeouts is done by making the 1-more pass from 45 to Corner after a hit-ahead or by playing Paint to Great with a Punch and Spray plus 1-more pass. Punch and Spray is our terminology for drive and kick. Because of our numerical advantage, getting a paint touch within the first 6–8 seconds of the shot clock collapses the defense and forces rotations which lead to long and multiple closeouts. It’s paramount that the 45 and Corner have Stretched Spacing between them to ensure one defender can not guard the two players on the 2 Side. Here are our Stretched Spacing Rules between the 45 and Corner.
1.One defender can’t guard two. Stretched Spacing between the 45 and Corner is critical to force indecision by the Got 2 defender. Stretching the space the Got 2 defender has to defend opens the 2 Side to leverage 2on1 advantages. If the 45 and Corner are “holding hands” due to their close proximity in space, the Got 2 defender can stunt the 45’s catch and hault the potential 2on1 advantage created on the 2 Side.
2. One defender can’t help and close me out. Stretched Spacing between the 45 and Corner ensures the Got 2 defender can not stunt the 45s catch AND close-out to recover on the one-more pass to the Corner. Its imperative the 45 puts pressure on the rim with his catch after the point guard’s hit-ahead. The 45s First Touch Decisions to shoot it, drive it, move it ensures the Got 2 defender can not help and close out the 1 more pass to Corner. Stretched Spacing will force the Got 2 defender to commit to a long closeout to the 45 which opens up a drive decision or pass decision to Corner. If the Got 2 defender doesn’t closeout the catch, then the 45 has a shot decision.
3. Create two separate closeouts. Stretched Spacing will best leverage 2on1 advantages on the 2 Side because it creates two separate closeouts. If the first two Stretched Spacing rules are applied and the Got 2 defender commits to the 45s catch, then a second, separate closeout must occur to contest the 1-more pass to the Corner. Creating a second closeout in the first 6–8 seconds of the shot clock is the tipping point to getting defense in Dominoes or creating a Big Advantage catch and shoot Corner 3.
In order to create a Big Advantage shot or force defensive transition into Dominoes we need all three “Terrible 2's” present within the first 6–8 seconds of the shot clock. If 2 Side Transition only creates the first two “Terrible 2's” (form a 2 Side and move transition defense twice) then it means transition defense was solid and offense will need to use a trigger to create advantage. When seeking a trigger after 2 Side Transition, it’s vital to teach when the ball stops, advantage stops. We say “keep the ball hot,” using ball speed to create advantages. The more precise our players’ First Touch Decisions, the better our offense can leverage advantage. Manipulating the “Terrible 2's” of transition defense with 2 Side Transition is a sure formula to leveraging Big Advantages in the first 6–8 seconds of the shot clock.
For more information on 2 Side Transition here are the links to two clinics I did for Marc Hart and System Basketball.
Impacting Pace with 2 Side Transition: https://youtu.be/p-zcZI_W-TU
Teaching and Loading 2 Side Transition: https://youtu.be/wLmmLnnAqG4
