college basketball

Virginia Post Double

Virginia is one of the best in college basketball at doubling the post. Their pack line defense allows them to have easier rotations and make relief from the double team nearly impossible. Here are a few clips along with some teaching points of what they look to do.

A FEW KEY POINTS

  1. The double team can come from any position. Many teams will designate a certain position to go double, while others will base it off of scouting and double off of a non-shooter.

  2. The double team will always go trap on the HIGH side and take away the middle and cross court passes. The on-ball post defender will defend the LOW side and take away the baseline.

  3. Any STRONG side defenders will stay with their man. Some coaches will allow these players to dig on the post, but more often these players will face guard their man to take away any easy inside out passes to the same side of the floor.

  4. The weak side defenders will rotate into the HIGH HOLE & LOW HOLE.

  5. HIGH HOLE will closeout to any shooter that receives a pass from the post player

  6. LOW HOLE will take away any cutters to the rim.

  7. The double team remains until the ball handler DRIBBLES or PASSES, at which time the players rotate back to their original assignments.

Here is an example of high hole and low hole positioning.

Here is an example of high hole and low hole positioning.

The double team is effective in creating chaos, but the real magic happens when the post player tries to make a play out of it. As this is happening, the defenders are already rotating back to their assignments, baiting the post player to make a pass. This creates a lot of turnovers and contested shots.

Maryland End of Game Set

Maryland executed this great set at the end of the game to take the lead @ Michigan.  As the ball is entered into the post, Maryland is able to keep great spacing on the floor.  Anthony Cowen Jr. takes his man to the weak side of the floor to clear out any help side defense.  Because he changes his speed, his defender must honor him as a cutter, which takes him out of his help side responsibilities.  Darryl Morsell relocates to the corner to give Michal Cekovsky room to make the pass.  Kevin Huerter does a fantastic job of setting up his man and exploding off the down screen set by Joshua Tomaic.  Huerter gets his feet set and makes a great shot to take the lead.  Unfortunately for Maryland, they would foul on the next possession and lose to Michigan on a pair of free throws.  

*Another option is for the 4 to slip the screen if the defense tries to take away the shot at the top of the key.