Basketball : Plays - The transition game

The Transition Game

The Transition Game evolves from a traditional fast break! That's the beauty of it! We also run this if we know we don't have the numbers for a fast break, but instead we still use is as a controlled break.

Important note: All positions are interchangeable. Ideally, you would like to get the ball to your point guard (#1) after a rebound before half court and have your best ball handler and decision-maker leading your break. If not then anyone can occupy the middle of the break.

Also, it is important for the players leading the break to "hit the rails" or fill the lanes all the way extended to the sidelines when running a traditional fast break. If the players leading the break "hit the rails" then the guard in the middle (#1) automatically has improved passing angles. Likewise, (#3) and (#4) also have better angles cutting to the basket. The defenders back are forced to work harder. This transition game can be run right out of a fast break or as a controlled break.

(#1) always has the traditional fast break options in passing to (#3) or (#4) cutting to the basket, or certainly the foul line jumper. If no pass is made to (#3) or (#4) then they both occupy the blocks. (#2) and (#5) trail the break and time their movement to the arc to receive a release pass from (#1). This is Rick Pitino's vintage method of receiving a pass stepping right into the arc for a 3-pointer (if your trailers can knock it down). Let's assume (#5) receives the pass from (#1). Odds are he's not a 3-point shooter, but this is an option immediately - stepping into a trey.

The Transition Game

As soon as (#1) hits the trailer (#5) with the pass, he cuts and angles his cut down the side of the key which he passed the ball to then peels off to the opposite corner. If (#5) doesn't step into a 3-point shot then he immediately reverses the ball to (#2). (#2) could be stepping right into a 3-point shot depending how the defense reacts and also depending on the pace the ball was brought up the floor. (#2) may have to misdirect and v-cut back to the ball to receive the pass from (#5).

(#4) recognizes that the fast break didn't happen and immediately we adjust to the transition game. He'll time a pick on (#1's) defender to release (#1) to the left corner wide open. (#2) most definitely looks for the 3-pointer, but if it's not there (#2) then swings the ball to the corner to an open (#1) coming off of (#4's) pick.

(#1) has the ball in the corner and we have the floor spaced perfectly for two-on-two game with (#1) and (#4). But first, (#1) may very well be wide open for an uncontested 3-pointer. If not, (#1) now gets into a triple threat position and gets a good read on (#4). (#4) could seal off in the low post and (#1) makes an entry pass to the block for (#4) to make a power move. (#4) can come out and pick for (#1) on either side for an old-fashion two-on-two game, or (#1) can even entry pass and make a quick cut. The two of them will explore their options.

If nothing happens after (#1) receives the ball in the corner, we've got lots more happening away from the ball. (#3) sort of floats and reads his defender who may be providing weak side help, so (#3) may flash the middle if his defender gets lost.

The Transition Game

(#5) flashes to the elbow and then cuts off of a pick given by (#2) and (#5) then breaks open out to the arc to receive a pass from (#1).

At this point (#1) kicks the ball out to (#5) who just came off a pick from (#2). Obviously, if the defense gets caught up in the middle, then (#5) also has another look at a 3-point field goal. (Remember, all positions are interchangeable, so (#5) may be your shooting guard (#2) or your swing man (#3) in the example above.) (#2) after setting his pick for (#5) floats out behind the arc replacing the vacated sport where (#5) originated from on the right side of the floor. Most likely (#2's) defender is also going to get caught up in the pick sequence with (#2) picking for (#5) and also want to stay off of (#2) with the ball in the corner to provide some help defense at the foul line level.

The Transition Game

(#5) will then reverse the ball to (#2) across the top. At the same time as the ball reverses, (#4) will travel along the baseline getting a solid screen from (#3) to be open in the right corner. (#2) doesn't want to pass up a trey, so he receives the ball stepping into the pass and the arc ready to let a 3-pointer go if it's available to him. If not, he'll continue the ball reversal and swing the ball down to the corner to (#4) who just came off of (#3's) pick.

It's important to understand, that if the defense starts to switch on the pick to pop your player out to the corner open, that you should have a post down on the block and an entry pass from the top for a possible miss-match and strong post move for an easy score. In the example above (#2) makes the entry pass to (#3), if (#'3's) defender covers (#4) going out to the corner. (Remember, all positions are interchangeable off of your defensive rebound - you want to fill the spots with the first available players).

The Transition Game

(#4) now has the ball in the right corner.

We now have the floor spaced perfectly for a two-on-two game with (#4) and (#3). (Just like in frame 2 with (#1) and (#4)). But first, (#4) may very well be wide open for an uncontested 3-pointer. If not, (#4) now gets into a triple threat position and gets a good read on (#3). (#3) could seal off in the low post and (#4) makes an entry pass to the block for (#3) to make a power move. (#3) can come out and pick for (#4) on either side for an old-fashion two-on-two game, or (#4) can even entry pass and make a quick cut. The two of them will explore their options.

After the pass from (#2) to (#4), (#5) will again misdirect by cutting to the foul line only to pick up a screen from (#2) to pop open to the top right above the arc. (#2) will set a pick for (#5) and while (#4) and (#3) are creating their opportunities while the floor is spaced for them to exploit any two-on-two options. (#1) at the same time will make some reads on the weak side of the court to make himself available for a skip pass and trey if his defender provides weak side help.

If (#4) and (#3) do not create an opportunity to score, then we should kick the ball out to (#5). At this point, we are looking to reset the offense - get the ball in the point guard's hands and set up a half court offense.

Recap of the Transition Game

* It can be ran every time down the floor tied into a traditional fast break that didn't provide any scoring opportunities or as a controlled break when you don't have the numbers for a traditional fast break.

* It's a great controlled break for three point shooters trailing the break...you'll get a lot of passes to the trailers for the very 3-point shot that you should be practicing in your skill drills - "stepping right up to the arc; receiving the pass, ready to score"

* It creates great floor spacing and two-on-two opportunities on both sides of the court.

* The bullet above makes it a great break to motivate your post players to get out in front of the break because they know they are going to get rewarded with two-on-two games when the ball gets to the corner.

* It truly extends the defense from one sideline to the other. That is always one of my goals. If you can extend the defense like that on any offense - you win the battle of angles on the offense end of the court. If you understand angles in basketball at the high school level, you'll out-coach just about every opponent.

* The transition game created just about every possible scoring opportunity - from 3-point shots; to post moves from the block; to pick and roll games and dribble drives; to seal-offs with mismatches on the blocks; to pass-and-cuts; to give-and-go's; to short jumper off of picks - it's just a great concept that creates countless scoring opportunities in transition.

This offense created and developed by Coach Jay Monahan and the fine folks at Hoop Champs, Inc.