2 for 1's

[shock]

... We're at a margarita bar, whatever happens, happens.

[1972Shocker]

Tracking 2-1 is nearly impossible because "intent" would have to be undeniable for it to be accurate.

I don't buy in due to these reasons. Why hurry up a possession in leu of a potential good possession that might take 30-35 seconds and result in points. It's a recipe for a bad shot IMO. And how many times have we seen a last possession before halftime turn in to a forced bad shot solely predicated on the time element? There are so many possessions in a game. If the team does there job reasonably well and values those possessions, let the results fall where fall. 2-1 thinking has more flaws than benefit IMO.

I tend to agree with @SHOXMVC on this. However, I would say go for the 2 for 1 if you get a really good look in the normal flow of the offense. If not don't force it.

The thing that kind of bugs me on the final possession of the half is just standing around until under 10 seconds remain and then someone goes 1 on 1. Why not run your normal offense and get the defense moving. If you get a wide open layup or dunk or if Ron Baker gets a wide open shot anywhere take it. Once you get under 10 seconds the 1st guy with a reasonable look should take it.


Jody Adams takes an interesting end of the half approach with the Lady Shockers that you really don't see much. The Lady Shockers rarely will hold the ball for a final shot at the half. They work their normal offense and if they get a good look they take it. Not sure that's good basketball or not and I am sure at times it backfires. OTOH, she has a team that can struggle at times in the half court so good looks are pretty valuable. Also she has a team that defends very well so she doesn't view having to defend at the end of the half as necessarily a disadvantage. Gives Alex a chance for one of her patented steals and break aways.

The Shocks had a potential final possession in the Missouri State game but Jamillah Bonner took and knocked down a trey 10 seconds into the possession with 22 seconds left in the half. MSU then missed a trey attempt with 5 seconds left in the half by one of their inside players who is 1 for 10 from behind the arc this year.

I suppose the bottom line is if your strategy results in wins keep it in. If it is causing you to lose games, then re-evaluate.

[kochHead]

Just take good shots in the flow of the offense. If a 2 for 1 happens it happens. Trying to intentionally get a 2 for 1 means you are placing tighter time constraints on 2 offensive possessions, while your opponent may only get that one possession, they will have a full 35 to get a quality shot. A foul can quickly derail a 2 for 1 opportunity anyway, so just get a good look and play d.

[SHOXAAC]

^^ Exactly^^

[ripemupshocks]

The guy that sits next to me goes nuts every time WSU has a 2 for 1 opportunity at the end of the first half. He insists WSU should not press, because it slows down the opponent's pass which delays the shot clock from starting it’s countdown.

The issue seems to be a pet peeve item for this normally logical fan, but it seems to be true. WSU has been fairly good at quickly taking and making shots with seemingly enough time to execute a 2 for 1, but our defenders are so good at denying the first pass that the game clock ticks away.

Also, this fan strongly believes in the inverse scenario: WSU should wait to inbounds the ball when the other team is trying to gain a 2 for 1.

What are your thoughts on this scenario and do you have any other tactical pet peeves that you would like to share?

The guys pet peeves confuse me, so please correct me if I'm wrong. He doesn't want WSU to play good defense because it forces the opponent to use up to much of the clock thereby denying WSU a two for one? So is he saying WSU should play bad defense, thereby allowing the opponent to score quickly which will leave enough time on the clock for WSU to get a two for one? Brilliant!

Then his strong belief that WSU should wait to inbound the ball in an attempt to deny the opponent the chance for a two for one is absolutely absurd. All of my kids have played a lot of different sports from first grade all the way thru high school, so I've known a lot of coaches from a lot of different sports, I've even coached a little myself (football), and every coach I've ever known, no matter the sport, will tell you; you always take what the opponent gives you. ALWAYS! If the opponent is not going to guard the inbound pass, then WSU better by God throw the ball in. The last thing WSU should do is stand there, out of bounds, holding the ball, risking any number of mishaps which could result in a five second call.

I do have one tactical pet peeve. I'm a little pissed that HC3G won't go out and recruit a 7'6 guy who has never played basketball in his life, and just teach him how to jump. Nothing else. Just how to jump. Then put him in at the start of the game just for the jump ball. Immediately after winning the tipoff, call a timeout, and get him out of the game. Don't let him run. Don't let him shoot. Call timeout, and get him out of the game. Now that's tactics, and that's worth the price of admission right there fellas.
:smug:

[proshox]

Just take good shots in the flow of the offense. If a 2 for 1 happens it happens. Trying to intentionally get a 2 for 1 means you are placing tighter time constraints on 2 offensive possessions, while your opponent may only get that one possession, they will have a full 35 to get a quality shot. A foul can quickly derail a 2 for 1 opportunity anyway, so just get a good look and play d.

I disagree. Many teams can't run the clock to zero, but still hold the ball. I agree with others that advocate running offense without hesitation.