Attacking a Diamond & One Defense

 

"Clock (1-3-1) Offense"

Clock Offense

One of the simplest way to attack the Diamond & One Combination defense is to place the "Star" player in the middle and attack it like a 1-3-1 zone. Therefore, the "Clock" Offense is an excellent offense to use against a Diamond & One defense. It not only produces open looks, but more importantly, easy lay-ups and offensive putbacks. In addition, the clock offense is also an effective way of isolating a star player 1-on-1 in the middle. In most cases, the chaser will be very skilled in strong pass denials, but ill prepared for post defense. It will definitely force any opponent out of a Diamond & One defense.

| Basic Rotation | Dribble Clear | Inside Triangle | Rebounding | Implementation | Case for Defense |

 

Offensive Fundamentals Required

View   Principles of Passing

View  Developing a Strong Inside Game

View  Improving Your Shooting

Learn More Offensive Rebounding

 

Schematic Sequence

Stack Schematic

 


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Basic Outside Rotation

First Look: Corner Pass & Cut

Basket Cut

When wing O2 passes to the corner, O2 cuts to the basket anticipating a return pass from O4. O1 and O3 rotate over one position.

Second Look: Post

Pass & Cut

When defender X5 drops down to help out against wing O2's basket cut, corner looks to feed open Star.

Third Look: Ball Reversal/Post Iso

Post Roll

Corner O4 passes out to O1 and cuts to opposite side of court. O1 in turns makes a quick reversal pass to O3. O3 looks to feed open cutter O2 on wing or Star isolated one-on-one in the post.

Post Roll

Post Roll

When defender X5 steps out to defend open wing, O2 looks to feed open Star player rolling to basket.

Continuity

Continuity

Pass & Cut continuity continues any time the ball is passed to the corner.

 


Left Alignment

First Look: Corner Pass & Cut

Corner Pass

When wing O3 passes to the corner and cuts to the basket looking for a return pass. O1 and O2 rotating up a spot.

Second Look: Post

Post

When defender X5 drops down to help out against wing's basket cut, corner looks to feed open Star.

Third Look: Ball Reversal/Post Iso

Post Isolation

Corner O4 passes out to O1 and cuts to opposite side of court. O1 in turns makes a quick reversal pass to O2. O2 looks to feed open cutter O3 on wing or Star isolated one-on-one in the post.

Post Roll

Post Roll

If defender X5 steps out to defend open wing, O3 looks to feed open Star player rolling to basket.

Corner Pass & Cut Continuity

Basket Cut Left

Pass & Cut continuity continues any time the ball is passed to the corner.

 


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Dribble Clear Action

The wing has the option of dribble clearing the corner. Anytime the wing dribbles towards the corner, the corner back cuts to the basket exchanging roles with the wing. Wing then becomes baseline cutter.

Dribble Clear Corner

Dribble Clear

Rather the pass to the corner, the wing can dribble to the corner. Corner O4 back cuts to the basket while O1 and O3 move up a position. If open, O2 also has option of driving to the basket.

Ball Reversal

Dribble Clear

When O2 cannot feed O4 on back cut or the post, O2 makes pass out to O1 initiating ball reversal and weakside attack.

Dribble Penetration

Dribble Clear

When defender X5 steps out to defend open wing, O4 looks to feed open Star player rolling to basket.

Continuity

Dribble Clear

Pass & Cut continuity continues any time the ball is passed to the corner.

Dribble Clear Left

Dribble Clear Corner

Dribble Clear

Wing O3 dribble clears O4. Corner O4 back cuts to the basket while O1 and O3 move up a position. If open, O3 has option of driving to the basket.

Ball Reversal

Dribble Clear

When O3 cannot feed O4 on back cut or the post, O3 makes a pass out to O1 initiating ball reversal and weakside attack.

Dribble Penetration

Dribble Clear

If defender X5 steps out to defend open wing, O4 looks to feed open Star player rolling to basket.

Continuity

Dribble Clear

Pass & Cut continuity continues any time the ball is passed to the corner.

 


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High Post Triangle Action

When the Star receives the ball on the high post, it initiates inside triangle action. When the Star receives the ball on the high post, they are basically isolated one-on-one against the "Chaser." Since chasers' responsibility is primarily pass denial, they are usually unprepared for high post defense. On the pass to the high post, baseline player O4 assumes a short corner position and the weakside wing moves to a low post position. The other two outside players rotate into a two guard front.

Drive Right

Inside Triangle Drive

When the Star drives right, they drop pass options to O3 or O4 for easy layups.

Drive Left

Drive Left

When the Star drives left, the ballside wing drops to a short corner position and the baseline player assumes the low post position.

Kick Out Pass

Drive Left

When a good shot is not available off the inside triangle action, the Star can makes a kick out pass to either O1 or O2 for an open shot or dribble penetration.

Post Flash

Drive Left

If feeds to O3 or Star are unavailable, O4 flashes into middle. O4 has option of shooting or passing to O3 or Star. O1 and O2 flair (line of sight) on wings for open spot up shots.

Alignment Left

Drive Left

Drive Left

When the Star drives left, they have drop pass options to O2 or O4 for easy layups.

Drive Left

Drive Right

When the Star drives right, the ballside wing drops to a short corner position and the baseline player assumes the low post position.

Drive Left

Kick Out Pass

When a good shot is not available off the inside triangle action, the Star can makes a kick out pass to either O1 or O3 for an open shot or dribble penetration.

Drive Left

Left Flash

If a good shot in not available or feeds to O2 or Star are unavailable, O4 flashes into middle. O4 has option of shooting or passing to O2 or Star. O1 and O3 flair (line of sight) on wings for open spot up shots.

 


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Offensive Rebounding Superiority

In any offense, rebounding offensively and get second efforts are a must. In fact, you are not going to be successful and win many games when you get only one shot. However, with the Clock Offense excels. Any missed shot will result in a good pass.

Outnumbered Situation

Drive Left

When an outside shot is taken, the inside triangle action produces a three on two offensive rebounding advantage resulting in easy putbacks and second efforts.

Back Screen

Drive Left

On an outside shot, the baseline player also has the option of setting a back screen on the Star's defender.

To Learn More About the Clock Offense - Click Here

 


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Clipboard

Implementation

Offense Working Knowledge

Like any offense, the key to the success of the Triangle & Two "Clock" Offense is in its execution and coordination. Players need to be well prepared to execute double screens, base screens and strong post ups. In addition, players have to think and function as one unit. This requires proper defensive recognition, non-verbal communication, timing and experience.

 

View  Motivation & Learning

View  Whole-Part-Whole Method of Teaching

View Motor Skills Learning

View Game of Habits

 

Breakdown Drills:

View/Print 1-on-1 Drill: Low Post Isolation

View/Print 1-on-1 Drill: High Post Isolation

View/Print  Half and Full Court Scrimmaging

 


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Game Strategies

Surprise Tactic

Scout your opponent if possible. Players need to know what reads to expect during the game. Opponents will generally use only a primary and secondary defense technique in defending screens and post ups. In addition, to their defensive schemes, observer their player match ups. Educate and explain the anticipated defensive reads and their counters. When scouting is not possible, scout your opponent during the game.

Coach not spectator

Be conscience and alert to any defensive changes or adjustments, especially after substitutions and timeouts. Don't hesitate in deploying various alignments and entries during the game so that defenders cannot focus on defending just one set. Move players around and attack the weakest defenders.

 


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No Basket Logo

Diamond & One Defense

A derivative of the Box & One combination defense, the "Diamond & One" four defenders zone while the fifth player assumes a strong pass denial position against the opponents scoring ace. The Diamond & One alignment is best deployed when the opponents use an odd or one guard front offense.

To learn more about the Triangle & Two Defense - Click Here

 

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