with Terry Layton,
Nike Scout and International Consultant for Latin America;
300+ Wins at the High School, Junior College and College level (in the U.S.);
300+ wins at the International level; Nike
Talent Scout for Latin America; International work with Athletes in Action
The utilization of the Cutthroat drill in basketball practice has become a staple in NBA and FIBA basketball. This 4-on-4 drill has been used primarily as a critical defensive drill. Latin America Nike talent scout and longtime coach Terry Layton uses this drill as the cornerstone to his approach to coaching basketball.
Derived from basic Shell drill, Cutthroat has been long used to develop a sound defensive unit. In this video, Layton shows how this drill can be used in additional ways to maximize practice time by also working on offensive concepts and defensive fundamentals.
Setting Up the Cutthroat Drill
This drill incorporates three teams of four in its traditional sense. However, to make Cutthroat a more effective drill, offensive concepts are explained and taught as a means of improving the drill. By improving offensive play, Cutthroat becomes more of a challenge, requiring defense to be even more sound.
Coach Layton's offensive teachings for Cutthroat work on basic maneuvers that a team can see in a game, as well as varying formations. In addition to the traditional 2-2 formation, Layton shows how the offense can also operate from a 1-2-1 alignment, one that teams tend to use more frequently than the traditional 2-2 formation.
Defensive Basics
Layton breaks down defensive fundamentals; first with proper defensive closeouts. With a four-line closeout drill, he teaches to close out with feet parallel and pointed at the ball to create a wall that prevents dribble penetration. From here, reaction to pivot actions by offensive players is taught.
Once closeouts are understood, live 4-on-4 is introduced. The drill starts with the ball being passed out to an offensive player on the perimeter with the defensive players then touching hands before closing out to guard. From here, the offense looks to attack the defense in a live situation.
Offensive Concepts
Offensive Cutthroat concepts include creating movement, stepping toward pass, cutting, and communication. This version of Cutthroat has more energy and movement than a normal standstill passing drill. The transition portion maintains spacing and running the floor. You'll appreciate the simulation of a fast-paced nature in a controlled environment.
Incorporating Players on the Side
No coach wants to have players standing around while a drill is in progress. To rectify this, Layton uses a variety of ways to keep as many players active and engaged as possible. For him, it's essential to have 75 to 100 percent of his players active at all times during practice.
While on the side and not in the drill, sidelined players can work on conditioning or passing fundamentals. With two balls and four players on the side, Layton places emphasis on improving closing out on the ball and tracing it with the defender's hands. This allows for defensive skill and technique to be improved with extra time before getting into the flow of the drill.
Coach Layton teaches what every coach should want: a competitive environment to keep players moving and getting better. Your players will learn to move toward the basketball to receive passes, step towards their passes, and cut or screen depending on situation. This is a fantastic video that will have a lasting impact on your everyday basketball practices!
67 minutes. 2018.
BD-05356B:
with Terry Layton,
Nike Scout and International Consultant for Latin America;
300+ Wins at the High School, Junior College and College level (in the U.S.);
300+ wins at the International level; Nike
Talent Scout for Latin America; International work with Athletes in Action
One of the most important aspects in working to get players open in basketball is the use of the screen. Screening off of the ball is an effective way to not only get a teammate open, but to also get the screener open on offense. International basketball coaching veteran Terry Layton takes you through the numerous ways and concepts screens can be used effectively in this video.
On-Ball Screening
One of the most common ways in which screens are used today is to get a dribbler an opportunity to attack off of the bounce. The pick & roll has become a staple of modern basketball and is one of the hardest maneuvers in the game to guard. However, the lack of attention to detail in setting on-ball screens creates a dilemma for the offense.
A player with the ball receiving an on-ball screen typically has two ways in which he can be guarded: either by the defender going over the top of the ball screen, or under it. Coach Layton's approach is to force the defender to go only one way. His method of having the screener put their rear foot between the defender's butt and the basket only allows the defender to fight over the screen.
Likewise, the screener needs to know the details as to how to come out of a screening situation effectively. They must do a good job of showing a target and being ready to receive a pass from the dribbler.
Finally, Layton goes into detail on how to deal with the ball screener's defender. If the player guarding the ball screener drops back, the crossover is utilized as the dribbler attempts to attack the basket. If there is a hedge, the dribbler then looks to split the hedge and attack the basket.
Screening to Get Open
The best screeners know how to not only get teammates open using the screen, they also have the ability to get themselves open as well. To do this, Layton discusses how players can get themselves open after setting a ball screen and present a target for a pass.
Along with setting the screen on the ball, Coach Layton covers how post players can get themselves into position to become effective scorers off of ball screens. Options for the post player include posting up with two feet in the lane, setting up in the short corner for a dump-off pass off of penetration and stepping out to the 3-point line.
Another concept is the use of post players sliding and sealing to get themselves open. To do this effectively, Layton teaches making contact with the person playing defense and creating a seal. The footwork to make this happen is to slide step into the defender and create contact so that the seal can be applied properly.
Screening vs. Zone Defense
Screens against zone defenses work best to create perimeter shot opportunities and to get the ball inside. Using post players as screeners is one of the first items illustrated by Coach Layton as he demonstrates several different screening concepts.
One of the first actions used is the concept of sliding and sealing. This works against the interior defender in a traditional zone defense as it allows for an opportunity to get a post-up against an isolated defender. If this doesn't come open, a second concept is utilized.
The post player not coming open or getting the ball after sliding and sealing against the middle man of the zone can then turn their attention to a zone defender responsible for the perimeter. When the ball gets swung back to the top, the post player then steps out to screen the perimeter zone defender with their butt as a perimeter offensive player cuts through the zone. This creates an open window for the post player to get the ball for a quick and easy basket.
Looking for a comprehensive source for ways to use screens on offense? This video from Coach Layton is your 'one-stop-shop!'
"(Layton) delivers a lot of fresh ideas on a topic I'd of thought was stale. His international experience is evident as he shares concepts that are foreign to those form the US."- Customer Review
75 minutes. 2018.
BD-05356C:
with Terry Layton,
Nike Scout and International Consultant for Latin America;
300+ Wins at the High School, Junior College and College level (in the U.S.);
300+ wins at the International level; Nike
Talent Scout for Latin America; International work with Athletes in Action
Developed for short-term situations in basketball, Terry Layton has formulated a defense that is designed to keep the basketball in the outside lanes of the court. While this defense is still a work in progress, it is based on several concepts that are tried and true in basketball.
Basic Concepts of the Sheep Dog Defense
To get an understanding of the Sheep Dog defense, Layton begins by teaching the concept of the five-lane court. Dividing the court into five lanes with the idea of pushing the offense to the sideline is the goal of this defense. Each lane serves a purpose for this defense.
The outside area along the sideline is known as the "green alley," the area where Coach Layton wants the ball to go. The area just inside the green alley is known as the "yellow street" while the middle area of the court is known as the "red freeway" - the area of the court where the ball should never be in this defense.
The Sheep Dog defense is predicated on forcing the ball to the outside. To do this, Layton doesn't want the pass to the wing denied so the ball goes to the green alley as much as possible.
Drills and Techniques
The Green Alley Progression Drill is used to teach the concept of keeping the ball along the sideline area. Once players understand the basics of keeping the dribbler along the sideline, the drill picks up the pace by having the dribbler attempt to dribble towards the "yellow street" and the "red freeway" against the on-ball defender.
The pressing nature of the Sheep Dog defense is further accentuated with the progression drills designed to utilize full-court pressure in a dead-ball situation. Starting with 2-on-2 drills, defenders are taught about the importance of forcing the ball to the outside and keeping it in the green alley.
The Block-and-Stop 1-on-1 drills get attention as to how to guard the basketball in the front court. Working on two sides, a defender guards the basketball and works to keep their head below the ball while keeping the ball in the green alley. The series progresses from basic 1-on-1, to guarding against a jab step, to the offensive player playing with a three-dribble limit.
Finally, 5-on-5 play is taught with the Sheep Dog defense becoming a 'herding', pressing defense as it tries to force the ball up along the sideline into trapping areas. Layton also takes you through a number of rebounding drills and the concept he uses when teaching rebounding to limit second chance opportunities for your opponent.
Trapping Concepts
Trapping situations will arise from time to time thanks to keeping the ball along the sideline and extending the defense. Trapping is important to make sure that the ball-handler cannot go to the middle or up along the sideline without resistance. Coach Layton covers proper trapping technique and how to rotate out of the trap.
When setting the trap, Layton teaches two important concepts. The first is to make sure that the trappers each have one foot touching each other's foot to prevent the ball-handler from stepping through the trap. The other is to keep hands up and active without reaching so that the pass out of the trap is more difficult.
Utilizing the "nearest-man principle," Layton discusses how to rotate once a pass is made out of a trap. The principle instructs the player who is nearest to the ball when received by an offensive player to cover the receiver immediately. From there, Layton's defense teaches the trappers to retreat to the goal and be ready to help.
Short traps are also introduced as a way to increase the pressure in half-court defensive situations. This approach is designed to pressure teams that tend to play more cautiously against pressure.
The Sheep Dog defense utilizes many man-to-man principles that work as an effective change-up to your man-to-man defense in dead-ball situations. Played in short spurts, this will give your team a chance to use a change of pace to create turnovers and increase pressure on even the most effective offenses.
65 minutes. 2018.