Flat Ball Practice

I have a coaching friend who believes practicing offense with a flat ball is the best thing he has ever done. After spending a week working on our offenses with a flat ball, I must agree with him.

The flat ball makes our players play together; they have no other choice. It is impossible to score with a flat ball without making passes. Playing with the flat ball makes the offense slow down and see the defense; it teaches players to make the extra pass; and they must absolutely headhunt to screen and use their screens. It is one of the best tools available to create team offense.

I am now a convert. I don't know if there is a flat ball club which I could join but I would definitely be a member and pay my dues.

I don't believe the players have as much fun as the coaching staff during flat ball drills because they have to work so much harder. They especially don't enjoy full court flat ball drills which are really difficult. Most teams (including the Golden Eagles) dribble the ball on fast break opportunities. When players are required to pass and move all the way down the floor; it requires attention, concentration, and continual movement without the ball. Most players enjoy spectating as their teammate dribbles down the court. When they have to work to hit gaps to get open, they come to appreciate the hard work of their point guards.

After a week of practicing with the flat ball, I have seen incredible results. Our shooters are getting open, our posts are getting the ball in the low block in one-on-one situations, and our penetrating offensive players are able to get to the rim more often. With continual work with the flat ball, we will learn to play as a unit. I know that it is tougher to defend a unit than it is to defend one or two outstanding players.

This is something we must continue to build--the concept of team basketball both on the offensive and defensive ends of the court. When we can buy into team, our good players will appear to be great. We will be able to showcase players like Jihan Williams, Veronica Carman, Lindsey Kentner, Ali Tobias, Caress Williams, Tarenna Dixon, Lisanne Comeau, Jennifer DeMeyer, and Katy Arick. These are all players who can score when in the right situation. It allows all of them to be the player to stop. If we can create a team where the defense must defend every player on the court as well as every substitute then we can win the big games.