SIMPLE PRESS BREAKS TO KEEP YOUR OFFENSE MOVING C ..oaches sometimes out-think themselves ..when it comes to beating pressure defense. By Mike Tedor, head girls basketball coach, Proviso West (IL) High School DIAGRAM 1 We've decided to go the easy route and have devised our " ridiculously simple press breaks. " They are effective against zone defenses and are easy enough to install into any offense that even entrylevel and youth coaches can use them. DIAGRAM 1: Press Break 1 (A) - 5 passes to 2 or 1 (2 in this case) and steps inbounds. If 2 or 1 aren't open 3 breaks to the top of the key for the pass. 4 breaks to the basket. DIAGRAM 2: Press Break 1 (B) - 2 reverses the ball through 5 to 1. 1 takes the ball up the middle or up the sideline depending on the defense. If 2 can't reverse the ball 1 cuts to the middle to " Z " the court. 3 either is a safety pass or breaks deep once the ball is moving up the court. DIAGRAM 3: Press Break 2 (A) - Another option when breaking a press is to set up as shown with 4 and 5 at the elbows and 1 and 3 at midcourt. DIAGRAM 4: Press Break 2 (B) - 4 and 5 make L-cuts. 2 passes to either 4 or 5 (5 in this case). 1 cuts to the top of the key in the backcourt to provide help. 2 curls into the area vacated by 1. DIAGRAM 5: Press Break 2 (C) - 5 passes to 1 at the top of the key. 1 either dribbles up the middle or passes to 2 or 3. If 3 does not receive the ball he goes to the basket in the far right lane. n 28 WINNING HOOPS COACHES PLAYBOOK 2022