Key-ball-three and transition defense

We identify transition defense as separate from our regular defense in the same way that we run primary and secondary breaks before we run our quarter court offense. I'm a disciple about something I got from a Pat Riley book (at least I think that's where I got it).

- We don't send 1 to the boards. They back up on the shot unless they shoot a lay-up in which case 2 backs up.
- We tell our players that we've made a mistake if they even attempt a long pass. This is a conservative view but I'm ready to give up something to stop their fastbreak.

Key-ball-three
- Our transition offense has three stages; key-ball-three.
- The first stage is for everyone to get back and stop passes to the key. The players have to learn that they don't play our regular defense until we stop the fastbreak.
- The next stage is to stop the ball. This takes at least two and probably three players. Everyone has to understand that a good player will nearly always score against one defender. We play our diamond defense with one player on the ball and two others much more concerned about the ballhandler than they are about the wing players. Remember, they shouldn't be concerned about their check until we stop the ball.
- We can move to the three point line and pick up our checks once the ballhandler has given up on a fastbreak basket.