Coach ,

The 2021 Olympics have shown that the common trends in the game today are already adopted globally.

The trends can be seen by each team in the Olympics; however, teams are beginning to find new variations and ways of executing these trends. 

Trend #1: Box and One

On Sunday, Slovenia won a hard-fought battle with Spain.

Luka Doncic struggled in the first half of the game -- having 3 fouls in the first quarter of action. 

This was because Spain played Box + 1.

Box + One is a zone defense that results in one player being face guarded while the other 4 players are in a box zone. 

Box + One is a defense that has become more common in professional leagues in recent years. 

In 2019, the Toronto Raptors used the Box + One defense against the Warriors in the NBA Finals. 

The Raptors were attempting to take away shots from Kevin Durant and Klay Thompson. 

The defense is played to take away a scorer and make other players on the team try to beat you.

BOX + 1 - is a Winning Defense for ALL Levels This video illustrates several examples of the Box+1 in action.

(Click on Image to play Video)

Trend #2: Hammer Screen

The Hammer Screen has been a staple of great offenses for many years. 

On Sunday, Spain ran a Floppy Hammer Set against Slovenia. 

The set resulted in a wide-open look from 3 for Spain. 

A Hammer action consists of a drive baseline and on the backside a big screening in a defender so a player can get an open corner 3.

The Hammer action is known as one of the best special situation plays at any level. 

The action is very hard to guard because it happens very quickly and has misdirection.

Hammer Screen Smorgasbord 

The link below illustrates 41 actions out of the Hammer Action within different alignments.

Trend #3: Spain Pick and Roll

In the 2016 Olympic Games, Coach Scariolo and Spain ran an action known now as the “Spain Pick and Roll”.

The Spain Pick and Roll Action is now one of the most run actions at any level of basketball including in this year's Olympic Games.

The Spain Pick and Roll occurs when a screen is set for the ball handler, then a third player sets a screen on the player defending the man rolling to the rim. 

The Spain Pick and Roll has now carried over at every level of basketball. Including, one of the top run actions in the NBA last season. 

Spain Pick and Roll

-- Coach Scariolo diagrams a set out of the Spain Pick and Roll action and explains why it’s a tough set to guard. 

The Olympics have shown that the trends that we see globally have become the common trends in USA basketball.

The resources give you enhanced learning of the trends and new ways to teach the actions/trends.

As a fan of the game, it is always refreshing to watch players from every country compete for a gold medal. 

As a coach, it is always a learning experience taking away the trends and finding ways to utilize them with my own team. 

Never get out-coached, 

-The Coaches Clinic Community of Coaches Helping Coaches