Many coaches have tried it. Many coaches have dropped it. In using the Run and Jump Press, I would like you to consider the concept of PLATOONING. You just might find out you love it. I do NOT advocate PLATOONING the entire game, but I do think it has merit early in each half. This could be a 5 In/5 Out or maybe 4 In/4 Out. Don’t forget, if you are Run and Jump Pressing, you are living “outside the box” and playing more kids, so let’s take a look at PLATOONING! Here is the concept that we have used with success.
- 1st Group (2 Minutes) / 2nd Group (2 Minutes) / 1st Group Back on the Floor
- Normal Substitution Pattern to Finish the Half or Game.
SO WHY DOES THIS WORK? Think about how important it has always been to get your entire team ENGAGED early. If I’m a player in the 2nd Group sitting on your bench, and I know that I am going to enter the game in a couple of minutes, I am JACKED and READY! If I am a player in the 1st Group, I know that I can go hard the first two minutes and don’t have to worry about “saving myself.” I can make some things happen, knowing I will get a quick break and then go right back in. We also know that starting players have some early, natural anxiety which leads to some quick fatigue. Normally, as coaches we wait for them to “catch their 2nd wind.” Instead, let’s have them “catch the 2nd platoon.”
If you are deep enough to have some “3rd Group,” players, you have now given them incentive to get INTO the 2nd Group! For the members of the 2nd Group, it is IMPORTANT that they understand they need to produce. Run the opponent, don’t foul, and rebound. That’s a good start!! We are NOT PLATOONING because we are trying to keep everyone happy (however this does). We need RESULTS!
No matter if you PLATOON or not, the goals are the same.
-Create Some Chaos – Protect the Basket – Rebound the Misses-
COACH EDDIE ANDRIST 