Continuing our series of how we can borrow coaching ideas from other sports, we look at the other sport that dominates the televisions in America.
Similar to the news story that always runs in Australia around a player with a Basketball background being able to transfer successfully to AFL concepts, its American Football that gets that treatment in the US, with LeBron James for example being regularly asked if he thought he could play Tight End in the National Football League if he wasn’t a basketballer.
In basketball, the ability to create space is crucial for offensive success. Whether it’s finding gaps in a tight defense or creating opportunities for a good shot, players and coaches alike must master the art of spacing.
Interestingly, basketball coaches can glean valuable insights from another sport that thrives on overcoming tight spaces—American football.
In the NFL, red zone situations, where the field is compressed near the goal line, force coaches and players to be particularly creative in generating space.
By studying how NFL coaches approach these scenarios, basketball coaches can refine their strategies for dealing with compact defenses and pressure situations.
Timing and Precision of Movement
In the red zone, NFL offenses often face 11 defenders in a confined area, similar to how a basketball team might face an aggressive zone defense or a full-court press.
With little room to operate, NFL coaches teach their players to execute plays with perfect timing and precision. The key lies in quick cuts, rapid decision-making, and synchronized movement between quarterbacks and receivers.
Basketball Application:
In basketball, timing is equally important, especially in situations like pick-and-rolls or backdoor cuts. Coaches should train players to use screens efficiently, waiting for the perfect moment to change direction and lose their defender.
This includes footwork training and repetition in game-like situations to perfect these quick changes of pace and direction. Practicing short bursts of movement in tight spaces can help players develop the same kind of precision needed in NFL red zone offenses.
Manipulating Defenders’ Eyes and Movements
NFL coaches frequently use “eye manipulation” to create space. Quarterbacks are trained to look in one direction to hold defenders, while their intended target runs into open space elsewhere.
Receivers also use subtle changes in body language and fakes to create just enough separation for a play to succeed.
Basketball Application:
In basketball, manipulating the defender’s eyes is vital for generating space. Players can use their eyes to fake passes or no-look passes to confuse defenders.
Body fakes, shoulder drops, and jab steps can further create separation for drives to the basket or open up passing lanes. Coaches should emphasize these techniques during one-on-one drills or in tight offensive sets like isolation plays or post-ups, where every inch of space counts.
Vertical Space and Mismatches
NFL offenses utilize height advantages and mismatches in red zone plays by targeting taller players like tight ends or wide receivers with excellent vertical ability. Similarly, basketball players can exploit vertical mismatches to create scoring opportunities.
Basketball Application:
In basketball, vertical space plays a crucial role in creating separation—whether through lobs for alley-oops, high-post entries, or simple jump shots over shorter defenders.
Coaches should train their players to recognize mismatches in real-time and utilize techniques like post moves, fadeaways, or lobs to take advantage of vertical space.
Additionally, off-ball players must stay alert to crash the boards or provide cuts, just like how tight ends in football look for soft spots in a defense.
Maximizing the Use of Screens and Rubs
NFL coaches use pick plays (often called "rubs") to exploit defenders in man coverage. These plays involve one receiver running close enough to a teammate's route to cause a “rub” or slight interference, which springs them open for a pass.
Basketball Application:
In basketball, the use of screens to create space is fundamental, but the way screens are set can benefit from an NFL-style approach. Setting "rubs" or slip screens, where the screener quickly releases into open space after lightly brushing against the defender, mimics the NFL’s tactics. Coaches should stress the importance of reading the defense and setting screens that either force defenders to switch or get confused, allowing the ball handler or cutter to break free into space.
Small-Sided Game Planning
In the red zone, NFL coaches often condense play designs into smaller, more controlled areas of the field, reducing the overall space but focusing on specific, purposeful movements by key players.
This same principle can be applied in basketball when dealing with half-court offensive sets.
Basketball Application:
In basketball, running small-sided drills like 3-on-3 or 4-on-4 in tight spaces helps players get used to operating in condensed areas.
Practicing these scenarios sharpens decision-making, increases awareness, and forces players to become more efficient in their movements.
Coaches should simulate late-game situations where the court feels “smaller” due to pressure, reinforcing the need for quick, decisive cuts and crisp passing.
Pacing and Tempo Control
NFL offenses in the red zone are methodical, knowing they have limited time and space to score.
They often change the pace to throw off defenses—sometimes going no-huddle to catch them off guard or slowing the game down to allow for better execution.
Basketball Application:
Basketball coaches can similarly focus on controlling the tempo when facing tight defensive pressure or late-game situations.
Varying the pace of play—sometimes slowing down the offense to control the clock or speeding up the tempo to create confusion—can help generate space.
Players need to be comfortable adjusting their tempo based on the situation, making tempo control drills an essential part of practice.
