Transition Offense - Igor Kokoškov (Head Coach, Phoenix Suns)

Introduction

Bernie Bickerstaff Transition Spacing (ran with the Seattle SuperSonics and later with Charlotte
Bobcats)

• 4 & 5 on one side of the floor

• Wings will cross underneath the basket

• Had bigs who weren’t really skilled so want to open the lane by having the bigs running opposite side
of the ball

• Lots of teams in the NBA have a rim-runner

• When the rim-runner gets to the rim, he “cleans out” to the dunker area (weakside short corner)

• Don’t want the rim-runner on the strongside to open the lane for the point guard to attack

• If the 5 trailing behind the push man isn’t really skilled (eg. Ben Wallace), don’t want him to be the
swing man (see “Thru” Series below)

• Will send the 5-man wide and have the wing (3-Man) come up straight in the lane and pop out high for
the swing pass

Secondary Break Actions

“Oklahoma”

• Double drag into a pindown for 4

Transition Offense
Oklahoma Oklahoma
Transition Transition

2 3 2 3

1
4 5
1 5

4 & 5 set double drag f o r 1 . 4 rolls. 5 rolls into a pindown f o r 4 .

 4 5
1 5

4 & 5 set double drag f o r 1 . 4 rolls. 5 rolls into a pindown f o r 4 .

“Point”

Point Point
Transition Transition

2 2

3 3
5
4 4
5 1
1

5 sets a wide pindown f o r 2 . 2 tight curls t o 1 speed cuts o f f 5 . 5 fakes the handoff. 3 &
the rim. 5 comes t o the pinch post. 1 hits 5 . 4 stagger f o r 2 (Gaggle). 3 slips t o rim.

"Weak" "Weak" "Weak"

Early Offense
Transition Transition Transition

• The secondary break is the last part of the teaching because if you have a PG or 2 dominant ball-handler5
that dribbles 5 a lot instead want to see the team pass 5 first and develop 3 ball movement

• One of the strengths of this offense is the ball movement

• Watching San Antonio in their evolution and Coach Popovich’s evolution as a coach was how they
2 started with a dominating post-up 2
3 presence back in the day with David Robinson and Tim Duncan; 4
feed the post and that’s the inside game
1 1
• Then Popovich turns the post-up game into nothing but pick-and-roll

• He was a “Rub” 4 high pick-and-roll, “Roll” side pick-and-roll 4 and “Angle”

• Spurs then turn their offense into a passing game which Kokoskov never believed you can play a3
1
motion offense in the NBA

• It’s basically an equal opportunity offense because the NBA is very much about precise

• Precise meaning the offense runs through a certain player (superstar/star player)

Love the hit-ahead or kick-ahead pass

1• h i t ahead t o 2 then "shuffle" cuts t o the 3 sets a cross screen f o r 5 . 4 sets a down 4 & 5 flash t o the elbow. 3 passes t o 5 .
opposite wing. 2 passes t o 4 . 4 reverses t o screen f o r 3 . 1 has option. 2 flattens t o the
1 . 3 cuts down t o block. corner.
“1” - call this “1” when need movement

• Don’t want to set the down screen on the weakside because the defense can shoot the gap

• The screen has to be in the middle of the lane so if the defense tries to shoot the gap it will be very
difficult

• Defense has no choice but to lock-and-trail

Transition Offense
"Weak"
Transition

2 1

4 5

2 makes a "Paul Pierce" cut t o the front o f

Pick-&-Roll Option

the r i m f o r a post-up.

Pick-& -Roll Pick-& -Roll Pick-& -Roll

Transition Transition Transition

2 1
5 5 3

2 3 2 4 5
1

4 4
1 3

1 h i t ahead t o 2 then "shuffle" cuts t o the 3 sets a cross screen f o r 5 . 4 sets a down 4 dives t o the opposite block.
opposite wing. 2 passes t o 4 . 4 reverses t o screen f o r 3 . 1 has option. 2 flattens t o the
1 . 3 cuts down t o block. corner.

Pick-& -Roll
Transition

2 4 1

5 sets a pick-and-roll with 3 . 5 rolls after

screen. 2 lifts behind roll.
Counters when reversal pass to 1 is denied on shuffle cut:

Versus Hit-Ahead Denial

Transition Offense
Hit Ahead Denial Hit Ahead Denial
Transition
Transition Offense Transition

5 Ahead Denial
Hit Hit5 Ahead Denial
3
Transition Transition

2 3 2
5 1 5 3

2 4 4
3 2
1 1

4 4
Hit ahead t o12 is denied. 1 dribbles t o the Continuity o n opposite side o f floor.
wing and 2 clears t o the opposite corner. 1
passes t o 4 . 3 cuts down t o the block.

1 Backdoor 1 Backdoor
Hit ahead t o 2 is denied. 1 dribbles t o the
Transition Continuity o n opposite side o f floor.
Transition
Backdoor Option
wing and 2 clears
opposite corner. 1
t o the
passes t o 4 . 3 cuts down t o the block.

5 1 Backdoor 5 1 Backdoor
3
Transition Transition

2 3 2 1
5 5 3

2 4 3 2 4 1
1

4 4
1 h i t ahead t1
o 2 then "shuffle" cuts t o the 1 cuts backdoor. 4 passes t o 1 .
opposite wing. 2 passes t o 4 . 3 cuts down t o
block.

Dribble
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then "shuffle" cuts t o the
Dribble
1 cuts backdoor. 4 passes t o 1 .
Transition Transition
opposite wing. 2 passes t o 4 . 3 cuts down t o
block.

5 Dribble 5 Dribble 3
Transition Transition

2 3 2
5 5 3 1

2 4 3 2 4
1
1

4 4
1 h i t ahead t1
o 2 then "shuffle" cuts t o the 4 dribbles at 2 f o r a handoff. 3 sets cross
opposite wing. 2 passes t o 4 . 3 cuts down t o screen f o r 5 . 4 rolls into a wide pindown f o r
block. 3 . 3 comes o f f screen looking f o r shot.
 Dribble (DHO) Option

Set Plays for a Shooter:

Over/Under Early Offense

Over Under Over Under
Transition Transition

5 5 3
1
2 2
3

4 4
1

1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the lane. 3 re-screen f o r 1 . 1 comes o f f baseline

2 passes t o 4 . stagger f r o m 3 & 5 . 4 passes t o 1 f o r shot.

"X" "X"
Transition Transition

5 5 1

2 3 2 3

4 4
1

1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the lane. 4 dribbles at 2 f o r a handoff. Dribble weave
2 passes t o 4 . with 2 & 3 . 4 & 5 stagger screen f o r 1 . 1
comes o f f stagger looking f o r shot.
 4
5 5 34
1 1
2 2
3

1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the lane. 3 re-screen f o r 1 . 1 comes o f f baseline

“X” Action
2 passes t o 4 . - Weave

4 stagger f r o m 3 & 5 . 4 passes t o 1 f o r shot.

4
1
"X" "X"
Transition Transition

1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the lane. 3 re-screen f o r 1 . 1 comes o f f baseline

2 passes t o 4 . stagger f r o m 3 & 5 . 4 passes t o 1 f o r shot.
5 5 1
"X" "X"
Transition Transition
2 3 2 3
5 5 1
4 4
2 1 3 2 3

4 4
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the lane. 4 dribbles at 2 f o r a handoff. Dribble weave
1
2 passes t o 4 . with 2 & 3 . 4 & 5 stagger screen f o r 1 . 1
comes o f f stagger looking f o r shot.

Side Pick-& -Roll Side Pick-& -Roll Side Pick-& -Roll

1 h i t ahead t o 2 thenTransition
cuts deep i n the lane. 4 dribbles at 2 f o r a handoff. Dribble weave
Side Pick-&-Roll
2 passes t o 4 .
Transition
with 2 & 3 . 4 & 5 stagger screen f o r 1 . 1
Transition

comes o f f stagger looking f o r shot.

Side
2Side Pick-& -Roll
5 Pick-& -Roll
Transition
Side Pick-&
5 -Roll
Transition
3 Transition

2
2 5 3 2 5 3 3 5
1 1
2 3 2 3 5
4 4 1 4 1
1
4 4 4
1
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then shuffle cuts t o the 3 sets cross screen f o r 5 . 5 sprints into a 1 comes o f f p i c k -&- r o l l and 5 rolls t o the
opposite wing. 2 passes t o 4 . 4 reverses t o side pick-and-roll with 1 . rim.
1 . 3 cuts down t o the block.
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then shuffle cuts t o the 3 sets cross screen f o r 5 . 5 sprints into a 1 comes o f f p i c k -&- r o l l and 5 rolls t o the
opposite wing. 2 passes t o 4 . 4 reverses t o side pick-and-roll with 1 . rim.
1 . 3 cuts down t o the block.
Option

Early Offense
• If 4-Man isn’t a strong post-up presence (eg. Boris Diaw) will have come off the down-screen then the
5-Man cuts into a post-up off the back screen from 3.

Option Option
Transition Transition

4
Early Offense
4 3
Option
Transition
Early Offense Option
Transition
2 3 2
Option
Transition
Option
Transition
1
4 4 3

5 5
2 4 2 4 3
1 3
1
2 3 2
5 5 1
1 h i t ahead1t o 2 then shuffle cuts t o the 4 fakes coming o f f cross screen. 5 down
opposite wing. 2 passes5 t o 5 . 5 reverses t o screens f o r 4 . 5
3 sets a back screen f o r 5 t o
1 . 3 cuts down t o the block. cut into post-up.
1
Single
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then shuffleTag
cuts t o the Single5 Tag
4 fakes coming o f f cross screen. down Single Tag
Single Tag

opposite wing. 2 passes t o 5 . 5 reverses t o

Transition
1 . 3 cuts down t o the block.
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then shuffle cuts t o the
opposite wing. 2 Single
passes Tag
t o 5 . 5 reverses t o
4
Transition
1 . 3 cuts down t o the block.
screens f o r 4 . 3 sets a back Transition
screen f o r 5 t o Transition
cut into post-up.
4 fakes coming o f f cross screen. 5 down
Single
screens f o r 4 . 3 sets Tagscreen f o r 5 t o
a back 3Single Tag 4
cut into post-up. 4
Transition 3 Transition

Single Tag Single Tag 3 Single Tag 4

4 Transition 4 Transition 3 Transition
2 3 2 2
31 4 1
2 4 3 2 4 3 5
2 1
1
5 5 5
2 1 3 2 2
5 5 1 1
1 5
5 5
1 h i t ahead1t o 2 then shuffle cuts t o the 3 sets cross screen f o r 4 . 4 clears t o the 5 sets a ball-screen f o r 1 then rolls. 4 lifts
opposite
1 h i t aheadwing. 2 passes
t o 2 then shufflet cuts
o 5 . t5o reverses
the t o3 sets cross
corner. 5 sprints
screen f o r 4 . 4into a side
clears t o thepick-and-roll behind
5 sets a ball-screen f o rroll i f x rolls.
1 then 4 is aggressive
4 lifts tagging o n the
1 . 3 cutswing.
opposite down t o the tblock.
2 passes o 5 . 5 reverses t o corner.with 1 . into a side pick-and-roll
5 sprints behind roll i f xroll.
4 is aggressive tagging o n the
1 . 3 cuts down t o the block. with 1 . roll.
Kansas
1 h i t ahead t o 2Kansas
then Action
shuffle cuts t o the 3 sets cross screen 4Kansas
. 4 clearsAction
f o r Action t o the 5 sets a ball-screen r 1 thenKansas
f o Action Action
rolls. 4 lifts
Action Kansas Kansas
“Kansas” Action

opposite wing. 2 passes Transition

t o 5 . 5 reverses t o
Transition
1 . 3 cuts down t o the block.
corner. 5 sprints into
with 1 .
a sideTransition
Transition pick-and-roll behind roll i f x 4 is
roll.
Transition
aggressive tagging
Transition o n the

Kansas Action
5 5Transition
Kansas Action
5 5 4 4
Kansas Action
1Transition 1 Transition
1 1
4 5 5
2 5 3 2 5 2
2 3 2 1 3 2 13
3 3
5
2 4 3 2 4 2
3 3
1 4 4
1 4 4
1
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts down t o the 1 sets a back screen f o r 4 . 5 flares t o 1 . 1 drives baseline. 4 sets a hammer screen
block. 5 cleans o u t t o the opposite block. 2 f o r 2 . 2 drifts t o the baseline corner f o r shot.
passes t o 4 . 4t reverses
1 h i t ahead o 2 thent ocuts
3 . down t o the 1 sets a back screen f o r 4 . 5 flares t o 1 . 1 drives baseline. 4 sets a hammer screen
block. 5 cleans o u t t o the opposite block. 2 f o r 2 . 2 drifts t o the baseline corner f o r shot.
1passes
h i t ahead
t o t4o. 24 then cuts down
reverses t o 3 .t o the 1 sets a back screen f o r 4 . 5 flares t o 1 . 1 drives baseline. 4 sets a hammer screen
block. 5 cleans o u t t o the opposite block. 2 f o r 2 . 2 drifts t o the baseline corner f o r shot.
passes t o 4 . 4 reverses t o 3 .
“Thru” Action (ran with the Detroit Pistons when he was an assistant coach)

• 4-man is the rim-runner

• First option is to punch it inside for the post-up

• If the 5-man trailing isn’t a good decision maker as soon as he crosses half-court he stays wide
outside of the “Amare” (named after Amare Stoudemire - I stole this term from Brett Brown) lane

• On the hit-ahead from 1, he looks to make a scoring cut to the basket

• If PG is open hit him for the layup

• 3-man makes a sharp “L-Cut” to the middle of the lane and then pop out high

• 5 cleans up with a pindown for 1

Early Offense
• The offense has made 4 passes and the ball is swung side-to-side with the ball in the PG’s hand

Thru Thru Thru

Transition Transition Transition

4 4 1 4 1

2 3 3 5
AMARE LANE 2
Early Offense 2

5 3
5
1 Thru Thru Thru
Transition Transition Transition

4 4 1 4 1
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the 3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. 2 passes t o 3 . 5 pindown f o r 1 . 3 passes t o 1 .
lane. 2 looks t o punch i t t o 4 f o r
post-up.
2 5 stays wide. 3 3 5
AMARE LANE 2 2
Strong Strong Strong Strong
Strong
Transition 5
Transition 3 Transition Transition
5
• If defense 1 fronts the 5-man on the post-up call is “Strong”

• Look to overload 4 the strongside

4 1 4 1 4 5
•1 hLess people on the
i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the
weakside is better for the offense

3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. 2 passes t o 3 . 5 pindown f o r 1 . 3 passes t o 1 .

4-man
•lane.
2
post-up.
2 looks tflashes
o punch i t t ohigh
5 stays wide.
4 f o r to top and looks high-low with 5-man ducking in for seal

3 3 5
2 2 2
Strong Strong Strong Strong
Transition Transition Transition Transition
5 3 3
5
41 4 1 4 1 4 5

2 3 3 5 1
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the 2 2 t o 3.
3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. 2 passes 5 pindown f o r 1 . 3 passes t2o 1 . 3 overload the strongside an
lane. 2 looks t o punch i t t o 4 f o r corner. 4 flashes high. 5 duc
post-up. 5 stays wide. 5 3 3 big-to-big.
look
5
1
Strong Strong
Transition Transition

1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the 3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. 2 passes t o 3 . 5 pindown f o r 1 . 3 passes t o 1 . 3 overload the strongside and fill the
lane. 2 looks t o punch i t t o 4 f o r 3 3 corner. 4 flashes high. 5 ducks i n and 4
post-up. 5 stays wide.
5 5 look b i g - t o - b i g .

Strong Strong
Transition Transition
1 1
2 2
3 3
5 4 5 4

1 1
2 2
4 4

I f high-low isn't open, 4 passes t o 2 . 1 & 4 stagger screen f o r 3 . 3 comes o f f

stagger looking f o r shot. 2 passes t o 3 .

If high-low isn't open, 4 passes t o 2 . 1 & 4 stagger screen f o r 3 . 3 comes o f f

Thru Fist Side stagger looking f o r shot.Thru Fist
2 passes Side
to 3 . Thru Fist Side Thru Fist Side
Transition Transition Transition Transition

Thru Fist Side Thru Fist Side Thru Fist Side Thru Fist Side
Transition Transition Transition Transition
4 4 1 4 1 4 5
 1 1
2 2
4 4

If high-low isn't open, 4 passes t o 2 . 1 & 4 stagger screen f o r 3 . 3 comes o f f

Thru Fist Side

Early Offense
stagger looking f o r shot. 2 passes t o 3 .

Thru Fist Side Thru Fist Side Thru Fist Side Thru Fist Side
Transition Transition Transition Transition

Thru Hit Ahead Denial Thru Hit Ahead Denial

4 Transition 4 Transition
1 4 1 4 5

2 4 3 4 23 5 1
2
2 2
2 3 5
5 3 3
1
5
1
5 3
1
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the 3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. 2 passes t o 3 . 5 pindown f o r 1 . 3 passes t o 1 . 5 cleans o u t t o the opposite block as 4
lane. cuts through the middle lane f o r a side
p i c k -&- r o l l with 1 . 2 & 3 interchange.
Hit ahead t o 2 is denied so 1 waives 2 t o Continuity o n opposite side o f floor.
clear out. 3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. 1
Thru Flare

passes t o 3 .

Thru Flare Thru Flare Thru Flare

Transition Transition Transition

4 4 1 4 3
5
5
2 3 1
2

3 2
5
1

1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the 3 is denied the pass o n L-Cut. 3 dives 3 exits t o the corner and overload the
lane. 3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. down the middle o f the lane. 5 pindown strongside. 4 sets a flare f o r 2 .
f o r 1 . 2 passes t o 1 .

Versus Hit-Ahead
Thru Punch Denial
1
Thru Punch 1
Early Offense
Transition Transition

Thru Hit Ahead Denial Thru Hit Ahead Denial

4 Transition 4 1
Transition
5
2 3 2
4 4 2
3
2 5 3
1 5
1

5 3
1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the 5 fakes the pindown f o r 1 then pops
lane. 3 makes 1 an "L-Cut" t o top. 2 back o u t t o perimeter. 1 seals his man
passes t o 3 . f o r post-up.

Hit ahead t oThru

2 is Punch
denied2so 1 waives 2 t o Thru Punch
Continuity 2
o n opposite side o f floor.
Transition Transition
clear out. 3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. 1
passes t o 3 .
4 4 2

Thru Flare 5
Thru Flare Thru Flare
2 Transition
3 Transition Transition
1

5 3
4 4 1 4 3
1 5
5
2 3 1
1 dribbles at 2 and 2 clears t o the 5 fakes then2pindown f o r 2 then pops
opposite block. 3 makes an "L-Cut" t o back o u t t o perimeter f o r pass f r o m 3 . 2
Post-Up Plays out of “Thru”:

Thru Punch 1 + Thru Punch 2

Backdoor Option

• Defense shoots the gap and denies the catch off the pindown

• 5-man flashes to the pinch post and 1 cuts backdoor for layup

• If backdoor isn’t available, play two-man game with pinch post and look for weakside action (Gaggle
action)

• When the ball is in the pinch post the opposite big/post stays in the mid-post and facing the basket

• 3 fakes the stagger and cuts over tail (towards the middle) because x5 will bump 3 on his cut

• 3 will then set a wide screen on x5

• 1 comes off screen looking for a shot

Early Offense
Thru Backdoor Thru Backdoor Thru Backdoor Thru Backdoor
Transition Transition Transition Transition

4 4 1 1
4 4
5 1
2 3 2 2 2
5 5

5 3 3 3
1

1 h i t ahead t o 2 then cuts deep i n the 5 pindown f o r 1 . 5 flashes t o pinch post 1 cuts backdoor. 5 fakes the handoff t o 3 . 1 comes o f f
lane. 3 makes an "L-Cut" t o top. 2 when x 1 shoots the gap. 3 passes t o 5 . screen f r o m 4 looking f o r shot. 5 passes
passes t o 3 . t o 1.

Thru Backdoor
Transition

4 1
5
2

Curl option:

1 tight curls around 5 and screens f o r 5 .

5 flashes t o pinch post f o r pass f r o m 3 .
Same "Gaggle" action o n weakside.
Dive Series
• Love this action because it starts off with a little misdirection

• When PG spins it automatically triggers a dive

Dive Punch

Dive 5

Dive 45

Dive Rub

5 Up Series:

5 Up

5 Up - High Split

5 Up - Hammer

Misc. Notes

• Offensively, it’s better to be late and patient

• When you fall in love with a series you have to keep building counters and options

• Larry Brown was always asking "What’s a counter to this and what are we going to do if the defense
takes away this, how are we going to react?”

• It’s like we’re playing chess

• Defense makes a move and you have to react