TRAINING GUIDE PRESS BREAK
BEDFORD THUNDER PRESS BREAK STAGE ONE
NOTES: 3
4
Most full court presses set up in a 1-2-1-1 formation. It's impossible for the two defenders behind the lead defender to cover all four players on the court. The pass will therefore go into either the wing or elbow on the side the inbounder is on; normally the defence will allow the pass to the wing rather than the elbow.
2
1
5
As soon as this happens the lead defender and the defender closest to the wing will look to trap the ball. A quick pass to either '1' or preferably '2' is vital here - once they receive the ball the press is effectively broken and the defence is now outnumbered at least three to two.
Player movement Pass Shot Player with ball
BEDFORD THUNDER PRESS BREAK STAGE TWO
NOTES: 3
4
Once '2' receives the ball he drives down the wing and has the choice of hitting either '5' (who should be furthest down the court) on the opposite wing or '1' who is trailing down the middle.
2
1
5
BEDFORD THUNDER PRESS BREAK STAGE THREE
NOTES: 3
2
4
1
5
If the defence sets up man-to-man we simply switch the guard and forward around on the ball side. '2' sets a screen for '4' and as soon as '4' receives the ball '2' cuts up the middle. Once '4' receives the ball they look for the quick pass to '2'. While this is happening '1' comes towards the ball - his man is likely overplaying him. If the pass to '2' isn't open '1' cuts hard away from the ball and there should be an easy pass over his defender, and again the press is broken.