false

Creating the Read & React
by Rick Torbett (@RickTorbett)

Read & ReactI was asked recently to speak about the process I went through to create the Read & React. I’ve written on this before, but usually from a standpoint of the problems I was trying to solve.

This time I talked about a different aspect of the process. Many coaches think that there are 2 versions: the first one that I published in August of 2008 and the current updated version from 2010. Actually, there are 4 versions.

The first version was 99% in my mind while I worked the bugs out in 2003 and 2004. The second version came about when I tried to put it on paper and in diagrams. This was a lot harder than I first thought and it revealed holes that needed to be filled. This paper version never really worked. For 4 years, I gave it away to my friends, only to find myself always getting on the court with the players and the coach in order to bring sense to my notes and diagrams. They needed to see the timing, spacing, etc.

In 2008, I put the Read & React on DVD and the visual aspect of this medium proved to make it much more transferable than my paper notes and diagrams.

About the TribeAfter 2 years of feedback from the Tribe, I came out with the current version, incorporating a more easily understood blueprint for installation.

That’s the history, but that’s not today’s point. What I was shooting for was “basketball offense” with all of its variety. In order to get to the essence of “no plays” basketball, I had to install some unique elements of structure that would allow us a teaching/building process.

My original goal (and still the goal today) was to uncover the LEAST amount of structure needed. (Anyone can add complexity to a thing.) The goal was NOT the framework – instead, the goal was to eventually REMOVE the framework and allow the team to play with spontaneity without ever losing 5-player-coordination!

As an example, I originally thought that there were only two basic structures that were NEEDED to capture 5 player coordination: Passing/Cutting action and Driving/Circle Moving action. Everything else (I thought) was superfluous. Here’s what I mean:

If someone decides to set a ball-screen, then when the ball-handler comes off the screen, he/she is either driving right or driving left. This initiates Circle Movement by those without the ball. If the ball-handler passes to anyone, then our “channel has changed” to Pass & Cut. And so, I didn’t see the ball-screen as NECESSARY for the framework that would hold the team together. All screening actions were “add-ons” in my mind. Furthermore, they were to be added on when the coach thought the players could handle them. The coach would have to make that decision themselves, so why should I allow my opinion to get in the way?

That was my original mindset. Transition? What’s that got to do with tying your half-court actions together? Zone Attack? Just let the players attack and they’ll find the scoring opportunities. Pretty naive, huh?

This loose framework is fine if you have players that understand what a Pin & Skip is and when to use it, how to balance the floor on a baseline drive, or how to turn a random cut into a brush screen. When I realized that most players don’t know all of the actions available to them (as a 5-player-team), I knew I had to fill in ALL of the gaps in their knowledge.

Luckily, I had a Tribe of coaches behind me, telling me what was needed. (And I still do!)

Conclusion: Perhaps if you view your process though this lens, it will help you know where you are and where you need to get to. When all is said and done, is your team playing better? Are they sharing the ball, controlling space, attacking as a 5-player-unit, and taking good shots? Ultimately, isn’t that the goal?

If you are unfamiliar with the Read & React, here is my latest explanation of what it is:

http://https://vimeo.com/85734193

[divider]

Full Time-Out with Rick Torbett

The Bar to Improvement – Part 1 of 2 

Please share your questions, comments, thoughts, experiences, etc. in the ‘Leave a Reply’ section below…

4 Responses

  1. Just started coaching high school basketball this year. Love the offense and your videos. It has really helped get more players involved on offense. I do have question. Do you sell your read&react board you use in these videos? Would be a great coaching aid.

    1. Neil – I made the board using permanent markers. When I draw on it, I use dry eraser markers that will (obviously) erase but leave my lane, arc, and spots on the board. It would be nice to have one to hang on the wall and another one to carry around. I’ll look into getting them made and see if there’s any interest beyond you and me!

Leave a Reply