FIBA Basketball
BEIJING 2008 OLYMPICS (WOMEN) USA
Download Organizer File USA WOMEN’S OLYMPIC BASKETBALL, 2008 Team Characteristics Deep, athletic team that embraces team basketball. Many offensive weapons put constant pressure on the defense. ...
USA
WOMEN’S OLYMPIC BASKETBALL, 2008
Team Characteristics
Deep, athletic team that embraces team basketball. Many offensive weapons put constant pressure
on the defense. Balance and bench strength benefit their consistent play. Use of inside and outside
scoring threats make them difficult to defend. Score equally in transition, from the free throw line,
on+the boards and in half court offense. Defensively they rely on quickness and early help. Post
protect the basket allowing perimeter defenders to extend pressure and exert ball pressure.
Offensive Tendencies

Scoring threats on the perimeter and in the post. Strong, aggressive action with the ball leads to
baskets and fouls. Getting the ball inside is a priority in the half court. Make good use of screening,
on ball screen and roll and one on one isolation. Inside/outside balance forces defense to make
decisions on each possession. Score a portion of their points in transition and from offensive
rebounding. Scoring is balanced and shots are distributed among many different players. Excellent
rebounding team on both ends.
Transition

Dangerous transition team that can strike quickly. Advance the ball quickly with the pass and score
proficiently when they have numbers advantage. Follow up missed shots for put backs. Posts will trail
the play and shoot perimeter shots with good accuracy. Ball handler is key to the break and forces
the defense to make decisions in terms of ball coverage and rotation.
Set Plays
Out of Bounds

Set up in a line and break into open areas. Once in bounds, post seal well to catch ball inside. Ball
reversal creates open shots and flashes in the lane. Posts slips to the basket when defenders hedge
or give help. Penetration comes once ball is in bounded, forcing the defense to close out, help, and
recover.
Zone Offense

Zone offense is based on spacing, ball movement and cutting. Posts present big targets inside and
creen well along baseline and screen in defenders on weak side. Good shooting from the perimeter
stretches the outside of the zone making it vulnerable to penetration and inside post feeds. Posts
can move in and out of paint to distort the zone and will set screens for perimeter players. Go to the
offensive boards and score off second shots.
Team Defense

Quickness, length and athletic ability contribute to and excellent half court defense. Posts serve as
basket protectors and make baskets hard to come by in the paint for the offense. Ball pressure,
physical play away from the ball and aggressive board work add to their defensive presence. Will
pick up in the full court to work the shot clock. Turnovers and blocked shots lead to quick scores in
transition.