1. Shooting out of corner and standing.

How many rebounds will come back out to the corner? The shooter must immediately move to the near side lane line area. This gives us better floor balance and allows us to set up our full court pressure.

2. Running with your back to the ball after a basket.

Again, one must overcome the natural tendency to do this.  Our players should always have their eyes on the ball.  In teaching our transition game, we will run sprints to help teach and build this habit.

3. Potential inbounds receiver standing with their back to their own basket.

Players should position themselves on the floor in such a way that they can locate both baskets visually and be facing the inside of the floor.

4. Failure to screen the shooter on the foul shot.

Hands should be at shoulder height to allow for maximum jump and to keep defense from pushing our arms down as we block out.  There is no excuse for a shooter to get their own rebound.

5. The baby bounce.

Too often, post players put the ball on the floor, taking up time and allowing the perimeter defenders to take their move and the ball away. 

6. Failure to challenge the dribbler.

We must try to stop the dribbler when the offense has an advantage.  We cannot afford to give up midrange shots or allow the ball to easily enter the high post area.

7. Failure to make the defense commit.

Fake the ball right up to the defense before making a play.  Fake a pass to make a pass.  Penetrate the gaps against zone defenses looking to draw two defenders on dribble penetration.

8. Passing on the run.

We have to be sure our pass is successful before we make our cut or we will be watching a lay-up at the other end.  Too many players are in too much of a hurry to make a pass.  In transition, stop, look, and find the open receiver.

9. Failure to pick up loose balls.

Players have to be willing to hit the floor in order to secure a loose ball.  This is a big-time team motivator.  We can’t allow our team to be out hustled and expect to win consistently.

10. Getting beat across the lane on defense.

We must beat our man to the spot where they want to receive the ball and body check them preventing him from catching this pass.  Use a solid forearm arm bar to take the cut away.  Jump to the ball so we are in position to take away the cut.

11. Leaving man with the ball because he is not your man.

Never leave the ball!  The ball is our first priority; let the other four defenders adjust. 

12. The rebounder that can’t.

It is impossible to rebound if you get too far under the basket. 

13. Failure to wait for screens.

Players have to be good actors.  It is better to be late coming off a screen then being too early.  We want our offensive players to wait for the screen because our offense will be better for it.

14. Not communicating on defense.

I have yet to find a good defensive team that did not communicate.  Players have to let their teammates where they are and where the offense is going.  We teach our players to call “ball” and “help” for example.