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Three Guard Penetration Offense for Smaller Teams
By Coach Randy Brown

The average fan believes you must have tall players to field a good basketball team. This long held belief has become less and less true over the years. Many of today's teams favor athleticism, quickness, and shooting ability to height. If your team is small in stature, this offense is perfect for you.

This three guard attack is based on good spacing, filling open spots, and penetration. The point and both wings are the positions assumed by the guards. The wings must be wide on the floor and above the top of the key. Positioned just outside each block are the two post players, who are very important to the offense.

Keys to the Three Guard Offense

1. Spacing is needed for this set to be successful. The goals is to keep the center of the floor open for one-on-one penetration by one of the guards. The goal of penetration is to reach the paint with your dribble. Once in the paint good things usually happen. Perimeter players can shoot, dish to a post player or an open teammate on the perimeter spotting up for a shot.

2. Create defensive help. On penetration, the goal is to get a defender other than your man to help. When this happens, an open teammate is available for a pass and shot.

3. Attacking mindset. All five players need an aggressive, scoring mentality in this offense. Penetration can lead to good shots, penetration and pitch opportunities, or fouls on the opponent. an attacking guard can create 6-10 free throw attempts per game.

4. Scoring Opportunities. By putting pressure on the defense in this way, many scoring options are possible. Penetration causes the defense to foul more than usual, adding to the number of free throws attempted. On the second and third penetration, the defense is more likely to break down. Perimeter skills such as shot fakes and creating space are possible at every perimeter position.

Many high school teams face a shortage of big post players. This three guard offense can be your main offense or a change of pace offense. When the defense is foul prone or in foul trouble, this attack can really put the pressure on the opponent. Take a look at this unique offense and make it a part of your offensive arsenal.