3 Ways to Score More Points

Does your team score easily or is it a struggle?

If your team struggles to score, you’re not alone. Most teams struggle to score, especially against a set defense. Even the best offenses score better in transition when the defense is disorganized. Gonzaga University, one of the most skilled and efficient teams in the NCAA is significantly better when shooting in transition. They generate over 1.2 points per possession in transition, while just 1.0 PPP against a set defense.

Principle - every team, regardless of skill, will score better in transition. So, focus on finding and refining ways to get more shots in transition.

You MUST entertain these 3 ways to improve your offense.

1. STOP spending time on your half court offense.

Yes, you read that right, eliminate it completely. Stay with me, here’s some assumptions:

• You have limited practice time
• Your team isn’t great against a set defense
• You split time between practicing transition O and half court O

When you have the ball you’re on offense. (Mind boggling I know). You’re wasting time if you practice one thing for transition and do something different if you don’t get a shot in transition. The most efficient way to practice and play is to establish principles for when you have the ball. There should be no reset, no “set up the play” and no changing from transition to half court offensive principles. Your offensive principles should apply all the time, regardless of whether you’re in transition or the half court.

You need to good at what happens most in games. You transition 100% of the time, transition just means change from D to O. You will get some % of your possessions where you must attack a set half court defense. Usually less than half given <50% FG% and TO rate. By definition you will get more transition opportunities in a game. As you improve in transition, your opportunities multiply.

When you establish principles for how you play with pace, spacing, and shot clarity… You will discover there’s not much else to teach once the defense is set. That is why our #RaceAndSpace Offense is so effective and being adopted like wildfire across the basketball world. It simplifies the game, and simplicity wins.

2. Shoot more 3s — they’re worth more than 2s ;)

Every team I work with needs to shoot more. Literally, most can double the amount of in-game 3s they attempt and it will lead to scoring more points. They are worth more, are more open than most other shots and create more spacing for anything else you want at the rim.

When players are encouraged to shoot 3s and have the freedom to do so, they shoot better and have more confidence. When players have a leash or a yellow light they shoot worse. You know this, so let the dogs out!

When you shoot more 3s in games, you’ll shoot more in practice. Both in your practice War games (see more on this here) and you will choose to do more shooting drills. When you shoot more in practice, you shoot better in games.

Here’s some simple math, it’s a formula I use with teams I consult for at all levels.

For example, team A shoots 28% from the 3 point line over a season. This means they generate .84 PPP when they shoot a 3.

Team A generates .72 points per possession overall in the same season. This is average for most HS girls teams.

Over 60 possessions Team A would score around 7.2 more points per game if they shot a 3 whenever they didn’t have a wide open layup as compared to what they normally do.

Try the formula for your team to determine if you’re shooting enough 3s.

3FG% x 3 = 3FGA PPP (point per possession)

Compare that to your overall PPP - Points Scored / (FGA + TO) = Overall PPP

This is a simple way to do it removing FTA for general indicators.

90% of the teams I work with need to shoot WAY more 3s based on this math.

• Shooting more = shooting better.
• Shooting better = scoring more.
• Scoring more = more fun.

More fun = more success.

Therefore shoot more to succeed more. It’s math ;)

3. Let your best players shoot the most and your worst players shoot the least.

Your best players shoot the worst and your worst players shoot the best

Yeah, I know, shocking. For the best scoring teams this is the case. Your best scorer should have the lowest eFG% and your worst shooter should have the best eFG%.

Why?

Well, your best player should shoot the most and shoot the hardest shots, while your worst player should shoot the least and only shoot WIDE open lay ups.

This may seem obvious, yet most teams don’t clearly state this, coach this, demand this or create this.

Clear role identification is imperative to score more points. The more you limit options of you worst players and get the ball in the hands of your best players you will find that you score more points, lower turnovers, and play with better pace.

The sooner your best player can shoot it or draw two defenders and pass to someone who shoots it, the better. You'll see that you'll score more points and there’s fewer moments your team can turn it over.

You may be intrigued, you may be offended, or you may have been doing this all along.

Regardless, if you want to learn more, check out our course. The Race & Space offense will consistently…

1. Race the opponent for advantage
2. Space outside the 4pt line to +1 advantage
3. Flow quickly towards bigger advantages

How do we do this in a SAVI way? SAVI basketball is based on a commitment to principle based teaching, so here's the principle.

Principle - Basketball is a game of opposites

Hard habits = Easy game

Easy habits = Hard game

Establishing the above as habits is hard, but when once these things are automatic you'll be thrilled with how easily your team scores.

I hope you join SAVI Nation and score more points, have more fun and develop better players.

Hit me up with any questions!

Stay SAVI.

Tyler