Inside Hoops- Slappin’ Glass & Jenny Boucek

I want to share two great resources:

1- Slappin’ Glass Podcast

2- Jenny Boucek, Indiana Pacer Assistant Coach

Today I listened to the Slappin’ Glass Podcast that was an interview with Jenny Boucek of the Pacers. Their questions, topics, and her responses were very, very good. 

Anyone who thinks having Boucek on the Pacer’s staff is probably a token thing or just a player relations deal, they are absolutely wrong. Her insights were off the charts. Some people are able to take the complex and break it into simple terms, she is such a coach. Some examples of things that they covered in the podcast. 

In it’s simplest form today, basketball is offensively “1 man games” where offensively you are trying to get 2 defenders to guard one man so then when you pass, you force rotations. For example with baseline drive, object is to get two defenders committed to the ball. From there, the offense decides on the weakside to spot up, send a cutter, or screen on the one defender left.

Or basketball is offensively a “2 man games” where you offensively are trying to get 3 defenders to commit to defend. So in ball screens, can you force the defense to commit a third defender. 

Conversely, on defense vs. 1 man action, can you defend with only one defender. And vs. 2 man offense actions, can you defend with only two defenders. 

The group and Coach Boucek then talked about dynamics of the ball screen-

1- Toughest thing for defense to guard is a short roll with a player who can read and attack.

2- The NBA is going to more and more guard on guard ball screens. 

3- Vs teams who do drop coverage, they are defensively hoping to force the offense into mid-range two’s off the dribble. The NBA counter to this is to move the ball screen out further on the floor. So when guards like Lillard come off the ball screen if it is drop coverage, their shot is a three vs. a mid-range two. 

Finally, Boucek was asked what was most valuable for an assistant coach- X/O’s knowledge, help with player development, or film analysis. Her response was that none of them are the most important things for an assistant coach. All of these things can be developed, but the most important thing for a successful assistant coach are the following: Loyalty, Character, Work Ethic, and Ability to Build Relationships. 

I would HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommend that you start listening to Slappin’ Glass Podcast if you don’t already. This episode is one they repeated on May 23. 

Also, I would recommend that you go to Slappinglass.com to look at all that is available thru them. You can sign up for a free newsletter. Or if you are looking for a good “coaching clinic”, I look at their membership. It may seem pricey at about $250 per year but it includes weekly notes, access to film breakdown, and clinics. It looks like a high level learning opportunity.