THREE ON TWO; NANAHO’S TACTICAL TRAINING

Nanaho): it has been a week since Liam decided to join our basketball team and I have to admit he's really amazing, he has been improving at a shocking rate and is now being coached by Yukio on how to play his role as Centre. I'm honestly glad that he's on our team, his input will give Yukio the opportunity to play a different position.

Yukio: come on Liam, get lower than that, I know that you are pretty strong, however a lot of strong centers are in the league so you need to learn how to use all of your strength when you post up in order to gain the edge. Here

(Yukio passes the basketball to Liam)

Yukio: Takahiro mark me

Yukio: pass the ball where I ask you to Liam

(Liam passes the basketball to Yukio)

(Yukio catches the basketball)

(Yukio bounces the ball on the floor, spins off Takahiro and shoots a Layup)

(swoosh)

Yukio: using your full strength which is bending more against a weaker defender will give you the opportunity to score much easier baskets because they'll have to get extremely low to try and guard you, making it easy for you to get by them and scoring an uncontested shot in the post, on the other hand against stronger and more experienced players they will know that you know what you are doing if you utilize your full potential when you post up so they won't take any chances they get to steal the ball.

Liam: I understand, I just need to get lower right

Yukio: yes, let's try it once more

Liam: okay

(Nanaho): I had to change up their training a bit because I saw some areas where they lack in, Yukio, Liam and Takahiro are training together, they are both aiding in Liam's training to become our Center whilst working on their midrange game. Yukio is also working on his outside game because he won't be playing in the post, I'm thinking about making him a power forward. Tetsuo and Shino are both training together with Tetsuo teaching him how to shoot better while he works on his own training routine. Noboru is still doing stamina training, however, after he's done Tetsuo teaches him how to shoot. Hayato is working on refining his dribbling and ball handling skills and also his finishing around the rim.

(Nanaho): it was smart of Hayato when he suggested morning training the other day, they get to put in a lot of work and more time working on their game, I believe that this time for sure we can make it to the inter high.

Nanaho: okay, everyone we will be switching from individual skill development training, we will be practicing as a team now

Nanaho: Shino, go ahead and call Noboru for me, I'm sure that he must be really tired of competing with the girl's track team

Shino: yes, I'll go right now

Yukio: what kind of training do you have in mind Nanaho

Nanaho: just wait and see

Nanaho: alright, now that you're all here I'll explain what we are doing

Nanaho: after repeatedly watching the video of the match against Yokonan I had realized that you guys can't function as a team in certain situations, for example when it's a three on two, most of the times your attack fails against two defenders when there are three of you and when it's the other way around they manage to score. With the exception of Tetsuo who single handedly broke down Yokonan's defense the rest of you need to understand and learn how to operate in any situation even if there is less of you on both offense and defense. So I came up with a fun little drill to help us mitigate this issue and teach you guys to function effectively without five players on both ends of the court

Nanaho: since there is seven of you I'll be dividing you guys in teams of three, the first team will be Yukio and Noboru

Noboru: let's go score some points

Nanaho: The second team will be Hayato, Shino and Liam. And the third team will be Tetsuo and Takahiro. Now that we have established the teams we can begin. Yukio and Noboru will be starting out with the ball and Hayato's team will be playing defense. If they manage to score they remain on offense however if they miss Hayato's team will go on the offensive. Takahiro and Tetsuo will be playing defense on whoever wins the three on two and Liam there will be no posting up , everyone will be playing outside the arc

Liam: alright, coach

Shino: I have a question, how can two players defend a hoop that doesn't seem possible.

Nanaho: you're right, there is a high chance that the opposition scores but there is also a chance that you stop them. For the teams of two, one of you will be playing in the key while one at the top, when the ball is passed if the key player steps to it the top player will have to cover for him and for Hayato's team , anyone who gets the ball should be double teamed.

Hayato: yes coach

Nanaho: alright let's begin

(Noboru dribbles the basketball up court)

(Shino and Hayato steps to guard him)

(Noboru): god dammit, I can't see the hoop

Yukio: Noboru pass , I'm open

Noboru: here you go Captain

(Noboru passes the basketball to Yukio)

(Yukio drives to the basket and tries to score a layup)

(Liam blocks Yukio)

(Yukio): this guy is like a wall built infront of the rim

Hayato: let's go , it's our turn to attack

(Hayato dribbles the ball up court)

(Tetsuo steps to guard him and steals the ball)

(Hayato): crap

(Tetsuo dribbles the basketball up court)

(Yukio steps to guard him)

(Tetsuo drive to the rim and then passes to Takahiro)

(Takahiro scores a layup)

Nanaho: nice one

Tetsuo: let's go Takahiro

(Tetsuo dribbles the basketball up court)

(Shino and Hayato double teams him)

Hayato: this is payback for stealing the ball

(Tetsuo crosses between his legs and accelerated, attacking Shino's side)

(Shino): crap

(both Shino and Hayato tried catching up)

(Tetsuo steps back and shoots a three pointer)

(Swoosh)

Hayato: you got me again

Nanaho: great , this is turning out better than I expected

(Yukio blocks Takahiro)

(Yukio dribbles the basketball up court)

( Liam blocks Noboru)

(Liam dunks the ball)

(Hayato shoots a three pointer)

(Swoosh)

(Liam dunks the basketball)

(Hayato shoots a floater)

(Swoosh)

(Yukio steals the basketball)

(Yukio slam dunks the basketball)

(Noboru scores a layup)

Nanaho: great work everyone, we will end training here , go ahead and freshen up for your classes

Everyone: yes

Yukio: okay everyone let's clean up