Idaho Basketball Coaching Podcast Developing Protection Plans w/ Doug Novak
Jun 21, 2025
Doug Novak, an experienced basketball coach and clinician, shares his insights from a recent clinic. He discusses the importance of protection plans as an offensive strategy, offering players structured options to avoid poor shots. Novak emphasizes how these plans slow down the pace, enhance decision-making, and assist less athletic players. He also covers the mechanics of the stride stop for creating versatile offensive opportunities and advocates for a practice approach focused on adaptable skills to thrive in chaotic game situations.
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Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Have A Clear Protection Plan
- Define clear protection-plan options so players avoid low-percentage shots when they can't reach the restricted circle.
- Teach alternatives (dribble under, post up, dribble-out) to keep possession and flatten the defense.
Train A Home Base Position
- Use a "home base" position at the front of the rim to teach protection, pivoting and scoring options from one spot.
- Drill returning to home base and passing to perimeter spots to build decision-making under contact.
Specific Body Positioning Drills
- Position the player's left shoulder in front of the rim with toes facing sideline and the ball by the face for protection.
- Use chin fakes and shimmy quarter-turns to lift the defender and create delayed scoring or passes.