Slappin' Glass Newsletter: Ode to the Shallow Cut
The first cut is the deepest
Welcome to our “Sunday Mornin’ Newsletter” where we consolidate the best ideas, strategies, and X’s & O’s we’ve seen throughout the week, to be enjoyed over your cup of coffee.
This edition will cover:
The multiple uses and effectiveness of the “Shallow Cut”
Unics Kazan’s unique offense in Russia
Notes from the latest podcast with David Gale
5 Best Sets of the Week
Food for Thought (great content from around the world of bball and leadership)
Let’s dive in.
The Benefits of Being Shallow
A couple weeks ago we focused on the beauty and effectiveness of the “45 Cut”. You can get that newsletter HERE.
Another off-ball PnR action we’re seeing over and over by some of the best offensive clubs is the “Shallow Cut", which can be defined as a cut underneath a PnR that replaces an area the PnR just left, or somewhere close to it. One of the biggest benefits of this cut is that it can distort and confuse the “tag” responsibilities of the helpside defense.
Here’s a few different ways this cut is being used:
1: Shallow Cut from the Backside Corner
This is one of the newer actions we’ve seen using this cut. The details are clever here as the “Shallow Cut” is coming from the backside corner while the player at the 45 drifts back into that same corner. This movement switches who is the “Low” and “High” help at the same time the offensive big is rolling to the rim. Tough to guard.
For extra credit… here’s a look at Igor Kokoškov (Fenerbahce) & Mihailo Pavićević (Mornar Bar) turning this “Corner Shallow Cut” into a "Backside Rip/Pin". Great stuff.
2) Shallow & “45” Cut Exchange
Coach Moncho Fernandez of Obradoiro is without a doubt one of the best coaches in the modern game. When we’re asked about coaches in Europe to study he’s in the top 2 or 3. Fran Fraschilla thinks so too.
A coach’s “cutting dream” with this action, as Obradoiro mixes a “Shallow Cut” simultaneously with a “45 Cut”. It’s a ton of movement for the defense to try and navigate through.
3) “Apparition Shallow Cut”
Credit to last week’s podcast guest, Zak Boisvert, for the naming this cut. As Coach Boisvert mentions in our conversation, the shallow cut coming from a unique angle here opens up a roll to the rim. The Milwaukee Bucks utilized this well. It helps when you’re throwing it up to Giannis.
For further film study on the “Shallow Cut”, and to see it in action, here are some breakdowns we’ve done:
As mentioned, Coach Moncho Fernandez runs great “Shallow Cut” action within their offense. We have two videos looking at their use of the cut HERE and HERE.
Coach Rodrigo Pastore has one of the best playbooks in Germany with the Chemnitz Niners. Here’s a look at their use of the “Shallow Cut”. We were fortunate to have Chemnitz assistant coach, Daniel Sokolovsky, on the podcast recently as well.
Here’s the full clip of Coach Jaka Lakovič using the “Shallow Cut” from the Backside Corner.
Here’s the full “Apparition Shallow Cut” in action.
Love this creativity of the “Shallow Cut” used after a “Flex Screen”. Great action.
Unics Kazan Offensive Concepts/Actions
Coach Dimitrios Priftis of UNICS Kazan in Russia has his club running some great actions, coupled with a unique philosophy of allowing his players to play off the “1st side” of their offense…meaning, unlike many clubs who will reverse the ball once or twice before attacking, Kazan will often attack off of an initial advantage on the “1st side”. Now, once they do settle into their offensive sets they run some great “Wheel”, “Pitch”, and “Split Action”, and also have a nice understanding of how to attack ICE defense.
If you want the PDF’s to the sets, you can get them HERE.
Teaching “Open Offense”, Passing & Film
Coach David Gale came highly recommended to us as someone we should feature on the Slappin Glass Podcast because of his work at both the NBA and top-tier European levels of basketball, as well as his ability to communicate high level ideas in a digestible way. He did not disappoint. We explored his former roles as a Video Coordinator with the Clippers, assistant coaching and video roles with the Toronto Raptors organization, working in the German BBL, and current job training NBA players in the off season.
David gave us great insights on what NBA coaches look for in film, the art of passing, what he learned from Nick Nurse about running an “open” offense, and was a cool customer navigating through our “Overrated or Underrated” segment.
We’re excited for next week’s guest on the podcast, as we sat down with one of the best offensive minds around, Head Coach of the Icelandic National Team, Craig Pedersen.
If you’re enjoying the podcast, we’d really appreciate a rating and review HERE. Thanks!!
Best Sets of the Week
1) { “Bilbao Action” Explained } After Zak Boisvert mentioned how much he loved this action in our “X and O Extravaganza” podcast with him last week we had a bunch of coaches reach out asking what the heck “Bilbao Action” looks like? Well, here it is… it’s great.
2) { Versatility of the Flare } We took a look at various actions that utilize the Flare screen and why it works. We’ll be doing an “Ode to the Flare” breakdown at some point soon.
3) { Jaka Lakovič - Side Weave Series } Coach Lakovič runs some great stuff with his club, Ulm, in Germany. He spent some time as an assistant under Igor Kokoškov with the Slovenian National Team, and you can see some of the influence. Here’s a unique “Side Weave Set” that flows into out “Step-Up” and “Flare” options.
4) { Jim Ducey - "UCLA Offense" } Coach Ducey recently retired from college basketball after over 35 years in the business. He was one of the last coaches at the college level to run the “old school” John Wooden UCLA offense. Here’s a brief look at it.
5) { Andrea Trinchieri - PnR Off-Ball Defense } A couple of clips from the defensive side of the ball by Coach Trinchieri…one of Munich’s great “switch and funnel” of the “45 Cut” and another on off-ball switching concepts during the PnR.
Food for Thought
1) Zak Boisvert’s podcast episode was definitely packed with a ton of X & O “Food for Thought”, and big thanks to Connor Harr and Jack Fleming for putting together some GREAT content around the episode. Connor put together these awesome notes from the podcast, and Jack put out his own “Overrated or Underrated” thoughts. Both of these guys are great follows.
2) We had fun telling our story of starting and running “Slappin’ Glass” with Mike Klinzing on his HoopHeads Podcast.
3) Bill Belichick as a 26 year old coach… “A student of everything”.
4) “A Few Rules” by Morgan Housel. Recommended.
Thank you for reading and the support. Have a great week coaching.
We’d love it if you shared the newsletter.
Dan and Pat