Dribble drive motion
Encyclopedia
The dribble drive motion is an offensive strategy in basketball
, developed by University of Massachusetts assistant coach Vance Walberg
, when he was a high school coach in California.
The offense was popularized by University of Kentucky
basketball coach John Calipari
during his tenure at the University of Memphis, and is sometimes called the 'Memphis attack'. Originally called 'AASAA' by Walberg (for "Attack, Attack, Skip, Attack, Attack"), the offense is also sometimes known as the 'Walberg offense' or abbreviated to DDM, and has been described as "Princeton
on steroids".
The offense focuses on spreading the offensive players in the half court, so that a guard can drive through the defensive gaps for a layup or dunk, or pass out to the perimeter if the defense collapses onto him.
, the Dribble drive motion is a "four-out" offense - that is, only one post player (generally the center
) plays near the basket, while the other four players play on the perimeter, around the three-point line
. Unlike the Princeton offense, which is based on players cutting towards the basket, and other motion offenses which rely on players screening for each other, the DDM uses a player (usually the point guard
) to dribble-drive towards the basket. Depending on how the defense responds, the driving player can either shoot a lay-up, pass to the post player for a shot, or "kick-out" pass to one of the perimeter players. If the ball is returned to the perimeter, the player that receives the pass either takes a three-point shot, or dribble-drives to the basket themself, restarting the process.
The offense uses no set plays, and instead relies on the speed and decision making of its players, primarily the point guard. "I feel we're teaching kids how to play basketball instead of how to run plays" says Walberg of the offense. Coaches that rely upon the offense have said that they do most of their coaching work in practices rather than games.
in Fresno, California
. Walberg adopted the offense to take advantage of the skills of his point guard Chris Hernandez, later the starting point guard at Stanford
. After several years of tweaking the system, he took it with him to Fresno City College
, where he coached from 2002–2006.
While at dinner with Memphis coach Shawn Nabors in October, 2003, he described the basic principles of the offense. John Calipari would implement the offense for the 2005–2006 season at Memphis, for which it is sometimes known as the Memphis attack offense. After he implemented the offense, Calipari took the Memphis Tigers to great success. His teams made 3 consecutive Elite Eight
appearances in the NCAA Tournament, and made it to the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game in 2008. That same season, Calipari's Tigers set an NCAA single-season record for most victories, with 38, though this season would later be expunged from the record books per imposed sanctions on Memphis.
By the 2007–2008 basketball season, at least 224 junior high, high school, college, and professional teams were using some form of the Dribble drive motion.
Basketball
Basketball is a team sport in which two teams of five players try to score points by throwing or "shooting" a ball through the top of a basketball hoop while following a set of rules...
, developed by University of Massachusetts assistant coach Vance Walberg
Vance Walberg
Vance Walberg is an American basketball coach. He was previously the head men's basketball coach at Pepperdine University, and an assistant coach at the University of Massachusetts. He is known for developing the dribble drive motion offense, sometimes known as the Memphis Attack, AASAA offense.On...
, when he was a high school coach in California.
The offense was popularized by University of Kentucky
Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball
The Kentucky Wildcats men's basketball team, representing the University of Kentucky, is the winningest in the history of college basketball, both in all-time wins and all-time winning percentage. Kentucky's all-time record currently stands at 2058–647...
basketball coach John Calipari
John Calipari
John Calipari is an American basketball coach. Since April 2009, he has been the men's head coach at the University of Kentucky....
during his tenure at the University of Memphis, and is sometimes called the 'Memphis attack'. Originally called 'AASAA' by Walberg (for "Attack, Attack, Skip, Attack, Attack"), the offense is also sometimes known as the 'Walberg offense' or abbreviated to DDM, and has been described as "Princeton
Princeton offense
The Princeton offense is an offensive basketball strategy which emphasizes constant motion, passing, back-door cuts, and disciplined teamwork. It was used and perfected at Princeton University by Pete Carril, though its roots may be traced back to Franklin “Cappy” Cappon, who coached Princeton...
on steroids".
The offense focuses on spreading the offensive players in the half court, so that a guard can drive through the defensive gaps for a layup or dunk, or pass out to the perimeter if the defense collapses onto him.
Basic principles
Like the Princeton offensePrinceton offense
The Princeton offense is an offensive basketball strategy which emphasizes constant motion, passing, back-door cuts, and disciplined teamwork. It was used and perfected at Princeton University by Pete Carril, though its roots may be traced back to Franklin “Cappy” Cappon, who coached Princeton...
, the Dribble drive motion is a "four-out" offense - that is, only one post player (generally the center
Center (basketball)
The center, colloquially known as the five or the post, is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. The center is normally the tallest player on the team, and often has a great deal of strength and body mass as well...
) plays near the basket, while the other four players play on the perimeter, around the three-point line
Three-point field goal
A three-point field goal is a field goal in a basketball game, made from beyond the three-point line, a designated arc radiating from the basket...
. Unlike the Princeton offense, which is based on players cutting towards the basket, and other motion offenses which rely on players screening for each other, the DDM uses a player (usually the point guard
Point guard
Point guard , also called the play maker or "the ball-handler", is one of the standard positions in a regulation basketball game. A point guard has perhaps the most specialized role of any position – essentially, he is expected to run the team's offense by controlling the ball and making sure that...
) to dribble-drive towards the basket. Depending on how the defense responds, the driving player can either shoot a lay-up, pass to the post player for a shot, or "kick-out" pass to one of the perimeter players. If the ball is returned to the perimeter, the player that receives the pass either takes a three-point shot, or dribble-drives to the basket themself, restarting the process.
The offense uses no set plays, and instead relies on the speed and decision making of its players, primarily the point guard. "I feel we're teaching kids how to play basketball instead of how to run plays" says Walberg of the offense. Coaches that rely upon the offense have said that they do most of their coaching work in practices rather than games.
History
In 1997 Vance Walberg developed the offense, which he named the AASAA, meaning "Attack-Attack-Skip-Attack-Attack", while coaching at Clovis West High SchoolClovis West High School
Clovis West High School is part of the Clovis Unified School District in Fresno, California. It was founded in 1976, and its grades are 9-12.-State Testing:...
in Fresno, California
Fresno, California
Fresno is a city in central California, United States, the county seat of Fresno County. As of the 2010 census, the city's population was 510,365, making it the fifth largest city in California, the largest inland city in California, and the 34th largest in the nation...
. Walberg adopted the offense to take advantage of the skills of his point guard Chris Hernandez, later the starting point guard at Stanford
Stanford Cardinal men's basketball
The Stanford Cardinal Men's Basketball team represents Stanford University, located in Stanford, California, United States. The school's team currently competes in the Pacific-12 Conference. The team has won 13 conference championships , the last in 2004, and one NCAA championship, in 1942...
. After several years of tweaking the system, he took it with him to Fresno City College
Fresno City College
Fresno City College is a community college in Fresno, California. Established in 1910, it was the first community college in California and the second in the nation...
, where he coached from 2002–2006.
While at dinner with Memphis coach Shawn Nabors in October, 2003, he described the basic principles of the offense. John Calipari would implement the offense for the 2005–2006 season at Memphis, for which it is sometimes known as the Memphis attack offense. After he implemented the offense, Calipari took the Memphis Tigers to great success. His teams made 3 consecutive Elite Eight
Elite Eight
The term Elite Eight, or less commonly called "Great Eight", refers to the final eight teams in the NCAA Men's Division I Basketball Championship or the NCAA Women's Division I Basketball Championship; and, thus, represents the national quarterfinals. In Division I, the Elite Eight consists of the...
appearances in the NCAA Tournament, and made it to the NCAA Men's Basketball Championship Game in 2008. That same season, Calipari's Tigers set an NCAA single-season record for most victories, with 38, though this season would later be expunged from the record books per imposed sanctions on Memphis.
By the 2007–2008 basketball season, at least 224 junior high, high school, college, and professional teams were using some form of the Dribble drive motion.