Two-Person "Ball Side Mechanic" ? ? ?

[Camron Rust]

Originally Posted by APG

Yes I'll use ball-side mechanic in two man. The benefits, IMO, outweigh the possible shortfalls in going strong side. But alas, two man is always a practice in compromise.

Agree....use it EVERY HS game. Expecting the trail to have a good look at post play on his/her side when the entry pass is made is an exercise in guessing and looking at it across the lane at the back of players by the lead is no better.

[JRutledge]

We teach it in our state and I teach in the clinics I work or the class I run. I hardly see anyone actually use it and I am sure it is because it requires a little more hustle. I do not work enough 2 person games so I admit I do not even use, but probably would if I worked regular 2 person games.

Peace

[Freddy]

From the widespread response, I better seriously consider how we do it here.

Reasons I don't prefer it:
1) If covering players out and away from the free throw lane, where it's likely that T has "the slot" anyway, there seems to be a lack of ability to observe players deep in the post. A wide angle and shifting eyes can probably take care of that concern.
2) The quick pass toward the lane that gets away and threatens to go OOB on the lead's original side seems difficult to properly cover. A sprint over to the other side could probably ameliorate that.

I guess we here have hesitated to use it because we expect the trail to work deep and take the call deep in the post on his side where he can, like the 3-man C, step down or in to keep "the slot". However, I can see why, unless the lead transitions across, he'll be straightlined on a drive to the basket from T's area on the side opposite lead. Then again, that's a call we kinda have come to expect a deep-working 2-man trail to get, just like a C has to take it if it happens more quickly than the 3-man L can rotate.

I'm gonna rethink our whole thought process on this due to the confident responses of the group here.