INSIDE SHOWTIME

Offensive notes from the 1976-77 Los Angeles Lakers Playbook:

1. We cannot leave our offense to chance! We must be organized and thinking as a team.

2. Fast Break – Under control – we are interested in a good offensive percentage shot. Our fast break average for a game should average 25-25 per game.

3. Always advance the ball up- court quickly. Controlled movement is the key to a good offense.

4. Nearest man – Take ball out of bounds and put in play as quickly as possible following opponents score. Take a look first – no blind passes.

5. Find the open man and get the ball to him as son as possible. Any hesitation will be too late. Good shot selection is a primary concern for all, players.

6. Use dribble only for a purpose. Dribbling the ball without a purpose is a waste of time. Let’s move the ball and pick for one another.

7. Positioning – Very Important – Keep spread and always create a good passing angle for the man with the ball. Keep your spacing in offense.

8. Offensive rebounding - Guards are always back on defense, so our rule will be “2 ½ men on the boards.” A forward or center shooting outside of the lane area will get back once the ball is released from his hand. If the ball is shot from inside the lane area, all three front-court people will crash the board. Our offense will give you sound position.

9. Players who read defenses have a tremendous advantage. We encourage players to be creative in our offensive structure. This means if a good opportunity presents itself for scoring, and you read the defense correctly, you have the green light.

10. Offensive recognition and thinking - The most important and quickest information the offensive man must realize is how his defensive opponent plays him. You must ask yourself these questions:
A. Does he play off me with and without the ball?
B. Does he overplay me?
C. Does he turn his head to follow the ball?
D. Does he help out when your teammate drives or becomes free?
E. How does he react on screens?
F. Does he block out on rebounding?
G. Can I drive on him?
H. Can I hit outside on him?
I. Does he protect a particular side on defense?
J. Does he recover fast from offense to defense?
K. Does he like to switch often?
L. Is he aggressive?
M. Does he foul on the drive?
N. Will he retreat because of a fake?
O. Can I stop on the drive and take my jump shot or should I continue all the way.
P. How far out in the backcourt will he play me in a normal position?
Q. Hardly the lst and probably as important as any step mentioned --- Is he in shape to produce at all times.

11.Screening – Every effort should be made to screen behind the defensive man rather than in between your teammate and his opponent. Naturally, this cannot always be accomplished because the defensive man may be playing too far off. He may be playing much too far off. He may be playing much too tight to get a pass to your man, or if the play is inside, the screen would be made inside so the receiver may shoot behind the screener.

12.You must recognize and realize the options available to you in the offense. React to the defense. 13.You should never take your eyes of the ball except when screening away from the ball.

14. Most offensive plays will be called when opponents are shooting free throws.

15. Out-of-bounds plays wills tart by slapping the ball with hand and a visual (fingers) and vocal (voice) signal to designate which play to run.