How Wolfpack plays

Every stop starts with effort and ends with the ball in our hands.

What it looks like

• Close out under control — hand up, feet chopping, no flying by.
• Stay between your player and the basket.
• Talk: ball, help, screen, cutter, shot.
• Help a beaten teammate, then recover.
• Contest every shot without fouling.
• Finish the possession — it isn’t over until we have the ball.

Coaching cue: Defense ends with the rebound.

A missed shot is a loose ball. All five of us go get it.

What it looks like

• Find a body before you find the ball.
• Make legal contact first, then pursue the ball.
• Two hands, strong chin.
• Guards rebound too.
• The possession ends when the ball is secured.

Coaching cue: Hit first. Secure it.

Sprint in transition on offense. Sprint back on defense.

What it looks like

• Sprint back the moment the ball changes hands.
• Protect the basket first.
• Find the threats — the ball and the open player.
• Talk early so everyone knows their job.
• Run with purpose on offense: fill the lanes and look ahead.

Coaching cue: No jogging.

Standing is not offense. Movement makes the defense work.

What it looks like

• Space the floor — corners and wings wide.
• Pass and cut hard.
• Change spots instead of standing and watching.
• Find the passing lanes and make yourself easy to find.
• Make defenders work for every second.

Coaching cue: If you want the ball, move.

A real screen frees a teammate. Screens create offense.

What it looks like

• Get to the spot early.
• Set your feet and stay stationary.
• Make solid, legal contact.
• Hold it — then roll or release hard.
• Screen for teammates away from the ball, too.

Coaching cue: Feet set. Make a wall.

We hunt great shots for the team, not quick shots for one player.

What it looks like

• Don’t force highly contested shots.
• Make the extra pass.
• Attack an advantage the moment you see it.
• Read the traffic: not every offensive rebound is a putback.
• If it isn’t there, kick it out and reset.
• Value every possession.

Coaching cue: Hunt great shots, not quick shots.

Five players, one voice. Talking is how a team defends and moves together.

What it looks like

• Call it out: ball, help, screen, cutter, shot.
• Talk early, so teammates know their job before they need it.
• Call for the ball when you’re open.
• Pick teammates up — no pointing, no blaming.
• Listen, too: when a coach or teammate calls it, react.

Coaching cue: If we’re quiet, we’re not doing our job.