FULL COURT EXPRESS

Panola’s Fast-Break Offense
By Scott Monarch


Panola College basketball is always associated with scoring. For the past two seasons we have either led the nation in scoring or have been in the top three in the country in scoring. However unlike most high-scoring teams, we do not press full court. Our points come out of a high energy, but strictly structured fast break.

Full Court Express was adopted from Sonny Allen’s numbered fast break. This fast break has a long history, dating back to the original celtic days. Sonny Allen adopted this break from Cam Henderson, (a coaching legend from West Virginia) and Nat Holman’s CCNY teams that won the NIT and the NCAA’s in the same season. I have taken Sonny Allen’s fast break system and created my own version that I now call Full Court Express.

When one of the great civil war generals, named Nathan Bedford Forrest, was asked what was his philosophy of war, the general replied: “I want to get there the fastest with the mostest.” This is the basic philosophy behind Full Court Express. Anytime that we gain possession of the ball, we want to advance the ball downcourt as rapidly as possible in an organized manner. Every player must run each lane as fast as possible every time we gain possession. The player cannot run the lanes selectively. Running the lanes selectively means that when we gain possession each player takes off for the other end with the same burst of energy. However, when the player in Lane 3 doesn’t believe he’s going to catch and jogs the remainder of the lane, this is what I call running the lane selectively. The player in Lane 3 ran only when he thought he was going to catch the ball. When your players do this, you and your system are headed for doom. Let me caution you again, players cannot run the lanes selectively. The hardest part of running the Full Court Express is getting your players to run the lanes every time.

We want to get the good percentage shot by outnumbering our opponents, or while they are adjusting into their basic team defense. The success of the Full Court Express lies in its simplicity. Each player is given a definite assignment and the outlet pass always goes to the point guard on the right side, foul line extended. In organizing the fast break we number each player by the lane we want him to maintain in our fast break. The more lanes a player can run, the more he will get to play. (See diagram 1.)

Lane #1: Point Guard- best ball handler
Lane #2: Right Side Wingman- best shooter, or athletic rebounder
Lane #3: Left Side Wingman- must play really hard; Slasher or scorer type
Lane #4: Left Side Finisher – Best Player; Inside/Out Player Rebounder
Lane #5: Trailer- Rebounder, shooting helps; Has to take the ball out.

Numbering each player and giving him definite responsibilities helps to eliminate indecision by each player and reduces the chances of errors or turnovers. It also enables the players to react automatically to their responsibilities as soon as we gain possession of the basketball. Both factors lead to a more successful fast break. Before continuing, let’s list a few more factors that help to eliminate mistakes and indecision:

1. The players cannot change lanes on their own. Lanes are run identical, every time.
2. The outlet pass goes directly to the 1 lane.
3. The 1 lane only passes for a score; the less passing the better. Only for a Score!
4. The 1 lane must get to the outlet area every time.
5. The 5 lane is the only lane that takes the ball out after a made shot!
6. We are looking for the lay up, but will take the first good shot available.


Responsibilities of Each Lane

As soon as we gain possession of the ball, each player has the following responsibilities:

Lane #1 – Point Guard

1. Go to outlet area and get open.
2. Dribble the ball down the floor as fast as possible every time.
3. Put immediate pressure on the defense and make the play in the foul line area.
4. Pass for a score

Lane #2 and #3 – Wingman

1. Outlet the ball to the 1 lane as quickly as possible
2. Fill your lane as fast as possible
3. Look for pass from 1 lane
4. If unable to receive a pass, prepare for possible rebound



Lane #4 – Left Side Finisher

1. Outlet the ball to the 1 lane as quickly as possible
2. Run parallel or a step in front of 1 lane to the left of the lane
3. Stop at the foul lane extended area and look for pass from 1 lane
4. If 1 lane does not pass to you, diagonal cut to the ball side block
5. If shot is taken by any other player, crash the boards on ball side block.



Lane #5 – Trailer

1. Outlet the ball to the 1 lane as quickly as possible
2. Run directly behind the 4 lane, but spaced behind
3. When 4 lane diagonals to the ball side block, you take his vacant spot
4. If shot is taken by any other player, crash the boards in the middle area.
5. If shot is not taken, prepare for reversal



Full Court Express

Whenever we gain possession of the ball we always outlet the ball to the 1 lane in the free throw line area. Lane 2 will always run the right side of the floor, three point line extended about halfway between the baseline and free throw line. Lane 3 will run from the top left side of the zone all the way to the left block area. The 4 lane will always run parallel with the 1 lane. Lane 5 will run in the 4 lane but always spaced behind the 4. Lane 1 will dribble the ball as fast as possible up the right side of the floor. The 1 lanes first look is to the 3 lane, then to the 2 lane, then to the 4 lane, and then to himself, the next look will go to the 4 lane again on the diagonal cut to the block. Lastly, the 1 will throw to the 5 lane for either a shot or a reversal into the secondary break.