{"id":2288,"date":"2026-10-01T17:08:19","date_gmt":"2026-10-01T17:08:19","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/fastbreak.playbooktech.com\/coaches-community\/?p=2288"},"modified":"2026-10-02T22:02:40","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T22:02:40","slug":"dantoni-system-drag-ball-screens","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/fastbreak.playbooktech.com\/coaches-community\/dantoni-system-drag-ball-screens\/","title":{"rendered":"The D’Antoni System: Drag Ball Screens"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Few basketball coaches have reshaped the game as significantly as Mike D\u2019Antoni. During his tenure as head coach of the Phoenix Suns from 2003 to 2008, D\u2019Antoni introduced the \u201cSeven Seconds or Less\u201d attack, helping usher in the pace-and-space era. At the time, his system pushed the boundaries of conventional basketball strategy. Today, its foundational principles of pace, spacing and 3-point shooting are central to the modern game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the first installment in a series breaking down the D\u2019Antoni System. Drag ball screens<\/a> are the cornerstone of the offense and the logical starting point for our analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Transition Offense<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Everything starts in transition. The D\u2019Antoni System begins with the fast break and flows seamlessly into the drag ball screens discussed below.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fig. 1 – The D’Antoni System – Transition Offense to Basic Drag<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Whether coming after a defensive rebound (Frame 1 above) or an opponent\u2019s made field goal (Frame 2 above), the goal is to establish the proper spacing<\/a> and get into the offense quickly. Here are the key principles to execute in transition:<\/p>\n\n\n\n