What is the shuffle offense in basketball?

Answer 1

What todays coaches commonly refer to as "shuffle-type" offenses are derivatives/variations of the "Drake Shuffle" that dates back to the 1950's. Although the components of such an offensive scheme were probably in use much earlier.

The term "shuffle" is most connected with Coach Drake of Oklahoma. His brain-child has many, many wayward children and distant cousins. (Deweyville shuffle, Auburn Shuffle, and many, many others) Most variations of this clever continuity offense are run from a 1-3-1 set.

Drake devised his original "shuffle" offense with a point, ball-side wing, a deep corner man, a high post (at elbow), and a weakside. The ball originates from the strong side wing, who is the first cutter. He gives up the ball to the point and cuts diagonally off a screen set by the high post at the elbow. The second cutter is our deep corner man, who cuts from corner to the weakside spot vacated by our original weakside man.

The point than whips a pass to the weakside wing who catches at about the elbow-free-thow-line extended on the opposite side of the court. The point then cuts the opposite direction, toward the spot vacated by the high post. In essence, the point is sealing off the high post defender. The post, for his part pops out to the point after the screen for the first cutter.

The success of the offense hinges upon fluidity of the first two passes, and overall execution of course. It sounds complicated but it isn't. If it was the shuffle and it's variations wouldn't be utilized in jr.high Basketball as much as it is; from many coaches all over the country. I

t starts overloaded on the left and ends up overloaded on the right/or vice versa.

According to Drake, Here are the advantages of the offense:

1.) It will work against a switching m2m as well as standard man defense.

2. )When operating against a single post (as we do) you don't have to get the ball into the post to make the offense successful.

3.) It will work against a pressing offense as a zone.

4.) It allocated definite offensive rebounding assignments.

5.) It's flexibility makes it difficult to scout

6.) It enables us to freelance while still in our set.

7.) It affords a balanced attack while with perimeter shooting as well as driving opportunities.

8.) All five players are moving all the time.

9.) Excellent for teams without a big man.

10.) Reduces bad passing to a bare minimum.

11.) Very simple and easy to learn.

There is an excellent article in Coaching Basketball by Drake, himself (Jerry Krause & Ralph Pim.) (McGraw- Hill Companies) This Revised Edition is an excellent compilation of coaching articles throughout the years. It is relative "who's who?" of coaching.