Coaching Basketball's Scramble Defense Book and Videos

The Scramble Defense has become a popular system of pressure defense within a man-to-man environment. Coach Jim Larranaga has used this system since coaching at Bowling Green University, Davidson, and Virginia. Coach Larranaga has been using this defensive system since 1981. Over the years, Coach Larranaga has developed a system of trapping that can disrupt a team's rhythm both in the half court and full court. The beauty of this defense is that your team need not be the "quickest" to utilize it.

There are two videos available the Half-court Scramble and the Full-court Scramble. Each video follows the same basic concepts and principles for trapping. Although I preferred the half-court video. Coach Larranaga demonstrates, both through "chalk talk" and player demonstration, the basics of the defense and the keys to developing a trapping sequence. Also, the use of game footage, on both videos, is nice to see all the hard work pay off. You must keep in mind that the Scramble Defense is based on zone press principles. Also, the principles of a man-to-man defense are a requirement. Your players must have the ability to match up when not able to trap according to the basic rules of the Scramble. Coach Larranaga goes into detail on trapping rotations, a big plus for the video. Everyone can learn something from his explanations.

The video explains the Scramble defense well but I always like reading a good book. This book definitely succeeds. Each chapter contains specific information necessary to implement the Scramble. His "thumbs up" and "thumbs down" are key to executing the defense.

"Thumbs Down" refers to trapping the entry pass receiver and all down ward passes. The rules in applying "Thumbs Down" include :