Fast break is an offensive strategy in basketball. In a fast break, a team attempts to move the ball up court and into scoring position as quickly as possible, so that the defense is outnumbered and does not have time to set up.
In a typical fast break situation, the defending team obtains the basketball and passes it to the fastest player who sets up the fast break. That player (usually the smaller point guard) then speed-dribbles the ball upcourt with several players trailing on the wings. He then either passes it to another player for a quick basket, or takes the shot himself. Recognition, speed, ball-handling skills and decision making are critical to the success of a fast break.
Fast breaks are often the result of good defensive play such as a steal or a block, where the defending team takes possession of the ball while the other team has not adjusted.
A fast break can sometimes lead to an alley oop if there are more offensive players than defenders.
If the fast break did not lead to a basket and an offensive rebound is obtained and put back quickly, this is called the secondary break.
Some teams rely on the fast break because of their speed, notably the 1980s Showtime Los Angeles Lakers and the 2004-2008 Phoenix Suns. A few great players leading the fast break are Magic Johnson, Jason Kidd and Steve Nash, because of their great decision-making. Arnold "Red" Auerbach helped develop the fast break while he was coaching the Boston Celtics. However, Frank Keaney, the legendary basketball, football, and baseball coach at the University of Rhode Island, is credited with inventing the fast break.
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