Make more than 75% of your free throws
Varsity-Level · #29“Same routine, every trip”
75 percent or better in games
The Wolves Way
Five rungs. Eight buckets. One test for every skill on the list.
Every skill on this ladder earns its place the same way: it helps us create space, create an advantage, or play the advantage before the defense recovers. Space. Advantage. Pace. If a skill doesn’t serve one of those three, it isn’t on here.
Coaches set where a player sits on this ladder. It climbs in order, Foundation through College-Level, and the fourth rung carries the Marion 30: nobody plays varsity without all thirty.
The Marion 30 Pillars. Nobody plays varsity without all thirty.
Shooting
Make more than 75% of your free throws
Varsity-Level · #29“Same routine, every trip”
75 percent or better in games
Finishing
Consistently make a layup with both hands
Varsity-Level · #20“Outside hand, away from shot blocker”
Finishes with either hand in games
Finish strong at the basket
Varsity-Level · #21“Hit first, then finish”
And-ones, not soft misses
Attacking
Create space & dribble past tight defenders
“Shoulder to chest”
Paint touches against tight defense
Dribble with both hands while your head is up and running
Varsity-Level · #22“See the rim, not the ball”
Full-speed handle with eyes up
Break a full court press
Varsity-Level · #26“Early, not late”
Press broken without turnovers
Passing and Reads
Properly make bounce passes
Varsity-Level · #16“Hit the hip, past the hand”
Bounce passes complete in traffic
Run an offense resulting in a good shot 95% of the time
Varsity-Level · #25“In range, open, balanced”
Shot quality on film
Off-Ball
Properly set a screen
Varsity-Level · #11“Hit, hold, open up”
Screens free the teammate
Properly use a screen
Varsity-Level · #12“Shoulder to shoulder”
Defender stuck on the screen
Properly roll after a screen
Varsity-Level · #13“Open up, run to the rim”
Rolls draw help or score
Get open by walking your defender one way and then cutting the other
Varsity-Level · #14“Set her up, then go”
Open catches against denial
Properly cut ball side
Varsity-Level · #15“Cut to the ball”
Cuts end with a catch or space
Run an offense without getting lost or confused
Varsity-Level · #24“Space is always the answer”
No stalled possessions
Properly run multiple out of bounds plays from any position
Varsity-Level · #17“Know every spot”
Clean inbounds from any spot
Defense
Defend between your man and the basket and cut off passing lanes
Varsity-Level · #3“Ball, you, basket”
Denies easy catches
Play defense with your feet not your arms
Varsity-Level · #4“Chest in front, hands quiet”
Few reach fouls
Play strong post defense
Varsity-Level · #5“Fight for position early”
Post catches pushed off the block
Show good help defense without losing your man
Varsity-Level · #6“See both”
Helps and recovers
Know who you are guarding at all times
Varsity-Level · #7“Find her first”
No lost matchups
Call out every screen
Varsity-Level · #9“Call it early”
Every screen called
Get around screens without switching
Varsity-Level · #10“Over the top, stay attached”
Screens fought through
Execute a full court press
Varsity-Level · #27“Speed them up”
Press forces rushed decisions
Rebounding and Transition
Properly box out
Varsity-Level · #19“Hit, then get”
Contact on every shot
Stop the ball in transition
Varsity-Level · #23“Ball first”
No uncontested layups in transition
Competing
Be on time, prepared, & dressed appropriately for games and practices
Varsity-Level · #1“Early is on time”
Every practice and game
Know the rules of basketball
Varsity-Level · #2“Know it, play it”
No violations from not knowing
Communicate who you are guarding during all free throws and substitutions
Varsity-Level · #8“Name and number”
Matchups called every dead ball
See a play drawn up during a timeout and execute it
Varsity-Level · #28“Picture it, play it”
Timeout plays run clean
Cheer on your teammates positively and loudly when you are not in the game or drill
Varsity-Level · #30“Bench is a teammate”
Bench loud every possession