Illinois assistant coach Tyler Underwood adopts soccer concepts for basketball offense
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 12, 2026, 2:47 PM
Last updated Sep 12, 2026
SoccerIllinois assistant coach and offensive coordinator Tyler Underwood is integrating tactical concepts from soccer into the basketball program. Following the summer World Cup, Underwood analyzed the sport to identify strategies applicable to the hardwood. He noted similarities in offensive movement, specifically emphasizing the use of give-and-go plays and the execution of triangles to create tension for defenders. Underwood also highlighted how soccer teams target weak defensive matchups, a philosophy he aims to mirror when designing offensive schemes. He identified both basketball and soccer as invasion sports that rely on possession and structured movement to create scoring opportunities. The assistant coach stated that these concepts have helped him refine his approach to team strategy as the program looks to integrate new tactical elements into its offensive system.
- •Tyler Underwood serves as an assistant coach and offensive coordinator for Illinois.
- •Soccer tactics such as give-and-go plays and triangles are being analyzed for basketball application.
- •Underwood identified match-up hunting as a key similarity between soccer and basketball strategy.
- •The integration of these concepts follows Underwood's observation of professional soccer during the summer.
- 2:47 PMYahoo Sports — Good Morning, Illini Nation: Borrowing from the beautiful game
"Sep. 12—The World Cup, like it manages to do every four years, captured the attention of U.S. sports fans this summer. Tyler Underwood watched those matches through a different lens than most. The Illinois assistant coach and offensive coordinator has drawn inspiration from all levels of basketball — both at home and abroad. Why not from the beautiful game, too? "There's kind of two modes of ...
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