The Strategy of Synergy
COACH MILLER: Bring it in! Everyone, eyes on me. Take a breath. Take a deep, controlled breath. We have ninety seconds left on that clock, and we are down by four. This is not the time for panic; this is the time for precision.
JORDAN: Coach, they are smothering me. Every time I even look at the paint, their big men are collapsing. I can’t get a clean look at the basket, and the refs aren't calling the contact. If I don't get the ball in a better position, we aren't going to close this gap.
SAM: Jordan, that’s because you’re trying to force the hero ball. I’ve been wide open on the perimeter for the last three possessions. My defender is cheating toward the key because they know you’re going to drive. If you’d just look for the kick-out, we’d have three points instead of a contested layup.
JORDAN: I’m the leading scorer, Sam! It’s my job to take those shots. I’m just trying to make something happen while the clock is ticking away.
- Perimeter:
- The area on a basketball court outside the three-point line.
- Decoy:
- A person or thing used to mislead or lure an opponent away from the intended target.
- Tactician:
- A person who uses a carefully planned strategy to achieve a specific goal.
- Lateral:
- Of, at, toward, or from the side or sides.
- precision:
- the quality of being exact, careful, and accurate in thought or action
- disciplined:
- trained to act in a controlled, orderly way and follow specific roles or rules
- infectious:
- easily spread to others or quickly catching the attention and mood of those around
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1How much time is left on the game clock and what is the current point deficit?
- 2Why is Jordan struggling to get a clean look at the basket?
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About this reader's theater passage for Middle School
“The Strategy of Synergy” is a reader's theater reading passage about Teamwork, written for Middle School. It takes about 5 minutes to read (775 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.