This set play is effective at using some misdirection to create an open shot opportunity. 'Denver' starts out with the players in positions as shown in the diagram above. As O1 dribbles the ball into the frontcourt, O4 flashes from the low block to the high post/elbow area. After making the pass, O1 cuts down to the opposite corner. O4, upon receiving the pass, dribbles toward O3 to execute a dribble handoff. O3 receives the handoff and dribbles to the top / middle of the floor. O4, after … [Read more...]
Magic
The 'Magic' quick hitting basketball play incorporates a staggered screen, a staggered on-ball screen, and a few cuts/rolls to create open scoring opportunities. The players set up as shown. As O1 brings the ball upcourt, O2 cuts through and clears to the opposite corner. As O2 is cutting, O4 and O5 move to set a staggered screen for O3. O3 curls around the screen to the wing vacated by O2. If O3 is open, O1 can pass the ball. O3 may have a shot or drive opportunity. If O3 isn't available, … [Read more...]
Full Court :05 Left Play
As the play name suggests, this play is a good one to have in your basketball playbook for those end-of-game situations where you need to go the full length of the court and there is only about :05 seconds left on the clock. When the official hands the ball to O5, O3 cuts hard toward the ball. O5 passes to O3. O1 cuts across the court as O5 is making the pass to O3. O3, upon receiving the inbounds pass, quickly turns and starts dribbling downcourt. O4 steps up toward the midcourt line and … [Read more...]
Dallas
The 'Dallas' set play gives the point guard several options to create scoring opportunities. The multiple on-ball screens put pressure on the defense and can create easy scoring opportunities if they are not effective at defending the pick-and-roll. The players start as shown in the above diagram. O1 has the ball at the top with O4 and O5 at the elbows. O2 and O3 set up in the corners. Both O4 and O5 step up to set an on-ball screen for the point guard. O1 has the option to go either left or … [Read more...]
Louisville 1-4 High
From the 1-4 high set, 'Louisville' utilizes a post to post on-ball screen to create a driving lane to the basket. While the diagram shows this play going to the left, it can be performed to either side. Louisville 1-4 High is initiated when O1 passes to O4. O1, after making the pass, screens for O3. Once O4 has received the pass, O5 sets an on-ball screen for O4. O4 looks to drive to the basket for a layup or pull-up jumper. If O2's defender slides over to help, O2 may be open for a … [Read more...]
3 Post Scores Drill
Purpose: To work on the skill of posting up to receive a pass from the perimeter and then scoring against a defender. Drill: O5 starts under the basket with a defender behind (X5). Each 'M' in the diagram stands for a manager (could also be coaches and/or additional players). Each 'manager' has a basketball as they will be the passers. O5 starts by facing his defender. He then steps in, seals the defender and posts up. O5 can call for the basketball from any manager. Once he receives the … [Read more...]
Iona Quick Hitter
This basketball play makes good use of player movement, as well as a dribble handoff and ball screen to break down the defense and create an open shot opportunity. The players set up as shown in the diagram above. O1 starts the play with a wing entry to O2 (O2 may need to start low or use a V-cut to get open). After passing to O2, O1 cuts through the lane to the weakside corner. O4 sets a downscreen for O3 who cuts to the top of the key area. The post players, O4 and O5, duck in and look … [Read more...]
Weakside Sideline Play
The Weakside Sideline Play is a great sideline inbounds play that will also serve you well to run as a last second scoring play from the sideline. The players line up as shown in the diagram above. Three players, O4, O2, and O3 line up on the weakside while O5 starts on the ballside elbow. O1 is the inbounds passer. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O3 slides down and O5 slides over to set a screen for O2. O2 curls around the staggered screen and cuts toward the ballside corner. … [Read more...]
Curl the Line Inbounds Play
The Curl the Line out of bounds play is simple to install and can be run against both man-to-man or zone defense and is also a great last second play option. The line brings the defenders together at the start. A couple of cuts and a screen pulls the defenders away creating a space for an open shot attempt. The play sets up with O1 taking the ball out of bounds. O2, O5, and O4 form a line along the free throw lane. O3 starts at about the three-point line toward the weakside of the … [Read more...]
1-4 X Zone Offense
The 1-4 X Zone Offense starts out in a 1-4 set as shown in the following diagram. It can really be used against any zone defense because as the offensive players move, they will be flashing and cutting to open areas in the zone. The 1-4 X Zone Offense works well as a quick hitter but can also be run as a continuity, as you will see in the last diagram. This is a great set which helps you attack the middle of the zone defense. The 1-4 X Zone Offense starts from a 1-4 high set and can be … [Read more...]