This is a basic pick-and-roll play from out of a 2-1-2 formation. The main purpose in running a pick-and-roll is to create size and speed mismatches. This play is simple to run as it can be executed at all levels of play to create a mismatch which will lead to an excellent scoring opportunity. For more pick-and-roll basketball plays from a variety of sets and formations, check out our members-only Pick-and-Roll plays. This particular pick-and-roll play begins with O1 initiating it with … [Read more...]
Secure Basketball Fast Break Layup Drill
Purpose: This is a simple enough basketball drill but it covers an important, often overlooked aspect of transition basketball -- securing the loose ball! Points are often given away because what should be an easy grab and finish for a layup winds up in players booting the ball, travelling, or turning it over in some fashion. This basketball transition drill specifically works on securing a loose ball and then dribbling hard to finish with a layup. Drill: Players form 2 lines as shown, with … [Read more...]
Mali Box Set Play
This basketball play run out of the box set is designed to give one of your best penetrating players open space for something going to the basket. The players start in the box set formation as shown below. The player who will receive the basketball from the point guard should be in the left low block position. The point guard, O1, dribbles toward the left wing area. As he dribbles left, O3 cuts up and around O5, receiving the short pass from O1. At the same time, O2 is clearing to the … [Read more...]
Competitive Team Shooting Drill
Purpose: To have basketball players work on their jump shot in a competitive, team situation. This drill works on shooting in a competitive format where one team wins and one team loses. Drill: Split the players into two teams. Have team 1 line up at the elbow and team 2 at the other elbow. First player in each line has a basketball. On 'Go', the first player in each line will take one hard dribble toward the basket and pull-up for a jump shot. Shooters rebound their own shot, pass to … [Read more...]
4-Across Tight Triple Play
This out-of-bounds formation can be used in a variety of ways. It is simple, yet not often seen on the basketball court ... therefore it can be very advantageous. In this 4-Across Tight play, the ball is inbounded and then returned to the passer after he cuts past 3 teammates. It's simple to execute and can create an open jump shot or 3-pointer. We'll hit this 4-across tight formation in future diagrams as well. Players line up as shown; O1 is the inbounds passer and players 2-5 form a … [Read more...]
Open Key Offensive Patterns
Special Note: This play originally appeared in the March 1974 edition of "The Coaching Clinic", a monthly publication published by Prentice-Hall, Inc. It was submitted by my dad, Jim Alfonso, back when he was a freshman boys coach (he is now retired after many successful years as a track coach, referee, and history/physical education teacher ... as well as being a successful husband and father!). Here is the "About the Author" as printed in the publication" Jim Alfonso is a graduate of … [Read more...]
Double Screen Away and Pop Play
This is a nice baseline out of bounds play designed to get something going at the basket for an up-close scoring opportunity. A simple double screen with players popping back to the ball makes this play easy to run at any and all levels of play. When the official hands the basketball to O2, O4 and O5 set a double screen for O3. O3 comes off the screen and cuts to the ball side block. O5 pops to weak side short corner area and O4 steps down the middle to the ball. O2 has the option of … [Read more...]
Flex to Staggered Screen Play
The Flex to Staggered Screen basketball play is designed as a quick hitter from your flex set to create an opportunity for your shooting guard. As you run the flex a few times, O3's defender will start concentrating on defending the backscreen and flex cut across the lane. This play sets him up to be picked off by the staggered screen going the opposite direction. Find more Flex Actions in The Members playbook. You can also learn more about the Basic Flex Offense here at Hoops U. The … [Read more...]
1-3-1 Zone Defense
The 1-3-1 Zone Defense is an excellent zone defensive system that can greatly confuse and disrupt opposing offenses. The strength of the 1-3-1 lies in taking away the perimeter shot, as well as being able to pressure and trap with some minor adjustments. In this article, we will discuss the standard 1-3-1 zone defense along with some alignment nuances that can help strengthen this defense for your team and personnel. The above diagram shows the basic formation of the 1-3-1 zone defense. As … [Read more...]
Box Cutbacks
Box Cutbacks is a baseline out of bounds play from the box set formation. This simple-to-execute out of bounds play gives a couple of scoring options with one being in the paint and one on the perimeter. When the official hands the basketball to O1, O5 steps high as if he'll be setting a screen for O2. O5 then quickly cuts back to the ball. At the same time O5 is stepping high, O2 steps to the weakside as though he will be using a screen. O2 then cuts back and across to the ballside … [Read more...]