The first of the out of bounds basketball plays has 1 player at the free throw line (A), 2 players positioned on either side of the basket just below the hoop (B,C) and 1 player around center (D).  The fifth player, (E) throws the ball in to player B and runs in himself, cutting to the top left corner of the key.  B throws back to E who makes the shot.

The other team will not be expecting that the player who threw the ball is the one that will eventually make the shot.  The key to executing this play is speed such that the other team won’t even see what is happening until it is too late.

For the next out of bounds play, players A and B stand on either corner of the free throw line, while C and D stand on either side of the basket.  Player B is to screen for D. E throws the ball in to D while B moves down to the basket.  D now throws to B who makes the shot.

Alternately, this play can be run from the left side of the court with A and C executing the play.

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Set up with your best three point shooter inbounding the ball (let’s assume it’s your 3 man).  The other four players line up along one side of the lane, all facing the inbounder.  When the inbounder slaps the ball, the first player in line (your 5 man) cuts inside and looks for a quick pass andn layup.  The second person in line (your 2 man pops out toward the corner).  Next, the third person in line (your point guard) fades out as a release valve near half court.

Last, you other post player (your 4 man) dives down the lane looking for the ball.  The 4 and the 5 should be physical inside, and look to seal off their defenders to get an open passing lane.  If you have a player with a significant height advantage, look to lob the ball high in the air and have him go up and retrieve it.
If neither of your two big guys are open under the basket, look to dish the ball into the corner to the 2 man.  If he is open, take the shot.

If not, swing the ball back up top to the point guard.

Here’s the key: the 2 man then comes down and sets a screen for the 3 man (inbounder).  After misdirecting toward the middle, the 3-man pops out to the corner and looks for an open jump shot.

Technorati Tags: high school basketball plays, inbounds play

1) At the free throw line

2) The Russian spot (8 feet from the basket, along either baseline

3) The baseline 3 point line

Entering the ball into these areas opens up the floor and forces the zone to shift.  A well timed cut through the lane after entering the ball to one of these areas will almost certainly be open.  The important thing with plays for basketball like this one is timing.  Dribbling should only be used to improve a passing angle, or to create an easy shot (ie. driving to the hoop for a layup).

Too much dribbling will stagnate your offense… especially against a zone.

It’s also important to make sure that all your players (1 through 5) know how to pass.  Your big guys (4 and 5 men) are essential to breaking down a zone.  They need to cut to the open areas around the key, receive the ball, then square up and look to dump the ball into their fellow big man.

The big guys should also be able to shoot the ball from 10-12 feet out.  A free throw line jumper or baseline jumper will often be open when running this zone offensive play.

Lastly, the perimeter players have to be willing to shoot the ball in a zone offense.  If  you don’t have a legitimate three point threat, the defense can sag down into the lane and clog up the key.  Your 1, 2 and 3 men need to be able to make open 3’s to keep the defense honest.  Dumping the ball into the high post and Russian spot will usually cause the defense to collapse, and a well-timed kick-out and reversal will usually lead to a wide open shot for your perimiter gunners.

Technorati Tags: plays for basketball, offense, basketball play, plays, basketball, zone offense

“As few as possible”

I feel strongly that most teams only need 2 offensive basketball plays: one against man to man and one versus a zone.  Of course, you’ll need inbounds plays, press breaks, etc., but 2 half-court plays is all you really need.

Against man to man, I recommend a simple motion offense.

—//—

For the purposes of these plays…

1=Point Guard

2=Shooting Guard

3=Small Forward

4=Power Forward

5=Center

—//—

Start with your 1, 2 and 3 players around the perimeter, around 5 feet outside the 3-point line.  Your 4 and 5 players will post up on the low blocks (just outside the key underneath the basket.  The point guard should begin with the ball in the middle of the court.  Start the play by passing the basketball from the top over to either the 2 or 3 man at the wings.  Let’s say he passes to the 3 man.
When that happens, the point guard has 2 choices.  He can either screen away (ie. set a screen for the 2 if he passed it to the 3), or make a give and go cut.  Whichever move he decides to make, he must first misdirect… fake a cut going one way, then make the real cut going the other way (the key here is change of speed and change or direction).

If the point guard sets a screen for the shooting guard, the shooting guard will come off the screen looking for a jump shot at the foul line. If that is not open, he will fade back beyond the three point line as a safety valve.

If the point guard makes the give and go cut, he will slice through the lane looking for a pass and to score in traffic.  If he does not receive the ball, he will continue through the lane, then turn away from the ball.  As this is happening, the 2 will fill the spot at the top of the key that has been just vacated by the point guard.  The point guard will finish his give and go cut, then come around and fill the spot just vacated by the 2 man.

You’ve now come back to the original perimeter position with your 1, 2 and 3 around the three point line.

As this is happening the ball side post player (ie. the one standing on the same side as the wing player with the ball) is going first look for the ball.  Make sure he gets low, keeps the defender on his back, and gives a passing target by putting out his hands.  After 3 seconds, if he is unable to get the ball, he will set a screen for the “weak side” post player (ie. the one standing on the opposite side as the wing player with the ball).  The weak side post player first misdirects, then comes across the lane looking for a pass.

It’s important to use the screens properly by brushing shoulder to shoulder… not allowing any space for the defender to squeeze through.  It the post player is open, feed the ball to him for a layup.
If the pass is not there, the wing player reverses the ball back up top, where the 2 players is now waiting.  We are now back to the same position we started in.  The 2 man reverses the ball over to the 1 man, and the play continues.

This process runs as a continuous “motion”, with all players continually passing, cutting, and screening away.
I’ll post tomorrow on the second offense you need to know… something I like to call the Zone Buster.

Technorati Tags: offensive basketball plays, basketball plays, motion offense, play, basketball

Preparation
• Defense plays any kind of zone press (2-3, 1-2-1-1, 2-1-2 etc.)
• Players 1-5 attempt to break the press
• Player 4 inbounds the ball
• Players 1 and 2 begin at the elbows
• Player 3 and 5 begin at halfcourt

Execution
• Player 1 sets a screen for Player 2, then rolls toward the ball
• Player 4 inbounds the ball to Player 1, then takes a few steps inside the baseline
• Players 1, 2, and 4 form a triangle in the backcourt, with Player 4 slightly back of the two guards
• Player 1 looks up the court.  The weak side forward (Player 3) cuts to the middle of the court, looking for the ball.  If he is open, Player 1 hits him with the pass and moves up the court
• If the forward is not open, Player 1 reverses the ball back through Player 4.  Player 4 swings it to Player 2.
• This time Player 5 cuts to the middle of the court, looking for the ball.  Again, if he is open, Player 2 hit him with the pass and moves up the court
• If the forward is not open, Player 2 reverses the ball back through Player 4.  The ball is continually reversed until the press is broken by hitting the cutter in the middle of the court

Technorati Tags: basketball, press break, zone press, break the press

Preparation
• Player 3 inbounds the ball from underneath the team’s offensive basket
• Players 1-4 form a box around the four corners of the key
• Player 4 stands at the ball side block.  Player 5 stands at the weak side block
• Player 1 stands at the ball side elbow.  Player 2 stands at the weak side elbow

Execution
• Player 3 slaps the ball to initiate the play
• Player 4 shoots up the lane to set a screen for Player 1.  He sets the screen on an angle, so Player 1 cuts of the screen into the corner
• Player 5 waits for Player 4 to set his screen, then shoots up the lane on an angle, setting the screen for Player 4.  This is known as “Screening the Screener”
• Player 4 uses the screen to cut through the lane and receive the ball for a layup
• Player 2 leaks back out to behind the three point line, acting as a safety release if no one else is open

Technorati Tags: basketball play

 Preparation
• On offense, Players 1 begins at the top of the key.  Player 2 occupies the right wing, Player 3 occupies the left wing.  Players 4 starts at the right block, and Player 5 at the left block.
• The defense matches up man to man

Execution
• Player 1 passes to Player 2, then runs across the set a screen for Player 3
• Player 3 cuts hard off the screen to the foul line, looking for an open jump shot
• If he is not open, he steps back and fills the spot at the top of the key
• Meanwhile, Player 4 screens away for Player 5.
• Player 5 cuts hard off the screen to the right block, looking to post up
• If he is not open, Player 2 swings the ball back to Player 3 and the offense continues

Points of Emphasis
• Good screens
• Hard cuts
• Good post ups etc.

Technorati Tags: basketball, offense drill, motion offense

Execution
• Player 1 initiates the offense by passing to Player 2.  He then cuts directly through the key, looking for a give and go pass. 
• Player 3 fills the spot at the top of the key vacated by Player 1
• If Player 1 is not open, he continues through the lane, then rolls out to his left, filling the spot vacated by Player 3.
• The post players are key to this offense.  The weak side post player (the post player opposite the ball – in this case Player 5) flashes towards the ball, up to the high post
• Player 2 enters the ball into Player 5
• Player 5 squares up and looks for the jump shot.  If not open, he looks to dump the ball into Player 4 at the low block.  If that’s not open, he swings the ball to the left side of the court, then flashes down to the block looking for the block
• The play continues as above, with the 3 perimeter players passing and cutting through.  The two post players continue to perform “X-cuts” always filling the high and low posts on one side of the court

Points of Emphasis
• Post players: keep your hands up and always be prepared to catch the ball.
• Post players: you must shoot from the high post to keep the defense honest
• Post players: to get some spacing from the zone, try ducking into the “Russian spot”, six feet from the basket along the baseline.
• Guards: Keep the defense honest by shooting open threes
• Guards: Dribble at the defender to force him to guard you.  Don’t allow him to sag back and protect the lane exclusively.

Technorati Tags: basketball, offensive play

Preparation
- Form three lines around the perimeter of the three point line.  Player 1 heads the first line, standing at the left wing
- Player 2 heads the second line, standing at the top of the key.  Player 3 heads the third line, standing at the right wing

Execution
- Player 2 and Player 3 both V Cut to get open
- Player 1 passes to Player 2, then sprints across to set a screen for Player 3
- Player 3 uses the screen to cut straight across the key, looking to receive a pass at the foul line
- Player 2 hits Player 3 with a pass at the foul line, where Player 3 takes a jump shot
- The ball is rebounded and the players rotate lines

Points of Emphasis
- To set a screen, ensure you are stationary when the defender runs into you.  Keep your elbows extended slightly, with your arms folded across your chest.  Brace yourself for impact, but don’t lean or swing your elbows.
- To use the screen, take two steps in the away from the screener, to set him up properly.  Explode back and run directly beside the screener brushing shoulders with him.  Don’t leave any room for the defender to squeeze in between.

Technorati Tags: basketball drill

Preparation
- Form a line at the top of the key.  Player 1 stands at front of the line with the ball
- Player 2 stands at the left wing and player 3 stands at left block

Execution
- Player 2 gets open with a good V Cut
- Player 1 hits him with a pass and Player 2 squares up
- Player 3 comes up the lane and sets a screen for Player 2
- Player 2 uses the screen to dribble towards the middle of the key.  After setting the screen, Player 3 dives toward the hoop
- Player 2 has three options
- Dribble hard to the basket for a layup
- Stop at the foul line for a jump shot
- Player 1 rebounds the ball and gives it back to the passing line.  He becomes the V Cutter.  Player 2 becomes the Screener.  Player 3 goes to the back of the passing line

Technorati Tags: basketball, offensive drill, perimeter