Chalkboard Combo

December 18, 2009 Chalkboard

2 end-of-clock ball screen concepts

-The first concept is the Utah Jazz’s “Slip-N-Screen”

something Utah will near the end of the shot clock out of

a traditional 4 flat set with Deron Williams controlling the

ball up top. The “Slip-N-Screen” is a pre-designed slip of

a ball screen only for the player to sprint back and set

another ball screen for the ball handler. 4 sprints up as if

to set a ball screen on x1’s left shoulder (for 1 to go

right), but he slips the screen and dives in the direction of

the rim looking for the pass. However, as soon as he

passes the free throw line, he pivots and turns to set a

ball screen on x1’s other shoulder (right shoulder for the

point guard to come left). This time he holds the screen

rather than slipping. Because of x4 needed to react to his

slip on the first action, the hedge will inevitably be late.

-The next concept requires the screener to be skilled enough to break a defender

down or to be a good shot 3 point shooter. Again with the shot clock winding

down, the alignment starts in a 4 flat set with one of the bigs sprinting up for a

flat ball screen (set with the screener’s back facing the baseline rather than on a

shoulder of the defensive player). However, before he gets to the ball screen (no

screen is actually being set), he pushes hard off his left foot and flattens out his

cut to the right wing, turning to

catch and square his feet for the pass

from 1. Run by Kevin Willard at

Iona College

February 22, 2010 Chalkboard

2 NBA crunch time SLOB plays

Any coach fortunate enough to catch Saturday’s Knicks-Thunder game saw 3 great SLOB plays drawn

up and executed, here are 2 of them:

Knicks SLOB w/ 16.6 left

in OT

The Knicks set a double

screen for a scorching-hot

Eddie House (2) which x2

chases and x3 and x5 both

help. After setting the

double, 5 continues

moving toward the other

lane line and screens x3 for

Wilson Chandler (3) to

tight curl right into the paint.

_______________________________________________________________________________

Thunder SLOB w 12.3 left in regulation

Starting in a stacks alignment across the FT line, Russell Westbrook (1) comes to the ball for a catch

and dribbles towards the right wing where 5 has looped to set a angle ball screen (butt to corner) for

Westbrook to drive it right. However, 5 slips this screen and instead sprints to screen away for Kevin

Durant (3) who has stepped in after inbounding. Durant comes off the down screen for an open

straight-away 3 pointer.

Zak Boisvert

01/20/10 Daily Chalkboard

Twitter: @ZakBoisvert

January 20, 2010 Chalkboard

2 SLOB (Side Line Out-of-Bounds) play calls

-Marquette & Utah Jazz-

“2” (Marquette)

On 3’s catch, if 2 isn’t there on curl, 5

steps back for a catch. 3 follows his pass

for a dribble handoff to drive the left

wing.

Also, 5 can fake the wide pindown for 2

and instead sprint to ball screen for 3 on

his catch.

Next is a play by Jerry Sloan’s Utah Jazz in SLOB situations that Utah will run to

get Boozer (4) a postup. The play starts with Boozer taking the ball out of bounds

on the left sideline with a 3 man stack on the left lane line. 1 sprints out of the

bottom of the stack for a catch and looks to immediately hit 2 popping out from

his position on the right elbow. After 4 throws it in, he is sprinting off 5 and 3’s

double screen directly to the right block. 2 takes a dribble (or two) to create the

passing angle to make a post feed to 4.

Zak Boisvert




2 Uconn set plays out of timeouts

The first play is a lob play Uconn will run

for Stanley Robinson (3), their best

athlete. Robinson starts with the ball at

the top of the key before passing it to 1

on the right wing. 2 (Jerome Dyson) has

his head under the rim with what looks

like a single-double action forming (if 3

were to come down). As 2 chooses to go

off 4’s screen to the right corner, 5 sprints

to set a back screen on 3’s man as 3

sprints to the rim looking for the lob from 1.

The next play is a ball screen action Uconn has been running a lot recently

(including in Sunday’s loss to Michigan). In diagram 1, Uconn pairs a high ball

screen with a cross screen as 2 sprints to set a crackback for 4 to roll to the right

block as 1 is coming off the screen. In diagram 2, you see 5 sprint down to set a

down screen for 2 as 1 reverses the direction of his dribble to drive it back left

and hit 2.

Zak Boisvert



Zak Boisvert 05/20/10 Daily Chalkboard Twitter: @ZakBoisvert


May 20, 2010 Chalkboard

Phoenix Suns “Same” quick hitter

1 2

3 4

Diagram 1: The thing that makes this play work so well is the pace at which Phoenix runs this.

It starts with a great early push by 1 who passes to 2 running into the catch. 1 sprints his

same-side cut.

Diagram 2: 2 takes one dribble after receiving the pass and throws it to 4 stepping to the top

of the key. After throwing the pass, 2 gets a shuffle cut from 5. 4 is looking to throw it to him

for a layup.



Diagram 3: If 2 is not open for the layup, 4 continues reversal to 3. 5 and 4 turn to set a

stagger screen for 1.

Diagram 4: 1 is often open for this three-pointer (or a drive down the right lane line), but he

also has the opportunity to pass it to 2 who is coming off another double screen set by 4 and

5.




2 Phoenix Suns Play Calls (1 set play, 1 early offense)

Set Play: “Under” 1 2

Diagram 1: 1 dribbles at 4. 4 Back doors. 1 uses spin dribble to turn back left. Diagram 2: 3 and 5 set a post stagger for 4.

Early Offense: “1 Twist” 1 2 Diagram 1: 1 dribbles it up the pro-line (halfway between lane line and sideline). On ball reversal from 1 to 5 to 3, 2 flex cuts off 4’s screen. Diagram 2: After passing to 3, 5 turns to screen away for 1. The key to the play is the “twist” action that occurs on 1’s catch. After setting the away screen, 5 “twists” to set a ball screen for 1 on his catch.

Zak Boisvert




Arizona dead corner SLOB play against pressure

(ball had gone out of bounds on their scoring end as deep in the corner as you

can get)

Starting in an alignment in which the five players are in direct line with each

other, 2 sprints out of the back position acting as if he’s coming to the ball, but

turns suddenly to screen for 1. 4 will be also screening and 1 uses the double

screen to lose his man and come free to catch the ball on the wing.

Zak Boisvert




2 NCAA ball screen concepts picked up this past week

The first ball screen concept we’ll look at is something Purdue will do out of a

traditional UCLA screen. As shown in the diagram, Purdue’s 4 (Robbie Hummel)

will hit to the left wing and make a smash cut off of 5’s (JaJuan Johnson) UCLA

screen into the post. Once 4 clears 5, 5 turns towards 2 in what looks like

traditional “UCLA screen into a wing ball screen” action, but as he approaches 2

he changes his position. Rather than setting the ball screen with his chest to the

sideline on x2’s left shoulder, he changes maneuvers below x2 to set a screen

with his back/ass with his chest facing the baseline. Neither the hedge or x2 has

time to adjust to the change and 2 can step by for an easy post feed (to 4) or, if 4

has cleared, an easy path to the basket.

-The next concept is a rub/ball screen/flare

screen action that Virginia used Wednesday

night to beat NC State. The text begins with 1

hitting 2 and following with a same-side cut

at the same time that 5 is looping out of the

post for a ball screen. 2 dribbles off 1’s ass in

a “rub” action. Instead of setting the ball

screen that the D had been anticipating (UVA

will loop their ball side post out to set a wing

ball screen often), 5 moves quickly to get out

Zak Boisvert



of the way of 2’s drive and instead is setting a flare screen for 1 who just

performed the rub action with 2.

In both actions shown, neither 5 man is setting a traditional ball screen, rather

they are running actions that look to be ball screens in order to draw a hedge

from the defense where they quickly adjust to take advantage.



March 16, 2010 Chalkboard

Coaching Notes

-Doc Rivers: “With our ball pressure, we know we’re going to get beat off the dribble at

times. The only guy that can’t get beat is the helper.”

-Jay Wright: “Drive like a scorer not a passer.”

- “The job of a leader is to rally people to a better future.” –Marcus Buckingham, author

-Mike Brown: versus a coach that is a staunch believer in his defensive matchups (doesn’t

like his matchups to get switched), create a problem for him with your own defensive

matchups. Against the Celtics, Brown will put Lebron on Rondo because he knows that the

Celtics want Pierce guarding Lebron on the other end and that Paul Pierce 7 times out of

10 won’t be able to get to Lebron in transition of a miss.

- “I don’t micromanage, but I have micro-interest. I let my people work, but I do care

about the details. I want intimate knowledge of what’s going on.” –Tachii Yamada,

president of Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

-Jeff Bzdelik: “Before you get into the workings of any defensive system, your team must

know how to closeout.”

-Bill Self: “When defending a ball screen, the screener’s defender should hedge at the

same angle in which the screen is set (the defender’s feet should be parallel with the

screener’s—“on the same board”). Hedge defender is trying to get the ball handler coming

off the ball screen doing 1 of 3 things: pick the ball up, change direction, or be called for a

charge.”

-Tom Crean: “Never go beyond the next game (“1 Game Winning Streak”). Look at your

next game as the most important game on your schedule.”

-Stan Van Gundy spent his year off after getting let go by Miami studying the league and

asking himself the question, “What will I do when I come back?”

-Nick Saban: Alabama players were charged with the task of putting together a team

affirmation (defined as a “positive assertion repeated by players to keep them focused on

all the same things needed to achieve the long term goal of a national title.”) For offense



the team affirmation was to “strive to be capable of an explosive play on any given snap.”

The defense’s affirmation was to “never give up an inch.”

-Hubie Brown: “Don’t be turned off from aggressive play by high foul calls in your first

year(s) of your tenure. As you start to establish that (aggressive defense) as your style ,

they (the refs) will respect you and foul numbers will decrease.




2 University of Northern Iowa set plays out of a box set

Ben Jacobsen is doing a tremendous job at UNI and any coach looking to pick up a good set play or 2

(there aren’t many teams in the country that run more sets) should check out UNI tonight (Thursday)

at 7:10.

1 2 3

Diagram 1: 1 hits 5 and screens down for 4 to come to the top of the key. 3 clears (not shown).

Diagram 2: 5 passes to 4 who swings the ball to 1 who has stepped off the elbow to the wing area

after setting the screen. After 5 passes, 2 sprints to set an up screen for 5 to cut into the post.

Diagram 3: The play ends with a screen-the-screener action when 4 screens down for 2 for an open

look at the top of the key.

The next play is a wrinkle of a traditional zipper action you will often see out of a box set.

Shown in the diagram of the left is the traditional zipper action you will see teams run out of a box

set, but the difference is that UNI is looking not at 3 (the cutter off the zipper screen set by 5). UNI will

draw the 4 from the weak side to go high/low to take advantage of x5 having to show on the zipper

screen.



June 10, 2010 Chalkboard

Northwestern’s wrinkle on Princeton “Fly” set play This set play is a staple of the Princeton Offense. Northwestern runs the traditional play quite a bit,

but has a number of wrinkles they’ll use if they catch the D overplaying the action.

Traditional “Fly”

Left Diagram: The play begins with a simple dribble flip between 1 and 2 out of a traditional Princeton 4-out alignment with the post raised. 3 and 4 exchange on the weak side.

Right Diagram: 2 takes 1-2 dribbles off the handoff before throwing a crosscourt pass to 3. 5 steps to set a back screen for 2 who rips right into his cut looking for the pass from 3 for a layup. Many (not

all) Princeton teams will have 5 step right into a ball screen for 3.

“Fly 2”

Left Diagram: 1/2 dribble flip. 4/3 weak side exchange.

Right Diagram: 2 throws

crosscourt pass to 3. 5 and 2 turn to set double for 1 to curl into the

paint.

“Fly In”

Left Diagram: 1/2 dribble flip. 4/3

weak side exchange.

Right Diagram: When 2 throws the crosscourt pass to 3, instead of 5 setting the back screen, 2 screens in on x5 to allow 5 to pop for a three pointer (Beilein runs this

action quite a bit).




2 Northeastern set plays from last night’s NIT game

1 2

Diagram 1: 1 hits the trailing 4 on a guard-to-guard pass before running a slice cut off 5’s screen to

the left block looking for the quick pass back from 4 for a layup.

Diagram 2: If unable to hit 1 on the slice cut, 4 dribbles at 2 for a dribble handoff. As 2 takes the

handoff from 4 and dribbles to the middle of the floor, 5 is setting the first part of a stagger screen for

1 with 4 setting the 2nd screen immediately after making the handoff. 2 looks to hit 1 on the right

wing coming off the stagger.

1 2 3

Diagram 1: The play begins with 2 breaking out of the initial box set for a top of key catch.

Diagram 2: After making the pass to 2, 1 makes a shallow cut to the opposite wing as 5

empties opposite.

Diagram 3: 2 hits 1 and begins to make a basket cut, but stops the cut abruptly at the free

throw line. At this moment, 4 tails right off his ass for a circled cut directly to the rim for an



easy paint catch. 2 is not to turn his body, he is supposed to literally stop in his tracks and

allow 4 to come directly off of him.

Zak Boisvert




Bill Self’s ball screen concepts

-KU plays 3-out/2-in and on any post entry, post is looking to score, but if he is

unable, he looks to kick out. Below 4 catches and fans opposite to 2.

4 follows his fan by

sprinting into a ball

screen. With 2 being

on a “double side”

(corner occupied), 4

turns to set a down

screen for 3 after

setting the ball

screen. 5 moves to

the opposite block

on 2’s breaking of the lane line

-If 2 had caught the pass from 4 and quickly reversed the ball to 3, 2 would cut

through opposite and 4 would sprint up for a ball

screen for 3 instead.

-A similar action is if 4 threw over his shoulder to the

weakside corner (skipping opposite high wing), the

opposite high wing would cut through as if he had

reversed it and 4 would again sprint up to ball screen

for 3.

-If 3 was stationed in the right corner (making the left side of the floor a “single”

side), 4 would simply pop after setting the ball screen for 2.

Zak Boisvert



-What makes this offense so tough to defend is that it’s demanding that the

defensive posts play solid post D on the catch and then instantly be ready to

sprint out and hedge a ball screen—it’s nearly a given that the hedge will be at

least a half-second late if the offensive posts are sprinting into their ball screen

off their fan passes.

08/25/10 Daily Chalkboard www.twitter.com/ZakBoisvert


August 25, 2010 Chalkboard

University of Kansas set play versus 2-3 zone

1 2

Left Diagram: Starting in 1-2-2 set, the action is initiated by the 2 wings running into a cross. 2 goes first with the goal being the two wings crossing each other’s body on the right side of the lane. Right Diagram: Rather than popping out to the wing, 3 steps to screen for 4. 4 gets another cross screen from 5 and cuts underneath the rim to a spot just below the block to catch a post entry pass from either 2 or 1.


2 late game set plays for a 3 run by University of Florida

“2 Down”

-A continuous doubles play Florida has gone to in several big possessions this year. The play

begins with 4 and 5 sprinting to set a double screen for 2 to pull across the court to look for

the pass over his shoulder from 1. 2’s cut, however, is largely a decoy as the three that Florida

is really looking for comes when 4 and 5 turn to screen down for 3 for a catch-and-shoot

opportunity. (You can finish this play by having 2 come through to the corner using another

double screen set by 4 and 5).

“2 Up” -A play that was actually

run by both Florida and

West Virginia this

weekend, “2 Up” looks like

a double screen for 3 to

come up the middle of a

top of the key three

pointer as 3 back cuts his

man and 2 screens x3. As 2

steps out to receive the

catch from 1, 3 starts

angling up the court and

sets a screen for 5 to cut into a postup. Depending on the situation (down just 2?) you can

throw it in, but the open look is, after setting the screen, 3 stepping behind the three point

line.

Zak Boisvert




Bob Knight’s use of stacks versus a 2-3 zone

High:

1 dribbles off the top while 3 (your 2nd

best handler) steps up and 2 (your best

shooter) steps out to the wing.

How does the top of the zone play this? 1

dribbles one of the top defenders off

while the other guard defender takes 3

stepping out, but who gets to 2? Do they

bring a forward up and leave the short

corner/long corner uncovered?

Low:

1 dribbles away from the stacks as the top

man (5) screens the bottom forward

defender to create a 1-on-1 opportunity

for 4 in the middle of the lane.

ADDITIONAL BOB KNIGHT ZONE OFFENSE THOUGHTS: -Positioning of players in attacking a zone is of the utmost importance. Against a

man-to-man, the defense decides who will guard whom while the offense

decides where they will play. Against a zone, the defense decides where they’ll

play, but you dictate the matchups.

Zak Boisvert



-Get 3 to play 2 on one side of the floor then reverse the ball to the 3-on-2 on

the other side of the floor.

-Doesn’t like cutting players through a zone. If you want them there, have them

there to begin with.

-3 deep alignment on baseline against a 3-2

Zak Boisvert




Seton Hall University’s Bobby Gonzalez’s timeout philosophy

8 Areas to Cover During a Timeout8 Areas to Cover During a Timeout8 Areas to Cover During a Timeout8 Areas to Cover During a Timeout

1. Who has possession and where is it? (“Where’s the ball?)

2. What defense are you in? (Matchups?)

3. What offensive set are you running?

4. Foul situation (Are you in bonus? Is anyone in trouble?)

5. Timeouts remaining (Chris Webber rule)

6. How are you handling ball screens?

7. How are you guarding the post?

8. Time and score



April 7, 2010 Chalkboard

NCAA Championship Game X’s & O’s Breakdown: Butler

Shallow Cut + Seal Despite this being a relatively simple action, Butler had a

large amount of success on this. 2 (Shelvin Mack) crosses

halfcourt just wide of the lane line extended with 1 (Ronald

Nored) off of the opposite lane line. What makes the play

work is the timing of Nored and Mack working together.

Right as 1 starts to make his shallow cut, 2 drives the left

through the gap 1 just vacated. The final part is 5’s seal. This

is NOT a duck-in, rather 5 is trying to catch x5 on his high

side and drive him up towards the free throw line to clear

space for either a drive by 2 or a hook post feed by 2.

Ball Screen set:

Diagram 1: Starting in a double stacks set, 2 pops for a catch as 1 goes to screen 5 after

passing.

Diagram 2: 5 sprints into a side ball screen for 2. 3 moves up the wing area acting as if he is

going to back screen on 5’s roll (something Butler likes to do).

Diagram 3: Instead of back screening for 5, 3 turns and looks to screen in for 4. 4 comes over

the top of both 3 and 5’s screen (who turned after setting the ball screen). 2 looks to throw



back to 4 for a three (this is tough for 4 to get his feet down, but run it for your best

shooter—Butler runs it for Hayward—and you’ll be fine).

Zak Boisvert




Butler set play vs 2-3 zone

Run to start the 2nd half in their “Bracket Buster” game vs Siena’s 2-3 zone

1 2

Diagram 1: The action is initiated by 3 running off of 5 to loop up to the left

elbow while 2 cuts over the top to head to the right wing. 4 pops to the left

corner.

Diagram 2: 1 hits 3 at the elbow who turns to hit 5 sealing the bottom wing

defender.

(below, the play is shown with 2-3 zone defense slides)

Zak Boisvert



This play is great to be run against teams that look to “match” within their zone

(not a match-up zone, but teams that run a more man-oriented zone). What

inevitably ends up happening is that 2 and 3’s cuts happening simultaneously

and in opposite direction distorts the defense and on 3’s catch at the elbow, it is

x5 coming up to play him, leaving open the possibility of 5 sealing the bottom

wing defender (x3).




Butler set used in 1st round matchup versus UTEP (03/18/10)

Brad Stevens runs as good of sets as anyone in the country and coaches looking for something to add

to their playbook next year should have the dvr geared up for Thursday’s matchup with Syracuse.

Below is a set Butler relied on for much of the 2nd half against UTEP.

Diagram 1: 3 breaks out of the box set to make a catch on the left wing while 2 runs to the left

corner. After making the pass to 2, 1 receives a back screen from 4 to look for the pass over the top.

On 3’s catch, 5 moves into the block area looking for a post catch.

Diagram 2: After setting the back screen, 4 moves to set a wing ball screen for 3 (the back screen to a

ball screen is an action seen constantly in the NBA). As 3 is clearing 4’s shoulder, 1 has finished his cut

right into a back screen for 5 who rolls off his strong side block position to a seal position looking for

the bounce pass from 3. (Not pictured) 4 finishes the play by setting a down screen for 2 to “fill” the

wing area 3 vacated with the ball screen.


Butler’s offensive package versus Syracuse’s 2-3 zone

To attack Syracuse’s 2-3, Butler utilized a simple action out of a 3-out, 2-in set that caused the Orange

A TON of problems. The action was a simple guard-to-wing pass followed by the guard making a

loop cut to the wing as the wing dribbled up to the top position. THE BEST zone offense resource is

Del Harris’ book entitled Teaching Zone Offense. Rather than outlining an entire zone offense, Harris

highlights seven key offensive movements to shred any zone defense (to no surprise, the shallow cut

is one of them).

Throwback Option (When the wing throws back to the point guard following his loop cut):

Here, 1 makes the guard-to-wing pass and begins his loop cut to the left wing. 2 takes two dribbles to

the top of the key before turning to throw back to 1. Notice for a moment the left guard defender’s

situation as he decides who to play. The forward defender from that side is almost forced to come

play 1 on his catch.

The strategy is shown below with defense included.

1 has the opportunity to hit 5 on his high post flash or pass to 4 in the short corner (exposed as x4

lifts) who looks to hit 5 rolling down the lane or skip opposite to 3.

Butler had Syracuse shook the entire first half with this throwback option. Stevens recognized that

Boeheim was too good of a coach not to adjust at halftime and thus Butler came out with a new

strategy off the same movement. I will show Butler’s “Throw Ahead” concept on Monday…



September 16, 2010 Chalkboard

University of Illinois ball screen set play

1 2 3

Diagram 1: 1 passes to 2. 3 cuts hard off 5’s screen. If x3 doesn’t get caught on the screen (opening up a layup opportunity), 3 spreads out to the corner. Diagram 2: 5 turns and screens in for 4. 4 curls the screen to the right block. Diagram 3: 2 passes to 1 who dribbles at 5’s elbow angle ball screen. 5 rolls off the screen as 4 moves to fill behind.




University of Illinois set play versus 2-3 zone 1 2 3

Diagram 1: Starting in a 1-2-2 alignment to counter the 2-3 zone, 1 passes to the right wing and loops around 5 at the right block to pop out to the corner. Diagram 2: 2 dribbles to the top of the key (dribble rotate!) before throwing back to 1 lifting out of the corner to the wing area. On 2’s pass, 3 begins his cut off the double screen set by 4 and 5. Diagram 3: 3 cuts to the corner and shoots the three-pointer if it’s open. If he is defended, he looks to the inside action where 5 cross screened for 4 and then popped to ball side elbow.




Bulletin Board Things the PROS are saying that your players should be taking note of

-Billy Donovan: “From my sophomore year to my junior year, I went from being the 8th man on a bad team to being the leading scorer on a team that went to the NCAA’s. The morning after our season ended my junior year, Coach Pitino called me into his office and

told me, ‘Billy, don’t ever lose sight of what got you here: hard work.”

-Jerry Sloan on Karl Malone and John Stockton: “They wanted to work and really didn’t like being around people who didn’t want to work.”

-George Hill: “If you knew my game from high school and college, I always got better the next year. I never came back the same player. I knew coming into this year it was going to be a

big year and I would improve if I was given the chance.”

-Kevin Garnett is constantly reminding his teammates, “We need to keep this on we.”

-In 2008 when the Indianapolis Colts 1st-round pick was unable to make it mini-camp due to class work, Peyton Manning, just months removed from his 3rd MVP award, would twice-a-week drive 3 hours to work out with the rookie wide receiver for 2 hours before getting in his

car and driving home.

-Tony Dungy’s 2 ways to be uncommon: 1. Possess talent above everyone else (0.00001%)

2. Have an attitude/drive/desire you don’t see in a lot of people

-Jerry West’s ultimate barometer: “Is he a good teammate?”

-Kevin Eastman: “Our championship team [2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics] didn’t want us to tell them what they wanted to hear, they wanted us to tell them what they needed

to know to win the championship.”

-Tyson Chandler: “I think later in your career, you’ll think, ‘I wish I’d let somebody coach me up, really coach me, really maximize my potential.”

-Olympic Gold Medalist Lindsay Vonn’s younger brother: “Her life focus has been about this day. Her whole career has been done for this moment.”

-Kevin Durant in response to a reporter’s question regarding what would be the one

thing KD would teach to young players: “The quality of hard work.”

-Mariano Rivera: “To me October is what we do in spring training; October is what we do in February. We don’t do all that prep and all that teamwork and all that running for

the season. That’s for October, for the playoffs.”

Zak Boisvert




Butler Spread Ball Screen Set

1

2

3 4

Diagram 1: Staring in a 2-3 lifted set, 1 hits 4 and runs a slice cut off of 5 to the

block.

Diagram 2: 4 swings the ball to 3 and runs off of a back screen set by 5 to the

block (which 1 has now cleared to the corner.

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 3: After setting the back screen for 4, 5 turns to screen away for 2 who

waits for the screen then cuts to the top of the key for a catch.

Diagram 4: On 2’s catch, 5 turns around and sets an angled ball screen for 2 to

drive it left. 5 dives hard to the rim. As 3 sprints to the top of they as the “fill”

(very important!)

Zak Boisvert



November 25, 2009 Chalkboard

Arizona’s “Triangle” delay game from yesterday afternoon’s game versus Colorado

1 2 3

A traditional 2-1-2 delay game set, the three players involved in “Triangle” don’t necessarily need

to be your three perimeter players, but rather three good free throw shooters that are capable of

handling the ball against pressure. “Triangle” is a simple continuity involving a guard-to-guard pass with

the passer cutting hard off another player situated at the top of the key. After setting the back screen,

the player at the top of the key fills the spot the passer vacated and receives a pass.

In Arizona’s OT win against Colorado in the Maui Invitational yesterday, you were able to see the

importance of a good delay game. Nursing a six point lead with under a minute to play in regulation,

Arizona unsuccessfully tried to get into their delay game, but ended up turning it over and allowed

Colorado to force overtime. In the extra period, however, Arizona worked “Triangle” to perfection on 2

different possessions to wear out the clock and get the win.

Zak Boisvert




Two ball screen concepts I’ve seen in the last week

Indiana University’s Rub:

A concept Crean certainly has taken from the NBA and

brought to the college game, a “rub” is preceded by an

aggressive push by the point guard up a side. The

trailing big runs at an angle directly at 1’s defender. He

is simply running right into x1’s path rather than actually

setting a ball screen. 1 makes a change of direction

dribble and drives right off his back.

Orlando Magic’s Weakside Ball Screen:

A concept Orlando has been utilizing a lot lately is

setting up a ball screen on one side of the floor

only to quickly crosscourt the ball and run one on

the weakside. Here, 4 sets up as if to set a wing ball

screen for 1 to drive left, but before 1 gets to the

ball screen, a read is made and 3 cuts through. 1

reverses the ball to 2 as 5 sprints up to set a wing

ball screen for him. The whole concept revolves

around the concept that the offense wants to

distort the defense’s hedge and make their show

late. Another example of this is below, but

now the initial ball screen is set up as a high

middle ball screen rather than a wing.

Zak Boisvert




2 ball screen concepts I picked up during the Maui Invitational

The first one is from the University of Arizona

and is what I termed a “double screen slip-

fade”. In it 5 and 4 turn to set a double wing

ball screen for 1 on the left side of the court

with 5 being the top screener and 4 being the

bottom. However, as 4 arrives in the area to

set the screen, he pauses only momentarily

and instead slips to the wing opening his

body to the ball. If his defender has already

assumed a hedge, he must scramble to get

out to defend on a pass from 1 to 4. 1 has the

option to hit 4 right away or go off the ball screen with the choice to hit 5 on the

roll or throw back to 4.

This next one is a “butt ball screen” that Vanderbilt is utilizing this year, but is a

very European concept in that several

professional teams over there run

rather than the traditional ball screen

we know. With the butt ball screen, the

screener is setting the screen with his

butt rather than his chest. Where a

traditional ball screen is set with the

intention of the ball handler’s defender

running into the defender’s chest, the

butt ball screen is set to have that

defender run into the screener’s back.

Lason Perkins details this technique

extraordinarily well in his DVD “Secrets

of International Basketball.” The change allows the screener to immediately be a

player once the handler clears the screen as he is already situated with his chest

facing the basket. The screener can immediately cut to the hoop rather than

Zak Boisvert



pivoting and cutting and there is the additional bonus in that the screener is

already facing the basket to shoot on a throwback pass. Vanderbilt consistently

had success off this in their secondary break.

Zak Boisvert




Ball Screen Trends:

Various ball screening tactics I’ve picked up from the NBA/NCAA in the last month

Used by the Cleveland Cavaliers, the purpose of this action (and

really all actions in the ball screening game is to eliminate, or

delay, the hedge). In this action 1 dribbles at the trailing 4 in what

looks like a traditional drag ball screen. However, 4 steps as if he

were to prepare to set the screen and then backcuts to the rim. 5

has circled up to the top of the key and 1 instantly changes

directions to come off a ball screen in the other direction.

Used by Siena of the MAAC, this is a ball screen set in transition

(for the diagram I isolated 1 and 5, but in reality this is taking place

during an early offense situation where the wings may or may not

be already filled). Siena’s 5 puts pressure on the defense by

running hard at the rim in transition, but if he doesn’t have an

opportunity for a pass over the top or a seal, he peels out of his

run and sets a ball screen for 1 with his back facing the baseline.

Zak Boisvert



Used by Niagra also of the MAAC, this is a dribble weave-ball screen continuity offense that

consists of a ball screen, a roll and replace and a dribble weave action repeated throughout a

possession. 1 begins with the ball on the left wing and drives it into 4’s ball screen set at the top of

the key. 4 rolls as 5 circles to replace. 1 dribbles at 3’s defender to perform a dribble handoff with

3. 3 takes the ball and drives it at the ball screen 5 is now setting. 5 rolls, 4 replaces and 3 hands off

to 2.

11/6/09

Daily Chalkboard



Bob Knight’s double screen play run at Indiana and Texas Tech

A great play to run versus man-to-man because if the screening is solid, there will

be an open shot every single time. The play begins with 2 shooters (2 and 3) lined

up at the middle of the free throw line. 2 and 3 proceed to sprint to the right

block to set a double screen for 5. 5 starts high, but runs off the screen low to the

left block. 3 then pivots to screen 2’s defender to free 2 to make a cut to the

elbow for an open jumper.

11/10/09

Daily Chalkboard



Boston Celtics BLOB series from 11/06/09 game versus Nets

Play 1: run for a shooter (in this case:

Ray Allen). 2 starts on the weak side

elbow and runs off the double screen set

by 4 and 5 at the strong elbow. On any

switch call made by their defender, 4 and

5 are diving to the rim.

Play 2: counter to play 1, 2 fakes coming

off the double and instead dives to weak

side block while 4 pins down on 5’s man

as he pops to the three point line for an

open look. Obviously the 5 must have an

ability to knock this shot down (think

Rasheed Wallace).

11/5/09

Daily Chalkboard

Zak Boisvert


Marqutte set in 2/25/09 game versus Connecticut

1: Dominic James 2: Jerel McNeal 3: Wes Matthews 4: Lazar Hayward 5: Dwight Burke

The set begins in a double stack at the elbows with the wings emptying to the opposite side. 1

throws to 2 on the right side and cuts through to the left block. On 2’s catch, 5 brushes off 4’s

screen and sprints to screen for 2. However, 5 slips the screen right to the rim. 4 now turns and

sets a ball screen for 2. 2 dribbles off the ball screen into the middle of the floor while 4 sprints

to use the double screen set by 1 and 5 in the middle of the lane (can be on left block to avoid

3 second call). 2 kicks to 3 on the left wing to send it one more to 4 sprinting to the corner for

the open three or 1-on-1 driving opportunity.

Note: Marquette ran various things off this including a regular pick-and-pop for 4, a double

screen (by 4 and 5) after 4 sets the ball screen

Daily Chalkboard

11/13/09



Dallas Mavericks set play from 11/04/09 game versus Hornets

1 2 3

Diagram 1: 5 steps to the midpost area to receive pass from 1.

Diagram 2: 1 cuts as if to screen for 4, but cuts hard off 5 for handoff/short pass. On

1’s cut, 3 has moved to set a flare screen for 2.

Diagram 3: After setting the flare for 2, 3 moves to set a ball screen for 1, but slips

early and dives to the rim. 5 has turned to set a down screen for 1. 1 can hit 3 on the

slip, 4 coming off the down screen, 5 rolling or create something for himself.

Lineup:

1: Rodrigue Beaubois

2: Jason Terry

3: Shawn Marion

4: Dirk Nowitzki

5: Kris Humphries

Zak Boisvert




A set play run in the half court by FC Barcelona (starring Ricky Rubio)

1 2 3

Diagram 1: The play starts in a 1-4 high look with 1 hitting the 5 at the right elbow and cutting

through the middle. After clearing the semi-circle, 1 turns and joins 4 in setting a double back screen

for 2. 2 has stepped towards 5 before busting to the rim using the 2 screens.

Diagram 2: 4 turns and screens down for 1 who comes to the perimeter for a catch from 5.

Diagram 3: 2 and 4 set a baseline runner screen for 3 who sprints to the left corner for an open look.

Coach John Calipari (Kentucky vs UCONN)Iso play for John Wall 12.9

1 Iso (1 of 4)

1 passes to 3.

1

2 3

4

53

1

5


1 Iso (2 of 4)

2 cuts along the baseline to empty out theleft side of the court. 5 looks for thepostup/lob over top once the 2 clears. 1takes a flare screen from the 4 andcontinues the cut to the (left) elbow.

2

4

53

1

2

1


1 Iso (3 of 4)

3 passess to 4. 4 passess to the 1 who postup at the high post.

4

53

2

1

4


1 Iso (4 of 4)

Once the entire left side is cleared out, the 1iso to the basket to score or kick.

4

5

2

3 2

3

4

1

Chapter

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11/6/09

Daily Chalkboard

Zak Boisvert


Nets set play in 11/04/09 game versus Nuggets

“Fist Cross”

Top Left: 2 begins the

action by running through

to the left wing. 4 sprints

to set a ball screen for 1

while 3 runs to set a cross

screen for 5.

Top Right: 5 rubs off 3’s

cross screen into post

position looking for the

feed from 1.

Bottom left: the play finishes with 4, instead of rolling,

running to set a down screen for 3. 1 has the option to hit 5 for

the postup or pass to 3 coming off the down screen.

Zak Boisvert




Orlando Magic set play run in 12/02/09 game versus Knicks

1 2

Diagram 1: Starting in a 1-4 high set, 2 sprints to the left wing, using a double

drag screen set by 4 and 5 (3 dropping to corner).

Diagram 2: Having dribbled towards the left high elbow area to sell the drag cut,

1 quickly spin dribbles as 5 has turned and screened for 4 to cut to the right wing

and look to sweep the catch for a baseline drive.

Zak Boisvert




2007-2008 Phoenix Suns SLOB inbounds for Steve Nash game-

winner

1 2

Diagram 1: 2 cuts through the painted area to ball side corner.

Diagram 2: on 2’s cut, 1 circles to the elbow area and looks as if he will dive

between 4 and 5 for a basket cut, but instead pushes 4 through to the ball side

block area. As this is occurring, 5 is squaring up to set a screen for 1 to curl back

to the ball for a 3 point look. (4 spaces out to the right wing after setting the

screen).

Zak Boisvert




Radford’s “Wheel” zone attack versus a 2-3

1 2

3 4

Diagram 1: on 1’s pass to 2, the opposite wing (3) flashes to a spot just

underneath the foul line. If he doesn’t get the pass from 2, 3 cuts to the short

corner looking for a catch. Again, if he doesn’t catch, he proceeds to the deep

corner.

Diagram 2: 5 fills the spot just underneath the FT line that 3 vacated. If he is not

open for a catch, he cuts to the short corner. 4 lifts out of the corner to fill the left

wing spot.

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 3: The ball is reversed and on 4’s catch, 2 makes the FT-short corner-

deep corner cut

Diagram 4: 5 fills the spot just underneath the FT line that 2 just vacated. If he is

not open for a catch, he cuts to the short corner. 3 lifts to the right wing spot.

11/4/09

Daily Chalkboard

Zak Boisvert


2008-2009 Louisville set in Big East play

Top Left:1 throws to 4 and

runs off a back pick set by

5 at the elbow. 4 swings to

2 and follows with a ball

screen.

Top Right: After setting

the back pick, 5 screens

away for 3 who tests the

curl. If the curl isn’t there

he pops out to the top of

the key for the pass from 2.

Bottom Left: After throwing

to 3, 2 receives a flare

screen from 4. 5 down

screens for 1 who pops for a

wing catch thrown by 3.

Bottom Right: 1 looks

inside to post up 5 on the

seal, but if it is not there,

waits on 4 coming to set a

ball screen after he sets a

flare for 3.

Zak Boisvert




Texas A&M stacks play run versus West Virginia in the 76 Classic 1 2

Diagram 1: A&M starts in a stacks set with 2 immediately popping to corner. 3

wraps around 4 and once he has cleared, 4 lifts to the left elbow as 1 brings the

ball to the right wing and throws to 4 on his flash.

Diagram 2: Rather than cutting through 3 stops in the lane and screens x5. 5

rolls off his back and cuts underneath the screen for an easy paint catch.

Zak Boisvert



11/10/09

Daily Chalkboard



“4 Down”: Marqutte set from 2006-2007 season

1 2 3

4 5

Diagram 1 (Top left): 2 breaks out of the stack at the left block to the left elbow where 1 throws it before 1 begins

to cut through the defense. However, when 1 gets to the nail of the free throw line, instead of cutting to the basket,

he changes his angle and sets an away drag screen for 4.

Diagram 2 (Top middle): 4 uses the drag screen by 1 to come to the middle of the floor to receive a pitch from 2

(who clears out past the 3 point line).

Diagram 3 (Top right): On ball reversal to 1, two things can happen: 4 can follow his pass with a ball screen (not

shown) or 5 can set an up screen for 2 to cut to the ball side block.

Diagram 4 (Bottom left): 4 and 5 then turn to set a double staggered screen for 3 to come to the top of the key.

11/10/09

Daily Chalkboard


Diagram 5 (Bottom middle): On 1’s pass, he now runs off a triple. 3 is looking to pass to him or looking to go to 2

for a step-out iso.

Zak Boisvert




Indiana University offensive set

1 2

3 Diagram 1: On an early push, 1 throws

ahead to 2 and cuts through. 3 cuts hard

to the free throw line before popping to

the top of the key (4 will run behind him

in the trail spot)

Diagram 2: 2 swings the ball to 3 who

swings the ball to 1 who has cut off of

4’s down screen to catch in the left “slot”

area.

Diagram 3: 5 sprints up to set a ball

screen for 1 and rolls to the rim as 4 fills behind to perform a roll & replace.

Zak Boisvert




2 Michigan State set plays that have been a staple of Tom Izzo’s

playbook for the last 15 years, yet they still routinely score on

them.

4 drives at 1 to complete a dribble handoff as 5 sets a flare screen for 3 on the

weak side of the court. After the dribble handoff, 4 is sprinting down to the block

to screen for 2. 1 has plenty of options: hit 2 coming off the down screen, turn

the corner himself, hit 3 on the flare, hit 5 stepping out after setting the screen

(for State, this is always a shooter) or hit 4 pinning his man.

A SLOB play Michigan State will run

when they need a quick score, this play

puts the ball in the hands of their best

playmaker and gives him an open side

of the floor to drive to with a couple of

other options. After 2 passes into 1, he

sprints through to the opposite corner

(this must be a sprint in order to create

a possible drive and kick situation). On

1’s catch, 3 steps up to set a ball screen

and once 1 turns the corner, 3 sprints

off a double flare screen set by 4 and 5.

Zak Boisvert



1 has the option to take it himself, drive and kick to 2 or throw over the top to 3

on his flare cut.

Zak Boisvert

11/18/09 Chalkboard



University of Dayton dead corner SLOB play run during 2008-2009 season

1

2

3

Diagram 1: 1 rubs off 5 to come

to the sideline for a catch. On

his catch, 1 dribbles to the

middle of the floor and 3 runs a

flex cut off of 2’s screen.

Diagram 2: 4 and 5 set a double

down screen for 2 to come off of to the left wing

Diagram 3: As soon as 2 clears 4’s outside shoulder, 4 cuts to the middle of the free throw line

looking for the pass from 1 and 4 dives right to the left block.

Effective versus a man-to-man defense, this play is a killer against an opponent that will 2-3 all

SLOBs as the action in diagram 3 will shred a zone as the bottom left wing is occupied with

covering the double screen and the middle defender rushes up to cover 5’s flash, leaving the

middle wide open for 4’s dive.

Zak Boisvert




Set play run by West Virginia in Anaheim this past week to get an

open shot for their 3-point marksman Casey Mitchell (2 in diagram)

1 2

3

Diagram 1: WVU moves into a lifted 2-3

set with the top being squared with their

2 guards, 1 and 2 (Mitchell: the shooter).

1 passes to 3 to initiate 2’s scissor cut

into the ballside post. Diagram 2: 5 turns to set a back screen

for 1. After screening for 5 pops out for

a catch from 3.

Diagram 3: 2 moves out to the wing as if

to set a back screen for 3, but 3 at the

last instant assumes a screening position

as 2 curls around him for an open look.

10/28/09

Daily Chalkboard

Zak Boisvert

10/29/09

Oklahoma State plays for shooters versus Iowa State’s 2-3 zone in Big XII

Plays 1 and 2 are best to be run consecutively.

Play 1 Play 2

Play 3

Play 3 is run with 1 receiving a high ball screen from 5 (Oklahoma State relied heavily on

ball screens to attack Iowa State’s 2-3). A stagger is occurring on the weakside with 2

screening the outside bottom defender and 4 screening the middle defender. Once 3 clears

his shoulder, 2 will set another screen: this time for 4. The play finishes with 5 setting a

down screen for the bottom R defender for 1 to wheel around to hit 2 for the open look.

10/28/09

Daily Chalkboard

Zak Boisvert




Cleveland Cavaliers’ “Pistol” series

With the acquisition of Antawn Jamison combined with the injury to Shaquille O’Neal,

the Cavs have been playing quite a bit of “small ball” lately with Jamison and Hickson

manning the 4 and 5 spots. With their small lineup,

this “Pistol” set has been used extensively.

In the first look, Jamison is the 4 and after inbounding

off a made basket on the other end, he runs as the

trailer to the top of the key. Mo Williams brings the

ball up the left side of the court and drives at Jamison.

Jamison dives backdoor and loops around the screen

set by J.J. Hickson (5) for an open baseline jumper.

The next play the Cavs will run out of this set is a ball screening action where again 1

dribbles at 4 causing him to dive. Instead of turning to throw back to him for a baseline

jumper, 1 throws an advance pass to 3 (Lebron) on the right wing and makes a corner

cut as 5 is looping

(coming right off 1’s

butt on his corner

cut) for a ball

screen.



The next play Cleveland will run out of this set is one in which J.J. Hickson is acting as

the trailer. Instead of 1’s driving the trailer initiating the action, 5 initiates the action by

beginning a basket cut. He hopes to get his defender retreating to defend the back cut

because once he gets to the nail, 5 wheels around to sprint to a side ball screen for 1. 4

has moved to the corner and will act as the fill guy (moving behind the ball on 1’s

penetration) as 5 rolls hard to the rim.

Zak Boisvert




Mavericks high post action off the elbow

The Dallas Mavericks use the high post/elbow as well as any team in the

NBA, here are 2 of their favorite plays that incorporate a high post at the

elbow position:

-Something the Mavs love to do is start

the possession with Jason Kidd hitting

Dirk at the elbow with Jason Terry in the

strong side corner. Kidd throws to Dirk

and runs at Terry’s man. With the 2

players coming together, the Mavs will

do a variety of things with everything

predicated on Terry and Kidd reading the

play. Shown in the diagram is Kidd

slipping a screen, but often Terry will

back cut the screen with Kidd curling

back to receive a dribble handoff from

Dirk.

-The next action occurs when the Mavericks throw to the elbow on any empty

side (no one in the ball side wing/corner positions). Rather than Dirk catching as

in the previous play, Dallas will run this to (3—Josh Howard or Shawn Marion).

Kidd follows his pass to rub off of 3 for a fake handoff while at the same time a

double screen is being set on the weakside of the floor for Jason Terry (2). On 2’s

catch, 5 is setting a turnout screen for 4 for an open jumper.

Zak Boisvert




Zak Boisvert 04/13/08/10 Daily Chalkboard Twitter: @ZakBoisvert


BYU “Whiplash” set to free Fredette BYU used this throughout Mountain West play and into the NCAA Tournament to get their best player, Jimmer Fredette, open looks. The set is predicated on timing and the

ability of your 5 man to hit bodies on his screens.

1 2

3 Diagram 1: The play starts with a simple UCLA action following 1’s entry to the wing. Diagram 2: Almost immediately after 1 rubs off 5’s UCLA, 4 (a shooter for BYU, making it more dangerous) comes right behind him and runs off 5’s body to the mid-post area looking for either a quick catch-and-shoot or a post feed. Diagram 3: 5 now turns and goes to get 1 (who has moved underneath the rim) on simple down screen for an open look.

In this set there are simply too many actions to cover for the defense to play it perfect. At somewhere along this set, someone is going to get an open look. Think of what x1 needs to do on this play to play it perfectly: provide ball pressure on the point, jump to the ball on 1’s pass to 2, bump 1’s UCLA cut, knock 1 off his post-up, be aware of a possible help situation with 4 coming off 5’s screen and then, finally, get through 5’s down screen

ready to defend 1 at the top of the key with huge driving gaps.

QuickhitterDetroit

Horns set

1 passes to 2, who then dribbles to the top of the key

4 goes to the block to set a pick for 1 (single)

3 and 5 go to the block to set a pick for 1 (double)

1 cuts to the basket after the pass and then can curl off the single pick or thedouble pick for a three-pointer

Zipper set





4-up set





1

Quickhitter1-up set





Created with Basketball Playbook from www.jes-soft.com 2

Zak Boisvert




Boston Celtics’ “Hit-n-Curl” action

Diagram 1: Out of transition, 1 dribbles off the

pro spot to the left sideline while 5 sprints to

screen for 4 who sprints into what looks like a

traditional sideline ball screen with the strong

corner filled

Diagram 2: Instead of sprinting to set the ball screen, 4

stops at lane line extended where 1 hits him. After passing,

1 sprints to screen for 2. 2 tight curls the screen to the rim

looking for the pass from 4 for the layup.

Diagram 3: If 4 doesn’t make the pass, 1 pops

back out the corner where 4 hits him and follows

for a corner ball screen for 1 to drive it middle.



July 22, 2010 Chalkboard

Boston Celtics flex + ball screen look 1 2

3 Diagram 1: Starting in an A-set alignment, 1 passes to the post situated at the elbow away from the shooter (2= Ray Allen). 1 cuts through and sets a flex screen for 2. Diagram 2: 4 looks at the flex cut (passing if open) before turning to his right to pass to 3 (Pierce) creeping out of the corner. Diagram 3: 4 follows with a corner ball screen and as 3 drives off the ball screen, 4 moves to set a down screen for 2. 1 has the option of driving it himself (1 has lifted, 5 has dived to the opposite alley) or throwing to 2 for an open jumper.




Boston Celtics: “Up” ball screen set

1 2 3

Diagram 1: Starting in a set that looks like they’re overloading the left side, the Celtics do a good

job of moving the defense a considerable amount although just one pass is made. Following his

pass to 5 stepping out to the top of the key, 1 slices through below him for a shallow cut. At the

same time, 4 relocates to the opposite post while 2 kicks to the corner.

Diagram 2: Once 1 has cleared, 3 lifts slightly and 5 hits him with a pass. 5 follows with a ball

screen as 4 drops to the weak side “alley” behind the backboard to clear space for 5’s potential roll.

Diagram 3: 3 drives it hard off the wing ball screen as 5 rolls to the rim and 2 shakes behind

looking for a throwback from 3 for a three-pointer.

Zak Boisvert




Don Meyer’s “New Jersey”: a set play to run against a zone for a 3

1 2

3

Diagram 1: Starting in a 3-out/2-in alignment against

a traditional 2-3 zone, 1 dribbles to the left wing

causing 2 to make a loop cut to replace 1 at the top

of the key. 3 flashes to the nail in the free throw line

as 4 runs off 5’s screen to the right corner.

Diagram 2: Ball reversal occurs as 1 passes to 2 who

swings to 4 stepping out of the corner to the wing.

Diagram 3: After passing to 4, 2 sets a screen on the

weakside guard to free 3 for an open three pointer.




NCAA ball screen concepts: Duke

Duke:

It has been interesting to watch Duke over the last 3 years as they’ve

transformed from a true motion team to running a lot of ball screens out of the

spread set. This is undoubtedly a result of Coach K spending the prior 3 summers

with Mike D’Antoni and it’s been interesting to see the NBA strategies in the

college game.

A traditional ball

screen with some

movement

occurring

underneath the

screen, this action

starts with 5

sprinting from the

left block to set a

ball screen on x1’s right cheek. As 1 is coming off this ball

screen, 4 (Kyle Singler) cuts hard underneath his defender

(who is presumably playing underneath the rim in help side position). It is

important that this is an extremely hard cut because 4 is 1’s first look coming off

this screen (Singler has excelled at this, catching it just off the block where he can

use his face-up game to go by bigger, slower defenders). For Duke, 5 is Brian

Zoubek who is a plodding 7 footer, so rather than rolling him to the rim and

cutting into 4’s area of operation, Coach K has 5 turn to screen away for 3

(Scheyer) after setting the ball screen.

Zak Boisvert




2 looks out of Duke’s “A Set” alignment

The “A Set” is a formation in which the 2 posts are situated at the elbows and the

2 wings are deep in the corners with the ball at the top in the point guard’s

hands. The “A Set” is an offense that has been used in Europe for quite some

time, but only entered the American lexicon when Greece used it to knock off the

US in 2006. The head coach of that US team, Mike Krzyzewski, has implemented

the offense and this year’s Duke team is using it quite well. Here are 2 different

looks:

The first look is a simple maneuver to get

Duke’s best player, Kyle Singler, the ball

in the middle of the floor with the

defense stretched out, making helping

nearly impossible.

1 hits 4 and spaces to the opposite wing.

On 4’s catch, 5 sprints over to set a ball

screen for 4.

The next action Duke runs out of their “A Set” is their flex. 1 will throw to 5 and

cut off as if he is looking for a dribble handoff. If 1 doesn’t receive the handoff, he

cuts to the opposite block to set a flex screen for 3. 4 down screens for 1 and

Duke is now in their regular flex.

Zak Boisvert



(For any further insight on the offense, Lason Perkins has an excellent DVD out on the

subject)

Zak Boisvert




Ball screen concepts: University of Portland

A Mike Montgomery disciple, Erik Reveno runs some really good stuff offensively.

Here are 2 ball screen concepts I picked up from watching his Pilots squad play.

Roll-and-Replace action with a perimeter:

Portland runs a variation of the traditional roll-and-replace action off of a side

ball screen where the screener rolls to the rim and the other big moves out of the

post to circle behind the ball. Instead of the opposite big (which, with the 4 ball

screening, would be the 5 in the diagram), Portland has the 5 screen for 2 to be

the “replace” guy. The advantages of this are obvious: you have a perimeter

player moving behind the ball for a catch at 18-21 feet rather than a post. A

possible disadvantage is that it doesn’t engage x5 as much as 5 replacing would

although if 5’s screen is good enough, x5 would have to help and after screening

5 drops directly to the alley (baseline behind the board, just outside the lane).

Underneath fill:

With the strong side corner occupied on

a wing ball screen, rather than running a

traditional fill cut (2 moving mirroring the

3 point arch and moving directly up to

the wing area) as 1 takes the ball middle

and 5 rolls, UP does something unusual in

that they have 2 fill underneath the 5’s

roll by cutting inside of his dive before

Zak Boisvert



coming to the wing area. Just before 5 turns to sprint to the rim after setting the

ball screen, 2 begins to move towards the paint area and once 5 has cleared him,

cuts to the perimeter for a catch.




2 European BLOB plays

Lithuanian National Team “Saw” BLOB play:

Frame 1: 4 screens in for 2. 2 steps left before coming off

4’s screen for a catch.

Frame 2: 4 turns to screen for 1 (the inbounder) on 2’s catch. 1 cuts up the middle of the court. On 1’s catch, he turns to face the basket and gets a ball screen from 5 to

drive left.

FC Barcelona’s “11” BLOB play

Diagram 1: 2 and 5 set a double screen for 4 to dive to the weak side block. Diagram 2: After screening for 4, 5 pivots to screen in for 2. 2 comes off the double screen set by 5

and 3 for an open jumper.

Zak Boisvert




Florida State’s motion offense featuring “crackback” screen

1 2

3

4

Diagram 1: With the ball on the left side of the court, 4 sets a narrow pin-down

for 3.

Diagram 2: 5 and 4 set a double baseline screen for 2 to come to the right corner.

Diagram 3: 2 catches and uses a lateral dribble to move the ball towards the

middle of the floor at 1 who receives a flare screen from 5.

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 4: 2 passes to 5 stepping out after setting the flare. 5 quickly swings to

1. As soon as 1 catches on the wing, 3 goes to set a “crackback” screen for 4 to

come to the ballside block for a postup.




Kansas State late-game set play: “Double Cut”

Left Diagram: Starting in a 3-out/2-in alignment, 1 passes to 2 and makes a boom cut. 3 fills at the top of the key. Middle Diagram: On 2’s pass to 3, 1 runs off the double baseline runner set by 4 and 5. On his catch, 1 can shoot if defense is unable to get through the screens. Right Diagram: 1’s catch signals that it’s 2’s turn to run off the double screen, but the tweak Kansas State makes to this popular play is that as x2 reads the continuous double action and jumps the two screens, 2 comes off underneath the first screen before slicing up the middle to the top of the key for an open three.




2 play calls from last night’s Xavier/Kansas State 2 OT thriller (3/25/10)

A BLOB play for a shooter (Xavier) and a late game set to get the ball inside (Kansas State)

Xavier BLOB play (run once for Redford at the 2 position and once for Crawford):

L Diagram: Starting in a 4-

flat alignment, 2 sets a

screen for 5 to come off

into the strong side corner

(Xavier loves to run a BLOB

play where the 5 comes to

the corner for a catch and

handoff back to the

inbounder).

R Diagram: 5 clears the

screen and appears to be

headed to the corner, but

turns back around to get 2. After setting the screen, 2 was acting as if he were cutting through, but

now wheels back around to come off the double set by 4 and 5.

Kansas State late game set for post-up:

L Diagram: 1 hits 2 and

makes a corner cut. 4

makes a high post flash for

a high/low look.

R Diagram: On 4’s high

post catch, 1 cuts over the

top of 5 in a flex-like

action. K-State isn’t so

much looking to hit 1 on



this cut, but rather set up a duck-in for 5 while x5 is occupied helping x1 get through on the cut.




2 Rutgers set plays from last night’s Big East Tournament game

Got a chance to take in the Rutgers-Cincinnati last night at the Garden and was impressed by

a couple of sets Rutgers ran in the first half for open looks.

“Up”

Starting in a 1-4 high alignment with 2,3,4 and 5 all across free throw line extended, 1 hits 5

to initiate the play before cutting underneath 4 to set a back screen for 2 to come off for a

paint catch. After 2 has cleared 1, 4 turns to screen for 1 (screen-the-screener action). 5 hits 1

and turns to screen away for 2 to free him for an open three.

“Down”

Rutgers runs a ton of ball screens and they had success with this action in the first half. 1

dribbles at 2 for a dribble handoff as an entry into the play. 2 takes the handoff and takes 1

dribble to the high elbow area before throwing back to 1 and running off a UCLA screen set

by 4 (if he doesn’t get it for a layup or a postup, he clears). After setting the UCLA, 4 turns to

screen for 5 who sprints off the screen right into a side ball screen for 1. 4 stays on the weak

side, 5 rolls hard while 2 fills the wing spot from behind. The key is that the UCLA action

occupies x4 enough that when 4 sprints to screen for 5, there is a slippage in

execution/communication and 5 is able to arrive at the ball screen without his defender (the

hedge).

Zak Boisvert




A couple of free throw offense concepts to think about (things you can do when your own team is shooting free throws)

The first concept is a cut and replace offensive rebounding concept called “Circle” that I first saw

used by Mike Dunlap when he was at Metro State. The concept is shown in the diagrams below

with the one on the right being with the defense not shown and the one on the right shown with

the defense on the court. 5 (left block) is rolling back to the baseline while 2 flies in to the gap

created by his roll. 3 tries to get to the middle of the lane while 4, after shooting, moves to fill the

right block. If you can’t get to grab the ball, Dunlap would instruct his players to tip it out as the

centerfield (1) is looking for it. This a very aggressive, high-risk move.

-Jim Calhoun made a great point in a clinic I saw regarding free throw rebounding when he said

that the purpose of the defense is to create

contact while the purpose of the offense is to avoid it. Therefore, Calhoun teaches his team that

when they’re attempting to rebound defensively from the free throw alignment (other team

shooting), they should be as far up the block/slot as possible (to be as close as possible to the

possible offensive rebounder). On offense (when Uconn is shooting), Calhoun again instructs his

player to be as far up in the block/slot as possible to avoid contact by the defensive rebounder.

(Michael Jordan, possibly the world’s greatest offensive rebounder off free throws was notorious

for lining up as high as he could in his slot and hopping to the middle of the lane).

-When playing against the better point guards, Nate McMillian and the Portland Trail Blazers use

a free throw to set up their defense. As the ball goes through the net, the Trail Blazer’s 4 man

(who was lined up on the free throw lane) turns his back to the baseline, but rather than running

away, looks to find the opposing team’s point guard and momentarily face guards him in an

attempt to slow the break or force the team to bring another player up court to receive the

inbounds pass.

-In anticipation of an offensive rebound off a free throw, Dunlap mandates that his players line up

with their hands in front of their chest and their elbows in.

Zak Boisvert




How do you incorporate free throws into your practice?

-Dick Bennett, UW-Stevens Point, UW-GB, Wisconsin, and Washington State: dedicate

12-15 minutes in the middle of practice for free throws to simulate halftime. Stress the

energy flow of the period directly following the free throw segment. Emphasize the

importance of the quality of play in the first 5 minutes.

-Gary DeCesare, St. Raymond’s HS (Bronx, NY), DePaul (assistant), St. Rita (Chicago, IL):

everyone stresses shooting free throws when tired, what about the kid that enters the

game and gets fouled on his first possession? Start practice and end practice with 5

minutes of free throws.

-Vance Walberg, Umass: validate all drill wins with a free throw. Pick a kid from the

winning team to shoot a free throw to validate the win. If he misses, the winning team

runs the conditioning consequence as if they lost.”

-Kevin Keats, Hargrave Military Academy: after practice is over, each kid must make 5

free throws in a row to leave.

-Hubie Brown, Pro Basketball Hall of Fame: Ultimate concentration—NO talking

(coaches included).

-Mike Dunlap, Metro State, Denver Nuggets (assistant), Oregon (assistant): “Make a big

deal out of free throws.” Require players to make 25 free throws before and after every

practice. Post a list outside gym with players writing down how many attempts it took

for them to reach 25.

-Rick Pitino, Louisville: at the conclusion of practice, perimeter players must make 12

free throws in a row to leave; posts must make 8 in a row.

-Don Meyer, Northern State: “3 in a Rows” With 3 people at each basket (+2 balls),

players shoot rapid-fire with one person rebounding and throwing to another who

hands the ball directly to shooter (no dribbling or free throw prep). The player takes 3

shots before rotating. If a player makes all 3, he calls out his name. Assign a coach to

record the names and the goal should be to have 77 “3 in a Rows” in a 5-minute period.

Zak Boisvert



-Lorenzo Romar, Washington: All 13 players gather around FT lane at the end of practice

to shoot either a 1-and-1 or a 2-shot foul. Team doesn’t leave until players combine to

make 19 of 26 (on 1-and-1 days) or 20 for 26 (on 2-shot foul days). On failure, switch

ends and start again.

-Kevin Pigott, Fordham Prep: “3 to make 2” In between all drills, team breaks up into

pairs at different baskets and shoots 3 free throws with the goal being to make at least

2.

-“3 to get 4”: Player shoots 3 free throws in an effort to get 4 points. Point system:

swish= 2, rimmed make=1, miss=0.

-Don Meyer, Northern State: “Bubba Free Throws”: Entire team stands on baseline with

players coming out one at a time to shoot a single free throw. Team is down 75-70 with

all makes counting as +1 and all misses counting as -2.

Mike Dunlap, Metro State, Denver Nuggets (assistant), Oregon (assistant): Elbow points

to the rim and hold your gooseneck for a count of 2 everytime.

-Brad Soderberg, Lindenwood University: “Free Throw Ladder” Built around the premise

of a country club’s tennis ladder, Soderberg’s concept squares a pair of people off every

day for 20 free throws. The top 2 shooters shoot at the “Gold Basket” with the loser

rotating to the 1st basket for the next day’s practice. The winner at basket 1 on Tuesday

moves to basket 2 for Wednesday’s practice while the loser of basket 1 remains.

-Gary Boren, Dallas Mavericks: emphasize the importance of making free throws in

practice and de-emphasize the importance of making them in games.

-Mike Dunlap, Metro State, Denver Nuggets (assistant), Oregon (assistant): free throw

shooting is an area we can improve on with a little more thought. Regardless of your

talent this an area where a coach can have a tremendous influence.




French National Team: getting your point guard off the ball

“Out Regular” Left Diagram: 1 hits 2 and makes a same side cut (not all the way to the corner). 3 moves into the block area. Middle Diagram: Once 1 has cleared, 4 pops for a catch. On 4’s catch, 5 sprints to screen for 1. 1 comes off the ball side of 5’s screen looking for a catch (you will get open looks off this action alone). Right Diagram: 3 cross screens for 5. 1 looks to throw it in. 4 screens away for 2.

“Out Double”

Left Diagram: 1 passes to 2 and makes a same side cut. 4 moves to the block (rather than popping in regular “Out”. 3 fills to the top. Right Diagram: On 2’s pass to 3, 1 runs off the double screen set by 4 and 5. 1 catches looking to sweep into a baseline drive.

Zak Boisvert




Maryland’s “Double Down” play

A twist of the traditional twin down screen play

Diagram 1: Set up like the traditional twin down screen play, 5 walks towards 2

as if to set a down screen and 2 plays it as if he is about to use it before changing

directions and coming of an Iverson-like drag screen set by 4. 2 opens to the ball

looking for the pass.

Diagram 2: While 2 darted away from the screen, 3 sprints across the lane to use

5’s down screen for an open shot.

Zak Boisvert




Gonzaga post isolation set play out of their 4-out Motion 1 2

3

Diagram 1: Starting in their 4-out/1-in alignment with a lifted post, 1 and 2

perform a dribble handoff on the left wing (this can also be a pass followed by a

same side cut by 1). A simple exchange occurs on the weakside.

Diagram 2: 2 takes 2 dribbles off the handoff and passes to 3 before cutting hard

off 5’s screen into the post looking for a catch. It is important that 2 posts hard

because x2’s effort to deny him the catch sets up the next portion of the play.

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 3: As x2 worked to deny 2 the post catch, 5 steps out after the screen

and catches. 2 seals x2 and holds his position in the middle of the lane for 2 to

throw the entry pass.

It’s tough to defend because the offense has changed sides of the floor twice

within a span of 2-3 seconds and as the defense adjusts to take something away

on one side of the floor, they are vulnerable to a seal on the other. Gonzaga, one

of my favorite teams to watch because of their offensive concepts, is on TV

tonight at 11:00 (EST) on ESPN 2




Greece’s zone offense package versus China’s 2-3 1 2 Diagram 1: 1 passes to 2 on the left wing and cuts through to the strong side short corner. 4 flashes to the high post. Diagram 2: 2 makes a skip pass to 3 (this can also be a ball reversal from 2 to 4 to 3). On 3’s catch, 1 cuts to the corner. 3 4 Diagram 3: 3 conducts a dribble pull move by dribbling along the 3 point line and “pulling” 1 towards him. 3 throws back to 1. Diagram 4: Another “dribble pull” move is conducted as 1 dribbles up the court only to throw back to 2 cutting to the right corner.




Arizona State’s “Clear” (Swoosh cut + tight curl) Because Herb Sendek is one of the most innovative coaches in the country and

they really runs a variety of stuff, I suggest all coaches spend some time watching Arizona State if they can. Here’s my favorite action of theirs.

Left Diagram: 1 quicks to 2 and cuts through. 2 looks inside to 5 as 4 and 3 fill. Middle Diagram: Ball reversal from 2 to 4 to 3. 5 has flashed to the high post on 4’s catch. On 4’s pass to 3, 4 dives and screens in on 1. 5 follows 4 and sets a like screen. 1’s cut is what I term a “swoosh” cut (kind of looks like the Nike symbol) as he moves up the court away from the ball. This cut can be very dangerous if the receiver is a skilled driver who excels at catching and sweeping the ball. Right Diagram: On his catch, 1 can sweep the ball through to drive it left or he can look inside as 5 has screened in on x4 and 4 is now curling to the front of the rim.

Zak Boisvert




Indiana University’s zone offense against Michigan’s 2-3

Diagram 1: Tom Crean really emphasizes a strong push by the point guard

who throws it ahead to 2 and cuts through as 4 trails the play. 3 makes a squared cut to

the top of the key by flashing first to the spot right before the FT line before changing

direction to catch the ball at the top of the key.

Diagram 2: The ball is reversed to 1 on the left side of the floor and the goal is for 5 to

be already circling up to set the wing ball screen as 1 catches. 5 will set the ball screen

for 1 to drive it middle as 4 has relocated to the opposite side of the floor and has

positioned himself in what Crean calls “The Alley”—the position just outside the lane line

behind the backboard.




Utah Jazz offensive action

The Utah Jazz have always been one of my favorite teams to watch because Sloan

does such a good job getting them to execute their offense. Here are 2 actions

I’ve picked up from Utah in their last 2 TV games (as you’ll see, the Jazz love high

curls to the elbow):

Fake the UCLA to create a 2 man game on the weak side

Deron Williams hitting the 2 and then

running off 5’s UCLA screen is Utah’s most

frequent offensive action. This tendency

creates this opportunity as teams

anticipate the UCLA cut and Deron

Williams moves back to the perimeter for

a catch. This action is all about timing as 3

should be coming off 4’s screen right as 1

catches it and takes 1 dribble middle.

Occupy the help to create a high curl

Here, Williams hits Boozer (4) at the high

post and runs his direction. Often, Utah

will run Williams right into a handoff with

Boozer, but here Williams veers to the

three point line as the ball side wing (3)

steps up to set a flare screen. As soon as 3

makes contact with x1, he dives hard to

the rim. Utah isn’t looking to really score

on this so much as to occupy the weak

side help because as soon as 3 dives, 4

turns over his right shoulder to the left



side of the floor where 5 is screening for 2. Again, this play is all about timing as 2

is waiting on his man (x2) to react to 3’s dive.




Syracuse University’s go-to set to free Wesley Johnson

1 2 3

Diagram 1: 1 passes to 4 and cuts through. 3 begins inching towards 5 at the free throw line. Diagram 2: 3 wraps around 5, curling the screen to look for 4’s pass leading him to the rim. If he can’t get the pass, 3 can fight momentarily for a post-up (remember this is 6-8 Wesley Johnson). Diagram 3: 5 pops and 4 hits him. On 5’s catch, we have double down screens with 4 getting 3 and 2 getting 1.

Zak Boisvert




Snapshot of Michigan’s 2-Guard Front Offense

Diagram 1: As 1 dribbles towards the left wing, 5 lifts to the top of the key to

catch. On 5’s catch, 2 back cuts and 4 fills for a high wing catch. On the weakside,

1 has cut through to the corner as 3 lifts.

Diagram 2: 4 hits 3 and comes off 5’s back screen for a basket cut.

Diagram 3: After setting the back screen, 5 turns to set a down screen for 2.


Michigan play call for a postup out of the “Beilein Offense”

1 2

3 Diagram 1: Michigan runs the “Shuffle Set” out of the Beilein Offense. 1 passes to 4 before making a boom cut. 3 slices off 5 to the block. Diagram 2: 5 pops to catch 4’s pass. After passing, 4 runs off 3’s shuffle screen set at the block. 5 rips the ball through to his left and dribbles at the opposite wing (2) for a DHO. Diagram 3: After performing the handoff, 5 gets a post stagger screen from 4 and 3. 2 dribbles across the middle of the court and passes to 1 who looks to enter to 5 for a catch with two feet in the paint.

Zak Boisvert




2 John Calipari late-clock plays out of a box set

Kentucky will get into a box set with the

shot clock going down and here

DeMarcus Cousins (4) steps out to set a

ball screen for 1 as 2 and 3 set a double

screen for Patrick Patterson into a post-

up.

The next one is a similar set Cal would run last year at Memphis (haven’t seen it

yet at UK, although Pastner continues to run it in his first year. The play begins

with the same high elbow ball screen, but the diagonal screen for 5 into the post

is now just set a single screen set by 3. After setting the diagonal, 3 turns to set a

down screen for 2 + 4, after setting the ball screen, runs right into a screen,

forming a stagger for 2 to come off for an open jump shot.

Zak Boisvert






Ohio University offensive set from Thursday night

John Groce’s Ohio Bobcats used a ton of ball screens on their way to 97 points in

last night’s win over Georgetown. Here’s an offensive set with good action that is

completed with a run-out side ball screen.

1 2

3 Diagram 1: 1 brings the ball up on the pro-line

(halfway between the lane line and the sideline) and

looks to hit 2 at the top of the key curling off 4’s

down screen. 2 catches and continues ball reversal by

passing to 3 coming off 5’s down screen.

Diagram 2: After making the pass to initiate the set, 1

runs off a double baseline screen to catch a pass from

1 in the corner. After passing to 1, 3 must cut hard to

the paint.

Diagram 3: 3 runs his paint cut right into a screen for

4 to loop for a side ball screen. 1 has dribbled out of

the corner and awaits 4’s arrival.

Note: A common theme in the several games I

watched yesterday featuring teams that relied heavily

on ball screens (Kansas, Ohio, Butler) was the

pressure they put on the opposite corner on side ball

screens. As 1 comes off the side ball screen in the

diagram on the right, he drives with the mindset of

getting “a piece of the paint.” The penetration



collapses the D and consistently Sherron Collins, D.J. Cooper and Ronald Nored

responded by hitting the opposite corner where a 3 points marksman was positioned.




Georgetown zone offense package versus a 3-2

The first look shown is a pattern that begins with 1 dribbling across the top which signals 4 to pop. 1

hits 4 and cuts through to the right block. 4 now dribbles across the top, throwing to 3 on the right

wing. On 3’s catch 1 flashes to the high post and holds for a second before cutting to ball side corner.

Following his pass, 4 cuts behind the top defender of the 3-2 and into the high post 1 just vacated.

If they get nothing, 3 dribbles to the top, 5 lifts to the FT line and they run it on the left side of the

floor.

_______________________________________________________

The 2nd look is a set play Georgetown loves to run against a 3-2 zone. They will look to run this action

at the beginning of possessions and in a short clock situation.



The play begins with a push/pull concept as 1

dribbles off the top, pulling 2 to the center of

the court. 1 throws back to 2.

On 2’s catch, 4 moves out of his position at the

center of the FT line to set a ball screen on the

top zone defender’s left shoulder. 2 dribbles off

the screen and looks to engage the right wing

defender in order to make the pass to the

corner where 3 has spotted up after sprinting

off 5’s screen.




2 Kentucky DDM actions to create driving gaps

“Slash” Frame 1: 4 slices through the defense from his regular trail spot, 2 is waiting on 4 to make his cut and then begins his own. Frame 2: 2 makes a deep shallow cut to the top of the key as 1 drives off his ass to the paint.

“Smash” Frame 1: Again, 4’s slice cut initiates the action. 5 waits on 4’s cut and sprints to the top of the key. Frame 2: 4 has cut through and now 5 arrives at the top of the screen to set a ball screen on 1. The key is how quickly x5 has to adjust from guarding an inactive weak side post to getting out to hedge a ball screen.

Zak Boisvert




2 play calls from last night’s games

(KSU v Tex A&M, UK v UF)

Kentucky lob versus Florida’s matchup zone

Kentucky ran this lob last night coming out of the under 4 media timeout with the game

tied at 82. 1 (should be your best athlete= Kentucky’s John Wall—every play works

better when you have John Wall at your disposal).

Diagram 1: Starting in a 3-out/2-in set, 1 dribbles to the right wing as 2 circles to the

top of the key. 1 momentarily looks to throw it into the post

Diagram 2: 1 swings the ball to the top of the key to 2. 2 reverses the ball to 3 who has

lifted to the “high elbow” area. On 2’s pass to 3, 4 steps down hard at the zone defender

closest to him (x5) and pushes him up the paint towards the FT line. 5 circles behind him

and screens the opposite wing defender as 1 sprints in for a lob and dunk.

Kansas State BLOB

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 1: Starting in a 4-flat set, 3 pops out to receive pass from 5.

Diagram 2: 2 cuts to the right block to set a screen for 5 to curl into the paint. 4

performs a screen-the-screener action by screening down for 2 to cut to the corner for

an open look.




Coaching Notes

-Kevin Eastman: Watch your practice tape even if you have doing it because

that’s where you will pick up some offensive wrinkles as your 1st team

unknowingly makes small adjustments to your offensive system due to the 2nd

team knowing exactly what they’re running. “I can’t count how many offensive

concepts we’ve picked up by simply watching Kevin [Garnett] in practice.”

-“Every little act leads to a big act” (Process > Results)

-Mike London, University of Virginia Head Football Coach: “Have class, go to

class and treat people with dignity and repect.”

-Phil Jackson: “Good teams become great teams when the members trust each

other enough to surrender the we for me.”

-Jay Wright: everyone should be on the floor 10 minutes before practice begins

with their shoes tied and talking about nothing but basketball.

-“We need to be the aggressor.” Gasol said, “We need to challenge people

instead of always being challenged.”

-Eddie Robinson, former Grambling football coach: “Get better players or get

your players better.”

-Lindsay Vonn’s younger brother: “Her life focus has been about this day. Her

whole career has been done for this moment.”

-Bill Self: Control the forward defenders when playing against a 2-3 zone. Make

them come out and guard the wings. If they don’t they’re covering your 3

perimeter players with their 2 top guys. If you get them coming out, it’s taking

them 4 defenders to guard your 3.

-Bill Walsh: “Build your strengths around their weaknesses. Not a schematic

game, but be sure to get your best on their worst.



-“To me October is what we do in spring training,” Mariano Rivera said. “October

is what we do in February. We don’t do all that prep and all that teamwork and all

that running for the season, that’s for the postseason, for the World Series.”

-The 2 biggest things Rick Pitino learned from his years working under Hubie

Brown:

1. You can’t coach mad: you can get mad, cool down and then act mad in

front of them, but you can’t be effective while still angry. You must learn to let it

go.

2. Don’t worry about running x amount of special plays (you don’t need all

of them), just worry about getting the ball in your special player’s hands.


Kevin Eastman’s 10 keys to a great shooting workout

1. Catch and shoot work 2. Quick penetration—shot fakes 3. Shots from operatable areas 4. Mix in finishes at the rim

5. Game Shots-Game Spots-Game Speed 6. Perfect Form

7. Chart shots as much as possible 8. Never miss 2 in a row 9. Shooting stamina

10. Hidden workouts

09-10

Basic

1

54 23

Frame 1

09-10

Basic

1

5

4

23

Frame 2

09-10

Basic

1

5

4

2

3

Frame 3

Vanderbilt


09-10

Basic 2

1

54 23

Frame 1

09-10

Basic 2

1

5

4

23

Frame 2

09-10

Basic 2

1

5

4

23

Frame 3

Vanderbilt


09-10

Basic 2 for PG

1

54 23

Frame 1

09-10

Basic 2 for PG

1

5

42

3

Frame 2

09-10

Basic 2 for PG

1

5

42

3

Frame 3

Vanderbilt





Larry Brown A-set play + counter

Regular

Out of an A-set alignment, 1 hits 4 at the right elbow and cuts underneath 5 to set a double stagger screen for 3 to come off

looking for an open shot. 4 can pass to 3 OR rip the ball through to his right to dribble at 2 to play a 2-man game on their own

side of the floor.

Counter

Left Diagram: 1 cuts underneath 5

as if to set the stagger for 3. 3 back cuts the screen. 1 turns his

body and gets a down screen from 5.

Right Diagram:

4 passes to 1. 5 turns to set the 2nd screen of a double baseline

runner for 2.

The Phoenix Suns ran an action similar to this counter play

throughout the postseason. Nash would come off 5’s down screen

tight and once he catches immediately looks to make a

pocket pass to 5 (Amar’e) ducking in directly in front of the rim.




Detroit Pistons double stretch screen options While the double stretch screen existed long before Allen Iverson came into the league, it was Larry Brown’s usage of the play to get AI open that popularized the action and caused it to be a feature in

nearly every NBA team’s playbook. John Kuester, one of the best X’s and O’s guys in the league, showed off a bevy of options off the set in his first year with the Pistons.

Traditional Double Stretch Screen set

Richard Hamilton (2) would be the cutter sprinting off of screens set by 3 and 5 for a left wing catch. 4 spaces to left corner, 1 would cut away,

and 3 would empty to right corner. In its purest form, the set is simply a way to get your best perimeter player the ball on his favorite side of the

court.

“Off” The Pistons began to run this last year when Hamilton got hurt and Will Bynum (a good ball screen guard) started

playing more. Bynum would break off his cut just before he got to the first screen and cut to the wing. The first screener (5) would then step into a ball

screen for Bynum. As 2 drives it middle, 5 pops and 4 ducks in

hard in front of the rim.

“Back”

Here, 5 and 3 set the double stretch screen for 2, but 2’s cut is merely a decoy as the real

action is occurring on the other side of the floor as 5 turns and screens in for 3 slipping out to the right wing for a catch and

sweep baseline. (Note: this was Butler

University’s favorite play to run for Gordon Hayward)

Gonzaga Box (1 of 2)

Initial look is for 3 posting up. 1 can alsochange direction and pass to 2 coming offback screen by 3 and double screen by 4and 5.

1

2 3

4 5

Gonzaga Box (2 of 2)

3

1 2

5

4

Gonzaga 1-4 (1 of 4)

Start in stack, post screen down for wings.WIngs can also cross and get into 1-4

1

34 5

2


425

1

3


5

31

4

2


1

5

4

3

2

Misc. Teams


Gonzaga STS (1 of 2)1

5

4

2

3

Gonzaga STS (2 of 2)

2

4

3

5

1

Gonzaga Circle (1 of 2)1

3

2 45

Gonzaga Circle (2 of 2)

3

1

2 45

Barcelona Man Set (1 of 3)

1

2 34 5


2

4 51

3


3

5

24

1

Barcelona Triple (1 of 3)1

2 435

Barcelona Triple (2 of 3)

5342

1Barcelona Triple (3 of 3)

1

2 3 45

Misc. Teams


Barcelona (1 of 2)1

35

4 2

Barcelona (2 of 2)

2

5

4

3

1

Illinois Side BOB (1 of 3)

1

3

25

4


4

2

5

3

1


3

54

2

1

Illinois Stack (1 of 2)

2 can also curl off 5 and fade to corner

1

4 532

Illinois Stack (2 of 2)

5 and 2 now run 2 man game on the side(Pick and Roll or Dribble Hand off)

2

43

1

5

Horns Blast (1 of 3)

1

2

4 5

3


2

3

1

4 5


2 1

3

4 5

Misc. Teams





2 Lithuania set plays for post-ups

“X Box” L Diagram: Lithuania breaks out of the box

alignment with 2’s slice up court to come off 4’s screen to the left wing, R Diagram: 5 gets a diagonal screen from 3

into a post-up as 2 makes 1-2 dribbles to

the baseline to create a better angle for the

feed.

“Triangle” Left Diagram: 1 dribbles to the left wing as 4 steps to the elbow to screen for 2 who nike cuts off the

screen to catch moving away from the ball. Right Diagram: On 2’s catch, he is looking to sweep the ball right into a dribble to the right wing. 5

comes up to set a back pick on 4 (who just screened) for a post-up.

Zak Boisvert




UNLV offensive set: dribble handoff + double screen

1 2

3

Diagram 1: Starting in a traditional 2-3 secondary break

alignment, 1 hits the trailing 4 man and cuts around the

5 man’s high post flash.

Diagram 2: 5 steps towards the ball as if to call for a

pass from 4 before turning to screen away for 2. 4 takes

2 dribbles at 4 and performs a dribble handoff with 2.

Diagram 3: 2 drives the ball middle while 4 and 5 are

setting a double screen for 1. 2 has the option of

continuing his driving line to the basket or throwing

back to 1 for a 3 pointer coming off the screen.




University of Washington isolation play

Diagram 1: Starting in a A-Set, 1 hits 4 and spaces to the opposite wing. On 4’s

catch, 3 dives to the rim.

Diagram 2: 2 sprints up to receive a handoff from 4 as 5 makes a dive similar to

3’s (looks like they’re emptying the right side of the floor for a 2-man game

between 2 and 4). However, 5 stops and buttonhooks right in front of the rim to

look for the pass from 2 coming off the handoff.




Gonzaga University 1-4 high ball screen set

“Across”

Left Diagram: 1 passes to the left wing and runs off 5’s UCLA screen into a post-up. Middle Diagram: Once 1 has cleared his body, 5 turns to set a side ball screen for 2. 1 moves from his post-up position to set a back screen for 5’s roll. 2 makes an advance pass to 4 flashing to the top of the key. 4 looks to throw it to the rim to 5 in the case of the defense making a 1/5 switch. Right Diagram: If 4 isn’t able to throw the lob, he reverses the ball to 3. 4 and 2 turn to set a double stagger for 1.

Zak Boisvert




Set play from Mark Few’s Gonzaga University Bulldogs

Few’s motion offense is fantastic and he does a very good job utilizing the varied

talents of his personnel. The Zags are on TV this Saturday against Duke and I

recommend that any coach looking to add something new to their motion

offense to tune in.

1 2

Diagram 1: Starting in 1-4 high set, 1 throws to the strongside wing before

making a UCLA set off of 5’s smash screen. 1 empties out if he isn’t open for pass

(no postup)

Diagram 2: After setting the screen for 1, 5 turns to set a wing ball screen for 2. 2

comes off the ball screen and throws to 4 stepping out. 4 catches and quickly

swings the ball to 1 (Few stresses the importance of this first catch off the ball

screen. This player CANNOT play with the ball, it must be shot or quickly passed).

3 has sprinted from the opposite wing and back screens x5 to run to the left

block after screening.

Diagram 3: 1 looks inside to 5 and

passes it to him if open. 3 comes off a

double stagger set by 2 and 4 for an

open three.

Marquette (1 of 4)

The 2 sets a hi screen as a decoy, thenpops to the wing for a pass. The 4 and 5criss cross to the elbow areas.

2

3

4 5

3

25 4

1

1

Marquette (2 of 4)

On the catch by the 2, the 1 makes a UCLAcut to opposite block. The 4 screen acrossfor the 5 who uses the screen and then goesto set an on-ball for the 2 but slips to theblock. The 3 slides away.

13

25

1

4

5

3

Marquette (3 of 4)

The 4 after setting the across screen for the5 immediately sets a on-ball screen andthen gets a double backscreen from the 5then the 1 for a layup. The 2 takes theballscreen to the opposite elbow to makethe entree easy to the 4.

32

1

4

5

24

4

Marquette (4 of 4)

If they take away the 4 layup, the 5 downscreens for the 1 who can read the screenaction for a curl, pop, or fade.

3

15

2

4

1





Purdue BLOB series (1 versus man-to-man, 1 versus zone)

Versus man-to-man:

2 and 4 begin the play lined up in a 2 man stack

right underneath the free throw line with 4 in

front. On 3’s slap of the ball, 4 turns and wraps

around 2 to tight curl. At first it looks like he’s

diving to the rim, but instead he is actually

setting a screen on x2. At the same time, 5 has

moved on to do the same, creating a double

screen for 2 to flash to the corner for a jump

shot. If they switch, 5 is diving to the rim.

Versus a 2-3 zone BLOB D:

My favorite zone BLOB play I’ve seen all year, Purdue consistently gets open shots off

this. The action begins with 4 making a hard cut out of the corner to carve out space on

the opposite block in front of the weak side forward. If he does a good job, it draws the

middle defender towards him as well. At the same time, 3 loops from the weak side

elbow to the strong side wing with 5 screening in for him. In diagram 2, you see 2 follow

a similar path once 3 has cleared the wing area. 2 is guaranteed to be open on this as

the ball side guard defender will have chased 3 and the opposite side guard is caught

on 5’s screen. This is consistently an open three for the Purdue player in this position.

Zak Boisvert




2 Purdue play calls within their motion offense

The first thing to notice with each of these plays is how it is their 4 man, Robbie Hummel, handling

the ball up top. This puts a tremendous amount of pressure on the defense in that not only is he a

matchup problem, but the defense must be constantly aware of him being back screened into the

post

-The first play is a motion entry that Purdue will run into their flex action. The play starts with a

traditional 4-out/1-in basket cut made by the point guard with the 4 filling. On ball reversal, 5 is

sprinting out of his position on the opposite block to set a back screen for 4 to run into the post. 4

cuts right into a flex screen and Purdue is into their flex action.

-The next play begins with 4 entering the post, yet this time by manner of him back cutting a cross

screen set by 5. As he back cuts the screen, 5 turns to set a wing ball screen for 2. 2 drives middle as 5

rolls directly into a down screen for 4 at the block. If 2’s middle penetration is cut off, he throws back

to 4 for the jumper.




New York Knicks “drive-thru handoff” ball screen concept

While not technically a ball screen, the Knicks use it much like a ball screen and their

usage of the concept (along with another ball screen concept I will highlight next Friday)

has increased greatly in the 7 games since acquiring Tracy McGrady as a way to get T-

Mac and David Lee in a 2-man game situation.

The action occurs, much like nearly everything else

D’Antoni runs, in a spread alignment with 4 perimeter

players surrounding 1 post. 2 (McGrady) has the ball on the

right wing and 5 (Lee) flashes to the midpoint of the free

throw line for a catch. 2 hits 5 and immediately follows his

pass. The opportunities from this point are limitless.

The majority of the time, McGrady (2) will be able to free

himself from his man enough to receive the handoff and

drive the lane either for a score or a drive-and-kick

opportunity for the player situated in the left corner.

As the game progresses and the defense begins to jump

out and hedge the handoff (treating it like a ball screen),

there are opportunities for Lee to fake the handoff and

instead drive the ball hard to his right as his defender (x5)

anticipates the handoff.

An option that the Knicks have been running in the second

half of games that I really like is done with the 1 in the

strong side corner as 2 hits to 5 on his post flash. With the



defense seeing the “drive-thru” action a couple of times, x2 adjusts accordingly and

doesn’t allow 2 to come off clean for a handoff while x5 is in correct hedge position if 2

is able to receive handoff while being ready to guard 5’s drive. 2 cuts off 5 (not receiving

the handoff) and goes through as 1 lifts to the right wing spot 2 just vacated. 5 hits 1

and sprints into a ball screen for 1 (setting it on the butt of x1 to offer the best possible

driving angle for 1).




New York Knicks “drive-thru handoff” ball screen concept

While not technically a ball screen, the Knicks use it much like a ball screen and their

usage of the concept (along with another ball screen concept I will highlight next Friday)

has increased greatly in the 7 games since acquiring Tracy McGrady as a way to get T-

Mac and David Lee in a 2-man game situation.

The action occurs, much like nearly everything else

D’Antoni runs, in a spread alignment with 4 perimeter

players surrounding 1 post. 2 (McGrady) has the ball on the

right wing and 5 (Lee) flashes to the midpoint of the free

throw line for a catch. 2 hits 5 and immediately follows his

pass. The opportunities from this point are limitless.

The majority of the time, McGrady (2) will be able to free

himself from his man enough to receive the handoff and

drive the lane either for a score or a drive-and-kick

opportunity for the player situated in the left corner.

As the game progresses and the defense begins to jump

out and hedge the handoff (treating it like a ball screen),

there are opportunities for Lee to fake the handoff and

instead drive the ball hard to his right as his defender (x5)

anticipates the handoff.

An option that the Knicks have been running in the second

half of games that I really like is done with the 1 in the

strong side corner as 2 hits to 5 on his post flash. With the



defense seeing the “drive-thru” action a couple of times, x2 adjusts accordingly and

doesn’t allow 2 to come off clean for a handoff while x5 is in correct hedge position if 2

is able to receive handoff while being ready to guard 5’s drive. 2 cuts off 5 (not receiving

the handoff) and goes through as 1 lifts to the right wing spot 2 just vacated. 5 hits 1

and sprints into a ball screen for 1 (setting it on the butt of x1 to offer the best possible

driving angle for 1).




Team USA “Wide” early offense series Without a real post option that can put pressure on the rim early in the shot clock, Team USA is using a variation of the “7 seconds or less” offense Mike D’Antoni uses in the NBA. The series is

predicated on an aggressive push by the point guard upon receiving the outlet pass.

“On” L. Diagram: 1 pushes hard up the floor and quicks to 2 coming out of the corner. 1 runs through to opp. corner with the 1st big down the floor (4) running off his ass into a post-up. R. Diagram: On 1’s pass to 2, the 2nd big (5) began angling towards the R wing and now sprints into a drag ball screen for 2. 5 rolls to the rim as 4 moves behind the ball screen.

“Weak”

Left Diagram: 1 pushes and quicks to 2 coming out of the corner. 1 cuts through as the 1st big cuts

off his ass to the block for a post-up. Middle Diagram: 2 dribbles to the middle of the floor as the 2nd big angles for a weak side

pindown for 3. Right Diagram: After passing to 3, 2 cuts to screen down for 1. A single/double action is set up

with 1 able to choose which side to come out.

Zak Boisvert




2 BLOB plays

“Metro”

Used by Mike Dunlap during his tenure at

D2 Metro State, this BLOB play is simple,

but very effective as 3 curls in front of 4 to

set the screen on 4. It is important that

once 4 clears him, 3 is rolling to the

opposite block looking for the ball.

“Jersey”

A traditional screen-the-screener play with the alignment of a “Shooter double

screen” play (4 and 5 screening for 3). 3 sprints to set a back screen for 5 to roll to

the opposite block before receiving a screen from 4 to head to corner for shot

attempt.

Zak Boisvert




Mike Dunlap’s “Nasty”: a triple pick play with a short corner + a low post flash

1 2 3

Diagram 1: The play starts with a 2 guard front with the 3 frontcourt players in a single-single

alignment. Dunlap believes that 3’s positioning (head underneath the rim) is the best spot in the gym

because you can see the entire court from that position. 1 throws across to 2 and on 2’s catch, 4 sprints

out of his screening to position to catch in the dead corner. After throwing their passes, both 1 and 2

were to have moved beneath the free throw line.

Diagram 2: A triple screen is set for 3 who curls off the screen through the elbow before bouncing his

cut out to the left “slot” area. Once he feels 3 has cleared his shoulder, 2 violently leg swings (reverse

pivoting to face the ball) looking for the pass from 4.

Diagram 3: Assuming he wasn’t able to get a lane catch, 2 moves to the short corner as 5 flashes right

off his butt to the low block area.

Zak Boisvert




Duke’s press O against Maryland’s 2-2-1

1

2

Diagram 1: Starting in a 3-across format at free throw line extended with 4

taking it out, Duke looks to throw it in on the strong side of the floor. 2 makes a

hard diagonal cut to the sideline on 1’s catch while 4 sprints to fill the middle.

Diagram 2: 1 looks to take a dribble to the middle of the floor before throwing

back to 2 who has stepped up the sideline slightly (in a push/pull action). On 2’s

catch, 4 is making a sharp diagonal cut and 3 is filling middle. 2 has the option of

hitting 3 or 4.

What makes this tough to defend is the second wave of cuts (4’s diagonal and 3’s

middle flash) that are conducted on 2’s catch. The defense is conditioned to

defend against the first wave (2’s diagonal and 4’s middle flash occurring on 1’s

catch), but the defense is distorted by the time the second set of cuts occurs.

Zak Boisvert



A concept I really like against any pressure defense is something I took from Tom

Crean and that is to put your best driver on the weak side of the court with the

thinking that he will most likely matched up against the opponent’s slowest press

defender (excluding the 5-man). Also, the weakside of the floor provides the

most amount of driving opportunities against a press.




NCAA Championship Game X’s & O’s Breakdown: Duke

-Duke went with what has worked for them all year and ran a lot of single/double stuff with a

1 guard front (the guard-to-guard pass initiates the action). Duke’s big 3 again showed last

night how adept they are at curling the down screens set by their bigs.

However, it’s not just Duke’s curls that beat Butler but the

way the guard relocated after hitting the curl. Butler is a

firm believer in “Helping off the Passer” meaning they rely

on the player defending the passer to help on the curl.

Butler wanted the Duke player curling to see 3 players (his

own defender, the screener’s defender hedging, and the

passer’s defender). In their strategy, Butler wants x2 stunt

or jump at the curl and stab at the ball (rather than fully

switching on to 3). Duke countered this by relocating the

guard after the pass so the help and recover tactic would

be rendered ineffective as x2 wouldn’t know where to

recover to since 2 moved after making the pass. As soon as 3 catches on the curl and feels 2

jump at him, he quickly passes back to 2 who has slid to the left wing.

-Great first half set run by Duke:

Left Diagram: 5 flashes to the elbow for a high post catch and immediately looks to hit 2 on

a backdoor. 4 sets a weakside pindown screen for 3 to run off of for a handoff from 5.



Right Diagram: 3 tries to drive the handoff, but is also looking to throw back to 2 who has

run off a double.




My 2 favorite passing drills I’ve picked up this summer One of the things I love most about working camps in the summer is the amount of sharing that exists

between coaches. Here are my 2 favorite passing drills that I picked up from fellow camp coaches:

“Corners” The first drill I picked up from my very good friend Tommy Verdell of Expressions Elite AAU, East

Longmeadow High School and the NBDL’s Springfield Armor The drill begins with 3 players situated on the baseline. Player 1 initiates the drill by passing to his right to player 2 and sprinting to FT line extended. Player 2 catches and passes to player 3 and sprints to the half court/sideline intersection. Player 3 passes the ball up the floor to 1 and sprints to the half court circle. The drill progresses as shown finishing with a layup by 1 and a rebound by 2 (not letting the ball hit the ground).



“Fire” The next drill I picked up from a pair of guys, Jason Hassan and Steve Groothius, that serve under

Bob Hurley as assistant coaches at St. Anthony High School in Jersey City, New Jersey. They picked up this drill from a girl’s high school team on Long Island.

The drill starts with a player in each corner of the time line (3 and 4) and a player in the right corner (5) along with 2 lines of players situated on the left baseline (represented by 1 and 2). 1 initiates the drill by passing to 2 and sprinting to the elbow. 2 passes back to him (following his pass by cutting into the middle), 1 passes to 3 and cuts to the sideline behind 3. 3 passes to 2 flashing through the middle of the floor and cuts behind him. 2 catches, passes to 4 and cuts behind. The drill proceeds as shown, finishing with 4 taking a layup and the next group going.

Both drills are fantastic for pre-game warmups. Please pass along any other great drills you have.

[email protected]




My favorite set play of the year—NBDL’s Maine Red Claws

1 2 3

Diagram 1: 1 passes to 5 and from here 5 has two looks. First, 5 looks over his left shoulder at 2’s back cut (attempting to make the pocket pass). Second, 5 fakes the handoff with 1 who has followed his pass. On 5’s catch, 3 begins to move slightly towards 4. Diagram 2: 4 moves to set a pindown on 3, but before he gets to the point of the screen, 2 sprints to set a back screen. 3 continues in the direction of the down screen and receives a DHO from 5. Diagram 3: 3’s first look is to hit 4 for a paint catch. His second look is 2 coming off the down screen set by 5. The Dallas Mavericks ran a similar action this year in

uncontested SLOBs.

Zak Boisvert




2 NCAA ball screen concepts

-The first ball screen concept is something

Siena College of the MAAC does extremely

well. In dead ball situations, Siena’s point

guard will bring the ball across the time line

in the middle of the floor and Siena’s 4 and

5 will set up as if to set a stagger for their 2

(shooter) out of the corner. As 2 sets to

come off the double, 5 whirls around and

instead sets a flat ball screen for 1(The

screen for 2 is now just a single down

screen). While the spacing is tricky, the

variety of ways Siena scores off this is

incredible. 1 will go drive right off 5’s screen for a layup (as help is distorted by

the down screen), 1 will hit 5 on the roll, 1 will hit 2 coming off the screen for an

open 3, 1 will drive the gap and kick to 3 who continues for a middle drive.

-The next ball screen concept is something Rick Majerus utilizes with his teams at

Saint Louis. The ball screen shown is a simple flat ball screen conducted in the

middle of the floor by a big sprinting up

from his position on the block. What makes

the concept significant is the movement of

the offensive players not involved in the ball

screen. Their flow away from the drive

frustrates the defensive rotation as the

defenders not involved with the ball screen

(x4, x3 and x2) should be zoning up are, but

are caught trying to decide how to react

both to the two movements occurring at

the same time—the guard’s penetration

and the movement of the man that they’re

covering.

Zak Boisvert




A couple of NCAA isolation concepts used to take

advantage of a mismatch

The first is a concept utilized by Gonzaga to take advantage of the versatility of

their 5 man, Elias Harris, who has the ability to put the ball on the floor and drive

it past opposing centers.

Gonzaga starts in their traditional 4-out, 1-in alignment with Harris on the strong

side block with the ball being brought up the left side of the floor by 1. 1 and 2

run a dribble handoff as 4 and 3 exchange on the weakside. As soon as this

occurs, Harris (5) begins moving from the left block towards the right corner. The

ball is swung around the perimeter to the right corner where Harris catches and

has a 1-on-1 opportunity against a bigger, slower defender.

A simple, but effective move Kentucky uses to get Patrick Patterson a catch in the

post: 3 sprints up from his weakside wing position to set a back screen for

Zak Boisvert



Patterson (4) who runs off the screen calling for the lob. 3 pops out after setting

the screen and receives a pass from 1 before dribbling to the wing to make a

post entry pass to Patterson who has ducked in. The opposite big lifts to the FT

line to make the distance in which he has to travel to help farther.

NEVADA OFFENSE VERSUS BOX &

ONE DEFENSE

Diagram 1:

In this double stack alignment, both baseline men step out behind screens by the top men.

1 can pass to either side.

1

Diagram 2:

If the ball is passed to 5, 2 will step out to the corner to receive a pass from 5. 2 will have

a shot if the back defender doesn't step out to toake him. 5 cuts through to the basket after

his pass and then screens across the lane for 3. 3 moves to the ballside low post.

2

Diagram 3:

2 passes out to 1 and then screens for 3 to step out behind looking for a pass and shot. As

1 starts his dribble across, 5 sets a backscreen on the offside top defender and 4 drops to

the basket looking for a pass at the basket.

3

Diagram 4:

1 has three pass possibilities, as after 5 screens he pops to the wing. The players are now

in position to reset and begin again.

4




Set play from the New Zealand National Team

Was told by a coaching friend of mine that New Zealand was really running some great stuff offensively and he wasn’t lying. They run a lot of very good set plays

and are a good watch for any coaching looking to pick up something up before the season starts.

“Speed”

Left Diagram: 1/2 dribble flip. 5 back screens 1.

Middle Diagram: 2 throws across court. On 4’s catch and subsequent dribble-

at, 3 cuts backdoor into a screen for 2.

Right Diagram: 4 dribbles at 2 coming off the screen for a DHO. 2 hits 5 on his lift to the left slot. 3 turns and back screens 4 after the DHO. 5 looks to hit 4

cutting underneath the rim.

Zak Boisvert




Orlando Magic’s “Cutter Double Stagger”

Diagram 1: 1 brings the ball up the left side of the floor as 4 sprints to set a side

pick and roll. On the weakside of the floor, 2 has run to the corner spot and is

now coming off a double stagger set by 3 and 5.

Diagram 2: Rather than coming off looking shot, 2 curls the stagger and turns to

look to screen x5. 3 now has a stagger set by 2 and 5 to run off of. It is the

second stagger of the play, but now the cutter of the first stagger as become a

screener to get 3 an open look.

Zak Boisvert




2 late-game play calls from last night’s Ok. State/OU game

Oklahoma State’s “T” play from last night

Diagram 1: starting in a 2 guard front with 2 wings and a high post, 2 (James Anderson, Oklahoma

State’s leading scorer) throws to the other guard and makes a slice cut off the high post to the right

block.

Diagram 2: 3 continues swinging the ball by throwing to 4 on the right wing and receiving a back

screen from 5 (looking for lob over the top).

Diagram 3: After setting the back screen, 5 steps out to receive a pass from 4 who sprints to right

block to down screen for 2. 5 dribbles right into 2’s cut for a dribble handoff. 2 looks to drive the

middle of the floor.

Oklahoma’s Dribble Handoff Wheel

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 1: Coming off the double stack on the right block, 2 sprints to the left wing for a dribble

handoff from 1 to drive the middle of the floor.

Diagram 2: 1 runs off a triple screen as 2 dribbles to the right wing to perform a dribble handoff with

him.




Panathinaikos Athens dribble weave + a sudden ball screen

1 2 3

Diagram 1: 2 rubs off 5’s down screen into a dribble flip with 1 as 4 trails the play and begins to move into a down screen for 3. Diagram 2: 2 dribbles at 3 who is coming off 4’s body for a dribble handoff. Diagram 3: It’s tough to simulate the speed at which this action happens on paper, but after setting the screen for 2, 5 spins to follow 2 on his dribble. The moment 2 conducts the dribble handoff with 3, 5 is sprinting into a ball screen for 3. Like I said it’s tough to simulate because of just how quick the action is live.




2 Los Angeles Lakers looks versus Suns’ zone

“Out”

Diagram 1: Starting in a 4-out/1-in alignment, 1 makes a guard-to-guard pass to 2 and cuts through the defense to the right corner as 2 continues reversal to 3.

Diagram 2: As soon as 1 clears to the corner causing the zone to shift, 4 flashes to the elbow. 5 seals the weak side forward creating a 1-on-1 situation at the free throw line between the

offensive player and the middle zone defender. As the series continued, LA would start Kobe in this weak side position so he’d be the one to be sliding into this 1-on-1 matchup with

Phoenix’s biggest player (Robin Lopez/Amare/Amundson).

“Flip”

Diagram 1: 1 dribbles at 2 for a dribble flip entry. Diagram 2: 2 takes one dribble off the flip before passing to 3 at the top of the key. 1 running off 5’s screen to the right corner causes the Suns zone to shift anticipating ball reversal. It is

key that 3 makes a good pass fake to make the zone shift to the right corner before throwing it back to Kobe (2) in his favorite spot on the left wing.




2 Los Angeles Lakers “Triangle” looks from last night

“Pinch Post Dribble”

This is a look off the triangle’s fabled “pinch

post” action that the Lakers love to put Kobe in because it allows him

to be in the middle of the floor with the ball making decisions.

Left Diagram: The Triangle O being a sideline offense, 1 brings the ball up on the right side of the court roughly halfway between the sideline and the lane line. 1 passes it to 3 (the “key” guy) and cuts through. On 3’s catch, 2 cuts to the elbow area (the “pinch post”) and receives a bounce pass from 3. 3 follows his pass by running off 2 looking for a handoff. Right Diagram: 5 and 4 set a double screen for 1 who curls and receives a dribble handoff from 2 looking to drive to the basket.

“Back Step”

This is a great pressure release

within the Triangle Offense. Despite abandoning the

triangle years ago, Uconn’s women still

runs this action when the defense pressures

their passing lanes.

Left Diagram: With x2 and x4 denying the passing lanes and 1 unable to feed 5 in the post, 3 flashes from his weak side position to the free throw line.

Right Diagram: On 3’s catch, 2 steps left and busts backdoor to his right looking for a bounce pass from 3. It’s such a tough situation for x2 to guard as he goes from heavy denial to actually

being above the ball so quickly.




Saint Joseph’s University (Phil Martelli) play versus matchup zone

“Double Check”

Left Diagram: The play is initiated by 1 dribbling at 3. On 1’s dribble, 3 runs off of 5’s screen and heads up the middle of the court. As 3 clears 5’s body, 2 begins to cut in from the right wing.

Right Diagram: 3 finishes his cut up court. 5 turns to screen for 2. 2 comes off the screen to the left

corner for an open jump shot. Against even the toughest of matchups, this is an almost automatic open jump shot for 2.




2 Regal FC Barcelona half court sets

1 2

“Rise” ball screen set

Left Diagram: 1 throws ahead to 2 & cuts thru to the weak side as 4 runs into a wide pindown for 3.

Right Diagram: as 3 comes off the down screen and catches at the top of the key, 5 sprints up for a

ball screen. The spacing is fantastic on the ball screen as 4 has cut

through to the opposite corner, 5 rolls to the rim and 1 lifts behind

the screen.

“In” set

Left Diagram: 3 runs over the top of 4 and 5’s screen looking to get his defender stuck on the double screen to open up a curl for a layup. If x3 successfully gets through the screen, 3 cuts through the paint, stopping at the edge of the paint. Right Diagram: After setting the screen, 4 pops for a wing catch while 5 turns away from 4 and begins making his way towards the paint. On 4’s catch, 5 has turned and now sets another screen for 3. 3 looks to either tight curl the screen for a layup or semi-curl it for a jumper right below the free throw line.




Saint Louis University (Rick Majerus) “Double High” play

versus Richmond’s matchup zone:

1 2

3

Diagram 1: The play begins with a double ball screen set by 5 and 4 with 5 rolling hard

to the rim as soon as 1 clears his shoulder and 4 spacing to behind the three point line.

(As 1 dribbles off the screen, 2 runs the baseline to the opposite corner).

Diagram 2: 5 finishes his roll right into a ball side post up on the right block. On 1’s

throw back to 4, 5 remains on the right block. On his catch, 4 drives the left wing right at

3 who back cuts as 2 lifts out of the corner.



Diagram 3: 3 finishes his back cut by cross screening for 5 who cuts underneath the

zone for a pass from 2 for a layup.

Zak Boisvert




Rick Majerus’ double

baseline runner zone

action

Diagram 1: 1 initiates the action by passing to 3 as 2 (baseline runner)

cuts to the strong side using 4’s and 5’s screens.

Diagram 2: 3 reverses the ball back to 1 as 2 makes runs the baseline back to the strong side of the floor

as the ball shifts. 1 hits 2.

Diagram 3: 2 takes two dribbles out of the corner to draw the forward defender out to open an area for

3 to cut into.

Other random Majerus thoughts:

-Defending the post’s flash to the low post (coming from weak side): If post is trying to go high, D

should hit him with arm bar and drive him higher. If post is trying to go below, D should reverse pivot

and drive him out with his butt.

-To a recruit: “You have 2 people in your life that will love you without condition, but the line ends there.

Now you’re meeting the one guy that’s going to kick your ass.”

-Each bench player is assigned one of the opponent’s offensive plays. It his job to call it out on the

bench if he sees it being run.

Zak Boisvert



-Enthusiasm by your bench players is key. You should be told by the refs to get your bench down at

least once a game

Zak Boisvert




Louisville (Rick Pitino) offensive set

1

2

3

4

Diagram 1: 1 hits 4 and runs off a slice cut set by 5 as 4 swings to 2 and follows

his pass with a same side cut.

Diagram 2: 5 turns to screen away for 3 to catch at the top of the key.

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 3: After passing to 3, 2 receives a flare screen from 4 while at the same

time on the other side of the court, 5 down screens for 1.

Diagram 4: On 1’s catch he looks to shoot the open jumper, throw to 5 sealing

after the screen, hitting 3 on his flare or driving it middle.




Roy Williams: ball screening out of “Carolina Secondary”

“Strong”

Left Diagram: 1 pushes the ball as part of Carolina’s traditional sideline break before passing to the trail man (4) at the top of the key. On 4’s catch, 5 ducks in to look for hi/lo action.

Middle Diagram: 4’s pass fake upon his catch is the key to the play as a good ball fake to feint reversal will cause the entire defense to shift to the left side of the floor. After pass faking, 4 steps

back to his right and passes back to 1 to follow with a ball screen. Right Diagram: 1 dribbles off 4’s ball screen to the middle of the floor. 2 cuts in and sets a

back screen for 4’s roll. If the defense is not clued into the play call, this action often results in a switch with 1 being able to throw it in the air to 4 over a smaller x2.

“Chuck”

Left Diagram: 1 hits the trail man who reverses the ball to 3 (the 5 man follows the ball block-

to-block). 4 follows his pass to ball screen for 3. Right Diagram: 3 dribbles off 4’s ball screen as 2 back screens 5. 3 looks to pull up for his own

shot or bounce it to 5 coming off the screen.




Milwaukee Bucks half court set from the 2010 NBA Playoffs

“Heavy” With the offense starting in a 1-4 high set, 1 hits one of the posts at the elbow (4 in diagram). On 4’s catch, 2 cuts backdoor and 5 dives to the opposite block. 1 follows his pass looking for a handoff but sprints to the corner if he doesn’t receive the ball.

4 now turns and dribbles at 3 for a DHO. 2 cross screens for 5 who looks to come free for a paint catch right as 3 turns off the DHO. While 3 looks for a proper feeding angle to get the ball to 5, 4 down screens for 2 in classic “Iowa” action.

Zak Boisvert




Milwaukee Bucks weak side “Iowa” action

A twist on the traditional post cross screen + down screen action

1 2

3

Diagram 1: The action is initiated by an aggressive push and an early advance

pass made to the right wing as soon as 1 crosses half court. After making the

pass, 1 cuts through on a shallow cut as 4 moves to the spot 1 vacated (cut-and-

replace)

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 2: 1 fills the left wing area as 2 has moved down to the block area and

will set a cross screen for 5 as the ball is being reversed from the right side of the

floor back to 1 on the left side of the floor. 1 looks to enter into the post.

Diagram 3: To finish the “Iowa” action, 4 down screens for the cross screener (2).

Zak Boisvert



Zak Boisvert




University of Arizona set play

1 2

3

Diagram 1: 1 dribbles at 2 for a handoff, 2 waits

for 1 to clear and then begins his middle

penetration.

Diagram 2: As 2 dribbles towards the middle of

the floor, 4 sprints to screen away for 3, but slips

the screen into the post. On the other side of

the court, 5 steps out of the post to set a back

screen for 1. 5 moves behind the three point line

after setting the back screen for a catch from 2

on the throwback.

Diagram 3: 1 runs his cut off the back screen

right into a cross screen for 4. The play finishes

with 2 screening for 1 in a traditional screen-the-screener action.




VCU ball screen concept Showing that some of Billy Donovan’s teaching rubbed off on him in his 2 years

down at Florida, Shaka Smart ran a ton of ball screens in his first year at VCU.

Below is my favorite action of theirs.

1 2

Diagram 1: 4 runs from his trail position directly into a screen for 2. 2 tight curls

the screen looking for the pass from 1. While 1 is looking for this, 2’s cut is largely

a decoy, and 1 is more concerned with getting himself in his “working area” to

prepare for a side ball screen.

Diagram 2: 2 cuts right into a screen for 5 who sprints to set a side ball screen

for 1. 5 rolls hard to the rim with 4 fills up top in a roll-and-replace action. 2

empties to the corner after screening for 5 while 3 lifts up. The middle of the floor

should be open for 1 as he has the option of scoring it himself, hitting 5 on his

roll, throwing back to 4 or hitting 3 for the spot-up three pointer.

Zak Boisvert




Siena SLOB fade + ball screen play

1 2

3

Diagram 1: 4 screens down for 2 who catches 1’s pass on the run to dribble to

the top of the key. 3 has broken out of his stacks with 4 and now catches on the

right wing. 1 cuts through to the baseline

Diagram 2: 3 dribbles at 2 to the top of the key. 2 recieves a flare screen from 5.

Zak Boisvert



Diagram 3: After setting the flare screen, 5 steps up to set a ball screen for 3. A

roll + replace is conducted with 5 rolling hard to the rim and 4 filling the spot at

the top of the key.

Zak Boisvert




2 play calls from last night’s South Carolina-Kentucky game

-South Carolina’s BLOB with under 2 minutes to play to take the lead:

Starting in a stacks opposite alignment, South Carolina set up

the play with false action by 5 and 2. 5 broke to the ball side

block at the slap of the ball along with 2 (South Carolina’s

best shooter) who cut to the left wing looking for a shot. 1

stepped as if cutting to the ball, but quickly changed direction

to run off 4’s back screen to come free along the right block

area for a short jump shot.

-Kentucky set play run late in the 2nd half:

On 2’s pass back to 1, the action begins as 5 steps up to set a back screen for 2. 2 continues his cut

through the rim to the double screen set by 4 and 3. 1 takes a long dribble and hits 2 as he comes off.

Zak Boisvert



2 is looking shot, but if the open jumper isn’t there, he’s looking at 4 on the seal. 5 is also flashing to

the high post to create a hi/lo look.




Ball screen sets (Spanish National Team) For anyone that watched last night’s friendly between USA-Spain, there was a helluva chess match going on between Spain’s offense and Team USA’s defense. A late adjustment by Spain led to some

buckets in their narrow defeat.

“High Power” Near the end of the 3rd quarter, Spain started going to this as their primary set with Marc Gasol (5) setting a high ball screen for Ricky Rubio (1). The 4 (Felipe

Reyes) comes up from his weakside block position to set a back screen on Gasol’s roll as 1 hands off to 2 (Navarro). Navarro comes off the handoff looking to

throw it inside to Gasol or drive it himself.

“High 2” After several minutes of Spain running “High Power” and Team USA’s bigs scrambling to get

through the back screen on the roll man, Sergio Scariolo made a late game adjustment:

Left Diagram: After ball screening at the top, 5 begins his roll as 4 takes a step up the court. After several minutes of seeing “High Power”, x5 (Lamar Odom) sprints to the front of the rim to

anticipate the back screen. 5 stops just below the FT line and turns. Right Diagram: 1 has dribbled at 2 and has handed off. With x5 underneath the rim anticipating the back screen, he is late on his hedge and 2 can come off the ball screen right into an open foul

line jumper.




Orlando Magic: “Corner Game” A favorite action in the NBA, you see a variation of this concept done by teams

that run the “Princeton Offense” at the high school and NCAA level.

1 2 Option 1

Diagram 1: 1 hits 4 and sprints to screen down on 3. 3 cuts off the screen towards the ball. Diagram 2: 4 takes 1 dribble at 3. 4/3 DHO. 3 drives it middle as 5 sprints to weak side pin down for 2.

3 4

Option 2 Diagram 3: 1 hits 4 and sprints to screen down for 3. 3 curls 1’s screen looking for the pass from 4 for a layup. Diagram 4: 1 pops to receive a pass from 4 who follows with a ball screen.

(Princeton action)

5 6

Option 3 Diagram 5: 1 hits 4 and sprints to screen down for 3. 3 tight curls 1’s screen right into 1’s defender. Diagram 6: 1 cuts to take the DHO from 4. Rather than the weak side pin down that occurred in option 1, 5 sprints to ball screen for 1 immediately after he receives the DHO.




Steve Donahue (Cornell/BC) 2-guard front (“Beilein Offense”) wrinkle

“Slam”

Left Diagram: Traditional 2-guard front entry with 1 hitting 3 and making a boom cut to the corner as the opposite guard cuts to the ball side block. Middle diagram: 3 passes to 5 who steps out to the top of the key. 2 sets a shuffle screen for 3 (the typical “Motion set” out of the offense). Right diagram: The action in which Donahue added to the offense was this right here as 5 dribbles right at 2 who just set the shuffle screen. This is a bang-bang action with 5 dribbling at 2 right as 3 clears the screen.

“Big”

Left Diagram: For this action, Donahue will position his biggest player/best screener on the right wing

to receive the initial pass. 1 passes to 5 and boom cuts to ball side corner. Right Diagram: 5 passes to 3 who has v-cut to his catch. 5 now turns and set a down screen for 1 who

has angled in towards the block area.


Cornell’s motion offense

Basic (very similar to the “shuffle set” out of Beilein’s 2 guard front)

Options:

If 2 hits 1 on his corner cut:

Diagram 1: 2 makes

his shuffle cut, but

this time cuts on the

baseline side to look

for the pass from 1.

Diagram 2: 4 sets an

up screen for 5 to

either cut to the

block or sprint into a

corner ball screen for 1.

If, instead of reversal, 5 returns the ball to the right

wing following 2’s shuffle cut:

With the ball at the top of the key and the right

wing being vacated by 2’s shuffle cut, 5 throws to

1 who has filled 2’s spot. 4 steps up from the block

to set a smash screen for 5 to cut into a post-up.




Utah State “Tail” set play L M R

Left diagram: 1 dribbles into the offense as 5 screens for 2 to cut to the top of the key. 3 has cut into the paint from his left wing and as 4 moves toward the paint and raises his fist to feign a down screen action. Middle diagram: In an action straight out of the “Triangle Offense,” 4 cuts below 2 to the middle of the free throw line for a catch. 2 back cuts on 4’s catch (think LA Lakers). On 4’s catch, 5 turns to down screen for 3. 3 tight curls the down screen. Right diagram: 4 dribbles at 3 coming off the down and the two players conduct a DHO. 2 sets a cross screen for 5 and, if the timing is correct, 5 should be breaking free right as 3 turns the corner off the DHO.

Zak Boisvert




2 Team USA BLOB plays run during the 2008 Olympics

Both plays are run out of a strong 3 man stack alignment with the off guard isolated on the

weak side elbow

The first play is run for a jump shot for 2. The two players in the back of the stack split with

the 4 heading to ball side corner and 3 diving to weak side block. The play is designed to

tempt x2 to help on 3’s cut because right as 3 clears the middle part of the lane, 2 begins

sprinting to

run off 5’s

shoulder for

a catch from

1 for an

open

jumper.

The next play begins with

4 backing out as a safety

option and 5 stepping to

Zak Boisvert



the ball looking like a quick catch-and-handoff back to the inbounder play (an action Team

USA ran enough throughout the Olympics that their opponent had to respect it). 3 finishes

the sequence by cutting through to the weakside block. 2 runs right off his butt to set a back

screen for the 5 that stepped to the ball. 5 spins off 2’s pick looking for the lob, however, the

player open most often on this was 2 as x2 scrambled to guard against the lob. Often, 2 was

able to step right off his pick into a layup (if 5 took a rounded curl to the front of the rim) or a

short 12’ jumper (if 5 rolled off the screen).

DDM Set Plays

Tiger

1

23

4

5

Frame 1

DDM Set Plays

Tiger

1

4

53

2

Frame 2

DDM Set Plays

Tiger

3

5

2

1

4

Frame 3

DDM Sets


Zak Boisvert




Indiana University’s zone action against Maryland’s 3-2 zone

Diagram 1: 1 hits 2 on the left wing only to receive pass back for quick ball

reversal to 3 on the right wing. On 2’s pass to 1, 2 cuts off 4’s back screen to the

right side of the floor (to a spot parallel to the 1st marker on the lane)

Diagram 2: On his pass to 3, 2 makes a through cut to the middle of the lane

before stepping out to the left wing. 4 steps to the top of the key to fill the spot

where 1 vacated.

The ideal look is for 3 to hit 5 who has

followed the ball to the strong side short

corner and for 5 to skip it to the top of the

key to 4. Because of IU’s overload on the

right side of the floor, 5’s skip to 4 would

create a situation for 4 and 1 to be able to

play 2-on-1 momentarily as the zone

scrambles to rotate.




2 Indiana University late-clock isolation plays

“Clear”

On 1’s pass to 2 at the left elbow, 5 sprints to the left

block to clear a lane for 2 to drive it right.

1 2

“Blast”

Diagram 1: 3 cutting through

causes 2 to lift.

Diagram 2: 1 dribbles slightly

to his left. 5 flashes hard to

the left elbow. While his cut is

merely a decoy, he must sell

it. 4 is to cut right off his ass

into a catch just off the right

elbow.

Zak Boisvert




Indiana U set from 02/16 game versus Michigan State

1 2

3

Diagram 1: 5 steps off the elbow to set a ball screen

for 1 as 2 cuts underneath to set a diagonal for 4 (who

has set up his man by walking in the direction of 2 as

if setting the first screen of a stagger). 1 looks to enter

to 4 on his cut.

Diagram 2: 1 hits 5 who has popped off after setting

the ball screen. As 5 continues reversal to 2, 3 sprints

to set a cross screen for 4 to roll back on the new side

of the floor.

Diagram 3: The play finishes with traditional “T” action with 5 setting a down screen for the

cross screener (3)




Indiana University quick hitter out of 3-out/2-in set

Left Diagram: 1 dribble flips to 2 on the right wing. 2 dribbles towards the middle of the court as 1 runs off a triple screen set by the two posts and 3 moving to the middle of the lane. Right Diagram: 2 passes to 1. 1 either takes the open shot or passes to the corner to 4 who turned after setting the first screen and comes off a double screen set by 3 and 5.




Final Four Focus: Michigan State

In the past 12 years under Tom Izzo, one of the best (if not the best) coaches in the

country, Michigan State has consistently been a hard-nosed team that emphasizes

defense and rebounding while focusing offensively on executing a package of set plays.

Year in and year out, opponents have these plays scouted (the package seemingly

doesn’t change much over the years), but the Spartans routinely score off of them due

to their execution. Below is a glimpse at their offensive man-to-man package of set

plays:

“Go” Their most frequently run play, “Go” is a play run out a 2-1-2 set with a multitude of

options to get their guards in a position to shoot, drive the ball or look inside.

Their regular look

“Go Cross”

“Go Double”



(a single/double for 2)

Side Ball Screen +

Stagger Away

The next set is Michigan

State’s favorite ball screen

action. It a side ball screen

for the 2 set by the 4 with

running off a stagger set

by 3 and 5 on the weak

side of the floor.

State will often finish the above set by rolling 4 right into a double screen. 2 drives off

the ball screen looking to hit 1 coming off the double and right after setting the screen

for 1, 5 and 3 just keeping on going and set a double screen for 4 to come across the

lane into a postup.

Pindowns:

Michigan State year in out, year out is tremendous at scoring off pindowns as Izzo’s post

players always set the screen at a good angle while being certain they hit the cutter’s

defender. The key is the wide angle at which the screen is being set. Shown below are a

couple of actions in which Michigan State will look to run a wide pin-down. On the left is

off a pass to the high post out of a 1-4 high set (with 4 looking at 2’s backdoor cut first).

On the right is a dribble handoff between 1 and 3 out of a 1-4 high set.



Smash to a Triple

Like the majority of their

sets, this action is run out

of a 1-4 high look. 1 hits 4

at the elbow (2

immediately sprints

through) and 1 goes to set

a smash screen for 5 to

curl to the front of the rim.

1 pops back for a catch as a triple screen is set for 3.




6 looks out of “Over/Under” set

Michigan State “Drop”

Left Diagram: 2 cuts underneath as 3 runs over the top off of 4 and 5’s screen. Right Diagram: 1 begins to dribble away from 3 before passing to 4 who flashes

and looks to hit 3 who cuts backdoor for a layup.

“Hit” set used by various NBA teams

Left Diagram: 2 cuts underneath as 3 runs over the top off of 4 and 5’s screen. Right Diagram: 4 moves to screen x5 to free 5 to set a side ball screen for 3.



Arizona State “Jersey”

Left Diagram: 2 begins cutting underneath like in the other sets, but instead just v-cuts and pops back to the wing as 3 cuts over the top of the double screen.

Rather than cutting to the wing, 3 tight curls the screen to the rim. Right diagram: 4 pops to the right wing for a catch while 5 moves to set a turnout

for 3. On 4’s catch he looks to pass to 3 in the corner or 5 ducking in.

Butler “Up”

Left Diagram: 2 makes an early cut underneath as 1 dribbles to the right wing. Right Diagram: 3 cuts over top of the double screen and makes a tight curl to the

rim as 1 throws the lob pass to 3 for a dunk.



Oklahoma State “Pin”

Left Diagram: 2 cuts underneath as 3 runs over the top off 4 and 5’s screen. Right Diagram: 1 dribbles slightly to his right to set up a good angle for the pin

down screen that 4 turns to set for 3.

Miami Heat “2 Up”

Left Diagram: 2 cuts underneath as 3 goes over the top off of 4 and 5’s screen. 1 passes to 3 and cuts through.

Right Diagram: 5 and 4 turn to set a double screen to free 2 for an open shot at the top of the key.


2 Michigan State plays from Big Ten play

For any coach looking to spice up their playbook for the stretch run, I suggest watching

Michigan State-Indiana tonight as Tom Izzo really runs some great (and simple) sets out of a

variety of formations.

1

2 3

Diagram 1: Starting in a 1-4 high alignment, 1 dribbles at 3 for a dribble handoff.

Diagram 2: 3 takes 2 dribbles towards the middle of the floor before hitting 2 coming off 4’s

screen. As soon as the ball leaves 3’s hand, 5 steps up to set a back screen for 3 to run to the

rim (2 is looking to throw the lob over the top).

Diagram 3: Hoping to catch x5 helping on the lob, 5 quickly turns to screen away for 1 who is

open for a three-pointer.

BLOB:

Diagram 1: Starting in a 4-across

alignment, 4 and 5 ‘X’ on 3’s slap of

the ball (5 diving opposite first with 4

coming off his butt). Guards back up to

call for safety.

Diagram 2: The 2 bigs clear the posts

while 1 takes a hard pivot to stop his

safety retreat and sprints to the open

lane. Michigan State runs this quite a bit and the key is how well Kalin Lucas sells it that he’s

heading beyond half court to catch the inbounds pass over the top.



1


Oklahoma State “Wheel” Action

In this play Oklahoma State’s best player, James Anderson (3), is serving as a

decoy. The first look the defense sees is Anderson tight curling the double screen

set by 2 and 5 on the right block. 4 looks to throw to 3 if he’s open, but what

Oklahoma State wants is the defense to aggressively hedge to take away his curl

because 3 is actually curling right into a double for 2.

Diagram 1: 3 rubs off 4 and runs underneath the rim where he waits for 5 and 2

to set a double screen for him on the right block. 3 tight curls this screen right

into the paint hoping there’s an aggressive hedge defender that he can screen in

as 2 comes off.

Diagram 2: 4 looks for 3 on his curl, but is really looking for 2 coming off the

double set by 5 and 3.

While the defense may be ready to defend the first double correctly, there were

few teams that were able to defend the 2nd screen with the same success.




2 Turkey set plays from last night’s World Championship

“4” Left Diagram: Starting in a 1-4 high alignment, the play begins with 4 stepping off the

elbow for a catch from 1. On 4’s catch, 3 empties and 5 screens for 2 who cuts across the lane. 1 moves as if to screen down for 5.

Right Diagram: 4 passes to 2 on the right wing. 1 slips his screen for 5 and instead turns to set a back screen for 4. 2 looks for the lob to 4 or 1 stepping out (can be a 1/5 ball screen on 1’s

catch.

“Across”

Left Diagram: 1 hits to wing and screens away for the trail man as the opposite wing cuts under. Right Diagram: Ball reversal 4 -> 2 -> 1. 3 sets a shuffle screen for 4 to dive to block




Wofford University ball screen action 1 2

Diagram 1: As 1 dribbles at 5’s middle ball screen, 2 clears to strong side corner to open up the weak side. 3 cuts up the lane and sets a back screen on 5’s roll. Often, back screening a roll man will result in a switch and 1 will have an opportunity to throw it to the rim for 5. Diagram 2: If 1 cannot enter to 5, 4 sets a turnout screen for 3 to catch and sweep into a baseline drive.

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