Man to Man Basketball Plays 3 1-4 High Backdoor Rub 3 Blind Pig Backdoor 4 Elbow – Stagger – Stagger 5 Box – Zipper Iso 6 Stagger – Lob 7 Ball Screen – Stagger Away 8 Point Guard Stagger 9 Double Staggers 10 Side Elevator – Curl 11 Backscreen – Stagger 12 Diagonal – Downscreen – Ball screen 13 Cross Screen – Downscreen 14 DHO – Backdoor 15 Horns – Backscreen – Downscreen 16 Horns – Rub 17 Horns – Back Stagger 18 Backscreen – Stagger Return 19

Zone Basketball Plays 20 Ballscreen Overload 20 Block Stack Overload 21 Ballscreen Seal 22 Zone Cross 23 Stack Pop 24 Zone X 25 Corner 3 26

Basketball Plays – Baseline Out of Bounds 27 Doubles 27 Backdoor Layup 28 Triangle Screen the Screener 29 Fake DHO – Iso 30 Flex Action 31 Curl Lob 32 Elbow Iso 33 Zone Baseline Overload 34 Zone Triangle 35

When it comes to coaching, picking and choosing the basketball plays that you’re going to run helps your team get good looks to score the ball. Whether it’s the beginning of the season and you’re looking for the set plays that you want to be a staple of your team, or you’re in the middle of your year and you’re looking for new stuff to run, plays are an important. When you’re deciding upon the plays that you want to run with your basketball team, think about who the best players are on your squad. Do they score the ball better from the perimeter? Are they better in catch-and-shoot situations, or do they thrive in attacking situations? When deciding upon the plays you want to run, it’s vital that you get the ball to players in places that they’re comfortable scoring from. Otherwise, you can run the best plays in the world, but if they’re not suited to your players’ strengths, they’re not worth much. While we’re strong proponents of the motion offense, there are obviously times where you need to set something up and run a play. These situations include:

● Going through a scoring drought ● End of a quarter ● End of a game ● Out of a timeout ● The opponent struggles to guard certain actions ● Trying to get a player in a rhythm

When your team is able to execute your plays, it makes it easier on you, as the coach, because you have confidence that your team won’t go on long scoring droughts.

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Man to Man Basketball Plays

1-4 High Backdoor Rub

This play starts in a 1-4 high set with the bigs on the elbows and the guards on the wings.

The play starts with the 1 throwing to the 5 on the elbow.

When the 5 catches it, the 2 will go underneath to clear to the other side.

As that’s happening, the 3 fakes

a handoff with the 5 and then

cuts hard off of the 4 to the

basket for a layup.

   

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Blind Pig Backdoor

This play starts with the 1 & the 2 starting high on the perimeter. The 4 and 5 start on the blocks, and the 3 starts in the opposite corner of the ball.

The 3 comes off of double baseline screens from the 4 and the 5.

As soon as the 3 comes off of the screen from the 4, the 4 flashes to the high post and receives a pass from the 1.

On the 4’s catch, the 2 immediately backdoors and receives a pass from the 4 for the layup.

   

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Elbow – Stagger – Stagger

Play starts in a horns set with

the 4 and 5 at the elbows and 2

and 3 in the corners.

3 starts lifting up and 1 hits the

5. 3 immediately cuts backdoor

to the block on the catch.

4 sets a flair screen for 1.

As 1 catches the ball, 2 cuts to

the other side of the floor and

comes off of 3 screens for an

open look at the top of the key.

The 4 and the 5 then go set a

stagger screen for the 3 to pop

up to the right wing for an open

look.

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Box – Zipper Iso

This play starts in a box. The

player they want to iso starts on

the left block.

The play starts with the 1

dribbling left. The 4 cuts

between the 2 and the 5 to the

ball-side corner.

The 5 then sets a screen and

the 2 zipper cuts to the top of

the key. The 2 receives a pass

from the 1 and has an iso going

right.

If the 3’s man helps on the iso,

the 2 will kick to the corner for a

3.

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Stagger – Lob

The play starts with the 5 and

the 3 in the slots, the 4 on the

right block, and the 2 in the right

corner.

The 1 comes off of a double

screen from the 5 and the 3. The

2 lifts up and receives a pass

from the 1.

The 5 and the 4 come up and

set double backscreens for a lob

for the 3.

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Ball Screen – Stagger Away

This play starts in a 1-4 high set

with the bigs on the elbows and

guards on the wings.

The action starts with the 1

passing to the 2 and cutting to

the ball-side corner. As that

happens, the 5 cuts to the block,

and the 4 to the top of the key

for reversal.

The 2 passes to the 1 in the

corner, and then receives a

backscreen from the 5 and

continues cutting through to the

opposite side.

5 then sets a ball screen for the

1, who looks to attack off of the

screen.

While that action is happening,

the 3 and the 4 set a staggered

double for the 2.

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Point Guard Stagger

This play starts in a 1-4 high set

with the bigs on the elbows and

guards on the wings.

The action starts with the 1

passing to the 2 and cutting to

the ball-side corner. As that

happens, the 5 cuts to the block,

and the 4 to the top of the key

for reversal.

The 2 reverses the ball to the 4,

and then the 5 sets a

backscreen for the 2.

The 4 reverses the ball to the 3

and then sets a staggered

double for the 1.

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Double Staggers

This offense starts in a 1-4 High

set with the bigs on the elbows

and the guards on the wings.

The 1 executes a dribble

handoff with the wing. The wing

takes the dribble hand-off and

passes to the guard on the

opposite wing.

The 2 cuts through opposite

after passing the ball to the 3.

The 5 and 4 then turn and set a

staggered screen for the 1 to

come through.

The 1 continues his cut down to

the block and then to the corner.

The 2 continues through off of

the staggered screen from the 4

and the 5.

The 4 and the 5 then read the

defense and roll back to the ball

if the 1 or 2 isn’t open for a shot.

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Side Elevator – Curl

Start in a box set with the

guards on the right side and the

bigs on the left.

2 down screens for 3 and 3 pops

out the the wing.

2 then comes through on an

elevator screen from the 4 and 5

and the 1 looks to hit the 2 for

an open 3-pointer.

4 then downscreens for 5 who

comes off on a curl and then 4

posts on the block.

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Backscreen – Stagger

This play starts with the 1 & 2

high, the 3 on the right wing, the

4 on the other wing, and the 5 at

the free throw line.

The action starts with the 3

walking his man in and popping

out and the 1 passes him the

ball.

The 2 will sprint off of the 5’s

screen to the opposite block,

followed by the 1 doing the

same thing.

The 4 will cut to the top of the

key.

The 1 will pop to the left wing

and the ball will get reversed to

him.

The 2 will set a backscreen for

the 3, who will cut to the

opposite block.

The 5 and the 4 will set a

staggered screen for the 2 and

the 1 will pass him the ball.

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Diagonal – Downscreen – Ball screen

This play starts in a 1-4 high

alignment with the guards on the

wings and the bigs on the

elbows. The one dribbles to the

wing and the 2 goes to the block

and then executes a diagonal

screen for the 4.

The 5 then sets a down screen

for the 2 after he set the

diagonal screen and the 2 pops

to the top of the key.

The 2 receives the pass from

the 1, then the 5 turns and sets

a ball screen for the 2. The 3

flattens out to the corner to

create space and the 5 pops.

You could also execute a

roll-and-replace with the 5 and

the 4.

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Cross Screen – Downscreen

This play starts in a 1-4 high set,

with the bigs on the elbows and

the guards on the wing.

The 1 dribbles the 2 through to

the opposite block. The 5 cuts

down to the block, and the 4

pops to the top of the key.

The 1 will start to reverse the

ball by swinging it to the big at

the top of the key.

While that is taking place, the 2

& the 3 are interchanging on the

weak side.

The 4 will reverse the ball to the

2.

As the ball is being reversed, the

3 goes and sets a cross screen

for the 5 on the block. The 5

receives the screen and and the

2 will look to throw the ball into

the 5 if he’s open for a layup.

After the 3 sets the cross

screen, the 4 goes and sets a

screen for the 3 to the top of the

key.

The 2 passes to the 3, and if he

has a shot, he should shoot it.

Otherwise, you are back in your

original alignment and can run

the play over.

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DHO – Backdoor

Play starts in a 2-2-1 set. The

player you want to receive the

backdoor starts on the left wing,

in this case it’s the 4.

The 1 passes to the 2 and cuts

behind the 5.

The 3 comes off of a stagger

and receives a dribble handoff

from the 2.

The 3 comes off of the dribble

handoff and attacks the middle.

The 4 fakes like he’s going to

receive another dribble handoff

from 3, then cuts backdoor.

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Horns – Backscreen – Downscreen

Play starts in a horns set with

shooters in the corners and bigs

in the slots. The player playing

point guard here should be your

best shooter.

The 1 enters the ball to the 4,

then cuts hard off of a

backscreen from the 5. The 4

should hit him if he’s open.

If the backscreen isn’t there, the

5 immediately turns and sets a

downscreen for the 1 to come

back up to the wing. After the 5

sets the downscreen, he slips to

the rim.

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Horns – Rub

Play starts in a horns set with

shooters in the corners and 4 &

5 in the slots.

The ball is entered to the 4.

The 1 cuts and sets a rub cut for

the 5 to come off of and looks

for a pass from the 4.

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Horns – Back Stagger

Play starts in a horns set with

the 4 and 5 in the slots and the 2

and 3 in the corners.

1 passes the ball to the 5, then

cuts down the middle of the lane

and exits to the weak side.

3 cuts across the floor to the

weak side block.

The 2 continues his cut and

receives a dribble handoff from

5.

4 comes off of a double

backscreen from 1 and 3 and

looks for the ball on the block

from 2.

BBallTools.com 17

Backscreen – Stagger Return

Play starts in a 1-4 high set.

1 throws the ball to the 5 in the

slot, then receives a backscreen

from the 4 to the opposite block.

The 4 and the 2 then go set a

stagger screen for the 1 to pop

to the wing.

BBallTools.com 18

Zone Basketball Plays

Ballscreen Overload

This play is against a 2-3 zone.

The action starts with the 1

throwing to the 2 to get the

defense to shift.

As the 2 starts to throw it back to

the 1, the 5 should come over

and set a screen out the outside

top defender (x2).

The 1 dribbles off of the screen

from the 5.

The 4 cuts to the ball-side block.

The 2 cuts inside to the wing

and the 3 stays in the corner.

The 1 has a lot of options. He

can drive, he can stop and pop,

he can hit the 3 in the corner, he

can hit the 4 on the block. He

has to read what the defense

gives him.

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Block Stack Overload

This play is against a 2-3 zone.

The 2 and 3 start on the wings

and the 4 and 5 start on the

block stacked.

The action starts with the 1

passing to the 2 and the 2

passing it right back to get the

defense to shift.

The 4 will seal the big man in

the middle as the 2 will come all

the way around to the opposite

corner. The 1 will throw to the 3.

As soon as the 2 comes around

the 4, the 4 should go seal and

the 5 should look for a pass from

the 3.

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Ballscreen Seal

The play starts with the 1 on the

left wing, the 2 on the right wing,

the 3 in the weak-side corner,

the 4 on the weak-side block,

and the 5 at the foul line.

The 5 comes to set a ball screen

on x1 and the 1 uses it to attack

the middle of the floor and

forces x2 to at least

acknowledge him and 1 passes

to 2.

As 2 catches it, x3 must get

closer to the 3 (this should be a

great shooter). The 4 will go seal

x5 and the 5 will roll off of the

ball screen he set to the

opposite block for a layup.

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Zone Cross

Play starts with bigs on the

blocks and guards on the wings.

1 hits 2 and cuts in between the

wing and corner. 2 Dribbles up.

2 dribbles up to keep x2

engaged, then passes to the 1.

On the pass to the 1, the 5 is

screening/sealing x5 and 4 is

coming underneath for the

catch.

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Stack Pop

The play starts with the 3 on the

wing, the 4 on the block, and 5

and 2 stacked on the other

block.

1 hits the 3 and then cuts to the

opposite wing. the 3 dribbles to

the top of the key.

As the 3 is dribbling over, the 2

pops to the corner. The ball is

swung around to the 2 in the

corner.

As the ball is being swung from

the 1 to the 2, the 5 goes and

screens/seals x5 and 4 goes

underneath for a pass from 2.

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Zone X

Play starts with the 5 on the

block, the 4 in the corner, and

the 2 and 3 on the wings.

The 2 and the 3 cross and

screen the inside of the top two

defenders.

1 attacks the middle. As he’s

attacking, the 5 seals x4 and the

4 goes underneath that seal to

the ballside block for a layup.

BBallTools.com 24

Corner 3

This play starts with shooters on

the wings and bigs on the

blocks. The play is initiated with

the 1 throwing to the 2 on the

wing and the 5 popping to the

corner.

The 2 throws the ball to the 5

and then cuts to the ball-side

block. The 1 fills to the 2’s spot

on the wing.

The 5 throws the ball to the 1 on

the wing and then pins down to

screen the outside man of the

zone. The 2 pops to the corner

for a shot.

BBallTools.com 25

Basketball Plays – Baseline Out of Bounds

Doubles

This play starts with the bigs in a

stack at the ball-side elbow, and

the best shooter on the opposite

block, with another guard on the

opposite elbow.

The action starts as the two

screens up for the 1 looking for

an easy layup.

The 4 and the 5 then set a

double screen for the 2 looking

for an open shot from the wing.

The 4 then screens up for the 5.

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Backdoor Layup

This play starts with a big on the

ball-side block, a guard on the

opposite block, and a

ball-handler on the ball-side

elbow in a box formation.

The action starts as the 2 makes

a rub cut off of the 5 to the

corner and receives the ball.

The 1 pops out to the wing and

receives the ball. As that’s

happening, the 5 starts to back

up from the block.

The 2 and the 5 set a staggered

screen for the 4 to the corner as

a decoy action.

The 1 takes a hard dribble

toward the 3 as he pops out

calling for the ball, and then hits

him on a back-cut to the basket.

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Triangle Screen the Screener

This play starts with the two bigs

on the blocks, the 3 in the

middle and the 2 on the ball-side

elbow.

The 2 cuts to the ball-side

corner. The 5 sets a screen for

the 3. The 3 cuts to the block

and if he doesn’t have a layup,

shoots to the corner.

As soon as that screen

happens, the 4 screens for the

5, then rolls back to the opposite

block.

The 2 and the 3 may have to be

a release valve if you can’t get it

in.

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Fake DHO – Iso

This play starts in a box

alignment.

The 3 pops to the corner and

receives a pass. The 5 goes up

to the elbow with the 4.

The 2 comes off of a

double-screen flair from the 4

and the 5.

1 comes off of a fake handoff

from the 3, and then the 3 takes

it to the basket.

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Flex Action

This play starts with 4 flat across

the baseline.

The 4 pops and receives a pass

from the 1.

The 3 pops and receives a pass

from the 4 as the 1 steps in to

the block.

The 1 will set a back screen for

the 5, and then receive a

downscreen from the 4.

The 3 passes to the 1, and then

the 4 will come set a ball screen

for the 1.

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Curl Lob

This baseline out of bounds play

starts with a stack on the

ball-side block with the two bigs

in the first two spots, the 2 in the

3rd spot, and the 3 on the

opposite block.

The action starts as the 5

downscreens for the 4 and the 4

curls around to the opposite

block. The 3 goes to the top of

the key as a release.

After the 4 curls around the 5,

the 2 goes and sets a

downscreen for the 5 and the 5

curls around looking for a lob at

the rim.

As soon as the 5 curls around

off of the 2’s screen, the 2 cuts

out to the corner.

The 1 then has options of who to

throw it to.

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Elbow Iso

This play starts with whoever

you want to isolate on the

ball-side corner in a 1-4 flat

alignment.

The action starts with the 4

sprinting to the elbow and the 5

cutting out to the corner and

receiving a pass.

The 3 cuts to the ball-side block,

and the 5 throws it to the 4 on

the elbow.

The 4 then has an opportunity to

isolate his man and attack the

rim from the elbow. If 2’s man

helps, he can kick to the corner

for an open 3.

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Zone Baseline Overload

This is an out of bounds play

against a 2-3 zone.

The 2 starts on the opposite

block. The 4 and 5 start on the

ball side block and the 3 starts

on the ball-side elbow.

When the play starts, the 2 goes

through a double-screen from

the 4 and 5 and goes to the

ball-side corner to occupy x3.

The 4 will then seal x5 in the

paint and 5 will be open

underneath.

The 1 has to read the defense. If

x3 comes to take away 5, then 2

should be open in the corner.

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Zone Triangle

This play starts in a triangle

formation with the bigs on the

blocks and your best shooter in

the lane.

The 2 sprints to the corner to

take x4 with him. The 4

screens/seals x5 and the 5 cuts

right behind 2 to the ball-side

block. The 3 goes to the

ball-side wing.

This should create an

opportunity for the 5 at the

block.

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