Half-Court 1-4 High Quick Hitters

Quick Hitters are designed plays to get quick shots through the offense. These plays can be designed to get a certain player a shot. Or they can be designed with several options throughout the play and each player has a chance to shoot during the play depending on how the defense guards the offense. I personally like to design plays with multiple options because it makes it more difficult on the defense. However there are certain times and plays in which you want a certain player to shoot no matter what. Having a condition of both gives the offense the best chance to score. The following plays are a series of plays out of a 1-4 high set that have similar movements. The similar movements are trying to disguise what the play actually is to make it harder on the defense. I will break down each possible shot in all 3 plays.

Play #1

This series of plays start in the same setup. The players are in a 1-4 high formation. I always have the guard(2) on the right and forward(3) on the left. The big(4) is on the right elbow and the center(5) is on the left elbow. It is the same setup every time unless we make an adjustment for a game. Also all 3 of these plays can be ran to both sides of the floor. The movements would stay the same but the opposite players would be doing the movement.

In the first play, the big(4) and center(5) steps out to set a ball screen for the point(1). The point(1) uses 1 of the screens and the other 4 players adjust based on which side the point(1) goes towards. In the diagrams the point(1) uses the big(4) screen. As the point(1) starts towards the guard(2) he cuts straight to the basket and clears out that whole side.

Scoring Option 1– The point(1) uses the screen and is able to turn the corner and get to the basket.

After cutting to the basket, the guard(2) comes up and across the lane to set a back screen for the center(5). The center(5) cuts to the basket.

Scoring Option 2– The center(5) cuts open off the up screen and gets a pass from the point(1).

If the center(5) does not come open then the last two pictures give 2 separate options to finish the play.

Scoring Option 3-The guard(2) and big(4) go away from the ball and sets a double staggered screen for the forward(3). The forward(3) should have started to walk down towards the baseline during the up screen by the guard(2) to set up the double stagger screen at a better angle. The point(1) passes to the forward(3) coming off the double screen.

Scoring Option 4– In the last picture, you can keep the forward(3) on the sideline and have the big(4) set an away screen for the guard(2) to come right back to the ball. This option gives a screen the screener motion which can be hard for defenses to guard especially if the guard’s(2) defender helps on the up screen.

This is a simple play and can utilize multiple players. I used this play one year with a very fast point guard and he was able to get 2 or 3 layups a game coming hard off the initial ball screen. I used it to isolate a post player during another season. And I used this play a bunch another year when I have a very good 3 point shooter to get him coming off either a double screen or a screen the screener. I have personally used this play in 3 different seasons for 3 totally different reasons and had it be very successful each season.

Play #2

This is the 2nd play in the series. The start has changed but it is very similar to the previous play. Instead of the ball screen, the guard(2) cuts across the high post. The forward(3) drops to the short corner or the block. The point(1) passes the ball to the guard(2) cutting across the high post.

Scoring Option 1-The guard(2) catches and rips through straight to the basket. This works best if his defender is chasing him across on the high side.

Scoring Option 2-If the guard(2) does not rip through then the forward(3) sets a cross, up screen for the big(4). The guard(2) looks for either the cut or the post up with the big(4).

Scoring Option 3-The point(1) and center(5) set a double screen for the forward(3). This movement creates a double screen off a screen the screener concept. The hope is the forward’s(3) defender steps down the lane to help on the up screen. If the forward’s(3) defender steps down at all then the double screen should create enough bodies to leave the forward(3) wide open coming off the double screen.

Play #3

The last play in the series is a little different movement then the previous two plays. This was used in a year where I did not have great 3 point shooters. This was my adjustment. The start of the play is just like the first play with the ball screen and the wing cutting to the basket if the point(1) comes to their side.

Scoring Option 1-The point(1) turns the corner off the ball screen and gets a layup at the basket.

Scoring Option 2-The forward(3) sets an up screen after cutting to the basket. Again the point(1) is looking for either the center(5) coming open off the up screen or the post up after the cut.

If the up screen does not create any shots for the center(5), the forward(3) pops up after the screen. The point(1) passes to the forward(3).

Scoring Option 3-The big(4) sets a ball screen for the forward(3). The forward(3) comes off the screen and gets to the basket for a shot.

Scoring Option 4-The forward(3) attacks off the screen and is able to pass to the center(5) on the block for a layup.

Scoring Option 5-The forward(3) hits the guard(2) in the corner if the guard’s(2) defender steps down to help with the ball screen.

Scoring Option 6-The forward(3) passes back to the big(4) using the pick and pop concept.

If running this play, then the best playmaker and decision maker should be in the forward(3) position because that is where the ball is going to end up and you should be happy as a coach to get your best decision maker with the ball in their hands and attacking the defense. This also gives 6 different cases to get a scoring opportunity. And each player has a chance to score the ball all within the same play. If each player can get a shot, then each defender has to do their job correctly. We are looking for 1 defender to break down or move to the wrong place and this creates the open shot.

Each one of these plays are not too complex but they also give multiple players and multiple chances to score the ball by the offense. I personally like for plays to have some simple movement with a lot of different scoring options but also let the players go and be basketball players. They can still create and play the game and not just be robots running to their spots. Hopefully this series of plays can help you or your team get some easy baskets.