One way to get good open shots out of quick hitters is to have multiple actions one after the other until the defense breaks down. By having 2 or 3 or 4 different actions in a row, it puts pressure on every defender to defend multiple actions. Multiple actions also forces defenders to defend multiple aspects of offense.
This could mean a defender will have to defend on the ball followed by a pick and roll followed by some type of off the ball screen. So, each defender is going to have to defend multiple actions and not be able to stay within their comfort zone.
This play starts in a 4-out 1-in set. The center(5) is at the high post. The point(1) has the ball. The guard(2) and forward(3) are in the corners. And the big(4) is opposite the point(1).
My transition offense is the same every single time down the floor. If we can get something going out of the transition, then we look to attack the defense. If we can not get something, then we continue to certain spots on the floor every single time. This setup is how my players should finish if nothing is open in transition. This allows the quick hitter to start immediately after the transition from defense to offense.
The initial pass is to the center(5) at the high post. Teams are starting to use their bigs(4) and centers(5) in ball handling roles during offense. While the center(5) is not asked to do much in the play, they are getting the ball to start.
The first action is the X-cut by the point(1). The center(5) can read the defense and decide to give the ball back to the point(1). They can fake the handoff and turn the opposite direction and attack the basket themselves. Or the center(5) can keep the ball and wait on the next action.
As the X-cut is happening, the big(4) is screening down on the forward(3) to get a zoom action started. The forward(3) is coming off of the down screen and will continue running around the center(5) for the zoom action.
As the forward(3) comes around the center(5), the center(5) can either do a dribble handoff(DHO) or just a handoff, or the center(5) can pass the ball early to the forward(3) and follow with a ball screen. Whichever action is decided, the forward(3) will have the ball and be able to turn down the lane and attack the basket.
The forward(3) can get to the basket but they are more likely to have a pull up jump shot. As the forward(3) is getting the ball, the guard(2) and point(1) are already starting the 3rd action. The way the defense defends the zoom action and defends the 3rd action will give the offense which shot they should get. The forward(3) coming off of the zoom action and getting a shot is the 1st read for the offense.
As the forward(3) is coming off of the handoff by the center(5), the point(1) is coming back across the floor with the guard(2) setting an in-screen to get the point(1) open in the corner. If the point(1)’s defender steps up to stop the forward(3), then the point(1) should be wide open in the corner for a kick out 3-point shot.
