Baseline Out Of Bounds-Flex and Variations

The following is a baseline out of bounds setup from a 1-4 Low Setup with different options out of the same look and entry pass. These set of plays start with the same setup and same entry pass but then changes after the entry pass. This set of plays is designed to confuse the defense. It keeps the defense guessing what is going to happen because after the entry pass each separate play has a different way of attacking the defense. This keeps the defense from being able to play the play. As soon as the defense starts to overplay one of the plays then you as the offense can attack the defense from a different direction which should lead to some easy buckets. The play starts the same way every time.

This is the initial setup and entry pass. The setup is a 1-4 low setup. Once the ref hands the ball to the forward(3) taking the ball out of bounds, the big(4), the man right in front of the ball explodes up the lane to catch a lob pass over the defender. The forward(3) will then step into the space the big(4) has left. Once the big(4) catches the ball, then the options of how to attack the defense start.

Flex

The first play is using the flex screen. This setup can create the ability to move straight into the flex offense motion. The big(4) catches the entry pass and the forward(3) steps into the block area. The center(5) comes up the lane. The big(4) passes the ball across the midline to the center(5).

From this point it becomes the flex offense. On the catch the forward(3) sets a flex screen for the point(1) to cut across to the ball side block. If that is not open, then the big(4) can set the down screen for the forward(3). If the point(1) is open, then it is a pass from the center(5) for a layup. If the point(1) is not open, then the forward(3) might be open coming off the down screen.

At this point the flex offense has started. The center(5) can pass the ball across to the forward(3) and the same flex screen to down screen can happen now with the point(1), guard(2) and center(5) on the opposite side of the floor. This is your basic flex offense starting from a baseline out of bounds play.

Pick and Roll

Now we start looking at the variations of the inbounds without using the flex option. The first variation is having the center(5) come up like the flex option but instead of passing across the midline with the big(4) to center(5) pass, the center(5) comes across to set a ball screen to the big(4). This gives the big(4) the option to attack off of the ball screen. The center(5) pops off the screen. The point(1) now stays in the corner instead of cutting. The big(4) has the following options.

1. Attack the rim for a layup or pullup in the lane.
2. A kickout to the guard(2) if his man steps over to help the drive.
3. A dump pass to the forward(3) if his defender comes across to help the drive.
4. A kickout to the point(1) if the defense is good. This pass will happen if the forward(3) defender steps to help the drive and point(1) defend replaces the forward(3) defender on the block to prevent the layup. This will leave the point(1) open.
5. Finally the center(5) on the pop is the last option for either a 3-point shot if the center(5) can shoot them or at least a foul line jumper is the center(5) is not a 3 point shooter.

Entry Screen

The next variation is having the forward(3) cut to the backside after the entry pass. The center(5) steps into the middle of the lane to set a screen for the forward(3). On the catch the big(4) looks for the guard’s(2) defender. If the defender stays out with the guard(2), then the forward(3) is open coming into the court. If the guard’s(2) defender steps into the block area, then a skip pass to the guard(2) should be there for a wide open 3-point shot.

Hand Off

The next variation is designed to get the ball into the point’s(1) hands because that should be the best ball handler and decision maker on the team. The pass enters into the big(4). The point(1) cuts hard up out of the corner for a hand-off.

The forward(3) can either step into the block area or the corner depending on his offensive shot making. If the forward(3) is a good 3 point shooter then he can go to the corner for a possible kickout.

The center(5) can either stay where they are or move across the lane to open the backside lane for a potential drive by the point(1). If the center(5) man stays, then the point(1) has a pullup jumper, a kickout to the guard(2), a dump pass to the forward(3) or center(5), and finally a pass back to the big(4). If the center(5) man moves across then the options for attacking are the same as the pick and roll above.

Hand Off to Ball Screen

The last variation is similar to the previous play. It is still a hand off from the big(4) to the point(1). The center(5) comes up and sets a ball screen off the handoff. This should pull the big(4) and center(5) defenders away from the basket to open up the lane for the point(1) to attack the rim without any potential shot blockers. The point(1) also has the kickout to the guard(2) if his defender steps down to help with the ball screen.

Conclusion

I have seen and scouted teams who come up with these elaborate plays that have great movement but the players can not execute because the plays are so elaborate that the timing is not there. These five plays are simple in nature. They can be designed to give the same options each time even though the movement of the offense has changed. This simplicity helps to keep your offensive players from having to think to much.

These plays also creates scenarios where if a single defender messes up their assignment then you can run a variation to attack that defender. And since the same options are there with almost every play, you can design practice segments to work on each of these shots. This repetition in practice should create faster play and faster decision making. When I design plays, I like to try and do 2 things.

1. I want to create similar type movement so every play is designed to simplify the decision making process. I want the players to play without thinking but just reacting.
2. I want to create plays or offensive movement to create multiple scoring or shooting opportunities with multiple players. This puts pressure on all 5 defensive players. As soon as 1 defender goes to the wrong spot then that will open up a scoring chance for an offensive player.

I hope this series can help you as a coach create easy scoring opportunities and easy baskets for you and your team.