BLOB 13-Curl Decoy Corner Screen

Plays that have an action as a decoy work well. The defense works to defend the decoy action and will miss the secondary action being ran off of that decoy setup. I am always looking at adding a secondary action off of a primary action that works. So, if a corner screen like BLOB 12 works in a game, then this BLOB play works well as a 2nd play off of the original play.

This BLOB play simulates the corner screen option similar to BLOB 12 but changes the player actually getting open for the corner 3-point shot. The first player is a decoy to draw the attention of the defense for the 2nd player to go unnoticed away from the direction of the decoy. Little offensive adjustments like this make it hard for defenses to guard because so many things are happening quickly. The offense is able to attack the defense in the spots they do not cover.

This BLOB play starts just like BLOB 12 with a box setup. The shooter is the forward(3) on the opposite block. The big(4) cuts out to the corner for the entry pass. The point(1) cuts out to the sideline. The big(4) passes the ball up to the point(1). This puts the ball in position for the 2nd action.

The big(4) steps in to screen. The guard(2) steps in and starts to run out to the corner. This is the same action so far as BLOB 12. A good defense might notice this and start to overplay the corner. This is where the decoy action will get the defense to re-focus allowing the secondary action to come free.

The guard(2) is going to curl cut off of the in-screen by the big(4). This should get the defense to shift back towards the middle of the court. As the guard(2) starts to move out to the screen, the forward(3) should move towards the corner at the same time. As the guard(2) is finishing the curl cut around the big(4), the forward(3) should be running out to the corner using the big(4) as a screener just like the guard(2) did. As the forward(3) gets to the corner, the point(1) passes to the forward(3) for a wide open shot.

The hope is the forward’s(3) defender will be up the line when the big(4) passes the ball up to the point(1). As the forward(3) runs towards the corner, their defender will start to follow but will be up the lane enough to try and go over the screen by the big(4). As they start to go over the top of the screen, the curl cut by the guard(2) creates enough traffic to trap the defender on the inside of the court leaving the forward(3) wide open.

Against a 2-3 Zone

Against a 2-3 Zone the big(4) will screen the middle defender. The point(1) will read the block defender. If the defender stays in with the curl, then the corner pass to the forward(3) will be open. If the block defender goes up to the corner, then the curl cut by the guard(2) will be open. The play is running two players in one defender’s zone making the block defender have to make a choice. Whatever choice is made the offense can attack using the other player.

Conclusion

Little misdirections and decoy cuts can keep the defense off-balance and unsure of how to guard the offense. This also gives the offense multiple plays off of the same offensive movement. This makes it easier for players to learn and remember more plays. An offense with a bunch of plays can make the players think instead of react. This can slow them done making them play worse. Having numerous plays using the same basic movement makes it easier for players to remember plays and execute at a high level.

The same offensive movement having 3 or 4 different options also make it harder on defenses. If the defense starts to overplay 1 play, then the offense can use that movement but look to attack with a minor change of the play. This is the chess match taking place between the coaches during the game of basketball. This play is the type of play that gives an advantage to one team over another.