One of the things I have noticed happening less than ever is the ability of teams to get a good post player isolated in the post with a good entry pass for them to score. I have seen good post players struggle because the offense does not help them in getting good position to seal and get a post feed. A team can create plays that help the post player in getting position to make it easier to get a post player more touches.
When I have a good post player I like to call at least 1 play a quarter to get the post player an easy entry pass. A good post player can score easy baskets with good post feeds. They can also draw a lot of fouls that can cause issues for the opponent. And they make the opposing defense collapse which can open more space on the outside making the game easier for the offensive guards.
This is a horns set that has a lot of moving pieces but it finishes with a post isolation. The entry pass to the post should also be easier because the post should have good position in their post up because of the play. This gives the post player the ball on the block with a good chance to score.
While the play ultimately ends with a post feed, there are a few chances for the play to work and get a shot before the post feed occurs. As a coach, I want the post feed but I also want to get a good shot. If a good shot happens before the post feed then that is fine. I do not want to pass up a good shot because that could be the best shot the offense gets during the possession. I will mention the different scoring options throughout the play as I go along.
This play can be ran to both sides, however, I am assuming the center(5) is the best post option and therefore the initial entry pass to the wing needs to go to their side. So, the point(1) starts the play with the initial pass to the guard(2). After the pass, the point(1) runs a smash cut to the ballside block.
Scoring Option #1
The first scoring option is the give and go back to the point(1) coming off of the smash cut. A smash cut does not work very often but when it does the offense gets an easy layup.
Now the offense runs the horns set. The guard(2) is coming across the floor using the horns screens. If the guard(2) does not have an opening off of the screens they pass to the forward(3) and cuts to the corner.
The horns set is a misdirection. The horns puts the ball on one side with 3 players. This is leaving the point(1) and center(5) on the backside of the play. This is the start of how to get the center(5) isolated in the post. A good defense will shift ballside. This shift helps the center(5) get a good post up when the ball comes backside.
Scoring Option #2
The guard(2) turns the corner on the horns screen and gets to the basket.
Scoring Option #3
The forward(3) has a catch and shoot chance depending on how their defender guards the help side of the horns screen. Or the forward(3) can attack on the bounce on a poor closeout by their defender.
These next subtle moves are necessary to make the play work. The guard(2) is clearing to the corner. This gets them and their defender out of the way.
The center(5) needs to step out away from the lane. The center(5) needs a good angle to the point(1). If the center(5) does not move out to the wing, then the center(5) will not have a good angle on their next move.
The center(5) moving out also creates space in the middle of the court giving the forward(3) a better chance to score on the next movement. Offense is about creating space and the guard(2) and center(5) movement creates the space needed for the play to be its most effective.
The big(4) will now step out to the ball and set a ball screen. The forward(3) and big(4) are looking to score using the ball screen. While this is going on, the center(5) is down screening for the point(1). This down screen helps to take away the help side defense.
The center(5) by stepping out to the wing now has a good angle to screen and post. The center(5)’s defender should be in the middle of the lane and raised up some due to the ball screen. The center(5) now has a chance to step into the defender and seal them on the topside giving the center(5) the entire baseline to catch and turn to the basket.
The big(4) also can pick and roll or pick and pop. This is a team decision. If the big(4) can not shoot, then a pick and roll gives the offense a better chance to score. A good 3-point shooting big(4) can pop off of the ball screen to extend the defense or have a chance at a catch and shoot.
If the forward(3) does not get to the basket or pass to the big(4) then they are passing to the point(1) coming off of the down screen by the center(5). This is the final pass before the post isolation. This final pass puts the ball in the best position to get a good entry pass to the post.
Scoring Option #4
The forward(3) gets to the basket off of the ball screen.
Scoring Option #5
The big(4) can roll and get a pass for a layup. Or they can pop and get a kick out from the forward(3).
The final piece of the play is the entry pass to the center(5) from the point(1). The forward(3) should stay at the top of the key. The big(4) should flash to the elbow no matter if they pick and roll or pick and pop. This flash is even more important with a pick and roll.
The play should get the center(5) all alone on the block. The big(4) flashing helps to remove the backside help leaving the defense with nobody to help on a post feed.
The center(5) should be able to step up into their defender and seal for the post feed coming around the baseline side. With a good seal, the center(5) should be able to catch and turn baseline for an easy basket.
If the defense collapses on the post feed, then the center(5) has good kick out options to the point(1), guard(2) and forward(3) for a 3-point shot. The big(4) can stay at the high post or can drag to the backside block on the center(5)’s catch. The drag can move their defender meaning they can not double down on the post feed. If they do double then the big(4) is wide open on the drag.
Scoring Option #6
The center(5) catches the post feed and scores.
Scoring Option #7,8,9
The center(5) kicks out to the point(1) or guard(2) or forward(3) for a 3-point shot.
Scoring Option #10
The center(5) makes a big to big pass either to the elbow for the big(4) to take the foul line shot. Or the big(4) drags to the backside block getting a pass from the center(5) on the drag.
Conclusion
This horns set has a lot of moving parts but it is a big misdirection to get the center(5) isolated on the block. There are scoring options throughout but the goal is the post feed. The easiest way to get a seal by a post player is for the ball to move across the floor to the post player waiting on the backside.
This play gets the defense defending a ball screen before the post feed almost happens by chance out of the ball screen. The ball screen forces the defense to rotate to the ball screen giving the center(5) the space they need to get a good seal on the block.
