A horns set where the point(1) is coming off of a double ball screen has a lot of options on how to proceed after the screens. One of the ways to challenge and beat a good defensive team is to get them all going in one direction and then quickly flip and go back the way the players came from.
A good defender can get through a ball screen. But when an offense stacks 3 ball screens in a row even the best defenders can struggle to stay with the ball. The repetitive ball screens is very hard for any defender or defense to overcome.
Along with the ball screens, an offense can attack a defense by getting the defense moving in one direction and then slipping a player off on the backside. The defensive focus is all turned to one side can lead to the offense being open on the backside.
This quick hitter combines multiple ball screens with a backside double screen to free up a shooter. The offense is putting pressure on a number of defenders and if any defender loses there man or gets lazy then the offense should have an easy shot. This is a great play because of the multiple actions and options coming from each separate movement.
The play starts with the standard horns double screen of having the point(1) coming across the floor using the double screen to try and turn the corner and get an open layup. If the layup does not happen then the point(1) is taking the ball out to the wing.
While the point(1) is using the double screen, the two wings are moving into position for the 2nd action. The guard(2) is clearing out to the backside block getting away from the ball. The forward(3) is moving up to meet with the big(4) around the elbow area.
Once the ball has crossed the floor it is now time to flip and bring the ball back across the floor a 2nd time.
The center(5) does a flip screen and simply turns and sets another ball screen. With good timing, a flip screen is almost unguardable. A good defender will be able to get through the horns double screen. But when a flip screen is used the defender is rushing back into position and is not in a good place to fight back across another ball screen. I really like using flip screens with a player that can set really good screens. The key is the screener getting turned around and setting the 2nd screen without it be a moving screen.
As the point(1) comes off of the flip screen, the guard(2) is coming off a backside double screen for a wide open 3. This puts pressure on the guard’s(2) defender because they are the help defender for the pick and roll but is also the defender getting targeted with the double screen.
If they stay to help the pick and roll then the guard(2) will be open coming off of the double screen. If the defender chases the guard(2) out around the double screen then the point(1) has a wide open lane to attack the basket. This defender has to make a decision and either choice will free up the offense to attack and get an open shot.
This is a play that does not have a lot of moving parts but puts the pressure on the defense in very select spots. The offense is attacking the defense forcing the defense to makes decisions that will give the offense openings. Since there are not a lot of moving parts, the execution must be at a very high level. Bad execution gives the defense the chances it needs to guard the play. With a high level of execution, this play is very hard to guard.
