The skill level of players is constantly becoming better and better. Teams with good ball-handling and attacking bigs(4) and centers(5) are increasing. When a team has a good dribbling post player, plays should be used to take advantage of this skill set.
This quick hitter is designed to get the ball into the post players hands with a ball screen to allow them to attack the basket with little to no help side defense. It uses a big to big ball screen and keeps the guards out in positions for potential kick out 3-point shots. It forces the defense to defend the ball screen with normally two of their weaker defenders. It also forces the post players of the defense to try and defend out around the 3-point line in space. These should be major advantages to the offense.
The play starts in a 1-4 set with the point(1) having the ball out front. An entry pass is made to the wing, in this diagram it is the forward(3) side. This play can easily be switched to the other side if necessary. The point(1) cuts down through the lane and back out to the ball side corner. This cut can be aided by the big(4) setting a screen for the point(1) and possibly get a wide open layup for the point(1) on the cut.
The big(4) steps up to the 3-point line after the point(1) cuts through. The guard(2) slides down into the backside corner with the point(1) now in the ballside corner. The lane should be open with every offensive player outside the 3-point line except for the center(5).
I am looking to create as much space as possible for the big(4) to eventually attack with the dribble. I also want the 3 guards to be in positions for potential kick out 3-point shots. The point(1) and guard(2) are in the corners to flatten out the defense. The forward(3) has the ball so their defender in playing on the ball defense. This should open up the inside of the defense giving the big(4) a lot of room to attack off the ball screen. The forward(3) passes the ball to the big(4).
The center(5) steps over and runs a pick and roll with the big(4). The point(1) and guard(2) can slide up out of the corner if their defender steps into the lane to help. The forward(3) can slide over into the middle of the floor filling the space that the big(4) and center(5) just left. That gives the point(1), the guard(2) and the forward(3) all chances for a catch and shoot 3-point shot on a possible kick out pass.
The lane should be wide open for the big(4) to come off of the ball screen and attack the basket. On a hard hedge, the center(5) should be open on the roll cut.
If a defense likes to switch ball screens, then the ball screen will change the two defenders and possibly put a weaker defender on the offensive big(4) giving them a better chance to attack the basket and score. This is a way for the offense to force the defense into a bad position.
A good offensive team is looking to do two things to be successful. First, get the ball into the players’ hands who have the best chances of scoring. And secondly exploit the defense to gain an advantage. A big(4) who can dribble is usually at an advantage over the defense. When a team has a big(4) who can attack, then the offense needs to have a couple of sets designed for them to attack the defense.
A big-to-big ball screen does not often happen. An offense who can use a post-to-post ball screen will normally catch the defense off guard which can lead to a scoring possession. From a defensive standpoint, this quick hitter can be very hard to guard depending on the 4 and 5 players. If these two defenders are weak perimeter defenders, then the offense should be able to attack these two post players and either get made baskets or possibly get the defensive post players into foul trouble. Either of those scenarios are positives for the offense.
Let me know in the comments your thoughts about this quick hitter and if you run something similar.
