Basketball Offense - 1-4 High Stack Offense

By James Gels, from the Coach’s Clipboard Basketball Playbook, @ http://www.coachesclipboard.net

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The 1-4 offense tends to "flatten" the defense, and with the empty space under the basket, is ideal for back-cuts to the hoop, especially from the wing. In fact, when we are on defense and see this set, we expect underneath cuts. This offense also is effective against teams that over-play (deny) the pass to the wing (which makes them more vulnerable to the back-cut).

You can imagine some simple things, like O1 passing to a high post player, and then the wings O3 and O2 back-cutting to the hoop for the pass from the high post. Or the pass could go to a wing, and the near post screens away for the opposite post, who then cuts to the hoop for the pass from the wing. Several set plays are presented below.

1-4 Stack, Post-Point Pick ‘n Roll, "41"

This play uses a simple high post screen for the point guard, and then the seal and roll by the screener (see Setting Screens). The same side wing (O2) slides deep into the corner to clear his/her defender out. This makes the wing O2 available for a "kick-out" pass to the corner for the outside shot (3-point shot).

High-Post Pick-and-Roll, "45"

This is a simple high post pick and roll play where the pass goes to the player rolling off the screen. O1 is at the point, O2, O3,O4 and O5 stack across, at the free-throw line extended (diagram A). O1 calls the play and starts to dribble to the right to clear a passing lane. A jab step to the right or a pass fake to the right might work as well. Or O1 could pass to O2, and O2 to can make the pass inside. O4 sets a pick for O5 and seals the X5 defender (diagram B). O5 cuts around the pick. O4's defender (X4) will probably switch and go with O5 on the cut. O5 takes the X4 defender with him to the baseline (out of the way and out of the paint). O4 now has inside position on the X5 defender and cuts to the hoop, for the lob pass from O1.

14 high post pick and roll basketball play

14 high post pick and roll basketball play

"Georgetown"

Run these plays off the 1-4 set. See the diagrams below. O2 and O3 cut low and cross to the opposite sides. O1 passes to either side (O2 in the diagram B), and the ball-side high post (O5) drops to the low post for the possible pass inside and post move. O2 could also shoot the 3-point shot. The opposite wing (O3) drops inside as a back-side rebounder. If O2 does not shoot or pass to the block, then O4 flashes to the ball-side high post, while O3 sprints up and back-screens for O1 (diagram C). O5 slides out to the short corner.

O1 cuts over O3's back-screen (diagram D) and could get the skip pass from O4 for the possble 3-point shot. O3 could also "slip", or seal and roll-off the screen, and cut up the lane for the pass from O4 (diagram E).

You can also run a "Back" option (diagram E) to keep the wing defenders "honest". O2 and O3 start their low cuts, but then suddenly cut back to their original spots, for a pass to either side. Then the rest of the play is run the same as above with the ball-side post dropping to the block, etc.

basketball play 1-4 set

"Hoyas"

Again, start with the 1-4 set. See the diagrams below. O4 drops to the block and first back-screens for O2, and then for O3. O2 cuts low to the opposite corner, while O3 cuts low and crosses to the opposite wing for the pass from O1. Next (diagram B), O4 cuts up to the elbow and receives the pass from O3. O3 then slides up toward the top and O1 also moves laterally. Meanwhile, O5 drops inside and screens for O2, and O2 makes a "flex" cut over O5's screen into the paint, for the possible pass and shot. If O2 does not get the pass, O2 moves out to the corner, and O5 then cuts into the paint for the possible pass from O4 (diagram D).

Notice that while the flex cut is being made, O1 back-screens for O3 (diagram C), and a pass from O4 to O3 for an outside shot is also an option (diagram D).

1-4 set basketball play Hoyas

"Hoyas-21"

If you run "Hoyas" and find the flex-cut and the inside jammed with helpside defenders, run the "Hoyas-21" option instead (diagram E). The play is run the same as "Hoyas" with O2 and O3 crossing and the pass going to O4 at the high post. This time, instead of running a flex-cut into the helpside defense, O2 moves outside and back-screens for O1 (diagram E). O4 could pass to O1 for a 3-point shot (diagram F). Notice that we also have O5 cutting through the paint (diagram D) for a possible pass from O4 and the lay-up.

"4-Up"

Here's another play off the 1-4 set (diagram 4A). This play gives our athletic O4 a chance to play. O1 passes to O4 at the left elbow. O2 slides down to the corner and O5 pops out to the weak-side wing (for spacing). O1 cuts hard around O4 for a possible hand-off and dribble-drive (diagram 4B). O4 rolls to the hoop, like a pick and roll. O3 moves up top as our safety.

Often the defense will switch as O1 makes the cut around O4... O4 reads this and instead of making the hand-off, with a quick first step, dribble-drives around the defender for a lay-up (diagram 4C). Notice that we have O2 in the corner for a kick-out pass and 3-point shot.

1-4 offense play 4-Up

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42
53
93 Low
92-Low
Michigan State's 1-4 High Plays (4 plays)

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Also see:
West Coast 1-4 Stack Offense
Michigan State's Sets/Plays
1-4 Low Stack Plays, "Pinball", "Double-Cross", and "Spurs"
The folowing plays can be adapted to the 1-4 set: "Kentucky", "90 series", "Texas", "MSU", and "Loyola".

See this video clip from Bill Self's (Kansas) DVD "Breakdown Drills for the High/Low Motion Offense".

See this video clip from Sharon Versyp's (Purdue Women) DVD "1-4 High Multi-Option Offense".

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