We use a 4-out set which gives us good spacing and room inside to play... not only for our cutters and dribble-penetration, but also room for our "big" O5 to post up. These plays also help you get a good screen for any one of the other four players. You could run these basic plays at any level, including youth teams. This is simple, basic basketball which oftentimes is the best stuff, if players are taught how to execute.
"51"
This play is a simple pick and roll play for O1... but we'll use O5 twice, instead of just once, as oftentimes the initial pick is well-defended. See diagram A. O5 comes up top to ball-screen for O1, to run the pick and roll play. Meanwhile, O4 down-screens for O3, just to occupy their defenders. O2 is in the right corner for a possible kick-out pass and 3-point shot.O1 dribbles around O5's screen looking to get to the hoop. If the screen is switched or well-defended, O5 simply turns-around and re-screens for O1, and they run the pick and roll around to the right now (diagram B). This second time is often effective. We have O5 rolling to the hoop for a pass, and O2 in the right corner for a 3-point shot.
Diagram B2 shows our "51-2 option". We start the pick and roll, but O1 pulls back and passes to O2 who has cut up top (almost to the lane line). O5 slips the screen, cuts to the hoop, seals the defender and posts-up. O2 makes the quick pass to O5 for the post move and score.
"52"
This simple play gets O2 open for a shot. In diagram C, O1 passes to O4, and O4 passes back to O1. O2 starts low inside under O5. O2 rubs off O5's screen and curls for a pass from O1, and a jump-shot in the lane. If the defense switches, and the pass to O2 is not there, O2 clears to the opposite side, and we have an iso for O5 with the smaller X2 defender. O5 seals the X2 defender, gets the quick pass from O1, and makes a post moves and scores.
"53"
This play is a simple "flex"-screen with O5 screening for O3. In diagram E, O5 back-screens for O3. O3 makes the "flex"-cut, either under or over the screen (take the path of least resistance, or "take what the defense gives you"). O3 gets the pass inside from O1 for the lay-up or short jump-shot.
If the defense switches and the pass to O3 is not open, O3 continues the cut to the short-corner, clearing out of the lane. After screening, O5 seals the defender and comes back to the ball, for the quick pass from O1, and the inside shot (diagram F).
Optionally, you can start "53" with O3 inside underneath O5, just like "52", and have O3 curl around O5. This might be a better option if your O5 is a big guy, who can use his strength to immediately seal inside and post-up. If your O5 is not real big and strong, but has quickness, set the screen out farther as shown in diagram E... this allows O5 to use his/her quickness in coming back to the ball.
"54"
In diagram G, O1 passes to our athletic O4. O1 flares a little toward the right wing. O2 is in the right corner, and O3 is in the left corner. O5 comes up and ball-screens for O4. Notice the excellent spacing for O4 to make a dribble-move around the screen for a lay-up. O4 has the option of passing to O5 on the pick and roll, or could kick-out pass to either O2 or O1 (both good shooters) for open 3-point shots (diagram H). If a 3-point shot is taken, we have both O4 and O5 inside rebounding.
