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Here's an effective play that you can run against man-to-man defenses.Note in Diagram A that we are clearing out the right side of the court. Our post players (O4 and O5) move to the high post and the top of the key. O2 and O3 clear out to the left corner and short corner. The point guard O1 initially dribbles to the left wing, and keeps the dribble going. O5 starts moving toward O1 on the wing and O1 starts a dribble toward O5. O1 stops, makes a hand-off to O5 while screening O5's defender. O5 gets into triple threat position facing the hoop.
After handing off and screening for O5, O1 cuts around O4 to the hoop (Diagram B). O5 makes the over-the-top lob pass to O1 for the layup.
Notice that we have a tall post player O5 making the pass over a shorter defender (assuming a defensive switch), and a quick, point guard O1 beating the slower post defender on the cut.
It's amazing how such a simple play often gives you a layup. The hand-off and initial screen often confuses the defenders, whether to switch or not, and even when switching, it seems that the defender is often a step or two behind O1. You would think that O4's defender would switch and pick up O1, but oftentimes it just doesn't happen. If they do switch, pass to O4 who moves to the ball-side elbow.
"51"
This play is similar to Loyola above, except we give O1 a screen at the top from O5. Also, sometimes it is easier for O1 to start from triple-treat position than off the dribble (as in Loyola). So O1 passes to O2, V-cuts and gets the pass back from O2. Now we have O1 in triple-threat position.O1 waits for O5's back-screen and dribbles hard around the screen into the seam. O3 slides to the corner to open the left seam. O1 can shoot the lay-up (or pull-up jump-shot), pass to O4, pass to O3, or pivot and pass back out on top to O5. Notice that this is not a pick-and-roll play as O5 stays out on top.
If O1 passes back out to O5 (diagram C), O5 and O4 play "hi-lo" (like in the "Big" series) as O4 posts up inside and O1 clears out to the corner.
"41"
This is the same play as "51" above, but run on the opposite side, with O4 making the back-screen for O1. So O1 passes to O3, V-cuts and gets the pass back from O3. O1 waits for O4's back-screen and dribbles hard around the screen into the seam.O2 slides to the corner to open the left seam. O1 can shoot the lay-up (or pull-up jump-shot), pass to O5, pass to O2, or pivot and pass back out on top to O4. Notice again that this is not a pick-and-roll play as O4 stays out on top.
If O1 passes back out to O4 (diagram C), O4 and O5 again run the "hi-lo" option, as O5 posts up inside and O1 clears out to the corner.
"Michigan"
We run this play from our basic 3-out, 2-in motion offense. O1 is point guard, O2 and O3 are the right and left wings, and O4 and O5 are the right and left low post players. This can be run in either direction, right or left. The first pass from the point guard determines the direction of the play.Setup:
O1 calls "Michigan", and immediately the two post players move up to the elbows and the two wings drop down into the corners.
When everyone is set, O1 yells "Go" and O2 cuts out toward the wing to receive the pass from O1. The ballside post (O4) immediately moves over to screen for the opposite post (O5), and to make spacing for the cut by O1.
O1 makes the basket cut, looking for the pass from O2. If the pass is not there, he/she moves out to the opposite corner. O3 moves out to the point as soon as O1 vacates the point.
O4 has set the screen for O5, but O5 delays until after O1 has already cut through (otherwise if O5 leaves too soon, O1 and O5 will collide, with no spacing). After O1 cuts through, O5 cuts hard off the screen to the ballside low block, looking for the pass from O2.
O2 has several options: pass to O1, pass to O5, shoot the 3-pointer, or drive his/her man. If O5 does not receive the pass, he/she can optionally set a backscreen for O2.
Baseline-3
"Baseline-3" is a simple back-door play. You can run this out of a 3-out, 2-in motion offense, or a 1-3-1 offense. The low post player O5 runs the baseline and sets a weak-side screen for the opposite wing O3.We use the label "baseline 3" because it tells our players that our baseline low-post is going to pick for O3, and because the defense might erroneously think that "baseline 3" might mean a 3-point shot from the corner.
Diagram A... O1 is at the point, O2 and O3 are on the wings, O5 is low post and O4 is high post. O3 slides down toward the corner. The defender may think O3 is looking for the 3-pointer there. O1 passes to O2 (diagram B), while O4 comes to the ball-side elbow. O2 passes to O4 at the elbow. Meanwhile, the baseline post player O5, sprints over and screens for O3.
O3 cuts hard around the screen to the hoop (diagram C). O4 pivots quickly and passes to O3 coming in the "back door". Or the pass can go directly from O2 to O3. O2 slides toward the hoop for either the rebound, or a dish from O3. O1 stays on the point to be back on defense, and also, if the play fails, could get the pass back from O4 for an open 3-point shot.
Diagram D. Option on the screen.
If the X5 defender switches and goes with O3, then O3 clears out, O5 has inside position on the screen and seals the defender and cuts to the hoop for the pass.
Opening Tip Play
Jump ball plays used to be more important when every jump ball was actually "jumped". Now with the changing possession arrow, getting the opening tip is not a big advantage since you will get the next possession anyway. If you have little chance of getting possession off the tip, just set up around the circle in a defensive line-up (maybe even two guards back) and concede the tip, but not a lay-up.But, if you do have a strong advantage in getting the opening tip (a tall center or a good leaper as your jumper), here's a play you can try to get off to a quick start. A quick lay-up in the opening seconds can be a good psychological boost for your team. In a close game, little things like one additional possession and two extra points can be the winning difference.
See the diagrams below. Have your best jumper obviously jump center. Have your players practice this against each other to find out who is the best "tipper". Have a strong post player (O4) line-up on the circle on the offensive end of the circle. Have two quick players (O1 and O2) line up on opposite sides of the circle at the half-court line. One player (O3) stays back to prevent the opponent's fast break.
As the ball goes up, O1 and O2 quickly release up the sides into the forecourt. Caution... if they leave too soon, the ball will be awarded to the opponent. I believe this is a risk worth taking because the refs won't usually make this call (and you get the breakaway lay-up). And, if the call is made, the opponent gets the ball out-of-bounds on the sideline and you can either set up your half-court defense, or attempt to pressure and steal the inbounds pass. You get the next possession anyway, so it's not a big loss for the opponent be awarded the ball (especially if you prevent them from scoring).
Back to the play... the ball is tipped to O4 who immediately pivots and passes quickly, or simply "redirects" (tips) the ball to either O1 or O2. You now have a 2-on-1 fast break and a great chance for the opening lay-up. O4 and O5 are "trailers" in the play. If the opponent gets the tip, things may backfire on you, and everyone must sprint back on defense.
