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Breakthrough Basketball

UNI

Summary

I got this play watching University of Northern Iowa when current Iowa State coach Greg McDermott used to coach there. This is by far one of my favorite plays out of a box set. It involves two ball screens, a back screen, and a screen the screener that opens up a 3-point shot.


Personnel

Player 1 should be an excellent ball handler with the ability to drive. Player 2 should be a good shooter. Player 3 should also be a good shooter. Players 4 & 5 should be your post players.


Instructions

  1. Player 1 dribbles to the left wing and switches directions with the dribble. As soon as Player 1 comes to the wing, Player 4 should step out to the 3-point line to set the screen and Player 3 will pop out to the wing.

    Player 5 will follow almost instantly to set a second screen for Player 1 near the top of the key.

    Timing is crucial here. You don't want Player 5 to come out too early or too late. It will take practice to get the timing down.
  

  1. As Player 1 dribbles around the second screen set by Player 5, Player 2 sets a back screen for Player 4.

    After dribbling around the second screen, Player 1 will have a split second where he can attack the hoop. He will want to utilize a hesitation dribble here. If nothing is open, it's very important not force it.
  

  1. As soon as Player 4 clears the screen set by Player 2, Player 5 sets a down screen for Player 2. Player 2 will flash to the top of the key for an open 3-point shot.

    If Player 4 is open flashing across the lane, Player 1 will throw the pass. If that's not open, the second option is to pass the ball to Player 2 at the top of the key.
  

  1. If neither one of the first two options are open, Player 5 may be open flashing to the ball after Player 2 has cleared the screen.

    If defensive player guarding Player 3 cheats in to the lane to help, Player 3 may be open for the skip pass.
  


What do you think? Let us know by leaving your comments, suggestions, and questions...


Comments

Darrell Jimson says:
6/27/2007 at 10:27:20 AM

Everything looks good except the last optional pass from player 1 cross court to player 3. looks a bit risky. I will try thos play except the optional pass. Thanks!


Wim Cluytens says:
6/27/2007 at 11:02:32 AM

Nice play
I give it a try with my team without a real 5-player


leland johnson says:
6/27/2007 at 12:06:58 PM

i like it theres constant movement between the teamates except for the three man but i like it ill try it and let you know


richard says:
6/27/2007 at 1:02:38 PM

this is great. I would be glad to receive this kind of insight more often.
Keep the good work.


David says:
6/27/2007 at 1:09:50 PM

I thought this play was excellent.


Coach Kraze says:
6/27/2007 at 4:31:36 PM

I love this play. I'm on my way to practice now and i'm gonna give it a try, although I agree with Darrel Jimson that the cross court pass does look a bit risky, but you haven't lead me wrong so far so i'm gonna do it the way it's drawn up...Thanks!


Joe Haefner says:
6/27/2007 at 4:42:23 PM

Hey Coach Kraze & Mr. Jimson,

I understand your concern with the cross court pass. I should've mentioned above that this is not the type of pass you want young basketball players to be throwing. Usually around ages 13 to 15 is when kids are strong enough to be effective when throwing that kind of pass.

You only want to throw this pass when the player guarding Player 3 is cheating way over to help out on defense. Otherwise, the pass is VERY risky.


Sam Bhatt says:
6/28/2007 at 12:57:26 AM

Looks like a great play to run with HighSchool kids, however I coach a youth basketball team with 10 and 11 year olds, it's real difficult to run this with them. Unfortunately it's a bit too complicated, if you do have any alternatives to this play which is a bit easier to run please do let me know, (gangsterbear@gmail.com)


David Boggs says:
6/28/2007 at 9:52:23 AM

I like all of the movement. I coach middle school girls. I feel comfortable with them doing everything except the skip pass to 3 in the corner.


coach clarke says:
6/28/2007 at 12:46:42 PM

I do agree with all the comments made.
I think to add more movement for the 3 is to have 4 set a back screen for the same shot on the opposite 3point line. This remves the risk of the skip pass.However timing is important like you mentioned in your tips.


Monte Moire says:
6/29/2007 at 8:26:37 AM

I like it. Great floor spacing. Good movement. And like, David Boggs, I coach middle school girls. I feel confident in their ability to run this play. Great job.


elie sacr says:
6/29/2007 at 11:43:04 AM

great play good movement on the floor and i agree with the mates 3 is not moving and the skip pass is dangerous maybe we could use the 3 to set a back screen for the 5 who goes traight to the basket to get the pass from the 1


Coach Kraze says:
6/29/2007 at 12:41:35 PM

Just a suggestion. Instead of the cross court pass from the 1 to the 3, how about swinging the ball around the 3point line from the 1 to the 2, and then the 3. I feel that is a safer option especially when your talking about teams 18 & under or a smaller team vs. a bigger team. I still love this play. Correct me if I'm wrong.


colin says:
7/14/2007 at 7:39:46 PM

I use this play all the time with my under 16 boys and the isolated no. 3 is a profficient 3 pt shooter and scores an average 4 threes a game, at 65%. He also drives well on the open side, but, having an excelent passer as your no. 1 is essential.


coach ojie says:
7/20/2007 at 11:38:49 AM

may I ask coach joe if this particular set play applicable to both zone & man to man defense?


Joe says:
7/23/2007 at 1:09:44 PM

Hi Coach Ojie,

This play is intended for man to man defenses.


besi says:
8/30/2007 at 8:22:20 AM

great great except the last pass to nr 3


Josh says:
9/17/2007 at 1:56:20 PM

I like the play but i think a reversal to the 5 as he pops then a screen for the 3 man set by the 2 for a curl would be a better option.the 4 would have to pop out to the wing. but i think it gets everyone involed


MJ says:
10/15/2007 at 11:56:04 AM

The last "optional" pass (the skip pass) will be there against a decent defense that is taught to play midline/helpside defense. I really think this option is crucial (at all levels) because it will allow 5 to seal and drag down the lane. Think about it, he will be denied by his defender by being between the ball and the 1 man. on the skip, 5 has a great opportunity to seal.


dwight stallings says:
10/16/2007 at 10:40:32 PM

what defense acan you run this man to man or zone?


Kala Hardy says:
11/3/2007 at 12:43:49 PM

I like this play alot it has good movment. And as i player i like the fact that there are a lot of picks set for players.


Coach O says:
11/21/2007 at 8:00:24 PM

I love the staggered screens that take place...after reading some of the readers feedback it seems there is a concern for the #3 standing too much in the corner and the last option for a cross court skip pass to him late in the series. Just a suggestion...since #2 is a shooting guard, why not utilize him after his back screen for #4 by having him screen down on #3 who breaks to the top to receive the rotation pass from #1. Continue the rotation and hit #2 for the shot at the wing or corner or have him hit #5 coming back down from the elbow.


coach yasser says:
11/22/2007 at 2:16:55 PM

great play
cuz the more options in it


mojo says:
12/5/2007 at 10:51:08 AM

Several remarks that I read are 'afraid to use the skip pass to #3'...if you run the play hard, sharp and physical, #3 man should be crashing the boards/rebounding, instead of an optional outlet pass. The main problem with a skip pass is that too many folk don't know how to teach it...if you use that pass with this in mind, it can be more successful: utilize a jumpshot-pass, use a no-look/no brainer pass, use a hook-no look pass...Each of those three are great; eliminate the telegraphing part of it and it works better. Try it in practice, you may be surprised at your success ratios. Merry Christmas.


rolando says:
12/20/2007 at 8:31:06 AM

great play, i will try this!


courtney lewis says:
1/22/2008 at 10:16:43 PM

the uni play i like because most of the plyrs hav an assignment i wud hav 3 cut bk to bucket and the 2 wud set up bout 5 ft to the left for more spacing


james jones says:
1/23/2008 at 7:21:58 PM

this play got shut down every time. do not use it more than once. also do not use it with school ball because the teams will be all over it.


Wim Cluytens says:
1/24/2008 at 12:52:56 AM

I used it as a "surprise offense" and it worked though we don't have a real center, but our 2 is in reality a 3 who can shoot from the top and the 3 in the diagram is a good shooter from the corner who was left alone by sagging defenses:when he received the ball he had lots of time to shoot.
Good rebounding positions.
Timing is very important.


Ephraim says:
3/3/2008 at 3:38:36 PM

this might help my team win


Malik says:
3/11/2008 at 12:28:56 AM

Nice, i really likes this play. it look like you can get a lot of open shots if the players excutes them right. i will definitely try it. thanks


Anita says: says:
4/6/2008 at 7:10:07 PM

I appreciate your information it helps,my players are better and feel good now thank you again.


Alex says:
4/21/2008 at 3:37:20 PM

Hey your plays its realy nice i like it!


Alex says:
4/21/2008 at 3:40:11 PM

this play is effective for player like me heheheh! i mean you cant leave me alone in the 3 point teritory i will crash the net!!!! joke hehehehe!!! but its true anyway.


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