Cheetah Press Break

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Purpose: This is a strategy designed to work against a man-to-man full court press. The best case scenario is for a long pass to a sprinting speedster for an uncontested lay-in.


Instructions

Position your players as shown, but realize that Player 1 should actually be standing out of bounds. Player 2 should be a real speedster. This is usually something that you would do in a dead-ball situation, in which case Player 1 can not run the baseline.


On the slap of the ball, Player 2 starts behind Player 1(Again, realize that Player 1 is standing out of bounds), who pretends to hand him the ball. Player 2 then sprints all the way past the key and cuts up and between Players 4 and 5, who have moved apart to create a space. Player 3 sprints straight toward the baseline.

After Player 2 runs through the space, Players 4 and 5 close back up, creating a double-wide screen. Defender 2 is caught behind them, and Player 2 is wide open sprinting toward the basket. Player 1 (Standing out of bounds) throws a long pass that Player 2 can run to and corral for an uncontested drive to the hoop.

If your team is alert enough to set this up in a live ball situation (after a made basket), then Player 1 (Standing out of bounds) has an option to run the base line and throw the pass from the same side as the cutter. In this case, Player 2 should run a slight banana pattern in order to follow the flight of the pass.

Points of Emphasis:

  • The pass should be high enough to get over the defense and placed so that Player 2 can run to it without slowing down.
  • Player 2 should explode into his route after he passes behind Player 1.

Teaching Tips:

  • Tell your team that this play will get them an easy two points.
  • Teach your passer to look at and fake to Player 3 before looking for Player 2.

For more information about breaking presses, check out our comprehensive press break guide and online video.



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Comments

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Coach Mick says:
1/18/2015 at 9:31:07 PM

I plan on running this. So is player 2 just cutting in front (along baseline) and looking for a fake pass to player 1 before sprinting through the screen from player 4 & 5?

I've re-read this several times and it sounds like player 2 runs out and then back in.

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  1 reply  

Joe Haefner says:
1/19/2015 at 6:30:50 PM

I'm not 100% sure, but I believe you are correct.

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Caden says:
11/5/2014 at 11:08:47 PM

This is a very good play if you have the right players.

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COACH STONE says:
8/1/2011 at 12:34:27 AM

I actually won a playoff game with my team being down by 1 point!!! Not only did I have NO MORE TIME OUTS LEFT, but there was ONLY 23 seconds left in the game. THIS PLAY REALLY WORKS and NUMBER 2 MUST be your fastest player on the ENTIRE team and NUMBER 1 MUST not only have the best/strongest/accurate arm of the ENTIRE team but he/she must fake pass first to another player just to get his/her defender off balance. Then finally make that game winning pass for an EASY LAY UP!!! Very effective!!!

Thank you!!!!

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ROY G. says:
1/27/2011 at 9:30:59 PM

WITNESSED T . C. U. HORNED FROGS RUN A PRESS BREAK ALMOST IDENTICAL

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jay says:
12/27/2010 at 7:20:24 AM

whoever states this is illegal play is wrong. read the wording carefully and read your rule book carefully. Also, if you have a case book read that. Play done properly is perfectly legal.
i'm a coach of 29 years and I run plays in various situations very similar in concept to this one. just trying to help.

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tchic says:
10/13/2010 at 8:46:32 PM

Play is illegal

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griffin 24 says:
10/13/2010 at 2:57:04 PM

this looks like a good play! just !thing is wrong i agree with the perso that said what if the ! cant throw over the others deffese

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Coach T says:
8/11/2010 at 10:29:10 AM

The player doesn't run out of bounds. It tells you to remember that player 1 is out of bounds. As the other player breaks towards the ball there is a fake hand off. It didn't say run behind player 1 out of bounds.

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Coach Partin says:
8/10/2010 at 8:21:02 AM

You are not allowed to intentionally leave the playing floor then receive the pass. This play will result in a turnover for your team. If you modify it so that 3 sets a pick for 2 then runs to their position on the far side of the court it will work. I ran it last season this way and it worked great. I had a real speedster on my team so it was great!

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Coach A says:
2/4/2010 at 1:15:32 AM

I didn't think you were allowed to come from out of bounds and catch the ball without it first touching another player

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