Quick Hitter: Ithaca Elite

1 brings up the ball on either side of the floor. 2 and 3, who should be good perimeter shooters, are stationed in the corners on opposite sides. 4 and 5 should be post players that can handle the ball and hit a mid-range jumper. 4 and 5 begin on opposite lane lines, relatively parallel to 2 and 3.

1 initiates the play by bringing the ball to one side or the other. Since 1 is bringing the ball up on the left side, 4 will lift up to the left elbow. Note: Whatever side 1 brings up the ball determines which post player lifts up to the elbow/pinch post.

1 enters the ball to 4 and then cuts to the opposite slot (lane line). Note: After 4 catches the ball, he must pivot and become an offensive threat.  3 lifts up to right wing. 4 has the choice of driving to the basket or shooting a mid-range jumper.

If the drive or shot is not there for 4. 2 dives to the basket and goes all the way through to opposite corner. As 2 is cutting to the bucket, 1 and 3 are looping around to the left side. 1 goes to the left corner while 3 comes around to accept the hand-off from 4. 4 would space out to the perimeter, to give 3 another option for a kick-out. Reminder: When executing the hand-off, 4 must reverse pivot and protect the ball by keeping it tight to his body and away from the defense. Also, he only has 5 seconds to do something with the ball so it may be necessary he takes 1 or 2 dribbles toward 3 prior to the hand-off. Note: If 2 is open on basket cut, 4 should drop the ball down to him.

3 can attack hoop or kick the ball out to the corner, if 1's man comes to help on the drive. Depending on what 5's defender, 3 may also be able to dump the ball down to 5. 

Alternative/Wrinkle to Step/Frame 4. As 2 cuts baseline, 1 cuts for the hand-off and 3 loops around to left wing for possible kick-out. 5 could also be open, for a drop down, if his man slides to pick up 1 driving to the basket.

High-Set 2,3,4,5 are in the same position as in the four-down set except they all start above the foul line. 1 still initiates the play by going to one side (this time the right side).

Since 1 is on the right side, he will enter pass to 5. At the time of entry to 5, 2 and 3 fade to the corner. 4 slides  After entering the ball to 5, 1 will slide a little to the left to get a good angle for a kick-out in case 1's defender collapses.

5 has several options:

• He can drive or shoot a mid-range jumper.
• Toss it out to 2, if his defender doesn't go to the corner with him.
• Look opposite to 3 in the corner, if his man decides to help on 4.
• Kick the ball out to 1, if his defender collapses.
• 4 can dive to right block for high-low option or slide down to left block and duck-in.
•   1 can also come around for a hand-off.

Note: Here is where a coach can be a little creative.