Low - Really Simple Basketball Play

Isn’t this the Boston Celtics “clogged toilet” offense?

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This is not meant for some just man to man defense

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This play might work to score a quick 2 with a dominant player but it does so at the expense of the other 4 offensive players, who aren't set up to succeed by the play. Plus it doesn't clear the lane/paint area which opens up the ballhandler to a charge... if the idea is to lt your best player make the play to decide a game you could make it easier for them to get to the rim without a contest from help side.

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Jeff says: 11/16/2018 at 12:30:18 PM We run this a couple times a game at most. Often times not at all. We use this play because it frees up time in practice to work on other things.... skills, character, and development. But I agree with you... it does almost nothing for the players off the ball! Our motion offense looks nothing like this... everyone touches the ball. So good point. I just don't want to spend time teaching our players something more complicated because I want to spend practice time on development. Like     login   register

Lendue, another reason to not run zone at the youth level is tp get kids moving and to learn how to play defense. In some youth programs, all kids do in zone is run to a spot and stand there. One thought is that at some point, sone defense becomes man, so why not stress man principles early on?

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Just trying to clarify if this play is primarily used against M2M or a zone defense?

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Jeff says: 8/18/2015 at 2:33:40 PM You can run it against both. But it works better against man. Like     login   register

Any instructions for the four baseline players regarding movement? What if the PG stops his dribble? If it is a tight man defense, I think some movement needs to be taught to counter-attack.

Thanks!

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Jeff says: 5/6/2015 at 10:39:29 AM For the four baseline players, the instructions you give them will depend on the age level. With really young kids, I mainly want them to keep spacing. If that means they stay in their spot, then they stay in there spot. Ideally the players will adjust, read the passing lanes, and apply basic fundamental spacing concepts. For example, if the PG dribbles toward the right post player, that post player might need to flare to the short corner while the right corner player moves to the wing. The left post player might take a couple steps toward the top to improve the passing angle. I try to keep it simple and avoid too much instruction. Let them try it and then both the coach and players can adjust. Sometimes players figure it out on their own. Other times the coach might need to suggest adjustments. If your PG picks up their dribble and makes bad decisions, then the play won't work. The good news is that this mistake gives you a great teaching opportunity and opportunity to work with the PG on their skills and decision making. Like     login   register

I do use this play from time to time with my best player running the point. But, it will hurt you if your pg comes down and shoots and the other team gets the ball and transitions. Your team is already behind the other team in transition defense and therefore is at a disadvantage. My team constantly got beat in transition if my pg did not score. I won''t be using this play too much any more. This would be good for a end of quarter shot.

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For those coaches concerned about one player getting all of the development, I think a variation of this would be to alternate positions so that players other than just the "best" player get the opportunity to be the playmaker. I coach two AAU teams and I think I may give this a try as a nice change of pace.

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Thanks Ken! My son's rec league coaches taught man-to-man, by default, in the past. They're only permitted an hour of practice a week, which is ridiculous considering how much there is to teach.

This season's coach though has a defensive mindset and has begun to teach some 2-3 zone. My son's excited because it's new; I'm kinda "meh."

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Lendue,

The are several reasons for not allowing zones in youth leagues.

1- Young kids typically cannot shoot the ball well.
2- Playing zone does not teach the kids how to cover a man, play one pass away or get to the HELP LINE (which is very important)
3- Kids don't learn how to play the game by reading defenses and making proper cuts.

The bottom line is they really don't learn how to play the game. Young kids should be having FUN while learning the game -its NOT about winning at this level - winning is a by product of being fundamentally sound. JMO

As for the 1-4 low, we ran that a lot at the Varsity level (no, it wasn't our primary offense) we would end a quarter with that or just run it when we felt like we needed a quick shot. IF you have a good point guard or anyone who can handle the ball - its a great way to get to the basket - dump it to a post player - or kick it out to a wing... or just penetrate, get in the lane and shoot the J.

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Against any zone you are just trying to over load an area or put more offensive players in one area than defensive players so to me a pass may have to happen a little earlier but i do think this play could work against a zone. But like alot of the others have said this is a good play not offense.

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Would you run this play against a zone defence though?

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@DCS: Just curious, why would a league ban zone defenses?

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We run this play alot. Its really effective in our league where man to man is the only defense allowed. I call this play whenever the defending team has a dominate player that is playing the ball instead of his man or they are playing a zone. It expsoses the zone so the refs have to call it or it isolates the player that is playing the ball instead of man to man.

We almost always score on it.

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I agree with you guys. You do not want to use this as your offense. This is just a simple play to go to a few times a game, if needed.

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I like the play if your main purpose is to get one of the other four players an open shot. It takes some pressure off the not so skilled ball handlers in knowing they just need to get into a shooting position on the floor.
this would not be a desirable play to run as your main offense as it does not allow others as much involvement.
In closing I would hate to see the ball handler lose the ball to the defender as the others have little chance to defend.

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I would agree with Rupert this is the ultimate play for only developing one player's ballhandling and decision making skills. It should only be used by a coach with a 'winning is everything' attitude. If I were a varsity coach I would ban this play from my developmental league. What works isn't always what's best for the greater program. Often it's the worst. This is a great case in point.

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Jeff Haefner says: 2/24/2015 at 9:30:33 AM Totally agree with you. We NEVER ran this as our offense. It was intended to just give you a simple play for end of game situations or when you need a bucket. We ran motion offense 99% of the time. Like     login   register

Honestly, I would say it''s a nice play for end of game/quarter situations. But it has one big deficite if you play it as a set during the whole game. In fact only one player, who is probably allready your best, becomes better in the games. He''s the only one who''s making decisions, handles the ball all the time. Besides the other four guys are in danger to become robots and just running to their spots.

For youth basketball I prefer motion offenses, cause everybody is involved in the play and all your players will become better.

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Jeff Haefner says: 2/24/2015 at 9:30:09 AM Totally agree with you. We NEVER ran this as our offense. It was intended to just give you a simple play for end of game situations or when you need a bucket. We ran motion offense 99% of the time. Like     login   register

I have a fairly good group of girls, but our league does not award 3 point shots, so we don't send them out that far for a shot. I would prefer that a post player gets the pass. Having said that, how does the point guard penetrate against a zone or is this meant to be used against a zone at all.

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We ran this a lot and yes, it won us several games too! Take it to the hole, get into the lane, jump stop and shoot the J ..... and penetrate and kick it out to a wing 3 point shooter.

We had some teams try to do this to us also... we defended it by forcing the ball OFF the center line... get it off to one side and your helpside D will be dictated. JMO

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Thanks very much for the "Low" play.
Your comments and plays are of tremendous use to me. Keep up the great service!

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I would have to agree! I ran a similar play with my U14 girls last season, but instead of being at the baseline, they were all lined up mid-way between the baseline and the foul line (entended). This allowed them to also have the oppoftunity to incorporate pick and roll and still have room to negotiate. Truly the play is simple in design but very effective when executed by a solid and confident ball handler! Got us to the the division championships it did!

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