Half courtFirst stepsPass & cut
Pass, cut & fill
Pass to the wing. Cut to the basket. Fill the open space.
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Start with the situation, understand the idea, and make it fit your five players.
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Basketball labels explained
Labels help you find an idea. A setup or action label can apply to many different plays.
- DHODribble handoff
- A ball handler dribbles toward a teammate and gives them the ball at close range. The receiver takes over the dribble.
- HornsTwo-elbow starting set
- One guard starts up top, two teammates at the elbows, and two in the corners. It names the setup, not one fixed play.
- ZoomOff-ball screen into a handoff
- A receiver uses a stationary off-ball screen, then comes straight to a teammate for a close handoff.
- M2M offenseAgainst player-to-player defense
- Each defender usually guards a particular opponent. Offensive cuts and screens try to create separation.
- Pick & rollBall screen and basket cut
- A teammate sets a stationary screen for the ball handler, waits for them to use it, then cuts toward the basket.
- Quick hitterA short scoring sequence
- A few connected actions designed to create a clear shot opportunity quickly. Playback teaching pace does not estimate the game clock.
- ZipperA vertical cut up from the baseline
- A receiver cuts toward the top, usually past a stationary screen near the lane. The library can support the label even before it has a dedicated example.
- Zone offenseFind gaps between defenders
- Defenders cover areas. Move into visible passing windows, change the ball’s side, and keep a safe outlet.
- BLOBBaseline out-of-bounds
- The offense inbounds from behind the attacking basket’s baseline.
- SLOBSideline out-of-bounds
- The offense inbounds from a side boundary. Frontcourt and backcourt entries are different situations.
- Press breakAdvance against full-court pressure
- Create short receiving windows and a safe return pass to bring the ball from the backcourt toward the attacking basket.
22 example plays5 on 5 · Ages 10–14
Half courtBuild on itScreen & roll
Use the screen
Set a high screen, read the help, and find the roll.
Baseline inboundBuild on itOff-ball screen
Start from a box
A cross-screen creates an inside look with a wing outlet.
Half courtFirst stepsPass & cut
Pass and get it back
A wing pass, a basket cut, and a short return when the lane is open.
Baseline inboundFirst stepsSafe entry
Open a wing window
Change direction to receive on the wing, with a short outlet ready.
Sideline inboundBuild on itPass & cut
Cut behind the denial
Clear the lane and look behind an overplayed receiver.
Half courtBuild on itOff-ball screen
Pass, then screen away
After passing, help a teammate get free on the other side.
Half courtBuild on itZone entry
Find the high post
Move the ball to a wing and flash into an open middle window.
Half courtFirst stepsHorns
Two elbows, one basket cut
Enter to an elbow, then look for the guard’s return cut.
Baseline inboundBuild on itQuick hitter
A short-clock inside look
Set a stationary cross-screen, then find a near-basket receiving window.
Sideline inboundBuild on itQuick hitter
Free your outside shooter
An off-ball screen opens an outside receiving window for player 2.
Baseline inboundFirst stepsZone entry
A short entry against a 2–3 zone
Show a short-corner target and a second elbow window before the entry.
Half courtBuild on itZone entry
Read the bottom of a 1–3–1
Move to the wing, flash to the short corner, and read the bottom defender.
Half courtFirst stepsZone entry
Flash into a 1–2–2 middle window
A wing catch precedes a high-post flash and short middle entry.
Half courtFirst stepsHandoff
A close handoff, then move
Lift from the corner, secure a close exchange, then dribble toward the elbow.
Half courtBuild on itDHO
Dribble to the exchange
Bring the ball to the wing, hand it off, then read the middle.
Half courtBuild on itZoom
Screen, handoff, outside read
Use a stationary off-ball screen, meet the giver, then attack the slot.
Press breakFirst stepsPress break
Short passes through pressure
Inbound from the backcourt baseline, keep the return, and find the middle.
Press breakBuild on itPress break
Escape the side, reverse safely
With the ball already in play, reverse through the middle and advance on the other side.
Full courtBuild on itTransition
Outlet, wide lanes, trail read
Move the secured outlet forward, fill wide lanes, then read the trail.
Original teaching examples. Basketball-coach review is pending; check the fit for your team.
How to choose a youth basketball play
Start with the ball’s location and one decision your players can understand. Use a simple half-court sequence for movement after a pass, or choose a baseline or sideline example for an inbound restart.
Match the picture to the possession
The examples cover pass-and-cut movement, safe inbound entries, on-ball and off-ball screens, and a zone entry. Check the start location, first receiver, and order of actions before choosing one.
Teach the fallback with the first option
An arrow represents an intended action, not an open passing lane. Walk through what happens when the first option is covered. If the fallback is unclear, simplify the idea before adding defensive pressure.
Questions coaches ask
What is a good first play to teach?
Pass, cut and fill can introduce movement after a pass without a screen. Start with just the pass and cut, then add the clearing and filling decisions when the players understand them.
Can I edit a library example?
Open it in the designer to inspect the sequence and use the available refinement tools. Save the revised play to your account when you want to keep it.