This entry could begin with either wing player (03 or 04) receiving initial pass. This case has 01 make the “Wing Pass” to 03 & immediately ‘shuffle-cuts’ off of 05’s (weakside shoulder,) followed by 02 cutting off of 05’s new ballside shoulder. 03 looks to make bounce pass to 02 and of or lob pass to 01 on new weakside. Both 01 & 02 end up on the two mid-post block areas.
If 03 turns down making passes to either cutter or skip pass to 04 or pass to 05; 05 steps out to set an ‘Inside Ball-Screen’ for 03 to use to dribble towards top of key. At same time 03 ‘dribble-scrapes’ off of 05’s top shoulder, 02 then steps up to set a “small on big (back) screen the (ball) screener.” 03 looks to hit 05 ‘running to rim’ and also looks to turn corner & penetrate down middle of the lane. 04 breaks down to set down-screen for 01 to use for possible ‘3 pt.’ shot as well as to eliminate support interior defense. No shots still place players in “3-Out of 2-In” spot-ups to maintain attack on defense.
The “RAM” (Right Side “ball-screen”) entry is shown being run out of the same “PLUS” (Right Side) Set—but to the offense’s right side. 02 sets a “ball-screen” (X2) for 01 to be able to get to the FT line extended on the right side. This should force a backline zone defender (X3) to rotate up to guard 01. Early on his dribble off of the ball-screen, 01 could make a ‘lob pass’ to 04, who has cut behind the zone to the rim. If 04 is not open for a ‘lob pass,’ 04 should then cut out to the new ballside “short-corner.“ When that defender (X3) steps up & out to cover the ball, 04 then loops to the new ballside “short-corner.“ 05 drifts behind the middle line of the zone before then ‘gap-cutting’ to the new ‘ballside mid-post’ area. 03 steps up to back-screen the weakside wing area for 02 to use to flare-cut to the new weakside area.
If 01 ‘dribble-scrapes’ off of 02’s “ball-screen,“ he either will be open at the FT line extended for an open jump shot or passing opportunities to 04, 05, 02 or to 03.
01 could also make a possible ‘inside pass’ to 05 on his ‘gap-cut’ when he steps behind the front line of the zone defense or when 05 ‘gap-cuts’ towards the new ballside high post. 01 could also look to make a ‘skip-pass’ to 02 for a ‘3 pt.’ shot, or 03 could simply and safely make a ‘reverse pass’ to 03 after 02 has slipped 03’s back-screen. If no one has the desired inside or perimeter shot, all personnel are in the proper spot-ups to smoothly & easily begin the designated zone continuity offense, giving the defense no time to recover or reorganize.
John Kimble is a respected basketball coach, author, and educator with extensive coaching experience.
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