4 Flat Inbounds Play: Cross Baseline Out of Bounds Play

“Cross” is a man to man baseline out of bounds play that starts in a 4 flat set, also called four low. On the slap of the ball, all four players move up to the free throw line extended, the ball goes in to the 4 at the elbow, and the inbounder steps in and back screens for a layup. It’s an extremely simple play that can be highly effective with precise timing and some hesitation and “look offs” by the passer and the player receiving the back screen.

Initial Set: 4 Flat

1 inbounds from the baseline on the ball side of the basket.
4 and 5 start on the blocks, with 4 on the ball side.
2 and 3 start wide along the baseline, 2 on the ball side and 3 on the weak side.

All four players start flat across the baseline, which bunches the defense down low.

Step by Step

Move up on the slap. All four players sprint up to the free throw line extended at the same time: 4 to the ball side elbow, 5 to the weak side elbow, 2 to the ball side wing and 3 to the weak side wing. Now it’s four across.
Inbound to 4. 1 passes to 4 at the ball side elbow, then steps in to the ball side block.
Swing to the wing. 4 passes to 2 on the ball side wing.
Back screen. When 4’s defender jumps toward the ball, 1 comes up from the block and back screens him.
Roll to the block. 4 cuts off 1’s screen down to the ball side block. 2 can take a dribble toward the corner to improve the passing angle.
Finish. 2 hits 4 on the block for a layup.

While this happens, 5 at the weak side elbow and 3 on the weak side wing hold their defenders away from the play. If nothing is there, the ball goes back out to them and you’re into your half court offense.

Coaching Points

Move up together. The jump from four low to four across is what spreads the defense out. If one player is late, his defender is in the way.
Look it off. 4 should catch, face up and look at the rim or the weak side before swinging the ball to 2. That freezes his defender for the screen.
Screen the defender who jumps. The play works because 4’s defender turns his head to follow the pass. 1 has to be there to hit him as soon as he does.
Wait for the screen. 4 shouldn’t cut until 1 is set. Cutting early takes the screen away.
Make the pass on time. 2 has to deliver the ball as 4 clears the screen, not after he’s already on the block and the defense has recovered.

Common Mistakes

Breaking up before the slap, or at different times
4 catching too far from the elbow, which leaves no room to roll to the block
1 screening too early, before 4’s defender turns toward the ball
2 holding the ball instead of hitting 4 as he comes off the screen

You can download the PDF for Cross and watch the animation to see how to teach this play to your team.

If you are looking for more basketball inbounds plays, take a look at our free basketball plays library. We have thousands of basketball plays created by Hoop Coach Playbook users. Some are really good, some are absolute garbage. You decide!

More out of bounds plays: see all of our baseline and sideline out of bounds plays for man and zone.