4-Up Man Baseline Out of Bounds Play: Screen the Screener BLOB
When facing tight man-to-man defense on the baseline, generating a high-percentage look requires misdirection and precise screening angles. The 4-Up Man Baseline Out of Bounds (BLOB) play utilizes a classic “screen the screener” action to confuse the defense and isolate a primary scorer on the low block, while smoothly transitioning into secondary options for perimeter shooters.
Initial Setup The play begins in a 4-Up alignment. The two bigs (4 and 5) are positioned at the free-throw line elbows, while the guards (1 and 2) start out wide on the wings or dropped into the deep corners. Player 3 is the inbounder on the baseline.
Play Execution
- The Initial Screen (Pressure Release): The action initiates with the 5 stepping down to set a pin-down screen for the 2 on the strong-side wing. The 2 uses the screen and pops out directly to the top of the key. This movement forces the defense to react and serves as a reliable safety valve, ensuring the inbounder has a pressure-release pass available if the primary action is heavily contested.
- Screen the Screener Action: Immediately after 5 sets the screen for the 2, the 4 slides across the free-throw line from the weak-side elbow to set a down screen for the 5. This is the core “screen the screener” concept of the set. By having the 5 act as a screener first, their defender is often forced to show or help, leaving them trailing and vulnerable to the secondary screen from the 4.
- The Primary Look: Coming off the screen from the 4, the 5 dives hard to the strong-side low block. The inbounder (3) reads the defense and looks to make a direct entry pass to the 5 near the rim for a quick post-up, seal, or layup.
Secondary Actions If the defense anticipates the screen the screener action and denies the inbound pass to the 5 on the block, the offense flows into secondary scoring options once the ball is successfully entered.
- After making the entry pass to the 5, the inbounder (3) steps inbounds and relocates to the strong-side wing, providing an immediate kick-out option if the 5 is double-teamed in the post.
- Simultaneously, the 2 (currently at the top of the key) sets a down screen for the 1 on the weak-side wing. The 1 cuts aggressively to the top of the key to receive a pass out of the post, creating an opportunity for a catch-and-shoot three-pointer or a quick ball reversal.
- As the perimeter players exchange, the 4 (who set the second screen) dives to the weak-side low block. This establishes weak-side rebounding position or makes the 4 available for a dump-off pass if the defense rotates heavily to cover the perimeter shooters or trap the 5.
Defensive Reads and Effectiveness This man-to-man baseline set is effective because it forces multiple, rapid defensive decisions and relies heavily on communication. The sequential screening actions make it difficult for defenders to switch cleanly without creating a mismatch. If the defense switches the first screen, the second screen often catches a smaller guard trying to navigate through traffic to defend the rolling 5. The built-in spacing and subsequent weak-side screening ensure that the offensive flow continues naturally even if the primary post look is neutralized..
