Double Back Screen Set: Get High-Percentage Looks in the Paint
If you are facing a stingy man-to-man defense and need a reliable set to get a touch on the block, this Double Back Screen action is a highly effective option. This play leverages misdirection and heavy screening action at the high post to force defensive miscommunications, creating an open dive to the rim or a highly favorable mismatch down low.
Here is how to execute the set.
Initial Alignment
We start this play in a modified 1-4 high or Horns-style alignment, heavily overloaded to the left side of the floor:
- Player 1 (Point Guard): Initiates the offense dead center at the top of the key with the basketball.
- Players 4 and 5 (The Bigs): Positioned straight across from each other at the left and right elbows.
- Player 2 (Off-Guard): Spaced out on the left wing.
- Player 3 (Wing/Cutter): Stationed deep in the left corner.
Play Execution & Movement
1. The Clear Out Cut The action triggers with your 2-guard initiating a hard cut from the left wing. The 2 dives into the paint, crosses completely underneath the 5 at the left elbow, and clears all the way out to the empty right wing. This initial action is crucial—it occupies help defense, flattens out the floor, and empties the strong side to create operating room for the primary action.
2. Setting the Double Back Screen Timing is everything here. The moment the 2-guard clears the lane, your 3 explodes up from the deep left corner. Simultaneously, your 4 and 5 hold their ground at the elbows and establish a heavy double back screen (which can also act as a staggered back screen depending on how the defense chases).
3. The Dive to the Block The 3 runs their defender shoulder-to-shoulder directly into the double screen set by the bigs. As the defender gets caught in the heavy traffic at the free-throw line, the 3 dives hard down the center of the paint toward the rim. The point guard (1) reads the defensive reaction and delivers the entry pass to the 3 for the high-percentage finish at the basket.
Key Coaching Points
Exploiting the Switch: Defense will often try to survive this by switching the screens. If the defender guarding the 4 or 5 switches onto the diving 3, your bigs must instantly recognize the mismatch, pin the smaller guard on their hip, and slide down to the post. Your point guard should immediately look to dump it inside for a deep post touch against a smaller defender.
Timing the Cut: Your corner player (3) must be patient. If they sprint up before the 2-guard has fully cleared the paint, the spacing is ruined, and the help defense will easily blow up the play. Wait for the lane to open.
Screening Angles: Your bigs (4 and 5) need to head-hunt the defender. They must read the path of the trailing defender and set wide, illegal-to-ignore screens. They cannot slip these screens early; they have to make solid contact to free up the cutter.
Animation of Double Back Screen Set.
