Initial Set

As in most all plays, proper spacing is imperative.

• Player 1 (Inbounder): Positioned out of bounds on the baseline. This player must have strong vision and the ability to make high-velocity passes into tight windows.
• Players 4 & 5 (Bigs): Stationed on the low blocks, establishing a physical presence.
• Players 2 & 3 (Guards): Positioned at the elbows, maintaining high-post spacing.

Flow

Step 1: The Initial Trigger and Down-Screens

The play initiates on the inbounder’s signal. Players 2 and 3 hard-cut from the elbows down toward the baseline. Concurrently, 4 and 5 set firm down-screens at the low blocks, hunting contact to disrupt the trailing defenders.

Step 2: Boundary Cuts and Weak-Side Flash

• Player 2 curls tightly off the low-block screen set by 4, clearing out to the strong-side corner to stretch the baseline help defense.
• Player 3 uses the screen from 5 to slash directly across the lane toward the weak-side block, creating an immediate low-post target.

Step 3: The Counter Release (Screen-and-Roll Mechanics)

Once the guards clear the screening zone, the big men transition into secondary scoring options:

• Player 4 seals their defender immediately after the screen, rolling directly down the center of the lane toward the rim (rim-run).
• Player 5 releases from the block and pops straight up to the top of the key, serving as the primary safety outlet to maintain defensive balance against a counter-attack.

Step 4: The Inbounder’s Progression Reads

The inbounder must progress through their reads within the 5-second count, prioritizing high-percentage looks:

1. First Read: Player 3 on the quick flash to the weak-side block.
2. Second Read: Player 4 on the direct roll down the lane line.
3. Third Read: Player 2 in the strong-side corner if the defense collapses inside.
4. Safety: Player 5 at the top of the key to reset the possession into our primary half-court offense.

Teaching Points

Screening Angles: A soft screen guarantees defensive recovery. The low-post screeners must plant their feet, widen their base, and force the chasing defenders to travel over the top or lose a step through the lane.

• V-Cuts and Decoy Movement: The guards at the elbows must walk their defenders up half a step before exploding down toward the screens to maximize defensive displacement.
• Delivery Precision: The inbounder cannot lock their eyes onto the target. They must use subtle head fakes to hold the help-side defenders before delivering a crisp chest or bounce pass to the cutter.

Here is a link to the animation for Simple Baseline Play for the Inbounder.  Hoop Coach Playbook Pro users can print a PDF or export to an animated .gif.