5 Out FastBreak: Middle Push
As more and more teams are spreading the floor within the 5 Out Motion offense, it’s becoming more important to have a way to flow seamlessly into the scheme without having to stop and set it up every possession. As the best time for any team to score occurs in transition, we will go over one way that teams can be successful in transition regardless of the defense that they see. Pushing the floor up the middle allows our other four players to sprint the floor and make the appropriate read while the defense is caught watching. A huge key to asuccessful fastbreak is to understand that running CONSISTENTLY is more valuable than simply just being fast. A willingness to run with proper spacing regularly will make the decision making simpler for the players. Quick shoutout to the Denver Nuggets who are excellent at cutting and screening in transition where they quietly had one of the best offensive seasons in the NBA.
Rebounding and the Outlet
Whoever snatches the rebound must not take a dribble unless its absolutely neccessary. Their first job is to look up the floor and throw a deep pass to their teammates. The first two players down the floor will sprint to the corners looking for the three point shot or the drive to the basket where they can also create for others. The next two players will prepare to catch the outlet and immediately push the ball to the middle of the floor. It’s after this has taken place that the real fun begins.
Circle
As the guard is pushing the ball ahead, they will begin to dribble towards one of the lane lines a.k.a the slots. From here this read occurs when the player defending the corner man stays tight to their matchup instead of being in the proper help position. As the corner player cuts to the rim, the wing will fade to the corner and also take that defender with them. Assuming that we havent scored on the backdoor cut, that second defender now has to make a decision between giving up the corner three or allowing the drive from the player up top.
Drop
Our next read is similar to the first one only this time it’s the wings defender who is extended out away from the paint are. That offensive wing will cut straight to the rim. When done properly and with aggression, this cut should also force the corner mans defender to sink in to help prevent a layup. The result leads to a perimeter catch by the wing.
Down
As we get into our downscreen read, we look to emphasize the importance of communication as well as knowing your teammates. For starters, the wing must tell their teammate to use their screen or the corner player may also ask for a screen as well. The three options here are the Screen/Slip, Curl/Replace, and Backdoor/Pop. Based on where the defense is standing will help your players decide what to do. If the defense is sinking in, then we screen towards the perimeter. But if the defense is hugging tight, then the offense will backdoor or curl to the rim.
*IMPORTANT DETAILS:
- Screeners must Sprint toward their teammates defender. Screen people and not places.
- Receivers of the screen must be very patient and not move until their teammates feet have landed firmly in position
- After contact is made, a screener should ALWAYS look to slip to the basket for an easy basket.
- A screen-setter must point their back to the area of where they would like their teammate to go towards.
Up
Our final read is a great way to surprise the defense. The corner player will look to set a flare screen for the player heading to the wing which will allow them to fade toward the corner for a shot or drive. After making contact, the screener will slip to the basket. If the defense chases over the top of the screen, then we can look to curl to the rim for a layup as well. A fun wrinkle following the flare screen is to dribble handoff towards the screen to allow them an opportunity to shoot the three or drive to the basket.
What makes all of these reads so dangerous to defend is not only that they occur in transition when the defense is at its most vulnerable, but also that they are very easy three player reads that can be drilled daily. It can be included in your teams warmup and used in three on three scrimmages prior to applying it to a five on five situation. They can also be used as entries into various actions or set plays.
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