“Flare DHO”
Term: Flare DHO
Definition: a 3-person action in which a player sets a flare screen and then receives a dribble handoff
Synonyms: N/A
See Also: Rip DHO, Spanoulis, Chicago, Delay
How It Works: In the diagram above, 3 sets a flare screen for 4 and then receives a DHO from 5.
Why It Works: Similar to Rip DHO, Flare DHO embodies Chuck Daly’s aphorism that “defense can’t guard two things in a row.” If 3’s defender helps with 4 coming off the flare screen, he’s out of position when 3 gets the DHO. If he doesn’t, 4 could be open off the flare.
In fact, Rip and Flare DHO are typically reads off the same play. If the defender trails the flare screen, the cutter curls and turns Flare DHO into Rip DHO. As a result, the two actions are identical except for whether the cutter cuts toward the basket or fades along the 3pt line. Here, Kyle Anderson (#1) cuts toward the hoop, making this play a Rip DHO:
This possession is exactly the same, except the cutter (Ja Morant) fades along the 3pt line, making this play a Flare DHO:
A benefit of setting flare screen instead of a rip is that the lane may be a bit more open for the DHO and roll (because the cutter and his defender are along the 3pt line instead of by the hoop). Even though Derrick Jones Jr’s lack of a shooting threat costs the Trail Blazers a bucket on this possession, this aerial clip of a Flare DHO shows how effective the play can be. Damian Lillard’s flare screen for CJ McCollum causes Dame’s defender, Trae Young, to stutter step, putting him a step or two behind his man. Atlanta hedges the DHO and is fortunate that Clint Capela can leave DJJ in the corner to tag the roller and block Robert Covington’s dunk attempt (note: The Trail Blazers were probably trying to attack Brandon Goodwin, a 6'0" backup point guard tasked with guarding the 6'7" Robert Covington on this play, and that’s why Covington is the roller instead of DJJ):
Later in the same game, the Trail Blazers run Flare DHO again, but with Enes Kanter (who is guarded by Capela) at the top of the key instead of Covington. Lillard sets a flare for McCollum and then gets the DHO from Kanter, which Atlanta hedges again. This makes Kanter open on the roll, which makes Kevin Huerter momentarily leave McCollum to tag Kanter, which makes McCollum open just enough to knock down a 3:
Flare DHO is also similar to Chicago — in which a player receives a down screen before getting the DHO — despite the fact that in the former, the (eventual) ballhandler sets a screen and in the latter, he receives a screen. Both plays are often from Delay (a 5-out series that begins with the center getting the ball at the top of the key), and both involve creating an advantage for the player who then receives a DHO.
In fact, here’s a clip of the Memphis Grizzlies running Flare DHO to set up Chicago: As he does in earlier examples, Dillon Brooks sets a flare screen (for Ja Morant) and then seems ready to receive the DHO. However, Brooks then turns around and screen Morant to get the DHO instead — making this play Chicago action:
Even though the ballhandler in Flare DHO doesn’t receive a pin-down, setting a screen can be just as effective as being screened for. Having a shooter like Damian Lillard set a screen can cause his defender to instinctively apply help even if he’s not supposed to—much like how a play-action in football can slow a pass rush, even if the defensive line intellectually knows not to worry about a run on that play. It’s difficult for defenders to ignore 20-plus years of muscle memory.
Here, setting a backscreen is all Joe Harris needs to get himself open for a catch-and-shoot 3. Whether or not he’s supposed to, Harris’s defender, Shake Milton, stops when Harris sets the screen, and Harris can pop out for an open 3 despite not receiving a screen of his own (forcing Milton to avoid Joel Embiid doesn’t hurt):
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